Getting Bullied as a Kid, Feeling Inferior and Learning to Fight

Keith was verbally picked on all of his young life and even once while in high-school, was slapped in the face by a malcontent school yard bully. Getting slapped in the face, for a man, is almost as bad as being spit on. There’s something so degrading about a slap … Continue Reading Continue reading

Human Cockroaches and Light

Nighttime burglars are like cockroaches. In fact, most nighttime criminals are just like cockroaches—they cannot stand light! People laugh when I mention the comparison but it’s true. Nighttime criminals work hard to not be seen by victims or anyone else for that matter. They walk in the shadows, love the … Continue Reading Continue reading

Fear and Battle—How To Handle It

A common theme I hear from students taking self-defense is whether or not they’ll really be able to fight back and protect themselves against an attacker. Even while practicing hard and being good at their techniques they wonder when the rubber hits the pavement, whether they’ll really be able to … Continue Reading Continue reading

Bullying: Giving, Taking and Stopping

Bullying is a bad thing. In some cases, a terrible thing. While I was never really bullied, I was, in a way, similarly touched. When I was about 12, an 18 year-old tough guy, told a new friend of mine, directly in front of me, “He’s real good looking ain’t … Continue Reading Continue reading

Reality Never Lies—Get Up Off Of That Thing and Get Real

When I was a teenager I was a big fan of the singer and entertainer known as “The Godfather of Soul”, James Brown. He told it and sang it like it was. He wasn’t a pushover and sang about what he believed in and entertained with gusto and pride. He … Continue Reading Continue reading

Bad Neighborhoods, Taking the Plunge and Protecting Yourself

Why do people from bad neighborhoods generally, street fight better than those from good neighborhoods? The reason is twofold—experience and necessity. People who live in the cruel trenches of society where dog-eat-dog mentality prevails and who live near those who prey on the weaker have three choices growing up. They … Continue Reading Continue reading

Violence Sucks, But…

Imagine walking down the street and being approached by a street thug and being hassled for the good looking athletic shoes you’re wearing. He likes what you have and he wants it. Imagine bowing your head and figuratively turning the other cheek. Imagine being confronted by a man who wants … Continue Reading Continue reading

Believe Your Eyes When it Comes To Karate, MMA or Self-Defense

Many years ago an incident occurred that has stuck with me forever. The dojo was full from wall to wall and it was crunch-time for the out-of-townee going for his black belt test. The test was at my father’s dojo and I was simply there to observe someone’s test. The … Continue Reading Continue reading

Human Cockroaches, Rape, Robbery and 10 Simple Hotel Security Tips

One balmy southern night a 45 year-old mom and her 18 year-old daughter were fast asleep in their South Carolina hotel. They were on a mother daughter vacation. Just two ladies ready to bond and have some fun. So, they locked their hotel room door and settled into their separate … Continue Reading Continue reading

Live by the Sword Die by the Sword and I Pity the Fool

If you’re into self-defense, MMA or specific martial arts you’ve probably heard the saying, “Live by the sword, die by the sword”. It’s actually derived from a saying of Jesus, quoted in the Bible, in effect meaning that if you use violence you can expect to have those same means … Continue Reading Continue reading

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