Life Defense is the self-defense for life. Using PRINCIPLES of Life Defense "saves life" in real time. Get more from life. Save life with Life Defense!
This week in Life Defense, we're talking about focus. Specifically the FOCUS that comes from an arm bar. The technique executed from a standing position after an attempt at a choke, leaves the defender's throat exposed. The arm is hooked with both hands, stepping forward with maximum weight and pressure to release the arm, and extend the arm, applying pressure to the elbow with the shoulder. This pressure is called an arm bar. This technique will probably not break the elbow joint, however, the focused pressure applied to the elbow through the shoulder all the way to the hand to straighten the arm might be enough for an attacker to tap out, give up, or strain the arm enough to temporarily distract the attacker and escape. The reason an arm bar works in any position, whether standing, on the ground, on your back, or any other position it can be applied from, is the FOCUSED tension put on a joint that is not designed to twist in that particular direction. The tendons and ligaments, being stressed send a signal through pain receptors to the brain that communicates whatever is causing this must stop immediately before further damage occurs Interestingly enough, the escape from the pain is an acceptance of the pain. Getting through the pain to the other side where your mind is not manipulated by the pain is where release occurs. Although counterintuitive as most Hapkido techniques are, the FOCUS facilitates the release. Although FOCUS alone will not stop a spiral break, the release requires FOCUS. In this case, reaching up and grabbing the elbow being stressed, at the point of pain, and pulling down releases the arm bar. In life and Life Defense, FOCUSING on the pain point, and manipulating a release at the pain point is a real thing. Instead of panic, screaming and dancing around it, FOCUS on the pain point, and do something about it. FOCUS… #allenhughes #lifedefense #focus Photo by Bahaa A. Shawqi: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-s-face-583437/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allen-hughes/message
Some self-defense scenarios require more than ourselves to actually complete. To be effective in a situation where someone has gotten out of control, you both have fallen onto the ground, and you're holding them down to keep them from hurting you themselves, or other people, mount posting is a solution. One of the common things that happen at social events, especially when alcohol is involved, is protecting a person from breaking things, hurting themselves, or hurting other people. Although they may not be a lethal threat, keeping your uncle Fred from smashing wedding cakes, ripping bridal gowns, or pushing someone's face into the punch ball is a real possibility. From this mount position, you will look like the aggressor, and he will inevitably be struggling with all his alcohol induced might to turn you over get on top, perhaps to show you who's boss, or at least continue his aberrant behavior. Atop the fallen aggressor you EXPAND, or reach out with arms and legs leveraging the ground to keep them from getting up. As they turn one way, you focus your posted arm and leg out to the opposite side to keep them from turning you over, getting up, and wreaking more havoc. It always appears to the common onlooker that you are the aggressor. After all, aunt Susan turned around and saw uncle Fred on the bottom, struggling to get up, being controlled by you, with you on top of him, and the her first inclination might be to grab a folding chair and smash you over the back of the head, to save uncle Fred. ...EXPANDING by reaching out to leverage the ground with your arms and legs back-and-forth each time the actual aggressor attempts to turn you over and get up, that you speak to them, “Hey uncle Fred calm down. I gotcha, no problem I'll let you up in a minute. Just calm down, shhh it's okay big fella.” It is also advisable to simultaneously address gathering crowd, “Somebody get some help. Somebody help me. I just wanna make sure he doesn't hurt himself. Can somebody please help me?” EXPANDING out with more than your hands, and using your voice, then becomes paramount. EXPANDING out to communicate what is actually going on, the struggle that is actually happening, and what you'd like to do to resolve it, is powerful communication. In life, and Life Defense, the act of EXPANDING beyond your own reach, and beyond what actually you can control, or do requires others to assist, and be part of the solution. In saving life, EXPANSION gives you ultimately all the power and abilities you need to do anything. Without EXPANDING, however, there is a good chance aunt Susan will take a folding chair to the back of your head. We all from time to time fail to communicate in life what is actually going on with us, the struggles we are having, and ask for the assistance required to resolve issues in our life, and our jobs, in the projects that we have at hand, including but not limited to our children. How many times have we wished for more assistance when it comes to our children thinking perhaps we are the only ones doing this, no one understands, and no one is coming to help. When in fact, many people are standing around, confused, and bewildered about how, who, or when to help. In my life I'm as much at fault as anyone. Being a man, I have trouble asking directions when my GPS goes bonkers, let alone asking for help in a personal situation, getting assistance in a conflict, or asking for understanding when dealing with a wayward child. Writing and producing this podcast is always a humbling experience for me as I am the one that gets the most from each episode. It is therefore my resolution to EXPAND my reach, not just before being taken out by a folding chair welded by aunt Susan. Rather long before, when the struggle is just starting, that I might be understood, assisted, and survive…. #allenhughes #expand #lifedefense Photo by Julia Larson : https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-coach-reaching-hand-to-woman-6456303/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allen-hughes/message
In self-defense we must always consider that an attacker is larger, faster, more skilled, and more aggressive than the defender. This week in Life Defense, and in our self-defense programs, we are studying the attack from a tackle. This attack when applied by someone who possesses these attributes can be devastating for a smaller, lighter, less skilled defender. Unless, they understand the simple principle of ALLOWING. Many of the defenses we use are counterintuitive. This is one of them. The first inclination of a defender who is untrained defending against a larger, more powerful opponent is to stop them. Meaning, blocking their pathway in the case of say a full frontal football, or wrestling style tackle. This almost inevitably goes poorly for the defender. Caught off guard, and back on their heels by a larger attacker thrusting forward intent on driving them to the ground. The counter intuitive defense that we suggest from a front tackle is to ALLOW the attackers energy to come forward, while pushing their legs back, removing the targeted legs and pressing weight on the head, neck and upper back of the attacker. This simple motion drives the attacker downward by using all of their body weight to drive the attacker face first to the ground as the motion of the tackle proceeds forward. In self-defense, and Life Defense, we call this principle ALLOWING. This counter intuitive technique ALLOWS the attacker to drive forward with all their might, all their speed, and all their weight. This utilizes their attack against themselves, typically driving their face to the ground with the defender's weight reinforcing that motion. In Life Defense, we can see this demonstrated as people drive forward in an all out attack on our belief systems, our political stance, or anything we hold dear. The intuitive reaction to a direct attack is to stop the attack, push back from the attack, or fight off the attack. We see this every day in social media, in public forums, and legacy media. As the attacker drives in full force attacking what they believe are the core values of their intended victim, prepared with every counter argument that could arise, the defenders are caught back on their heels, and off balanced. As the verbally skilled, powerful attacker drives forward with their arguments, the defender loses balance, loses the ability to react, and just like a physical tackle is driven to the proverbial concrete, where their head bounces off the sidewalk, and unable to respond, are left defeated, and demoralized. The ALLOWING that happens in Life Defense might be a question rather than a response, a curiosity rather than a defense, or a pause, rather than an immediate knee-jerk response. These techniques allow for time, space, and contemplation, and require the attacker to actually defend their position over and over again. This over extension is not unlike the overextension of a body as it drives towards its intended target, overextended, and off-balance. It is not hard to see how this overextended off balanced attacker may end up face into the proverbial concrete as an overextended attack often does. All of this, because the defender was able to ALLOW the attacker to overextend themselves, to shoot all of their bullets at once, and become off-balanced. In life, and Life Defense, I choose to allow, and overaggressive attacker to overextend themselves, to drive forward with as much speed and aggression as possible, allowing them to seal their own fate, rather than fight, or attempt to stop their advance. In essence, when confronted on the field of battle, consider “stop, stopping and just ALLOW…” #allenhughes #allow #lifedefense Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/mad-formal-executive-man-yelling-at-camera-3760790/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allen-hughes/message
RE-PLACE with Truth In self-defense we learn of, and train in RE-PLACING energy of an attack with our “center.” This RE-PLACEMENT, like the technique of an arm drag, allows a push to have little or no effect and redistributes our momentum, and balance into our control. It is this RE-PLACEMENT of “center” that puts our life back into our realm of beliefs, values, and purpose. Without RE-PLACEMENT not only do we lose balance, we also lose the bearing of our life. In life and Life Defense RE-PLACEMENT is the way we take back our balance and bearing. To me this means who we believe we truly are, where we believe we've come from, and where we are going. Balance without bearing is an uprighted ship in the storm of life without rudder, un-steerable. In self-defense this could mean death. In life, the longer we wait to RE-PLACE our center where it belongs, steering our ship, to our destination, the more “life” according to our definition is lost. How many years, and how many people been driven by false narratives, by people who do not believe the way they might? Taking our center means disruption that off balances us, from our center. This is an assault, make no mistake. No matter what your belief, if someone intentionally takes your center, it is an attack. Perhaps the deadliest kind. This attack may affect generations of both the living and unborn. Beliefs your ancestors may have died for are disrupted as your center is taken in the context of a more enlightened view. Agreed, we might never stop learning, growing, and developing as humans, and some of this learning, growing and developing moves us forward as people. Much does not. Especially when core beliefs are ridiculed, and truth becomes whimsical and unimportant. As a true warrior of life consider your center to be yours, and be willing to look at new ideas and concepts from your center, not for the off balancing effect of a popular agenda. When attacked RE-PLACE your center first, and then look at who, what and why someone is trying to RE-PLACE it. Then RE-PLACE it with your center, and your truth. Learning is always best accomplished from center. RE-PLACE… #allenhughes #replace #lifedefense --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allen-hughes/message
“Life ELEVATED” is the Utah brand/ tag line, so I might be in some sort of copyright issue, and what the heck…ELEVATE Life, specifically, “your life” is the topic of this week's Life Defense. I'm not a native of Utah, and I've lived here for almost 25 years. That might mean I've got altitude sickness, and eaten way too much green Jello. Both of those terminologies and my fascination with fry sauce may identify me as a Utahn and so I'm going to borrow it anyway. ELEVATION has everything to do with perspective right? A catsup bottle might look like a skyscraper to and ant and a condiment to a human. In our self-defense training this week were defending from a kick with a body block, and immediate leg dump. The leg dump technique is basically catching their leg and ELEVATING it while stepping into their center to throw the would be attacker. This technique works best against mid to high kicks. I was training some people earlier today and asked them about kicks. We talked about the difference between a highly unlikely, flashy head kick, and a lackluster low, practical kick to the knee which might work most of the time. The head kick, popularized in Hollywood, is where the agile, fit, hot actress or actor does some CG spinning head kick and knocks their opponent out immediately, does a variation of this to few more bad guys, mixed with neck breaking head twists, before defusing the bomb. I can never remember, is it the red or blue wire you're supposed to cut with the mandatory 1 second left on the clock? In the case of jump spinning head kicks, and all else that follows, it's fake, most people with sense know it, and the few with actual training for sure know it. Which part is fake you ask…? All of it. That's why they call it acting. Interesting fact, the word origin for actor is “liar.” What does this have to do with ELEVATED Life? Everything. We are living in a Hollywood movie! That's why our perspective is all screwed up. The amount of pure fiction we consume each, and every day of our life is staggering. It's a wonder we survive at all. What if, in life we consider the precious few truths, and stop sweating the jump spinning head kicks? They hardly ever land on target anyway. I think of all the fake news, fake social media and fake pop culture, that I can live without. In fact, I can live much longer and better without all that stuff! For me, I'm going to focus on the truth, and sort of ignore most of the rest. How about you? After all, it's all in your perspective anyway… #allenhughes #elevate #lifedefense Photo by Paul Deetman: https://www.pexels.com/photo/hollywood-sign-2695679/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allen-hughes/message
CONTROL of who, or what is our PRINCIPLE topic of conversation today. “Get control, keep control, control yourself, control your thoughts, control the meeting, control the situation, whatever you do it seems that this topic of control is way out of…CONTROL! It seems humans want to control everything. And yet, what do we really control? In our self-defense course this week we are studying upper body defenses. In this study, the very first technique is a “CONTROLLING” move based on a boxing clench. The idea of a boxing clench is that the attacker is a striker, comes in punching at your face and head with his fists, and your reaction is to grab a hold of the attacker's arms in a sort of controlling hug to keep them from hitting your face, breaking your nose, blackening your eyes, or damaging your brain. It's what you see in boxing rings when a fighter is tired, or doesn't want to be punched anymore, and wants to gain CONTROL of the situation. Recently we noticed that smaller defenders have difficulty clenching, or CONTROLLING, effectively larger attackers. On the other hand, if the defender CONTROLS, only their own body weight by hanging on the arms of the attacker and making the attacker, hold them up, they succeed. Additionally, asymmetrically focusing/ CONTROLLING their weight on one arm, or the other in a given instance tips the larger attacker off-balance, and makes striking effectively difficult. Even lifting their arms enough to get a swing at the defender is nearly impossible. In essence, the much smaller defender CONTROLS their own weight, and body positioning, and affects the much larger opponent. In a word, the defender controls themselves, and affects the much larger opponents, balance, and ability to attack. In life and Life Defense, the control we talk about most is the control of self. Really, do we have control of anything else? I can request that a tree grows rapidly, I can exert pressure for a child to not touch a hot stove, I can will my friends and relatives to agree with me on political issues, and still they have their choice, and I CONTROL them not at all. This month we are studying the book The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk. Van der Kolk is an expert, and leading authority on trauma. At the very most base level, a defender who has been violently attacked seeks to control their experience. They may shut down, they may go into flight or fight, and whatever they do a loss or sense of loss of CONTROL of the situation affects them drastically. In years that follow, these survivors make sense of their world through reenactments, dangerous activities, or by shutting down. Clearly, they are CONTROLLING the only thing they can CONTROL over and over again. Themselves. I am not a psychologist, this is Life Defense and observations we've made in self-defense situation's that pertain to life. In the end either before, during, or after an attack successful defense requires taking CONTROL of self. This CONTROL of ourselves is key. We cannot control a dangerous situation, and we might control where we go, and who goes with us. We cannot stop someone from attacking us, and we may be able to control our awareness of dangerous threats in our environment. We cannot control the ultimate outcome of a confrontation, and we can control how we train for that outcome. We cannot control damage form a violent attack, and we can control what it means to us, and what we do, or do not do to resolve and heal. Coming back from trauma land into most peoples existence, we see through these extreme cases how much we actually CONTROL. How much? Ultimately, we control only ourselves, and ironically, consider that that may be enough… #allenhughes #control #lifedefense --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allen-hughes/message
In self-defense we speak of healing often. Just today I was coaching a friend of mine on how to keep his hands up when someone comes after him fists violently launched at his head. My friend is special. Although he's an adult he is socially different. This has him in a program with other adults with similar conditions. As he looked up at me timidly, through very thick glasses, I could still see the yellow, brown and black hematomas surrounding both eyes. He was healing from an attack just 2 weeks earlier. We see a lot of healing from the physical and emotional attacks our participants go through, some decades prior to us knowing us. The one thing that I have noticed that PREVENTS healing, is us. To be more specific, it's our faith, or lack thereof that gets in the way. Whether you have religious faith, faith in humanity, or some other belief, faith is a real thing. In the Bible Jesus heals people and almost always qualifies that because of their faith they are healed. Science actually proves this concept again and again. Each time they do a study of a new life saving wonder drug they have a control group that receives a placebo. Time and time again a very measurable portion of this control group is healed. Although this phenomenon may frustrate some scientists, and pharmaceutical companies , the real science is that faith heals. However, faith is a two way street, and the belief side is up to us. Test subjects must believe that they got the wonder drug, and when they do, many are healed. I would call this faith. If this is true, then the inverse is also true. If we don't believe, or have faith, we PREVENT our healing. To take it one step further, without faith we PREVENT more than healing, we PREVENT life and living. If we do not have faith that we can defend ourselves the next time we are violently attacked, we won't. If we lack faith about getting and keeping that next job, we won't even try. If asking someone out is done without faith…well I wouldn't bet on it! In life and Life Defense faith could be the key to healing, opportunity, and creating our life day to day. Why are video games, role playing, and movies so entrancing and addictive? Consider that these popular forms of entertainment are based on weak faith. Meaning just enough faith to believe that a fantasy world exists out there, and we can live vicariously in it. There is a chance at failure, however, the failure is momentary in games, and non-existent in movies. Faith is as real as anything you can imagine. I have a favorite saying, “Placebo is the ultimate reality.” In fact the measure of all accomplishment from our first step, to our final breath is a exercise in faith. Looking into my special friends eyes as his sidewards glances, hopeful smile and nodding head conveyed his faith in an alternate reality, I reflected that he was healing. Faith will heal him. Fact, faith heals. Whether it's your belief in God, humanity, the universe, science, or just Life Defense, consider that you may be the only obstacle to your healing, and if so perhaps it is just you that is PREVENTING your healing, and ultimately everything in your life… #allenhughes #prevent #lifedefense --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allen-hughes/message
This week the principle of POSITION is demonstrated in the world of WONJIN Hapkido from a “Guard Position.” The Guard is a seemingly weak position as the person doing it is laying on their back, legs apart, while the attacker is either attempting to “pass the defender's Guard” by fully straddling them, or the defender finds themselves in a typical position of sexual assault. Most of the world prior to Brazilian Jiujitsu saw this POSITION as submissive, and weak. Even in wrestling holding, or Judo throwing, an opponent to their back is counted as an immediate win. Our Brazilian counterparts took it upon themselves to make this position strong, and in fact, in certain circumstances deadly. Although traditional Jiujitsu Masters obviously knew how to use this technique, it has been most successfully implemented by Brazilian Jiujitsu Professors, and fighters. Treating the Guard position as being an advantage was perhaps one of the most enlightening events in self-defense history. They obviously saw the isolation of their opponents lower body, and control of their opponent's center as powerful, and became extremely comfortable fighting from that POSITION. Additionally, they considered this common defensive POSITION as powerful, as they were able to isolate 70% of their attackers weapons, feet and hands, from this unassuming POSITION. That brings us to our Life Defense moment. In this case, the PRINCIPLE of POSITION is a matter of perspective. In self-defense we may find ourselves in less desirable POSITIONS, and our defense is all based on that presentment or POSITION. Example, we find ourselves flat on our back, with a much stronger attacker aggressively moving in. In this case our POSITION is strong, and with the right perspective our POSITION is powerful. Armed with training to fight from the Guard, you relax and neutralize the threat. As you leave the scene, with the unconscious attacker slowly reviving as you drive off, and dial 911, you might think, “That's wasn't so bad…That guy is lucky, and will live his next few years in prison, thinking about turning his life around, instead of six feet underground. In life, how many times do we bemoan our POSITION. “If only I was richer, had a better job, didn't have to put up with my jerk of a coworker, won the lottery, or weighed 30 pounds less.”POSITION is just a moment in time. What you do with that moment makes all the difference. Consider all the advantage you have in your life now, at this time in history, and relax. You've got this. POSITION… #allenhughes #position #lifedefense Photo by SHVETS production: https://www.pexels.com/photo/smiling-black-man-balancing-on-leg-in-studio-6974955/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allen-hughes/message
This week our PRINCIPLE of Life Defense is UNIFY. The technique we will be practicing with participants from the Black Sea, to South America, Asia, and the US is defending from an opponent's rear grab. If you watch the video you'll see how defenders grabbed from behind step out, in one swift and powerful motion. They become one, dropping their entire body weight 6-8” essentially UNIFYING themselves with the earth through gravity. Gravity is a real thing, and is inescapable. So is the fact that the largest body on the earth is “the earth.” Additionally, it's easy to explain to even the most casual observer how this technique works, and anyone who's attempted to lift a small child that doesn't want to be lifted will understand. UNIFICATION to the earth is powerful. When you think of this basic PRINCIPLE of life it's self explanatory, UNIFYING forces with someone or something more powerful than yourself allows us to borrow their mass, weight, strength, in essence their energy, to save our life. This is literal. Last night I attended an AA meeting in support of an adult son who is turning his life around from addiction like others at the meeting. Their stories shared were inspirational and authentic. If you ever want to experience truth, raw honesty and courage walk in, and sit down in an AA meeting. To me it's humbling. Every one of these people has experienced life in a way we may never know. During each of my visits I've learned of one overarching theme. Connection, or UNIFICATION with a higher power. Each participant shares their personal story of failure, success and living, attributing their very survival to God, or this higher power. Although Alcoholics Anonymous is not religious, their acute awareness to UNIFICATION with someone or something bigger than themselves has been proven in the battlefield of life. The success of Alcoholics Anonymous is well documented with millions of lives saved. Fact, there is no program, rehab, therapy, drug or treatment with was much success as AA, and AA recognizes UNIFICATION with a higher power. In life if all else fails, or even before failure, consider that the PRINCIPLE of UNIFICATION to something greater than yourself works. We, the warriors of self, and Life Defense always refer to what actually works. We are ever searching for a better technique, because better techniques save life. In my battle life, I will always UNIFY with a greater power. Why? Because it works… #allenhughes #unify #lifedefense --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allen-hughes/message
In life and in self-defense we've found SYNERGY to be so obvious, and essential a PRINCIPLE, and at the same time overused in the world of business coaching and pop psychology. We will not attempt to explain the overuse and of the word. Needless to say, the world has enough “falling backward team trust demonstrations” and leadership development ropes courses to provide its own level of amusement and discussion. Instead, we'll focus on why, and more importantly how SYNERGY works. SYNERGY of power seems logical right? The more and better we SYNERGIZE with team mates, loved ones, and good friends the more, and the easier it becomes to accomplish anything. After all 2 heads are better than 1 right? Yet, especially in the US we view our world through the eyes of rugged individualistic, pioneer spirit. We have countless examples of those that obviously went it alone, braving the wind, sleet and snow to build their dreams all on their own. Or did they? Where would Apple Computer be today without both Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak? It turns out probably no where. At our very core even being born is done with two parents. No one accomplished anything without SYNERGY. After all SYNERGY defined is: The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. Google Today, let's look at SYNERGY applied from attacks of aggressive outside forces. This week we are studying defense from a front grab. Realize first, no one grabs without force either to slam their opponent into a wall or drag them into a van. Assuming the attacker is almost always stronger, and larger, “resistance is futile.” However, unlike the Borg from Star Trek, the outcome is not usually gradual assimilation. Rather, violence within the conflict. We easily experience at least as much opportunity for conflict, as we do cooperative SYNERGY each and every day. This “conflict SYNERGY” ironically is as beneficial to us as “cooperative SYNERGY.” As in the case of the grab, the opponent pushes or pulls, and the defender “goes with” the energy given, and in doing so multiplies the energy of their attacker with their own. Although this SYNERGY is counter intuitive both in self defense and life, what if we could “go with” the energy of conflict, allow the giver of the energy to gift their energy to us and spend less time struggling in conversations, business interactions and political discussions? For me, this “gifting of energy” is at least worth consideration, and perhaps SYNERGY will be discovered in the process… #allenhughes #synergy #lifedefense Photo by Jopwell: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-wearing-teal-dress-sitting-on-chair-talking-to-man-2422280/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allen-hughes/message
“I can't believe this is happening to me again. This always happens to me. They always do this to me. Of course things never work out. Again?” These phrases seemed all too common and repeated themselves throughout my life. That was until I realized I was living in my past. It was like relieving Ground Hog Day. You you know the movie where the guy relives one day over and over again? In self defense we look forward by being present in the moment. The past is gone, the future is yet to be determined, and the thing that determines the future is the moment we live in now. However, I like many of you, may have spent a good portion of my life anticipating the future based on a past. My past. In relationships of domestic violence, intense altercations, and even ongoing emotional trauma, we see repetitions of the same actions people experience over and over again. Why? They are re-living or re-running their past and bringing that past into the present moment, and even their future. In self-defense practice we see many people emotionally upset at some point in their training. This emotional upset comes about mostly in the middle of “randori,” or simulated fight training. Tears appear, quivering lips, red faces, and cracks in voice, and even leaving the floor to compose themselves are common reactions to this emotional upset. It may occur from fear, however mostly it comes from an experience of the past. Either the past that they've experienced, someone close them has experienced, or even an experience they have heard about during their life. The realism with which we train may bring about these emotions. However, these are experiences of the past. We all may ANTICIPATE a future that includes all too familiar issues of the past, and do on a regular basis. After all, if it happened once why wouldn't it happen again? It is however to this end that we train. It is true self-defense experts train for the future in ANTICIPATION of what might happen. Let's look. There is a difference in a self-defense mindset as it pertains to ANTICIPATION, and the world of helpless upset that occurs in most people predicting, and actually creating their world. In ANTICIPATION that an event will happen again because it happened before the untrained person fears, and may even create an opportunity to fulfill the outcome. This is unintentional of course, and still may happen as an all too familiar, and comfortable situation arises. Our world then becomes our greatest fear as we create that future in ANTICIPATION based on our past experiences. We can see it almost every day in some small way. “I never get the best parking spot,” is mumbled under our breath as we actually look for how full a parking lot is compared to looking for the empty spaces available to us. We are comfortable in this world, and seek a parking space further from the store to affirm our fear. Consider stepping out of the world of reruns, and writing a new script ANTICIPATING a great life filled with amazing parking spots… #allenhughes #anticipate #lifedefense Photo by Jose Espinal: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photography-of-parking-lot-1000633/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allen-hughes/message
In my life I've had several encounters with mortality. In 2016 I had the opportunity of surviving an aortic dissection, a couple years ago pulmonary embolisms, and recently mini strokes. The PRINCIPLE of REFLECT in self-defense has brought light to these events. Although life threatening, they are rather experiences of living. In this light, creation of my world transforms into a world full of possibilities, crystal clear, living in the moment, and powerful created. I find myself inspired by those who've gone before as warriors of life. Much like the survivor of a vicious attack, I now REFLECT back and have gratitude not necessarily for living another few days or few years, rather extreme gratitude in unlimited possibilities of what I will create now in this world today, and in this moment! I can remember waking after a 7 hour thoracic surgery, and a day, or so reviving from a medically induced coma to my family kneeling at my bedside smiling and my daughter playing the guitar, singing a song I had written for her as a little girl. Thoughts that came to mind in the next few days after massive amounts of tubes were disconnected and I was discharged as a miracle survivor to walk the earth a little longer. The thoughts? Life is short, really short and I wanted to make my life meaningful. The temptation to live my past, and limit my future is no longer a consideration. Although for the first year I was in a drug induced haze, ashen for weeks like death warmed over, and would a couple years later, survive pulmonary embolisms, a hip replacement from an old throwing accident in training, and most recently mini strokes. To me now, REFLECTION is present in the moment. Like in self-defense where being present is where outcome is creation of the future and the past serves no beneficial purpose in the moment, except learning from the experience itself. In self-defense it is reflexive, REFLECTION from years of drilling defenses over and over again, improving on techniques through experiencing attacks at different speeds, different angles, different combinations and different attackers. The REFLECTION then is purposeful, and not pulling back to a life threatening event and reliving the pain, emotions and helplessness. It's learning what works and what doesn't. Although some may experience ongoing trauma, and we do not condemn those who do. Those that REFLECT their past as experience, and work through whatever it takes as just part of their life, seem to move into a different way of living. They are more powerful, resilient and grateful for each day given them. Limiting their future because of a loss of motion, an eye, a leg, or their ability to speak in full sentences is not an option. The REFLECTION is learning and experience. What might have come from that experience pertains to their future. To me, people that have experienced way more than I are the real super heroes of the world. Consider that “the only easy day was yesterday,” a Navy SEAL mantra, and life lived no matter what happens is the blessing of life… #warriorway #lifedefense # allenhughes #reflect --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allen-hughes/message
In the world of self-defense we are all familiar with the “ground and pound.” It's one of the common danger positions bullies might take, jumping atop their victim, straddling their waist while raining down punches to their face over and over again. We've all seen it at some point in our lives usually early in our grade school career, or in an MMA match. In either case it's dangerous. In martial arts it's called “the mount,” and aside from rear mount, is one of the most compromised positions one could find themselves in. Once mounted, a defender's first priority is to SHIELD. All else is secondary as fists and elbows fly at their face because without first SHIELDING, they most certainly will be knocked unconscious. Bad things happen after that. To begin with, not being in the mount position is vital. After that, SHIELDING is all we can do. In life we find ourselves in compromising situations because of poor choices on our part, or for no fault of our own. This place might be in an online interaction, a phone call, a PTA meeting, or at a church event. Instead of retaliatory come backs, over-talking, or even shouting we can just SHIELD. In self-defense this amounts to getting your hands up to block incoming fists. However, even this SHIELD is supported with “off-balancing” the mounted attacker so the strikes are way less damaging, than fully supported, and balanced punches. In life, this “off-balancing” part of the SHIELD might be a distraction, changing subjects, or even an abrupt exit. “Hey, did you say your kids are in the talent show Friday?” Or, “Oh wow, what time is it? Really, I gotta go! Talk to you later?” Even, “Just spilled my coffee, lol, chat later…”Once again, what we do subtly in SHIELDING is what makes the next move, the “escape” so much easier. The next time you find yourself in someone's “mount position” SHIELD, off-balance, and escape ASAP. Do not under any circumstance take pushes to your face, verbally, emotionally, or sonically. Just SHIELD and live to fight another day! SHIELD… #warriorway #lifedefense # allenhughes #shield Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-black-boxing-gloves-4761671/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allen-hughes/message
In self-defense one great example of DISSIPATING a life threatening attack is a dropping sprawl from a tackle. As we look together let's see how and what you might DISSIPATE that threatens your life. It was 3 or 4 years ago and we were holding our instructor semi annual certifications. Some may call them Black Belt tests. That being said, unlike any Black Belt testing I've ever seen, and I have been invited to officiate at many throughout my 38 years of training, this was different. Our demonstrations are completely based on defense, and frequently a large opponent or attacker is paired with a much smaller defender. This emphasizes the DNA of our system. The idea is that unlike MMA, boxing or wrestling matches where fighters are matched with opponents weighing in within a few pounds of one another, we might match a 250 pound opponent with a 160 pound defender. The purpose is not to prove fighting prowess, rather defensive skill. It was here that I watched a much larger attacker lunge at the smaller defender to tackle her to the ground. As the attacker lunged at her mid to lower torso she shot her legs back to sprawl out of his reach and simultaneously dropped all her weight on his head, neck and upper back. Within a couple feet of me I saw her little body propelled backwards like a doll. Yet her weight was enough to drop her attacker face first into the mat as she landed atop this head and shoulders with all her weight. Thud, as he hit the ground, which for all intensive purposes might have been the sidewalk, we called for them to stop. Her DISSIPATION was an effective defense of a life threatening attack in real life. DISSIPATING her much larger attacker was perhaps all she would need as his face met concrete with 150 pounds of dynamic force. In your life do you seek to overwhelm, beat or dominate threats? If so, by definition you probably need to be stronger, faster and more agile to succeed. Would you consider that this almost never succeeds? In fact, it is a lie promoted over and over again in movies. If smaller, weaker opponents could fight toe to toe with much larger opponents and win they would match them in cage fights on a regular basis. They don't. However, the ability to DISSIPATE life's attacks might be all that's required to escape, and live another day… #allenhughes #dissipate #lifedefense Photo by Musa Ortaç: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-hit-by-boxing-glove-3586873/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allen-hughes/message
What, or who lives, survives and thrives? In self-defense and life itself, it's always the one that ADAPTS. Some might point to evolution, for our conversation we will not debate this controversial theory of species jumping, Big Bang or Creationism. That being said, it is obvious that ADAPTATION is a PRINCIPLE of survival. Yesterday after a 30 minute drive to a specialty supply house, I found myself sitting in the parking lot staring at the blank screen of my phone that had failed to charge. With no list, and no phone numbers that I'd never bothered to memorize, my dependency on technology had me stranded. I started the car and drove away to reunite with my computer and get connected once again. I literally was a technology addict looking for a fix. I have ADAPTED and now rely on technology. Although in this instance technology dependence proved a sobering failing, without my ADAPTATION to it I would find myself back in a paper driven world where my only resource would be static hard copy and memorization. Although my reliance on my mini super computer was crippling, non-ADAPTATION would reduce my ability to detail the parts, find alternatives, communicate with others, access hundreds of reviews, look for alternate locations, and play videos of different applications and installations of my parts list. Just a few hundred years earlier I would not have books printed with movable type capturing the world of knowledge, and before paper I might be limited to cave drawings and verbal communication. The ADAPTATION of everything from plants and animals to humans reaching the outer parts of our universe is a real thing. In self-defense ADAPTATION become a matter of survival. In your daily life what have you ADAPTED to? What has been the effect either as an improvement or not in your life? As you look at your highly ADAPTIVE world will you consider both and ask why? Why ADAPT to this new gadget, theory, or thought process being adopted by the masses? Does this ADAPTATION serve me well? Does this new occurrence of life move humanity toward better and more life? For me I might not bring a note pad the next time I drive to the next town for parts, however I may memorize a few key phone numbers and make sure my phone is charged. One valuable lesson I will however consider is why, and how I ADAPT to my world each day. Because attacks come in many forms and why, how, what I ADAPT to makes a difference. From now on I will ask if the newest evolution of thought or technology furthers life and decide… #lifedefense #adapt #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allen-hughes/message
In self-defense we use the term OFFLINE to describe our defensive body position from an attack. An example of this would be an angled stepping toward, or away from a kick. We also diminish space and create space to put us either too close or too far from the most powerful arch of the kick. Much like getting off the railroad tracks when facing a speeding locomotive, we take ourselves OFFLINE to avoid the impact of a powerful kick as the angle, or triangulation naturally lessens potential harm. Even if the kick lands the force is greatly reduced. Powerful kickers know this and are constantly adjusting their position for maximum distance, and effect. In life, or Life Defense, OFF-LINING has the same effect. If the attacker is your moody teenage daughter, an over angry coworker, or looming project deadline, stepping OFFLINE will take you out of harms reach. The physical, and emotional body position you take by not standing toe to toe with people in upset, will have the same effect. Even looming project deadlines are better handled this way. That's right, in the scheme of your entire life, and what you hold most dear, any given project would be handled best by employing the OFFLINE PRINCIPLE rather than facing your Goliath toe to toe. Yes, I did just reference the Bible…David's strategy was not to go toe to toe with the giant. Instead, he used his skill and distance to OFFLINE and win the day. Consider that it's never a good idea to go toe to toe fighting anyone, or anything. A far better way to deal with people in conflict is OFF-LINING. Be like David and OFFLINE to defeat your giants… #lifedefense #offline #allenhughes https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/EEOAXRLjswb --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
In this world of distractions is anyone DEVOTED? Is modern society counter DEVOTION? Why? To what purpose? Does modern society celebrate DISTRACTION vs DEVOTION? In self-defense we begin each year with Defensive Stance symbolizing the DNA of WONJIN HAPKIDO, defense. Life Defense practitioners are DEVOTED to PRINCIPLES of Life. Although Hapkido uses all the same techniques found in MMA, a fighting sport, and other fighting arts like Boxing, Wrestling, and Kickboxing, Hapkido's philosophy is based on Relational Harmony in which we find all things that live, grow, expand and are ultimately successful. We are DEVOTED to “not fighting,” and in possible outcomes that support life. Yet, how can this be as Hapkido incorporates devastatingly debilitating strikes, brutal throws and life threatening strangulations? It is in the PRINCIPLE and philosophy of life. DEVOTION is inherently essential in self-defense, and every day life, or what we call Life Defense. Without a level of DEVOTION life does not exist. However, does our ever increasingly complex world seemingly exist and drive conflict and with it the opposite, or death? If so, to what are we DEVOTED? As we begin this year I am personally examining to where my attention is drawn, where my time is taken and to what I am DEVOTED to. I will DEVOTE myself to living and life… #lifedefense #devoted #allenhughes Photo by RODNAE Productions: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-girl-talking-to-the-busy-woman-working-8489390/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
Why Life Defense? You may ask, Is Life Defense some sort of a self-defense program, a be all you can be life coaching system, or just another pop psychology platform? Maybe it's another jump up and down, hands in the air shouting out your newly discovered purpose in life seminar? Perhaps it's a spiritual journey of enlightenment where hours of sitting in lotus position, and humming mantras will give you inner enlightenment, or maybe even the newest fad cult where close cut hair styles and pony tails are all the rage. Although many good people find great skill, tools, and insight pursuing some of the above. No, Life Defense isn't that. Let's look. Life Defense is the conversation of, “Life Conflict,” and the PRINCIPLES used to successfully survive and thrive in this essential environment of conflict. Simple. Life Defense recognizes that in fact nothing is accomplished without an environment of opposition or conflict. Try walking without pushing against the earth and gravity. Try breathing without struggling against the outside pressure. Try accomplishing anything in sports, music, dance, business, or family without an element of conflict. Impossible. Yet, conflict is what humans tend to avoid, push off, ignore, and run from. Life Defense answers the simplest of questions, “If all motion, and accomplishment is achieved in this environment of conflict, why not study the PRINCIPLES in which all success resides?” The very survival of our species, and your ability to sit and read this book, or listen, proves that your ancestors used these principles to bring you to this moment. You are the perfect evidence of Life Defense. From the time of spears, stones, and bows and arrows your ancestors used these principles to survive, thrive, and multiply eventually bringing you into this existence. Agreed, the PRINCIPLES they used were applied in the realm of self-defense, and battle by defending their homes and villages against invading armies, marauding hoards and even mother nature herself in the form of floods, earth quakes and tsunamis. However those same PRINCIPLES apply today in every interaction of life. You perhaps instinctively know that CREATING SPACE from an oncoming car will preserve your life. You may also know that DISRUPTING an unwanted flirtation by firmly saying, “No means no,” might dissuade the wrong person from getting the wrong idea about your relationship. It may even occur to you that REDIRECTING a conversation with a team member will get you back on track to accomplish your shared objective. However, consider that knowing never made a difference in life. Knowing is not enough, doing is where life is lived. It is in the doing that everything actually happens, and the better we do the more we accomplish, the happier we are, and the more successful we are at life. In your study of Life Defense you may take a passive role. You may acknowledge that the PRINCIPLES of Life Defense are at least good common sense. You may even believe that knowing these PRINCIPLES is key to your success in life. Although somewhat true that knowing is better than not knowing, doing is best. So in this upcoming year plan on “doing” Life Defense. Meaning applying PRINCIPLES perfected throughout all civilizations on all continents that SAVE LIFE over millions of years. Travis the Director of HR at a top notch University in the West told me today that Life Defense had given him “longevity in his position.” We refer to this as SAVING LIFE. Much like the LIFE SAVED over millennia that brought us all to this point, PRINCIPLES of CONFLICT will add “longevity” to your existence. If you take nothing else from this today, remember…Life Defense Saves Life… #lifedefense #lifedefense #allenhughes Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/question-mark-on-chalk-board-356079/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
In the world of self-defense we speak at length about, and practice PRESENTMENT. Basically, it's a simple law of nature. The animal that PRESENTS itself as strong, powerful, connected and purposeful lives, the one who presents itself as weak, powerless, disconnected, and without purpose gets eaten. As we close this year let's look at PRESENTING, REPRESENTING, AND RE-PRESENTING. All 3 are based on how others see us, or how we actually occur in the world, and have a direct effect on how successful we are in life, how much we make, and our overall mental, physical and emotional health. How we occur to others will effect how they treat us, and how likely we are to have a beneficial relationship of existence together. Good relationships save life. Consider, what we create, and what we are to others is who we are. What will you PRESENT, REPRESENT, AND RE-PRESENT in the New Year? PRESENTMENT is how we appear to others, or the way we walk, talk, and act. We REPRESENT where we come from, our families, friends, cultures, and organizations to which we belong. Both PRESENTMENT, and who we REPRESENT are vital in self-defense, Life Defense, interactions and relationships of life. However, RE-PRESENTMENT is what we are standing for anew. A lot of people create New Year's goals at this time of the year. They might sound something like, “I'm going to lose 20 pounds,” or “This year I'm getting that promotion.” RE-PRESENTMENT is not that. In contrast, you create your RE-PRESENTMENT deliberately, and RE-PRESENTMENT represents what you stand for, and consequently how you occur to others. Again, you create this new way of being. “How do we do that?” Let's look… The mind is a powerful thing, and so first we create our battle plan. However we know that the best battle plans fail at first encounter with the enemy. So to begin with we state our plan powerfully, as our way of being. Instead of, “I'm going to lose 20 pounds, and get a promotion..” Declare, “I am a lean, powerful, athlete that wins at life!” Next we act, we do not wait, anything that is powerfully spoken to others exists in the world. However, it is short-lived at best, and dies without action. It is the action that we take that abundantly, expansively sustains our declaration of life! And so we do the runs, eat the foods, get the sleep, and lift the weights as lean, powerful, athletes that win at life do. We are now in the process of “doing” which translates to the process of “being.” In essence we have RE-PRESENTED ourselves to the world, to the people around us, and thus our PRESENTATION is transformed, what we REPRESENT is transformed, and we have RE-PRESENTED ourselves newly to the world. People now interact with us as a lean, powerful athlete that wins at life! We are that to them, and more importantly to us. In the end, did you lose 20 pounds? Probably. Did you get that promotion? More than likely. However, does it really matter? Maybe you didn't lose 20 pounds, rather your body composition completely transformed. Perhaps you didn't get the promotion however new opportunities showed up, and you were offered a new position at a new start up that gave you more pay, more freedom, and stock options! In the coming year, consider not setting goals, rather start by looking at how you occur to others, what you really stand for in life, and RE-PRESENT who you really are to the world! Don't fall prey to the hungry lion. RE-PRESENT… #allenhughes #re-present #lifedefense Allen Hughes Life Defense --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
It is at this time of year that we look at RESOLVING our lives. That is why today in Life Defense, we will examine the similarities between physical fights, and arguments. We will contrast them with RESOLVING, or “RE-SOLVING” life relationships, and consider life-saving outcomes through RESOLVING life. A physical fight, is a type of argument, and is mostly a losing proposition. From the world of self-defense we know that winning a fight is a fallacy. When two people square off to physically fight, the outcome is mostly decided from the onset. Not who will win necessarily, or who will lose, rather that both will end up mostly broken in the end. It is here that life is lost. Consider that in self-defense we are talking about physical confrontation where bones are broken, bleeding, bumps and contusions occur. Is a verbal or written argument so dissimilar? The argument in comparison to the fight has direct relatedness. No noses may be broken, no bleeding may occur, and no trips to the ER may be necessary. However, emotional disruption, energy bled, and relationships broken are the result. If the argument was with a stranger, chances are it will not end in friendship. If the argument was with an acquaintance, the relationship stands a really good chance of being broken, most likely beyond repair. If the argument is with a close friend, or family member the relationship might still be broken, to be possibly mended at some future point. However, arguments are not likely mended in the immediate time frame. Mental and emotional disruption or injury, not unlike physical injury takes time to heal. Even the closest relationships ending without RESOLUTION will more than likely create scars. Scars that may carry on for years, scars that fragment families, and friendships for the rest of our lives. This is life lost. In these last few moments of the year as you consider how much weight you will lose, how much money you will make, of how many miles you will run, consider RESOLVING, or “RE-SOLVING” in many ways is superior to fighting and argument. To “RE-SOLVE” a mathematic equation using a different variable changes everything! Consider changing on thing and RE-SOLVE your life…. #lifedefense #resolve #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
As a self-defense instructor, and Life Defense coach, we see many options to CREATE in direct conflict. Take any circumstance of attack and an infinite number of actions CREATE how the scenario plays out. Example, someone comes up behind you, and slips their arm around your neck. Without thinking, your self-defense instinct kicks in and you do a Reactive Hip Out circling behind the assumed attacker's grasp, and just before you break their knee with a powerful Muy Thai style kick, you recognize it's your old Uncle Fred giving you an arm around the shoulder friendly greeting. As we enter the holidays people do this sort of thing… In an instant we go from CREATING a life saving self-defense encounter to apologizing to poor Uncle Fred as you see the terror in his eyes after you retract your shin from his knee. Now you'll spend the next few hours listening to your uncle's near death encounter. As anyone can see, the outcomes of this event could have been quite different if we had followed through, and broke poor Uncle Fred's knee. We CREATED a safe outcome from what we had previously thought an attack. In self-defense there are countless options, and outcomes for every type of attack. Life also gives us countless options to every encounter imaginable, and many unexpected as well. We train our bodies, and our minds to react to certain stimuli constantly each and every day, and yet there are possibly infinite ways of dealing with the multiple scenarios of life. It is this time of year that we encourage our participants to visualize what they want to CREATE for the expected and unexpected events in their upcoming year. True that an “Uncle Fred” may surprise you, and you may want to adjust your reaction when that happens. Yet, as you CREATE your life with each interaction consider thoughtfully, intentionally CREATING what you want your life to be. You see, life is a CREATION, although people interact in that CREATION, you still get to CREATE outcomes, and meaning. Don't wait till 11:59pm December 31st to CREATE your life. Consider doing it now, because you are in charge, you CREATE meaning, and you CREATE your life. CREATE! #lifedefense #create #allenhughes Photo by Em Hopper: https://www.pexels.com/photo/shallow-photography-of-brushes-on-jar-1084406/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
In the world of self-defense we often talk about a feeling, a voice or a premonition that says something like, “Something is not right, do not go down there, or this person is not being truthful!” In police work at the highest levels, CIA, FBI, DEA operatives talk about their “weirdo meter.” And when that voice speaks, they LISTEN. You may have guessed that in Life Defense we again draw a parallel to their world and recommend LISTENING to the voice. It is at this point that some may feel an overwhelming urge to turn off this podcast, shut down their screen and label me a crazy man. However, before you do, consider that the “little voice” is a real thing, it works and has saved countless lives both in law enforcement, and probably in your own life. Whether you're a believer in spiritual things, or somehow scientifically link it up to your reticular activating system, LISTEN. In the real sense of what is there is a little voice that warns you, and if you will LISTEN, of danger, liars, and deceptions, and it will save your life! The key that I have found is first to LISTEN, then to act. When we act we see immediate or long term results from our action, and our LISTENING gets more acute. Just like anything we do, practice and see…LISTEN. #lifedefense #listen #allenhughes Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-red-polo-shirt-sitting-near-chalkboard-3779448/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
In the study of Life Defense the PRINCIPLE of RELEASE is vital. Coming from the world of self-defense, this basic skill of survival actually has application in our everyday life. In self-defense, held by potentially deadly opponents our life hangs in the balance. In life, those most deadly opponents, may hold us in our past, and never allow us to move forward. They stop us, slow us, and hold us back from our dreams, accomplishments, and life itself. Consider for a moment that the deadliest of these vicious, violent, killers of life attackers could be you. What you don't RELEASE by definition hinders you, and affects your ability to function, and in fact live. “What do you mean?” says the majority of listeners. Let's look. In the simplest definition, a hold requires RELEASE to be free, and live. The act of holding is a hard stop of motion, a slowing, and or limiting of ability. In the case of holding on to your past, anything you hold on to identifies you as the attacker, albeit an attacker of self. As this attacker, you attack the person closest to you. You, and your hold can either stop your motion completely, slow you down, or limit your ability to live. In the end life is lost. Contrast this with a TRUE WARRIOR of LIFE. They speak of battles lost as an active observer, creating new strategies to implement in the next battle. They know a battle is just an instant in the war, or beautiful chaos of conflict we call life. Likewise, a SURVIVOR of an assault by definition defines themselves a TRUE WARRIOR by RELEASING the past as an emotional barrier and embracing the past event as a battle scar realizing those beautiful strokes of blade against skin mark another victory of living, never to be a victim as long as they draw breath. The choice in this battle is clear. Will you hold on to past battles lost, and allow them to take control of your future? Or will you RELEASE the past, embrace the outcomes, and bear scars as beautiful symbols of life? For me, and those powerful WARRIORS of LIFE I've coached, the breath we draw, and scars we carry count us forever among the living! RELEASE and live… #lifedefense #release #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
She had argued with him before, and was now AWARE that with each subsequent conversation he'd gotten a little louder, and a little more forceful. Since taking her self-defense course she'd noticed also a controlling element attempting to take hold of her freedom. It was in fact a determining factor in her decision to leave him. Mary was now surer than she'd ever been. This could not continue, she would never abandon her core beliefs, and values Max valued no more. Mary, a Christian now prayed daily for him, and most recently had prayed for strength to leave. As if on cue Mary's AWARENESS was at a heightened level, as was Max's shouting. Max reached out with his large forearms and powerful grip to grab her and shove her up against the refrigerator. She'd done this before in her training sessions, however recalling it later she just acted instinctively. Stepping back as Max drove forward, offline and deflecting his powerful hands before they could take hold not only propelled his forward motion it also gave her the opening she needed as she bolted out the door. Mary would come back the next day with a squad car in the street to pick up here stuff, and never return. When I talk to people leaving for a trip, whether out of state or out of country, among my last words to them is always, “Be AWARE.” This word's roots are obviously tied in English to “beware,” and is one of most important self-defense and Life Defense techniques we employ. The world is not getting kinder, gentler, or safer. In life, or Life Defense, consider that to the degree you are AWARE will be your degree of safety, and life. Whether you're talking, in online social situations, on the street, or listening to political agendas and narratives. Be AWARE. Is the person, or message getting louder, more aggressive or controlling? If so, it may be time to step off line, and get out, opt out, or get to safety. When? Now! Why? because to “being AWARE” is a vital step to maintaining your freedom and life. Be AWARE or “beware” of anything, or anyone who might take life from you… #lifedefense #aware #allenhughes Photo by Haley Black: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-taking-pictures-of-ruins-2087391/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
The train subway platform was all but empty. Master Lee's Hapkido session, and meetings with his top instructors had gone longer than expected. Lee was getting on in age, and yet a formidable expert from years of training in Hapkido, a form of self-defense, he originally learned in South Korea as a young boy training with Choi, Yong Sool, the founder. He couldn't help it, his mind immediately went to techniques, and situational awareness. Today he was contemplating what he would do if attacked right there on the platform by a rear naked choke. Several of his favorite techniques came to mind, and his most favorite, a simple circling move from a “turtling” position came top of mind. Lee smiled. “DISCERN, I would first DISCERN the situation and move to a better defensible position, then I would not even need the circling turtle technique.” He chuckled to himself and said, “However, before that I would leave earlier to avoid any sketchy situations. Ha! Better yet!” His last few words echoed off the concrete of the station platform. As he looked further he thought of his senior instructors, and their life struggles. His mind then went directly to Life Defense, a concept he learned through years of training that employed simple PRINCIPLES of self-defense in life. DISCERNING what in their lives is choking them out before life's chokes actually tighten, and their dreams die might be helpful. Even before that, he would first council them to dream, and not in some ethereal realm. Rather make a concrete list of 25 dreams they wanted for their lives, and write them down. Because, without DISCERNING what it is they actually want first, what is most important to them, and what makes life worth living, they would have nothing to defend and fight for. As he boarded safely on his way home he determined to re-ignite each instructor to write their dreams in his next meeting. Then he would teach them to use Life Defense PRINCIPLES to DISCERN dangers to those dreams before they are attacked, that their dreams may live! First, as he sat down on the smooth fiberglass subway bench the old teacher would write his own dreams. “So much to dream. Where to start…?” In life, how often do we DISCERN what it is we actually are here for, what we want, and then defend those dreams as if our lives depended on them? Because they do. Consider, DISCERNING first what you are defending, then employ Life Defense and live… #lifedefense #discern #allenhughes Photo by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi: https://www.pexels.com/photo/silhouette-photo-of-man-standing-near-the-edge-of-concrete-pavement-1060492/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
In HAPKIDO self defense training we've been using a double arm elbow lock, and off-lining to take advantage of the pushing motion of an attacker in a front choke. Picture an attacker pushing you up against a wall with two hands on your neck… (See the video example). This was a definite improvement on a static position where we just dropped our weight to break the hold. However, some of the smaller defenders were still not able to make it work according to our 90% RULE.. more on the 90% RULE in another episode. In short, our goals is that our self defense techniques must work at least 90% of the time to be viable. As some of our lighter women attempted, they weren't able to break the chokehold 90% of the time. We are always looking for improvements, and a few of our instructors took it on themselves to find a better way for this technique to work for even the smallest defender. After analyzing this over and over again, Micheal one of our Master level instructors, suggested CONNECTING to one arm, instead of both of the attackers arms, with the defender using both of their arms. It worked! It turns out the correct CONNECTION made all the difference. The correct CONNECTION in this case, was to pinpoint twice as much power, strength, effort, and weight to one specific point of CONNECTION instead of two. Picture a muscle bound man holding a 16 year old teenage girl while she hangs on his one arm extended. Eventually, even the strongest arm gives out. In life and Life Defense less CONNECTIONS can be more effective. Or said in a different way, the right CONNECTION can make all the difference. Consider that 10,000 “friends” on social media are not as effective as CONNECTION to a few close friends. Greg Roche. author of “The Fast and Easy Networking Guide for Introverts,” in one our recent conversations spoke of this as being your “personal community.” In simple terms the people that know you, care about you, and are interested in your success are your “personal community.” These “personal community” CONNECTIONS actually require less energy than online social communities to accomplish outcomes. Example: You get a flat tire at 3am in the middle of no where. Quick, post to Facebook or Instagram and see what happens…? Or, call your closest 3 friends? Although a late night gamer may like, or even share your post, chances are better at least one of your three closest friends will pick up and get you assistance as soon as possible. In life, the use of fewer close CONNECTIONS is more powerful than 10,000 distant CONNECTIONS. 10,000 or 1 million followers are not as powerful was a few close friends… #lifedefense #connect #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
It was another domestic call, and officer Patti Smith was headed to the incident on her own. Domestic disturbances can turn ugly pretty quick, and she was the closest unit responding. That would mean she alone would deal with whatever was happening by herself before any back up arrived. As she stepped out of her squad car she saw what looked like a couple, standing few feet apart, screaming mostly obscenities at each other. A crowd had gathered, some young guy was shooting the next YouTube viral phone cam video, and things looked to go south really fast if she didn't gain control of the situation right away. Just as soon as her foot hit the hot blacktop some presumably engaged onlooker yelled, “Hey lady cop, why don't you jump back in your car, do us favor, and go do a donut run. We got this!” Officer Smith knew at once she was being challenged, and dismissed before she could even get started. With big smile she looked straight at the large man and said, “Just ate half a box, my personal trainer is going to kill me during my session, you know how leg days are. I'll be lucky to keep anything down without puking my guts out tomorrow.” The heckler was immediately DEFLECTED, the crowd, including the couple went silent, and someone chuckled. “Now I'm going to need y'all to take about 10 steps back to that curb while we get this sorted out…Thank you.” Immediately, her DEFLECTION turned into a direct, and powerful request, as she took control. In self-defense we DEFLECT kicks, punches, pushes and grabs. The science behind a deflection is asymmetrical triangulation, resulting in non-linear interaction. Officer Smith was out numbered, and force was directed at her through a direct challenge to her authority, and her ability to take control. Her verbal self defense training kicked in and she DEFLECTED Direct confrontation in self-defense, team interaction, or an angry teenager's exchange almost always ends badly. This is due to the fact that either one gets pummeled into submission, gives up and “looses face,” or both parties receive damage and nothing is resolved. Who wins in a fight? No one. That's why asymmetrical DEFLECTION is a great place to start when attacked head on. So consider DEFECTION when you are confronted first. The damage will almost always be lessened without a fight, life will most likely be saved, the relationship will probably improve, a fight is less likely, and most importantly you may survive… #lifedefense #deflect #allenhughes Photo by ANTONI SHKRABA: https://www.pexels.com/photo/stationery-on-a-desk-in-an-office-and-woman-expressing-frustration-at-a-meeting-with-team-6632536/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
Sydney was walking into the Utah grocery store when a friendly woman's voice came at her from the side. She had previously been looking into her phone, and answering a quick text as she walked across the parking lot. The friendly lady was asking directions with a smile. Because she was focusing, and not in her phone at that particular moment, she realized something was off with the woman's greeting and question, and shook her head no while quickening her pace UN-DIVERTED from her task at hand. Surprisingly, the once friendly person just strode off, seemingly unaffected by Sydney's focused response. While exiting the store, in what typically is not an area known for crime, Sydney noticed the lady climbing into a van, watching from a distance she couldn't help but notice the van was driven by a man, with another man in the passenger seat, had no windows, and was running out of state plates. Although Sydney was unable to get the plates written down in time, she called 911 and waited for the police. It turned out that a similar method was being used to abduct young women for sex trafficking. In similar cases, witnesses had said they'd noticed the ones targeted seemed to be unaware, and looking into their phone. The friendly woman would approach, and DIVERT their attention. Swiftly the van would pull up, open the cargo door and easily push the unknowing young lady in. Being DIVERTED in self defense can create dangerous outcomes, and life threatening consequences. In life, and Life Defense, to be DIVERTED can also equate to a loss of life. This loss can be caused by DIVERTING attention, time, or focus. What, or who DIVERTS you from your focus? Consider taking time each day and count the times you are DIVERTED. You may be surprised to see how much life is actually lost… #lifedefense #divert #allenhughes Photo by PhotoMIX Company: https://www.pexels.com/photo/traffic-lights-with-red-light-on-190448/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
Tommy stood facing Bobby on the sidelines of the football field. Some comment was made that got everything started and a small crowd formed around them. Tommy was a full head shorter than Bobby, and Bobby was stepping toward him quickly. Tommy knew instinctively from his Hapkido training that he couldn't withstand the frontal attack that seemed imminent, and stepped one foot back in a defensive stance, hands up saying, “Hey Bobby, slow down I don't want any trouble.” Bobby seemed to ignore his words, and several beers that Tommy smelled on Bobby's breath told him he might not be hearing them anyway. All at once Bobby's hands went really wide in a huge gesture, “Common you F%^$ing punk!” And with that lounged to push Tommy violently. Tommy stepped quickly in a semi-circle back again and SYNCHRONIZED with Bobby's push, allowing all his energy to stumble easily past. No matter how much Bobby pushed, or wildly swung Tommy just SYNCHRONIZED with his motion like an experienced matador, allowing a 3000 lb. bull to brush harmlessly past him time and time again. After what seemed like an eternity, and was maybe only 40 seconds, the conflict was over. Bobby had finally tripped, and fallen to the ground cursing and spitting out the dust he'd swallowed, and refusing assistance from his friends to gain his feet, and continue. In the world of self-defense, SYNCHRONIZING with a larger, more powerful opponent is a principle that works. Just as the matador can SYNCHRONIZE with the bull, SYNCHRONIZING with your opponent is a PRINCIPLE that defenders wisely incorporate against larger, more powerful opponents. In Life Defense, and in life, standing toe to toe with a larger more powerful force is ineffective. When faced with a more powerful force SYNCHRONIZE with the project, co-worker, or opposition and live just long enough to succeed. At some point either the force will tire of being oppositional, or your SYNCHRONIZATION will turn into a desired outcome. SYNCHRONIZE… #lifedefense #synchronize #allenhughes Photo by Marko Obrvan: https://www.pexels.com/photo/bullfighter-fighting-bull-on-corrida-5521552/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
The crowd was gathering and forming lines. This politically charged environment had met, as if agreed in prior negotiations, to meet on the field of battle prior to this date and each had brought their posters, signs, banners and flags. As if on cue the event started with the gathering of each side simultaneously marching toward one another. As they met a line formed with arms linked together as if to stop one side form reaching the other side where a stage and PA system blared out loud music drowning out all conversational talk. No one would dare breach this human wall as ranks closed and even a wheel chair bound protestor was challenged with angry faces, and blocked from further progress as she pushed, or rather was pushed through the line. As I CIRCLED around the confrontation I found a small break in the line. Without confrontation, my only objective was to take pictures, video and interview people on both sides. CIRCLING to the side of a couple of “line holders” I asked calmly, while standing next to them if he could get through, and walked without confrontation to the stage, interviewing band members, and generally unchallenged. Having studied Hapkido self-defense, I had learned that a direct confrontation didn't end well. Instead I chose to CIRCLE, take a defensive position instead of direct confrontation. In life, and Life Defense, CIRCLING to another's perspective creates a new view point, a non-confrontational position, and is defensible. By CIRCLING around the human blockade, by not standing in opposition, rather in harmony with the people, and generally being interested in them provided new opportunities of interaction with little resistance. Consider the CIRCLE, one of the shapes of motion in arts like Jiujitsu, Judo, Wushu, Aikido, and Hapkido, to be powerful and able to redirect opposition and accomplish mush more that clashing, in toe to toe confrontation. When confronted CIRCLE. #lifedefense #circle #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
A TRAINER is a person uniquely qualified through actual experience to coach others. Think of Rocky's trainer Mickey, Daniel San's trainer Mr. Myagi, and Vince Lombardi. They coached on screen, and real life champions to reach past their “Great White” fears and attain something greater than anyone thought possible. How did they do it? TRAINERS know how to prepare others to take ACTION, and develop them into, TRUE WARRIORS OF LIFE in endeavors ranging from pro-football stars, and top sales professionals, to playing1st chair violin in the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra! Where ACTION removes FEAR, TRAINERS know the ACTIONS to take that actually develop normal people into superstars! Back to sharks. Since the writing of this last episode my free diving, shark loving son went on another dive in Hawaii. This time, under the guidance of his Dive Master, was told all the little sharks that were swimming away from them because they knew there was a larger predator approaching… Most people would take this as a cue to exit the deep blue water immediately. However, his Dive Master/ TRAINER said they'd be fine and it was probably only a tiger shark, like the one the movie “Soul Surfer” was based on. You know, the one where the surfer girl gets her arm bitten off by a tiger shark? Sure enough, within a short while there she was, They called her “Roxy” and she was easily 12' in length. The TRAINER said to face her and push her on the nose if she got too close. How did he know to give that TRAINING tip? He is a TRAINER! TRAINERS have seen enough, experienced enough, and failed enough to know what's coming and how to deal with it. Their legendary vision is the thing that creates champions. Consider when you are faced with your “Great Whites” and the “Moment of Consideration,” whether it's free diving in Maui or grappling class, to ACT and take that step, make that call, or step up on stage, and if you can't, getting a TRAINER might be your first ACTION to eliminate fear, and succeed in every endeavor of life… #lifedefense #themomentofconsideration #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
The MOMENT OF CONSIDERATION (MOC) without exception saves life, yet that same MOC obviously costs life in a real sense. The MOC loss of life is far more common than preservation in modern society. Think about lost opportunities for relationships, experience, and adventure as today we consider almost everything the least bit challenging as a great white lurking in the deep ready to devour people foolish enough to take ACTION whole, leaving any stray limbs to wash up on shore days later. A warning to all those who dare take ACTION! Have you guessed what actually gets in the way of taking ACTION? What gets in the way of taking ACTION every time is FEAR. So if ACTION removes FEAR and FEAR stands in the way of taking said ACTION… What can we do as TRUE WARRIORS OF LIFE destined to survive, evolve, and win for generations to come? TRAIN! TRAINING, is the experience of taking ACTION over and over again, and makes even the most intimidating situations seem normal. If I asked the common person on the street to join us in self-defense practice Tuesday, and told them we would be “choking each other out” to the point of near unconsciousness, their autonomic systems would probably start ramping up right there on the sidewalk. Warning them of imitate danger, their mind, and flush of hormones would be telling them, “No, do not go, danger, danger, run away now!” Strange as it may sound, most people don't think of strangulations as normal. However, since everyone that practices self-defense and TRAINS on a regular basis, knows the first Tuesday of this month is strangulation practice, there would be almost no FEAR, no matter the size, or strength of the self-defense practitioner. Why? because they TRAIN, and TRAINING is taking ACTION over, and over again. Additionally, there is a multiplier in this equation. The TRAINER. More on TRAINERS in our next episode… #lifedefense #themomentofconsideration #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
Today our “MOMENT of CONSIDERATION” looks like this, “Oh no, I will not get up on stage and sing, dance, act or speak.” Or, “Hell no, she's way out of my league, I'll settle for a sure thing, a safe thing, someone who will say yes for sure.” Or, “Nope, too many sales call rejections today, had my share of ‘No's, ‘and I'm outta here!” CONSIDERATION, developed as a basic survival skill, has been misapplied to a modern world where there are far less great whites, and there is far more potential opportunity from taking action. Really, what's the worst thing that can happen when you get up on stage? Perhaps you fumble for words, loose your place, people laugh at you, your belt comes undone, and you're suddenly standing there in your underwear. Maybe you don't get applause, that next promotion, or people laugh at you. What about that special someone you ask out? Maybe the girl of your dreams says, “No, I would never go out with you in a million years.” Or you make that next call, and someones shouts at you describing your mother in very unkind and surprisingly graphic terminologies. None of these responses comes close to your body being ripped in half by Jaws, while your screams muffle as you're swallowed you whole by our favorite 20 foot, 5000 lb. movie star! Not even close. All of the afore mentioned are minor scrapes, bumps and bruises we all acquire throughout our lives, and yet, our autonomic responses make them seem life threatening. Just as likely a scenario is that your speech goes fine, the girl says yes, and you make the sale of a lifetime. In most case scenarios, you mess up a little on your speech, the girl says maybe, and you make a mediocre sale. However, compared to Jaws swallowing you whole, the risk is always worth it. Always. Recognizing that all opportunity, and in fact everything that happens, happens in an environment of ACTION is the key to all success. That's right, not some success, all of it comes from A-C-T-I-O-N! ACTION is the key to fame, fortune, and the relationship of your dreams. So why do so few people take action that results in all that? In short having it all. The answer is FEAR. Modern humans are letting one emotion stand in the way of having it all. FEAR. More on eliminating 90% of all FEAR in our next episode… #lifedefense #themomentofconsideration #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
There is a simple formula that creates access to all success, riches, relationships and opportunity. The formula is ACTION = PERFORMANCE! That being said, there is really only one thing that gets in the way of our dream life every time. CONSIDERATION. More specifically, “THE MOMENT of CONSIDERATION.” In that one single moment, your life either moves forward or doesn't. “There's a 10' hammerhead right there where you were free-diving.” Dane turned around, and sure enough there it was a beautiful 10' hammerhead shark right where had been just seconds before. “I want to jump back in!” He said, still wet from his dive. What my son was experiencing was what we all experience. “THE MOMENT of CONSIDERATION.” In that “MOMENT of CONSIDERATION for all of us, the question is, will we jump or won't we? We all consider almost everything before we act. It's a preservation tool humans develop over time and through experiences we've had, or others have related to us through experiences they've had. Consideration in this circumstance might look like, “Cool a hammerhead! Humm…10' is just a little bigger than me, although a classified ‘man-eater' maybe not big enough to go after me. I'm in!” The next thing that might have happened might be Dane eagerly jumping back in. However, “THE MOMENT OF CONSIDERATION,” and preservation, might look quite different if, after climbing onto the boat someone said, “Oh my gosh, do you see that? It's a 20' great white! You are so lucky man, and right where you were just diving!” That's where “THE MOMENT OF CONSIDERATION,” preservation kicks in, and Dane opts out of another free dive with Jaws, and lives. In the case of Jaws suddenly showing up, “THE MOMENT of CONSIDERATION” would be a culmination of everything Dane had seen on Shark Week over the past 34 years of life, and his “CONSIDERATION” might sound like, “Do not, under any circumstances jump back into that water!” A cocktail rush of hormones would shoot up his spine, and warm his body from head to toe, as his near death experience would be lived as if he had, in his “MOMENT of CONSIDERATION,” in fact jumped back in, and encountered his 5000 lb. hungry new friend. The “MOMENT of CONSIDERATION” has saved us countless times over the course of our lives, and arguably arises in us each and every day. That being said, our evolutionary skill has also limited modern people from huge opportunities, amazingly powerful relationships, fame and fortune. More on “great whites, and mastering the “MOMENT of CONSIDERATION” in part 2… #lifedefense #themomentofconsideration #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
His large forearm came across Lizzy's throat all too fast. It was the last thing she expected to happen at the senior picnic. She had been a little less aware of what was behind her, and more aware of the playful rough, and tumble water fight that had broken out on the lawn just a few feet in front of her. Bobby, her attacker, was a big football player, harmless, yet way too strong and a little drunk from the beer he shotgunned 30 minutes before. Lizzy's first reaction was to bring her hands up to her neck to protect from the choke, however, her reaction was a little too slow and Bobby's arm was already around her throat. Upon realizing she could be choked out, Lizzy dropped her weight and drove her hips back full strength into is goin pushing him off balance and extending his arms from danger. Without a second thought she DROPPED herself to the ground between Bobby's legs, and the huge off-balanced lineman was thrown powerfully to the ground. Gasping for air, Bobby was in a dazed panic, so Lizzy stepped behind him lifting his arms until he could breath again. Soon everyone was laughing as Bobby shook his head and hugged his little friend, profusely apologizing over, and over again. DROPPING in self-defense connects us to the largest body on the planet, “the planet.” DROPPING in Life Defense might look like DROPPING volume and tones to connect to a team, or emphasis a point. Having trained dogs competitively, I know when a dog is at its most dangerous. When? When it DROPS its volume to a quiet, deep growl. It's then that the snaring dog gets all my attention. The DROP in Lizzy's throw connected her to something much larger than herself, and larger than even Bobby the lineman. DROPPING is a reaction to an attack, and just as easily a verbal aggression, a hostile action, or just to get someone's attention, and connect powerfully. Consider DROPPING the next time things are getting of out of hand. DROP… Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach #lifedefense #drop #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
Jumping out of the car, just off “The Strip” in Vegas, and running up to a stranger because your GPS is taking you in circles isn't a good idea. However, that's exactly what my wife did saying something like, “It's okay, he works here!” It turned out he didn't work there, and he was on drugs, and in her rush she disappeared out of line of sight for a long 3 minutes. Not a good self-defense tactic from a 22 year veteran of HAPKIDO. However, sometimes even the best of us make mistakes. Luckily, Carrie returned safe, and sound and we sped off. However, just as likely a scenario might have included a direct attack, and ultimately injury to either the assailant, Carrie, or myself if I could have even gotten there in time. Sure, if the drug addict lunged at Carrie, pushing her to the brick wall in a front choke, she probably would have struggled a little then stepped back offline. VARYING her presentment, twisting her torso, and reaching for his one hand, she then could have powerfully VARIED her stance back the other direction, using all her weight against the elbow of his outstretched arm, delivering a punishing blow to break his grip, which likely would have shattered his elbow in the process. Pretty detailed for a “what if” scenario. But since we went there, let's take the technique apart, and the PRINCIPLE behind it… The power from this technique comes not from resistance, rather from PRINCIPLE of VARIANCE to the force. Since the person is pushing, in the case of a choke, no resistance is offered, just an offline motion. This allows the “twisting” motion of her body. After the attacker pushes past his balance is compromised, and his arm is overextended. All that is needed is VARYING back the other way to multiply his force with her own force, and body weight, and “pop” broken grip, broken elbow. VARYING is the key. Almost to a person, we struggle at first when attacked. In life and Life Defense, it's the same. When an unruly teen puts up a fight, breaks a rule, or invariably, outright refuses common sense advise the parent has a choice. Resist, by digging in and forcing an outcome, or VARYING their approach. The outcome might still be the same, however, the VARIANCE in approach between, “I've told you a million times to clean your room! You're definitely, not going to your fiends tonight!” and “Interesting choice you're making about tonight…” and the teen says, “What?” and the parent says, “Nothing really, I'll love spending time with you this evening. I've got a movie I've been wanting you to see. It'll be perfect…” Instead of fighting, and meeting force with force, VARYING approach uses the energy of the other person to accomplish your success. When meeting resistance, VARY your approach. When something doesn't work, try something else… They'll never see it coming… Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach #lifedefense #vary #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
“Secondary location” in self-defense terminology refers to leaving the initial location of encounter with a possible assailant, either by force, or under threat of violence to you or another. Chances of survival are possibly 5-10%, although no one really knows because people, including children go missing, rapes go unreported and no one knows how many “runaways” were taken to secondary locations never to be seen again. In self defense “secondary location” is one of the most unsurvivable situations. Therefore, we have the PRINCIPLE of NEUTRALIZATION. Which is by definition rendering an attacker harmless, or NEUTRAL. Resisting, or escaping secondary location using possibly deadly force In Life Defense we find its equivalent also. When a person is attacking you, your project, your freedom, or even your time you can either allow the threat to force you into an inescapable position or NEUTRALIZE the threat. Compared to Silence of the Lambs, stealing your time might seem harmless. However, 30 minutes a day adds up over months and years. Your wasted time is life lost. Although NEUTRALIZATION of a serial killer uses deadly force, the Life Defense equivalent might look like. “No, I will not go with you to lunch today.” When inside what you are saying is, “No, means no! Back away from me now! I will not spend another hour abducted to a secondary location of binge food eating, ear drum burning, tyrannical gossip session! I am not your hostage, leave now!” When there is a loss of life whether immediately terminal, or incremental, life lost can never be replaced. NEUTRALIZE your opponent, and never go to secondary location to become a statistic of lost life…. Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach #lifedefense #neutralize #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
Eddie was not in the popular crowd. As far as he knew he was not in the popular universe. Everyone else at this party seemed not only taller than him, they were also drunker than him. About the time things seemed to be getting weirder, he'd decided to leave. Eddie heard a shout from across the room,“Little Eddie! Where are you going?” Eddie turned just in time to see Ken approaching quickly to head him off. Eddie stopped in his tracks. After Ken had made the football team, and Eddie hadn't, Ken had stopped being any kind of friend, and had made fun of Eddie's wrestling just about every time they met. Even after Eddie had won his weight class at State, it was always the same insults about wresting around with a bunch of sweaty guys on a sweaty mat. Eddie RESPONDED, “Just headed home. Got early church tomorrow man.” Ken's slurred speech gave his drunkenness away, “You can pray tomorrow, but you ain't going nowhere tonight.” Eddie RESPONDED, “Sorry to disappoint you. Gotta go.” Just then Ken launched himself at Eddie's midsection in a full tackle. Eddie RESPONDED immediately by dropping into a standing sprawl, controlling any tackle from occurring by keeping Ken's hands and arms at bay. However Ken was bigger and continued to push. Eddie knew he's have to move Ken around and control his ability to push him over. Eddie dropped his head and pushed the hard part of his skull as if he had horns into Ken's eye socket, temple and nose. “Ouch!” Ken said, and released rubbing his bloody nose and blackening eye. Dropping his hands to his knees and breathing hard. Ken spat out.“We'll go then you little…!” Eddie tapped Ken on the shoulder, “Sleep it off my friend. I'll tell Reverend Mike you said, hey.” Ken went home soon after, and did sleep it off. Eddie called to see how he was doing after church the next day, and Ken apologized. From that day they were back to being friends. Eddie thought many times over their lifetime about that night, and how grateful he was for his RESPONSE. Both Ken and Eddie never made college teams, however, their years of friendship were long, and their children's children grew up like family together for holidays, blessings, baptisms and weddings. Eddie's RESPONSE in self-defense changed his life forever. Eddie could have easily taken Ken out, however, he didn't. We all have the ability to create our world in each RESPONSE we have each and every day. Remember it's not what happens to us that makes the difference, it's how we RESPOND that creates our future. Life is full of conflict. In fact everything in life has an element of conflict. How will you RESPOND? Because how you RESPOND is what you will create in your next conflict, and life. RESPOND… Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach #lifedefense #respond #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
In self-defense we CLEAR hands that are reaching out to grab, push or choke. Until we CLEAR those hands out of our space we are dealing with them. In life, and LIFE DEFENSE, it's the same. If we don't CLEAR things out of our space we loose life. This happens in many ways including mental, emotional and physical CLEARING. Until we are CLEAR we loose performance, and basic abilities to do anything at work, with our families and in every part of life. In short, we loose life. CLEAR those things that cause you to loose life first and SAVE LIFE! #allenhughes #clear #lifedefense --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
For those of you old enough to remember the original Top Gun, the final dog fight battle scene has Maverick (Tom Cruise) flying into a dog fight to assist his fellow aviator Iceman (Val Kilmer) out at sea. Launched from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier into a contentious airspace, Maverick is Iceman's only hope of survival. Coming from the recent loss of his co-pilot, and close personal friend call sign “Goose,” Maverick has lost his nerve. Iceman says,“Maverick…Where in the hell are you? Maverick! How about some help? ENGAGE…!” Maverick, talking to himself, “It's no good, talk to me Goose…” Iceman is heard over the radio, “Maverick…Maverick…!” Finally, Maverick recovers, and ENGAGES! From the control center on the carrier they report, “Maverick is ENGAGING sir!” In the end Maverick saves Iceman, himself, and the whole aircraft carrier. Cheers erupt as the remaining enemy jets bug out. In self-defense, we do everything we can to prepare, train, drill and condition for defending our lives, including deescalation, and getting the heck out of Dodge. However, there comes a time when it's appropriate, and necessary for the defender to ENGAGE. In this scenario, without ENGAGEMENT we put ourselves, and others at peril. By definition, without full ENGAGEMENT there is no life. The young lovers fully “ENGAGE” to create a life together. The very act of human creation happens through “ENGAGEMENT.” In life and Life Defense how often do we loose our nerve, and won't ENGAGE in the conflict of life itself? Remembering that there is no life without conflict, and our participation in life requires ENGAGING in that conflict each and every day. If life is important to you, ENGAGE. Really, said another way, ENGAGE or die! Because there are many ways to die, yet only one way to truly live. ENGAGE… Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach #lifedefense #engage #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
Mohammad Ali's famous for the saying “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!” and in his early years he did just that. However, facing 25 year old George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle in 1974, Ali came in as a 4-1 underdog against the younger more powerful heavy weight champ. It was then that Ali introduced the now legendary Rope-a Dope. His strategy was to BLOCK, bob and weave supported by the ring ropes while his younger, stronger opponent “punched himself out.” In the now legendary fight, Foreman swung away wildly, as Ali BLOCKED, Foreman over extended his arms, missing Ali, or landing punches on Ali's powerful forearms harmlessly. The tactic worked, and in the 8th round Ali knocked Foreman out, standing defiantly over his younger opponent regaining the title to once again become the heavy weight champ. This event was watched by millions of boxing enthusiasts around the world, grossing $100 million in revenues, and the BLOCKING, bobbing and weaving “Rope-a Dope” became history. Ali was not stronger, or faster. However the aging boxer was smarter. In self-defense we BLOCK, bob and weave to evade, allowing a stronger, faster opponent to effectively, “punch themselves out” until the opening is right for a counter punch. In life, when we believe we are overmatched, and out gunned, we can choose to BLOCK, bob and weave until the time is right to make our move. Remember, a smart defense isn't always going “toe to toe”in battle, in business, or team projects. Sometimes we BLOCK and wait for the right opening to strike. Champions know how to win, and when appropriate, when to BLOCK, bob and weave… Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach #lifedefense #block #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
Breanne and Yoko were evenly matched. To a novice Judoka (Judo player), or spectator, there was nothing going on. Breanne would go in for a hip throw and Yoko would tie her up, negating the throw. The same would happen when Yoko attempted a head and arm throw. Breanne would close the SPACE, and tie her opponent up, neutralizing all chance for a throw or takedown. The match was tied, all at once the horn sounded and the match went into a sudden death. Although Breanne eventually prevailed, as she was leaving the mat Yoko whispered into Breanne's ear, “You totally controlled the SPACE, and the match.” They hugged, exchanged social media info, and that was that. Both Breanne and Yoko knew this essential element of conflict, “The one that controls the SPACE, by definition, controls the outcome.” Conflict is relational. We live and and die, according to our relationships. The PRINCIPLE of controlling SPACE is vital, yet misunderstood in every day life. It was “closing” the SPACE between them that won the match. The “tie-up” is a closeness thing. How much SPACE exists between you, your family, your friends, and your business associates, or team members? It's all about understanding that SPACE, and when appropriate, closing it. How much would your relationship transform if you “closed” that SPACE…? Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach #lifedefense #space #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
Bobby was a State Wrestling Champ, and Deborah was his friend. After the water balloon fight in the hot park he said, “Hey Deb why don't you show me some of that Jiujitsu stuff? Deborah was 110 lb. dripping wet and declined. At that, all of their friends started egging her on, but to no avail. All at once Bobby tackled her playfully in a very over exaggerated, theatrical motion. What happened next surprised the little cheering crowd of onlookers. To be fair Bobby's tackle was gentle, however Deborah's response wasn't. On her back was a familiar place to be in this situation, and as Bobby landed, she wrapped her legs around his waist to stop his advance, and then around his arm, LEVERAGING her strongest assist, her lower body strength, against the ground. Deborah then LEVERAGED the planet by pushing up, engaging her hips, and straining her attacker's elbow joint. Within 5 seconds Bobby was tapping, “Okay, you got me, ouch…” Deborah playfully let go, and pushed him off with her legs, and laughed. As Bobby lay back, in the wet grass, he began rubbing his elbow. Standing, and brushing the grass from her jeans Deborah had a smile that said it all, “Don't mess with me.” The LEVERAGE we use in self-defense is powerful and life saving. In Deborah's case her LEVERAGE was literally the planet. Our lives are the same. When we are on our backs, in the fight for our lives, in relationship conflict, business conflict, or even conflict with a teen gone suddenly off track, we have LEVERAGE all around us that we can use to save life. That life saved might be ours, our business, or our precious child's. LEVERAGE is how we accomplish greater things than we can ever imagine. LEVERAGE powerfully, and save life! Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach #lifedefense #leverage #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
The Judo match was close and yet Kim was behind at least in her mind due to Kyoku's superior strength. In a very fast, and devastating move, Kyoku's arm came speeding around Kim's head for what could have been the Ippon (winning point by throw), however Kim saw it coming, spinning to the inside Kim REINFORCED Kyoku's speed and power and spiraled her opponent to the ground in a Scarf Hold, cradling her head and arm tightly for control. Immediately the time clock started counting down from 20…19…18…17…however “non-flashy” the technique, all she had to do was hold her opponent for 20 seconds for the win. Although Kyoku's strength, weight and size was far greater than her's, being matched for the overall Grand Champion in all weight classes, Kim's REINFORCED hold was extremely effective, and her position kept the powerful Kyoku struggling to no avail. 3…2…1 Ippon! Kim jumped up and the crowd cheered. Afterward, Kyoku stood, towering above Kim shook hands, bowed and the both embraced. Kyoku whispered, “I can't believe you held me down so easily! Congratulations.” In self-defense, REINFORCING a good position especially in holding, requires weight placement, and REINFORCEMENT of pivotal points. Actually very little effort, or strength is exerted. It is all about the position, and REINFORCING that position in just the right way. When “winning” in life, consider using the Life Defense principle of REINFORCING a good position, rather than fighting from a bad one, to obtain the win…! You can and will prevail when pitted against much stronger and more powerful opponents than you'd ever imagine… Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach #lifedefense #reinforce #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
The black van pulled up to the middle school slowly, passing the big crowds of tweens, and was leaving the far edge of school property when the door opened, and a man jumped out. Thirteen year old Tina was walking alone excited, and a little distracted because today was her birthday, and the girls now running to catch their buses would be at her home in an hour for her party. She didn't notice the man as he ran quietly up behind her until it was too late. All of a sudden her world was turned upside down as she felt herself being lifted, arms pinned to her sides, his arms wrapped fully around her waist tightly. Her screams caught the attention of a few students within her vicinity, however, the van was only 20 or 30 feet away, and their attempts to get the attention of anyone that could help would be wasted as she would inevitably be thrown in through the big door, as her abductors sped off. This would have been fatal for our birthday girl. Luckily her second reaction which followed, had a far different effect… After her initial, reactionary scream Tina did not give up, not only did she scream even louder, attracting the attention of a bus driver, and yard duty teacher, STRESSING her assailants eardrums, she wrapped her legs in a vice grip around one of his, legs, and shooting her arms up further STRESSING his ability to hold her and walk. Although he was bigger, and stronger Tina's abduction training in her HAPKIDO class was paying off big time. The slow progress, the screams, and his ability to even hold her as she slowly slipped through his arms was too much. All at once he dropped her and ran, diving into the van as the burly buss driver caught up to Tina, and the van sped away. STRESS gets a bad wrap, and is seen as negative. When in life STRESSING something, someone, or some situation may be our path to freedom. When a project, or person is “dragging you away,” to a place you don't want to go, STRESS becomes a way of slowing actions down, making them think twice, or just abandoning their efforts and choosing a different approach. When you find yourself loosing freedom, STRESS can be your friend. STRESS… Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach #lifedefense #stress #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
The blue and red lights came on and I pulled over. Although the cop eventually saw that I had a passenger laying back in the passenger seat, while speeding down the commuter lane, his friendly warning about my speed cost us precious minutes, and we would be late for our committee session at the Capital. I sent a quick text to notify my people that we would be late, and pulled carefully back into traffic. As we walked into the large granite building we were quickly guided into the committee room, and took a seat on the front row just a few feet from where the legislators were sitting. Looking around I was relieved that the meeting had not yet started, turned to ask an older gentleman seated behind us and found out the committee didn't have a quorum yet and we would be waiting till they did. Once the meeting came to order, and the agenda read in, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) was added, as our intel had conveyed, and we were off and running. You may believe in government monitoring corporations impact environmentally, and socially, determining a score which directly effects their credit and investment risk or not. That is not the point. The point is, we were there along with 20 or 30 others to listen, comment, and get the Chairman's gavel pounded in response to our clapping, and comments. We were there to meet face to face with the legislators that decide whether, or not our state would accept laws that effect us directly. DIMINISHING space cost me half of my day, and a possible speeding ticket, yet put me front row (literally), and face to face with those people that make the decisions. Speaking with many of them after the session, they now know us as constituents that will hold them accountable for their actions both now and in the future. Compared with the alternative of waiting for them to pass a law I may not agree with, complain to my buddies about it, and vote them out office at a later date, DIMINISHING the actual space between us was way more effective. DIMINISHED space in self defense puts us in control, and at times makes us far more effective when being attacked, and DIMINISHED space put us in control that day also. Where in your life do you have “space” that could be DIMINISHED in a conflict that will make a difference, the difference that potentially will change everything. When key decisions matter, we loose, or save life, depending on the closeness, or DIMINISHED space we control, or do not control. DIMINISHED space, increases connection, and results changing everything. DIMINISH space and increase your power to save life. DIMINISH… Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach #lifedefense #diminishspace #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
The street was crowded, people moving rapidly to their destinations, looking straight ahead, some talking on phones, some looking at their phone screens, and some busily talking to their friends. Almost all of them FOCUSED on something else seemingly more important than what was going on around them. Of course, when crossing a busy intersection most would glance up to see if there was any oncoming traffic, yet even this for the most part was cursory. Sancho was one of them, and yet not…Sancho had been distracted, as the majority of commuters that day, and caught himself. “FOCUS,” he said out loud to himself, “FOCUS!” Sancho had learned in his HAPKIDO training session this week how unaware and vulnerable most people were when surrounded by literal strangers in public each day, and how this lack of FOCUS was what got people killed, assaulted, and taken advantage of. All at once Sancho felt something weird, and then he felt an arm come around his neck. He reacted to it immediately, circled and “turtled” his head into his shoulders, raising his hands to protect from the choke. As he turned, he saw his friend from class laughing and shaking his head affirming, “Good job man! Looks like you learned something after all!” Within seconds they were high five-ing, and man hugging, slapping each other's backs loud and hard. Sancho's attack wasn't life threatening, yet his defense if it had been, was life saving. In life, how often are we caught unaware, and vulnerable to attack, lacking FOCUS? Today we are actually rewarded on social media for being on top of responses to posts, messages, and other meaningless activities that take our FOCUS. Mainstream media feeds us mostly useless, narrative driven sound bites to distract us from what's really going on in the world around us. Just like commuters all around Sancho were unaware, and vulnerable, these distractions take our FOCUS from what is most important, that which saves our life. FOCUS saves life. Remember, life is full of distractions, that are designed to take our FOCUS, and if we are caught unaware, takes our life a little everyday. Save life and FOCUS! Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach #lifedefense #focus #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
The seemingly nice, albeit shabby dressed young man was boldly asking for gas money in the Walmart parking lot. Clarissa said no, and was caught off guard when he started to rant and raise his arms above his head. She pushed her daughter back, and away from them both, however the street thug stepped toward her, all at once closing the gap, and put both of his hands on her throat. Clarissa CONNECTED with both her arms, trapping his forearms to herself, and stepped quickly back toward the wall. His initial motion carried him rapidly into that same wall. As luck would have it, he stubbled, and his head hit solidly with a thump. Clarissa had practiced this move with partners in her Hapkido sessions many times. However, the wall was padded, and her training partners knew how to protect their heads as they slammed into the pad over and over again. This time it was different. As he regained his senses, his blurred vision saw Clarissa rapidly CONNECTING to the small crowd that had formed, and just as he stood he could see the lights of a patrol car speeding toward them and ran. Clarissa, and her daughter were safe, the young man was not found, and her training had paid off big time. In this word of Internet, social media, and text, CONNECTION seems to be everywhere, and yet how meaningful are our CONNECTIONS? How much do your CONNECTIONS effect your life? Sure many of us have 1000 followers on this platform or that. However, how close, and meaningful are they really? Clarissa would perhaps argue that those same 1000 friends really didn't make that much difference that day. In fact they were worthless. Still, her brief encounter with a total stranger was intimate, powerful and life threatening. Even the bystanders were more help than her bestie who later “liked” and shared Clarissa's experience from the parking lot that day. Life is about CONNECTIONS. None of us would even be here without CONNECTION, and our survival each day depends on it. That being said, how meaningful are our CONNECTIONS? In self defense Clarissa's CONNECTION was meaningful, and powerful. Powerful enough to save her life, and the life of her daughter. However brief her encounter, the “double elbow trap” required her focused CONNECTION, and nothing less would have worked. How often do we focus and CONNECT deeply with someone? A few deep, intimate, and powerful CONNECTIONS in life and Life Defense can transform everything. CONNECT… Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach #lifedefense #connect #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
Jared noticed his Uncle Bob from the corner of his eye. He had come late to the wedding obviously intoxicated, again, and after some uncomfortable exchanges with the bridesmaids was now kicking over a folding chair, and heading for the main table. One of the young groomsmen had attempted to stop him, and was shoved off into the crowd. Jared quickly reacted and was now standing in front of Uncle Bob, and the wedding cake. Uncle Bob took a wild swing, and Jared took him down. Uncle Bob struggled to get up, amidst profanity exceeding the PA's volume of the wedding singer. Jared had achieved a mount position, and was EXPANDING his hands and feet by posting, and using his body weight to keep him down. Calmly Jared said, “I got you Uncle Bob, it's okay just settle down…Can someone get Uncle Bob some coffee?” After a few short moments Uncle Bob was fully out of breath and Jared, with his EXPANDED group of helpers helped him up, and into a chair away from the crowd, in the far corner of the yard. Jared, and two other guys he had enlisted, listened to him cry his eyes out about how unfair life had been for him, and how sorry he was for disrupting his nephew's wedding. All was good, and within the hour Uncle Bob was drinking coffee and toasting the newlyweds with the crowd. EXPANDING in self-defense looks just like this. First Jared's EXPANDED vision had seen what was happening. The EXPANDING of Jared's arms and legs kept Uncle Bob safe, and others safe from his angry actions. Jared EXPANDED by reaching out to others to assist him also. In the end, very little force was exerted because Jared could see beyond the angry drunk, and his EXPANDED vision for a peaceful outcome had saved the day for Uncle Bob, his nephew, his bride, and the wedding party as a whole. In life when conflict happens, there are many degrees of EXPANSION that are possible. We don't always see them, and yet they are there. Using an EXPANDED vision of what might be creates new realms of possibility in life. When life seems like an unreasonable, mean drunk that could ruin everything in one moment, EXPAND… Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach #lifedefense #expand #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
Dana was known as a bully in the school, and Riley knew it. However, she was in the middle of science class. Maybe it was the noise and confusion around the room, or maybe the teacher was preoccupied. Either way, Dana had set her sights on Riley, and was ready to put her in her place. As Dana's words brought Riley's attention to the danger as she turned, and stood facing Dana just as the attempted tackle was in full motion. Riley was surprisingly unafraid, and shot her legs back, while dropping her forearms on Dana's shoulders, ALLOWING her forward momentum to dissipate. Try as she might, Dana could not grab hold of her legs, or waist to complete her tackle, and the weight of Riley's body pushed down on her back, neutralizing her forward motion. Backing off, Dana smirked and visibly was considering a second attack. Riley's response was calm and non-threatening, “Are you sure you want to do this?” Dana laughed it off and went back to her table. Although the scrimmage was brief, and probably non-lethal, still Riley's response of ALLOWING and controlling damage was highly effective. So many times in life we respond with force against force, the very definition of fighting. Fights cause damage, pain, and loss of energy. The PRINCIPLE of ALLOWING and controlling the damage, or potential harm, is powerful. However, “no response” in a conflict is by definition a response. ALLOWING someone's actions, or words to occur, without direct confrontation, and controlling the damage that they can do is powerful. ALLOWING is not actually giving up, or giving in. Instead, non resistance, and damage control actually directs the outcome of most the situations. Fighting mostly leads to more fighting, creating enemies and battles in the future. ALLOWING is a strategy of motion and energy to control the outcome through controlling what really needs to be controlled. The outcome. In life and Life Defense learn to control what needs control and ALLOW all that doesn't. ALLOW… Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach #lifedefense #allow #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
The “face-off” was happening, and even though George didn't want anything to do with Doug he was right there all of a sudden in his space, standing almost nose to nose. “Did his breath always smell this bad or was it just today?” Then it happened. Doug brought his arms out wide and away from his body, half shouted and half spit out the words, “common you f*****g…!” and all at once Doug went for the shove. George had been waiting for this typical macho display, and expected a shove before anything actually happened. From the shove, George stepped off-line, hooked Doug's elbow and REPLACED Doug's center and momentum for where he'd just been standing, looking like some sort of powerful square dance move. George had been a wrestler since he could remember, and the ‘arm drag' was just something he did, and had done thousands of times. With Doug helplessly past him, George circled around, locked Doug's arms, and REPLACED his center of balance with his own, basically sitting down backwards, and driving Doug's face into the grass. Within a few seconds, security had been alerted and George just held Doug in place, face down until they came. Of course the campus police were confused and cuffed them both till it was all sorted out. REPLACING center, balance, and position is common in wrestling, judo and jujitsu. In life, and Life Defense, the PRINCIPLE of REPLACE also applies. When there is conflict, pressure, or force being exerted, and we REPLACE, balance in motion is established by REPLACING the “nothing” with something. In life there are no vacuums. Emptiness is filled. A “bad habit” eliminated is REPLACED by something. A harmful relationship is eliminated only to be REPLACED by another of a similar kind if nothing else REPLACES it. Just as the wrestler must REPLACE the position, weight and balance of their opponent to maintain control of themselves, so it occurs in life. Always. When something, someone or some activity in a conflict threatens, REPLACE it with something that works, otherwise it will be replaced with something… REPLACE! Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach #lifedefense #replace #allenhughes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/allen-hughes/message
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