The Self-Initiative Project

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 49, Be a Sharp(er) Woman with Kelly Sayre

Kelly, from The Diamond Arrow Group, joins us again. This time to talk through her new book, Sharp Women, a book women (and men, alike) can take something away from.

We talk about the importance of listening to our intuition, paying attention to our surroundings, how our upbringing impacts the way we view and respond to the world around us, and how hard it is to uphold boundaries with those we know. All of this and much, much more.

While mostly written for women, this book is a great read for men as well as it helps us maybe better understand their perspectives, especially when it comes to their safety and security. It is a long listen but well worth it.

Sit back. Relax. And listen.

Other related podcast:

Podcast 25 - Situational Awareness and More (w/ Kelly)

Podcast 26 - What if... ? The Importance of Thinking Through Scenarios

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 48, Carjacking

What's the difference between car theft and carjacking? We discuss it.

We also talk about some legal concepts that may come into play with either car theft or carjacking, though we give no legal advise.

We talk about some things you can do to help make you less likely to be a victim of a carjacking. Ultimately, we have to take responsibility for our own personal safety.

And lastly, we chat through what you may consider doing should you ever find yourself a victim of a carjacking and some scenarios you will want to consider and think through.

Thanks for listening.

Other podcasts:

Podcast 11 - Safety In and Around Your Vehicle

Podcast 26 - What if.. ? The Importance of Thinking Through Scenarios

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 44, How Physical Fitness Fits Into Your Personal Safety and Preparedness Plan

How important is physical fitness during a self-defense encounter? Very.

This episode we talk about the differences between aerobic and anaerobic exercise and how anaerobic is key in self-defense scenarios.

We discuss the benefits of exercise and go well beyond the usual points of losing weight and building muscle; and we give some tips and points on how you can get started or re-started if it has been a while for you.

Additionally, we try to make this episode a little interactive by giving you homework assignments including an exercise challenge to help jump things off for you.

If you take the initiative, you will also learn more about things like:

• Organs for managing glucose
• VO2 Max
• EPOC
• ATP energy
• Where endorphins come from
• What the Autonomic Nervous System is responsible for
• And much, much more

If you have any interest in your own personal safety, this is an episode you will not want to miss.

And remember, push to progress...

Thanks for listening.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 43, Safety Considerations For Vendors of All Types

Whether you have garage or yard sales, work at a flea market or an arts & crafts fair, you sale at a farmers' market, or you are a street vendor, this podcast is for you.

We cover the 3 main areas of keeping things locked down, the importance of a heightened sense of situational awareness, and some tips on how to better handle cash when in public.

Sit back. Relax. And listen.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 42, A Chat With Tony Blauer

NOTE: I apologize for the sound quality through parts of this podcast. Unfortunately, we had a bad connection during the call. I have worked to clean it up as best I can. Stick with it though as we had a good conversation; and things do clear up.

We welcome Tony Blauer to this episode. Tony was gracious enough to take time out of his busy schedule to sit down and have a chat with me. We had it scheduled for nearly 2 months out. Thanks, Tony.

As I previously mentioned, our cellular connection crapped out on us at several points during our conversation. He was breaking up on my end. My voice was garbled on his end; and the cable fell out of my phone twice during the call. I wound up holding my phone over my head for the majority of our conversation in attempt to maintain signal strength. For whatever reason, the cell signal was not good that day. WTH? And if you listen closely at times, you also will likely hear the birds and ducks on Tony's end, as he was sitting outside in his yard.

If you do not know who Tony is, you should take some time and get to know him. The programs he has created include the Spear System, Know Fear, and Blauer Tactical Systems; and he is a very accomplished martial artist. He also figured out how to weaponize the startle-flinch response we all have inside us.

We talk about the startle-flinch response, the importance of thinking through scenarios, and much, much more.

Thanks for listening.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 41, A Chat With John Correia of Active Self Protection

John Correia, Founder and Owner of Active Self Protection, joins us for a chat on self-defense and the benefits of watching videos of bad things.

We talk about the importance of attitude (mindset) and how the analogy of a blender comes into play.

I ask John about Christians concerned about self defense, its ramifications and morality, especially in the context of the use of deadly force. John provides a unique perspective and some scriptures for reference.

And of course, we talk about how it is John got into doing his video reviews in the first place; and the benefits for those who watch. And much, much more...

You will want to listen to this one. So...

Sit back. Relax. And listen.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 40, De-Escalation: A Key to Conflict Management

Randy King from 80:20 Conflict Management Strategies and Randy King Live joins us again. This time we talk about de-escalation. Arguably, de-escalation is one of the most important pieces to your self-defense and personal safety strategies.

De-escalation skills not only have a place in the context of personal safety; but they can be very important in our personal relationships as well. Additionally, we talk about how being able to de-escalate oneself is the first step in being able to successfully de-escalate any situation at hand.

We talk about what a great movie Road House (think: Patrick Swayze) is, how our monkey brains can adversely affect our decision making abilities and therefore our ability to de-escalate, and how the art of de-escalation is similar to delivering good customer service.

There is so much fantastic content in this episode, we cannot possibly lay it all out here. You will just have to listen. I promise you will have a lot of takeaways from our chat here with Randy.

While you are at it, go back and listen to our Podcast 29 where Randy and I discuss his Realities of Violence content too.

Thanks for listening.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 38, A Chat With Tammy Yard-McCraken, PsyD, LPC

Tammy Yard-McCraken of Kore Self Defense and Krav Maga and 500Rising takes time out to chat with us about all things self defense and more. Tammy's a psycho-therapist turned self defense badass and instructor.

We talk about the effectiveness of Krav as a self defense system overall, the need to disseminate more information in addition to all the physical aspects of self defense, and much, much more.

Hear what Tammy's takeaways were from this podcast too.

Apologize for the few cell phone connection issues experienced in this episode.

Thanks for listening.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 36, Personal Safety For The Disabled

This episode Denis Haynes returns again to chat about personal safety for the disabled and what it may be like for those that find themselves in a more vulnerable state.

Having a disability may be permanent for some, temporary for others, and may even vary from day-to-day for yet others. However, having a disability or handicap does not mean you have to be less safe than anyone else.

What can you do to better ensure your personal safety when you have a disability or handicap?

We talk about several things anyone with a disability (AND their caretakers) can do.

Thanks for listening.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 35, Guns Are Not The Answer To Your Personal Safety

Think a gun or some tool is going to make you safe?

We take a few minutes to discuss these honest facts and more:

• If guns went away tomorrow, you would still have the right and the ability to defend yourself.
• If you have a gun, you are not just magically safe, even if you feel safer with it.
• And owning a gun does not absolve your of all your other personal safety responsibilities.

Join us as we talk about some of the fallacies out there about owning guns; and how to be better prepared with or without a tool, like a firearm.

Sit back. Relax. And listen.