In the world of self protection, one of the most damaging myths is the belief that survival depends on power, such as physical dominance, aggression, toughness, or the ability to overwhelm another person. This belief is deeply embedded in popular culture, training systems, and marketing narratives that glorify force while quietly ignoring how violence actually unfolds. In reality, survival is far less about power and far more about permission, the internal permission to act,

In recent years, many Self Defence and martial arts advertisements have begun using long strings of impressive sounding terms (buzzwords). You might see posters or profiles listing: MMA, Krav Maga, Combatives, CQB, Urban Survival, Reality Based Training, Weapon Systems, Pressure Testing, all in one place. This can look vert exciting, especially for someone new to training, but it’s important to understand what this trend actually represents. Buzzword stacking is when instruct

There’s a growing problem with systems, especially those rebranded from Krav Maga, that disguise themselves as self protection programs for women. They often feature female instructors teaching women’s only classes under the banner of empowerment, but scratch the surface, and what you find is just a slightly softened version of Krav Maga drills, heavy on combatives, light on context. No coverage of: • Pre-fight communication and boundary setting. • Fear management and emotion

Most people like to believe that violence is random. That it simply appears out of nowhere, like a storm breaking across a calm sky. Someone is in the wrong place at the wrong time, and suddenly everything explodes into chaos. It's a comforting belief because it suggests that violence is unpredictable, something outside our control, but in many cases that simply isn’t true. Much of the violence that happens between strangers begins long before the moment anyone realises somet

Many people imagine violence as something sudden and explosive; a punch thrown without warning, a fight that appears to erupt out of nowhere. Films, television, and even some martial arts training reinforce this idea. Violence is often portrayed as a purely physical event that begins the moment someone throws the first strike. In reality, violence almost never begins that way. Long before the first punch is thrown, there is usually a series of behavioural signals and escalati

Emotion is what powers conflict long before logic ever gets involved. Most people like to believe that arguments, fights and confrontations come from differences in opinion or circumstance, but in reality they are driven by how someone feels in the moment and not what they think. When a person feels disrespected, embarrassed, threatened or challenged, their emotional brain fires first. The rational part of the mind doesn’t lead the situation, it follows behind trying to justi

The moment I see someone teaching knife defence, I lose respect. Real knife violence is rapid, chaotic, and ambush driven. Teaching people to “block, trap, disarm” isn’t just wrong, it’s negligent. In the wake of every knife related tragedy, our newsfeeds fill with grief, outrage… and unfortunately, opportunism, and within hours, instructors begin posting on social media, selling “knife defence” workshops of how their methods could save your life. Let’s be honest, that isn’t

Most people are trained for the smallest part of the problem. If violence is roughly 60% psychological, 25% emotional and only 15% physica, then most Self Defence systems are built upside down. They spend the majority of their time on the smallest slice, and then sell it as if it covers the whole threat. That’s not just ineffective, it’s dangerous, because in the real world, violence is rarely about who has the better technique. It’s about mindset, perception, emotional contr

Most real world threats don’t begin with violence, they begin with behaviour. Self protection must include behavioural awareness, grooming recognition, verbal boundary skills, and understanding intent. Physical skills solve physical problems, but most problems start long before the first touch. “It’s not the attack that surprises people, it’s the behaviour they ignored.”

Femicide (if you have never heard of it before) refers to the intentional killing of women or girls because of their gender, often involving domestic violence, intimate partner violence, or other forms of gender based violence. It's a severe and pervasive issue that reflects deep rooted gender inequalities, discrimination, and patriarchal attitudes prevalent in many societies around the world. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲? 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁�

Advertising for women's only Self Defence classes can be problematic for several reasons, and there are common myths surrounding this that need to be addressed. Women-only self defence can perpetuate the stereotype that women are inherently vulnerable and in need of special protection. This can reinforce gender norms and overlook the fact that people of all genders can benefit from learning self defence. It also excludes men and non binary individuals who may also face threat

While the concept of fighting dirty may seem contradictory to the principles of Self Defence, there are situations where employing unconventional tactics can provide advantages and ensure survival. While it's essential to prioritise non-violent conflict resolution whenever possible, understanding the potential benefits of fighting dirty can empower individuals to defend themselves effectively in life-threatening situations. Here are some reasons why fighting dirty can be adva

𝙐𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄𝙩𝙨 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙨𝙮𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩. In today's fast paced world, the roads can often become battlegrounds for emotions and frustrations, leading to a phenomenon known as road rage. Defined as aggressive or violent behaviour exhibited by drivers in response to traffic incidents or perceived offences, road rage poses significant risks not only to those directly inv

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚. In Self Defence training, preparation is very important. You must be equipped to respond effectively to real threats. This is where scenario replication training comes in. It's a vital component of any comprehensive Self Defence system. By simulating realistic situations and stressors, scenario replication training prepares you both mentally and physically, fostering the confiden

Striking the throat in a self defence situation can offer several benefits. My preferred target area which has given me good results each...

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘: 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗞. Domestic abuse is a pervasive issue that affects both female and male, yet the experiences of male victims often remain hidden behind societal stereotypes and stigma. In the UK, male domestic abuse is a significant but underreported phenomenon, with many men facing physical, emotional, and psychological abuse within their intimate relationships. In this article, we'll explore the pr

Coercive control is a subtle yet insidious form of domestic abuse that can have devastating and long lasting effects on victims. Unlike physical violence, which may leave visible scars, coercive control operates through a pattern of manipulative behaviours aimed at dominating and controlling the victim's thoughts, feelings, and actions. In this article, we will explore what coercive control entails, its impact on victims, and strategies for recognising and addressing this fo

𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗘 𝗗𝗥𝗨𝗚𝗦 Drink spiking is when someone puts drugs or alcohol into your drink without you knowing. The drugs used are mind-altering substances that affect how you behave. So-called 'date rape drugs' may be used to spike a drink before a sexual assault. They are the most common drugs used to spike drinks and date rape drugs can come in powder or liquid form. They may not have an unusual taste or smell. There are many reasons

𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘, 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗬𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 Indecent exposure or ‘flashing’ is when someone shows their genitals in order to scare or upset another person. 'Cyber flashing' is when indecent exposure happens online or over text message. Indecent exposure is a form of sexual abuse – the phrase we use to describe any sexual activity or act that happened without consent. Indecent exposure – or 'flashing', as it is sometimes known informa

(This a shortened version taken from our online distance learning course available 𝗡𝗼𝘄) In the UK, the law governing the use of force is based on the principle of proportionality, which dictates that you may only use force that is necessary and reasonable in the circumstances to defend yourself or others. (Before anyone says it! Im talking about use of force in a self defence situation and not in an arrest situation). This principle applies to both everyday situations and