The Top Ten Big Ideas to Be Smart & Be Safe

☐ 1. Practice the Three-Exit Sweep — When you enter any space, identify 3 exits within 10 seconds.
Action: Do a quick 3-exit sweep now where you are.

☐ 2. Trust Your Gut (Internal Awareness) — Notice that uneasy feeling in your body and act on it.
Action: If something feels off, move, tell someone, or leave.

☐ 3. Limit Distractions — Pocket the phone and remove one earbud when moving between places.
Action: Put phone away when walking to car / transit.

☐ 4. Carry Presence: Posture & Purpose — Stand tall, shoulders back, chin up; walk with purpose.
Action: Do a 60-second posture check in the mirror every morning.

☐ 5. Use Your Voice (Verbal Boundary) — Short, firm commands deter most threats: “Back off,” “No,” “Stop,” “Don’t touch me.”
Action: Practice saying one command with a low, firm voice.

☐ 6. Set Emotional Boundaries — Say “no” without apologizing; don’t be anchored by guilt or politeness.
Action: Rehearse a firm, friendly refus...

The ABC's of Self Defense Training Report

Safety is not a product of luck. It’s a set of habits, a mindset, and a few simple skills practiced until they become automatic.

In over five decades of teaching martial arts and leading people through transformation, I’ve seen the same truth again and again: the people who avoid trouble most often do three things well — they are aware, they set clear boundaries, and they know a few combative moves to create an escape if needed.

That’s the ABC’s of self-defense:

A — Awareness, B — Boundaries, C — Combatives — and in the combatives section I use the mnemonic S.P.O.R. (Stabilize, Palm Heel, Ouch — Knee to Groin, Run). This is a practical, non-fearful approach to staying safer in the real world.

Below is a complete, usable guide you can read, share, or adapt for a talk, training session, or personal practice.

Why a practical system matters

Too many people assume “it won’t happen to me.” However, the statistics — and experience — tell a diff...

“Focus 90% of your time on solutions and only 10% of your time on problems.”

                                                                                              — Anthony J. D’Angelo

As I sit and reflect on my journey, one thing becomes crystal clear: people have a profound impact on our lives—sometimes for a lifetime, sometimes for a fleeting moment. And here’s the magic: it’s not always the amount of time spent with someone that matters, but the quality of the impact they leave behind. Even brief encounters can ignite something that stays with you forever.

I’m reminded of one such person in my life: Frank Jeffrey.

When I first graduated from college, I embarked on my professional journey with the Procter & Gamble Distributing Company. Frank was my first District Manager, and even though I didn’t directly report to him, his influence was undeniable. He became my mentor, a wise, steady presence guiding me through the challenges of my early career.

I’ll never f...

“Today is a new day. Don’t let your past determine your future. Let today be the moment you stop being a victim of your circumstances and start creating the life you truly deserve. You hold the power and the time to transform your life. Break free from the chains of victimhood and embrace the greatness that’s always been within you. You were never meant to live a life of mediocrity!”
                                                                                                                                                                                                           – Steve Maraboli

Are You Living as a Victim, or Are You Taking Ownership of Your Life?

A few years ago, I had the privilege of attending a life-changing seminar by one of the most transformative coaches I’ve ever known—Steve Chandler. During that event, he posed a question that has stayed with me ever since:

Are you living as a victim, or are you stepping up and owning your life?

At first glan...

“Focus 90% of your time on solutions and only 10% of your time on problems.”

                                                                                            -  Anthony J. D’Angelo

Today, I was sitting and reflecting on the many people who have crossed my path who have made a positive impact on my life. 

Some of these people have been with me my entire life and other times for a relatively brief period of time. 

Interestingly enough, there is no correlation between time and the impact made.  Even those who are in our lives for brief periods can have lasting impact.

One such person for me was Frank Jeffrey. 

Immediately after graduating from college, I began my career with the Procter & Gamble Distributing Company and Frank was my first District Manager.  Although I did not report directly to Frank, his presence in my career was very impactful as he served as a wise, kind and guiding mentor.

On my first day with the P&G Beauty Care Division Sales Divi...

“Today is a new day. Don't let your history interfere with your destiny! Let today be the day you stop being a victim of your circumstances and start taking action towards the life you want. You have the power and the time to shape your life. Break free from the poisonous victim mentality and embrace the truth of your greatness. You were not meant for a mundane or mediocre life!”

                                                                                       - Steve Maraboli

 Are you being a victim or are you an owner?  

I first heard this question posed several years ago by super coach, Steve Chandler when I was attending one of his great seminars.  

The concept is really quite simple. 

As best we try, we may not be able to control what happens to us in our lives, but we can always control how we respond to it.  The choice is ours; we can live as if we are victimized by our life circumstances or we can own each of them and use the lessons they teach us to prope...

“Focus 90% of your time on solutions and only 10% of your time on problems.”

                                                                                            -  Anthony J. D’Angelo

Today, I was sitting and reflecting on the many people who have crossed my path who have made a positive impact on my life. 

Some of these people have been with me my entire life and other times for a relatively brief period of time. 

Interestingly enough, there is no correlation between time and the impact made.  Even those who are in our lives for brief periods can have lasting impact.

One such person for me was Frank Jeffrey. 

Immediately after graduating from college, I began my career with the Procter & Gamble Distributing Company and Frank was my first District Manager.  Although I did not report directly to Frank, his presence in my career was very impactful as he served as a wise, kind and guiding mentor.

On my first day with the P&G Beauty Care Division Sales Divi...

“Today is a new day. Don't let your history interfere with your destiny! Let today be the day you stop being a victim of your circumstances and start taking action towards the life you want. You have the power and the time to shape your life. Break free from the poisonous victim mentality and embrace the truth of your greatness. You were not meant for a mundane or mediocre life!”

                                                                                       - Steve Maraboli

 Are you being a victim or are you an owner?  

I first heard this question posed several years ago by super coach, Steve Chandler when I was attending one of his great seminars.  

The concept is really quite simple. 

As best we try, we may not be able to control what happens to us in our lives, but we can always control how we respond to it.  The choice is ours; we can live as if we are victimized by our life circumstances or we can own each of them and use the lessons they teach us to prope...

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see" 

                                                                                          - Henry David Thoreau

It feels to me that we are currently living in a very reactive world. 

In our technological age, information comes to us at warp speed and it seems that many times our reactions, both verbally and physically, happen so fast that we are not even conscious of how we are responding. 

One may look no further than our current political environment to see this each and every day.  Regardless of what side of the spectrum you find yourself on, reaction, often of the inflamed sort, seems to be the order of the day. 

I believe most of you would agree that we are a much better representation of our best selves when we refrain from unconscious reaction and move into mindful creation. 

What this means to me is before we speak or take action regarding any situation that causes us to feel anger, fear or ...

“Focus 90% of your time on solutions and only 10% of your time on problems.”

                                                                                            -  Anthony J. D’Angelo

Today, I was sitting and reflecting on the many people who have crossed my path who have made a positive impact on my life. 

Some of these people have been with me my entire life and other times for a relatively brief period of time. 

Interestingly enough, there is no correlation between time and the impact made.  Even those who are in our lives for brief periods can have lasting impact.

One such person for me was Frank Jeffrey. 

Immediately after graduating from college, I began my career with the Procter & Gamble Distributing Company and Frank was my first District Manager.  Although I did not report directly to Frank, his presence in my career was very impactful as he served as a wise, kind and guiding mentor.

On my first day with the P&G Beauty Care Division Sales Divi...