OwnGuard Solutions

How to Build Your Get Home Bag (GHB)

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 22, How to Build Your Get Home Bag (GHB)

Do you have the gear to help you make it home should a catastrophe of some type occur?

This episode we talk about what you need in order to build an effective Get Home Bag or "GHB." 

First-aid/trauma gear, clothing, food, shelter, and water are all the basics needed in such a bag. We discuss specifically what is in my bag and what the intentions are behind having those items, plus more. And you will want to be sure to have one, or at least food and water, for anyone with you should something go sideways.

If you have never thought through scenarios that may force you to get home on your own, within 24 hours, you will want to listen to this episode.

Thanks for listening.

It Depends, If You're Ryan Hoover

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 21, It Depends, If You're Ryan Hoover

Ryan Hoover, of Fit to Fight, and I talk about ideologies that go beyond simple slogans and taglines and discuss aspects of self-defense generally in context of Krav Maga.

We talk about the realities of learning self-defense and that it is really about learning how to fight. Hear what is generally wrong with a lot of self-defense training today, and why "it depends..." might be one of the most hated responses from a self-defense or fighting coach. And we talk about why you have got to get uncomfortable to really make any progress.

Ryan and I talk about some of the fallacies of learning self-defense including why it's usually not a stranger women have to contend with or how gun and knife defense may not be accurately portrayed and what's right and wrong with teaching those topics today.

This is one, if you are taking responsibility for your own personal safety, you need to listen to, especially if you want an honest look at what you should expect.

Sit back. Relax. And listen.

The Best Tool, Mindset II

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 20, The Best Tool, Mindset II

Having the right mindset, a positive mindset, a never-quit mindset is so important in the context of personal safety that we circled around to do a 2nd podcast on the topic.

We talk about the things that can help us adopt the right mindset as well as the importance of having a positive, never-quit mindset. We discuss approaches and thoughts needed to develop the right mindset relative to personal safety and self-defense.

We also chat about some realizations you need to come to for yourself as well as some exercises you can do to help train yourself to have a better mindset and be more prepared overall.

Remember, we are all responsible for our personal safety, preparedness, and our own mindset.

Thanks for listening.

On Being a Range Safety Officer (RSO)

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 19, On Being a Range Safety Officer

I welcome back my brother-from-another-mother, Denis Haynes, to the podcast to talk about what it is like to be a Range Safety Officer. We covered gun safety in our very first podcast and again when we did Part 2. Now, Denis and I are back together again to discuss what an RSO is, their responsibilities, how gun safety fits in, a couple of stories from the trenches, and several of our take-aways after having worked as volunteer RSOs.

When we are at the range shooting, we can all be an RSO with an eye towards keeping ourselves and others around us as safe as possible.

Be sure to tell your friends and family about us!

Sit back. Relax. And listen.

The Best Self-Defense Tools to Carry

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 18, The Best Self-Defense Tools to Carry

Guns, knives, OC (pepper) spray, personal alarms, finger grips for house keys, hard plastic shaped like cat heads with pointy ears, rape whistles, kubatons, brass 'paper weights,' and others...

Whatever it is, we have likely heard of or seen many of these self-defense tools. It seems they will try to sell anything as a viable self-defense option to be your go-to choice for protecting yourself. They may even try, directly or indirectly, to convince you their product is the best to have for self-defense purposes.

Maybe you will not get to that firearm in time. Maybe that sharp-eared cat object will get you in more legal trouble than you realized if you use it. Maybe that alarm noise is just going to agitate an attacker while everyone else ignores it. Maybe that pepper spray does not work so well because you spray yourself by mistake or miss your target entirely.

I am going to suggest and try to convince you of something different. Awareness (situational) and avoidance...  We have all heard about them before, so this will not be the first time these topics have been discussed. However, I am here to tell you there are a lot of things that have gone wrong before having to use any one of the tools listed above becomes an option.

Knowing where the exits are, noticing persons out of place, not walking down that dark alleyway even though it is a short-cut, listening to your intuition, or not vacationing in questionable areas are all examples of things that can keep or get you out of trouble before trouble even gets started.

Situational awareness and avoidance are probably 2 of if not the best 2 'tools' you have or should put into your self-defense arsenal. With a little practice and effort, you can easily incorporate them into your plan.

The best things about practicing situational awareness and avoidance is that while they both take some effort, they cost nothing; and both can save you a lot of hassle by keeping you out of situations where the other tools may need to come into play.

While they cannot solve or prevent every issue, situational awareness and avoidance should always be your primary, carry 'tools.'

Stay frosty.

Thanks for listening.

Meditations on Learning to Fight and Self-Defense

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 17, Meditations on Learning to Fight and Self-Defense

Jesse Walker of Rough Hands, in Louisville, KY and I talk about approaches to learning to fight and self-defense both in terms of finding a school that works for you and trying to be a better coach. We talk about fighting in the context of self-defense and fighting for your life in this episode.

We discuss the very things you think that may keep you from starting to take classes are the exact reasons why you should start; and we talk about honesty in training as well as teaching, and the importance of a school's culture.

Lots of points are made during this podcast including the fact that in order to be really be good at self-defense you have to be a student of violence; and hopefully, through your training, you are better prepared to deal with any violence that may happen out on the streets. Jesse stresses the importance of principles over techniques; and he talks about how learning to fight can be actually be just like swimming...

Get used to being uncomfortable and go train!

Sit back. Relax. And listen.

Rob Pincus: I.C.E. Training and Mental Health

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 16, Rob Pincus: I.C.E. Training and Mental Health

Rob Pincus joins us to discuss his I.C.E. Training; and we also talk about mental health and its impact in the firearms community.

See how the principles of efficiency, consistency, and integrity fit in to Rob's I.C.E. Training and the application of each.

Listen to see why Rob says, "... maybe you needed to have your guns taken away..." It makes total sense if you understand the context in which he said it.

Understand how slowing down the impulse to use a firearm could save a lot of bad things from happening and how that might could be done, as we talk about the importance of having conversations around dealing with mental health issues in the gun community.

Hear what Rob says when asked if there are other arguments for gun right advocates to be using besides always falling back to the 2nd Amendment (2A).

A lot of good discussion here...

Thanks for listening.

Knife Use in Self-Defense

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 15, Knife Use in Self-Defense

Nathan TwoEagles-Downing, from Silverline Knife Designs, talks about the use of knives in self-defense and some points to consider before you opt to incorporate a knife into your self-defense toolset.

We talk about Nathan's journey into knife making, his training preferences, the times he has been on the receiving end of a blade, the mindset of someone intent on using a knife, and some commonalities between carrying knives and carrying firearms for self-defense.

You should listen whether you are already carrying knives or are considering carrying a knife for self-defense purposes.

Sit back. Relax. And listen.

Gun Training, Things to Expect and What to Look For

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 14, Gun Training, Things to Expect and What to Look For

Van Seeley, former Marine and firearms instructor, joins us once again to discuss gun training. We talk about his background and the things he has seen and experienced as an instructor.

Whether you are seeking to improve your overall shooting game or you plan to carry for defensive purposes, you need to seek out solid training. You should plan to go to class with an open mind, with your ego checked at the door, and be prepared to learn. Most importantly be realistic about where you are with gun handling and what you are expecting to get out of class. Safety in training is as, if not more, important than any other time given the circumstances and the fact that others will be in class with you.

Hopefully, this episode inspires you to seek out that training.

Thanks for listening.

The Importance of Mindset

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 13, The Importance of Mindset

Likely the shortest podcast we will ever do, it is still an important concept to talk about and for you to think about.

Grit. Mettle. Perseverance. Indomitable spirit. Never give up.

Your attitude and mindset can make the difference between success and failure. Get it in your head that you will not give up and that you will succeed and you will. Picture success and you'll succeed. Picture failure and you will fail.

In self-defense, mindset can mean the difference between going home safe or getting hurt or even worse.

This episode we discuss the importance of having a no quit, never give up mindset and how that will impact the outcome of anything you take on. Your success and even your life will depend on it.

Short and sweet.

Sit back. Relax. Listen.