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When the situation is obscure, attack! -General Heinz Guderian
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One of my Expatriate UK clients forwarded this story of a murder that recently rocked both the residents and media of London.

What made this murder so shocking?

Just this: the victim did everything you all THINK you should do in this type of situation.

WARNING: The article below will make you very uncomfortable if you think your social skills will get you by in an asocial violent event.

With that caveat, please read on:

* * * * *

HE GAVE MUGGERS ALL HIS POSSESSIONS BUT THEY WANTED MORE… HIS LIFE

By Jeff Edwards, Tom Parry And Robert Stansfield, Times-Mirror Staff

A successful young lawyer was stabbed to death by muggers just yards from his home despite handing over all his possessions.

Tom Rhys Pryce was heard pleading with the callous thieves, “What more do you want from me? You’ve got everything of value.”

Seconds later the two men knifed him in the head, body and limbs in a frenzied, ferocious and senseless attack before they fled.

The 31-year-old, who was due to marry fiancée Adele Eastman in September, was stabbed at least a dozen times as he put up a fierce fight for his life with his bare hands.

Investigation chief Detective Superintendent Julian Worker said: “This is a shocking murder. It looks like a completely gratuitous killing.

“It is clear it was a robbery. We know that he had already handed over everything of value that was on him. We know he was telling them he had nothing else of value. He was pleading with them and they just produced knives and started stabbing him.

“Tom was killed just 50 yards from his front door. Adele, 31, was in the house waiting for him to return from a work social event.

“She went outside after hearing the commotion just before midnight on Thursday but did not see her dying fiancé who was lying in a pool of blood.

The family was too upset to talk last night. A neighbor said: “Tom and Adele were the picture of happiness.

“He had his whole life ahead of him but it has been so cruelly taken from him. Everyone’s devastated.”

Another, Gerry Dobson, 63, added: “It’s such a bloody, crying shame. We know from firsthand experience as parents the dedication and support that has gone into getting that young man where he got in his profession.

“To have some idiot take that away from you, not just you, but a whole family, friends and community, well it’s dreadful.

“He was someone who had put in all that effort when you have so many bums who go around scratching a living and don’t contribute anything to society.”

Tom was attacked as he walked to his home at Bathurst Gardens in Willesden, North West London, from nearby Kensal Green Tube station.

He was smartly dressed in a blue shirt and tie, a grey suit and black business shoes.

Det Supt Worker said: “This is a quiet, up and coming area of London, and not the type of place where we would expect a murder like this to happen.” A neighbour of the couple added: “This is a very normal and usually quiet residential street. It’s unbelievable someone should be killed in such a horrible way so close to his home.”

Police believe the murderers may have been lying in wait near Kensal Green station looking for a victim to rob.

* * * * *

My condolences go out to the families of this man and his fiancé.

If you’ve been reading my past newsletters closely you’ll recognize all the clues in this article that clearly show the general public, our media, and even the law enforcement community have an incredibly difficult time coping with asocial acts of violence, much less how to survive one.

You CANNOT let yourself become just ‘one of the herd,’ waiting for the next predators to arrive.

If after reading this article from the UK Mirror you still can’t see what this poor guy did wrong you are not ready for asocial violence.

Sadly most people read this and say that the victim did everything he could and that “he fought for his life” but the 2 guys with the knives were just too much for him.

Yet there’s a huge difference between “fighting for your life” and “trying not to get stabbed”. Make sure you know the difference.

The time to install such information is well before you have to face such an ordeal. If not now, then when? This isn’t something you “figure out” while staring at a knife blade or down the barrel of a gun.

Living in his nice North London neighborhood, I’m sure the last thing Mr. Pryce ever expected was that he’d experience asocial violence during his walk home… and lose his life.

Until next time,

Tim Larkin
Master Close-Combat Instructor
Creator of Target Focus(TM) Training

PS: See all our US and International training cities and dates here: http://targetfocustraining.com/live_events.html

And if someone forwarded this newsletter for you to read, be sure and sign up for your own personal copy at:
http://targetfocustraining.com

There you’ll also find out more about surviving a violent criminal attack like the one above.

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“Courtesy comes from a position of power” -attributed to Nietzsche
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I’m currently traveling in the Caribbean (yes for work!) and thought I’d answer some questions as I look out on this tropical setting from my window. So here it goes Tom from Australia is up first: Tim -

Still confused re: above newsletter plus DVD discussion “social v asocial violence” where u say that TFT is not for bar-room brawling. If martial arts training or similar can get u killed as discussed in above newsletter and TFT is not for bar-room brawls what type of training program or technique or art or sport or combat fighting does that leave to perhaps defend or protect oneself against low-level harm without jeopardizing the TFT training for extreme situations?

Tom S. (Australia)

+++

Tom, I’ve got a couple of people who asked roughly the same question. The point of my newsletter and my free DVD is to deal with this very issue.

I guess it was lost on you so let me try to cover the main point again.

There is no ‘safe’ way to use violence. Even pushing may result in someone unintentionally falling over and braining themselves on the concrete. TFT attempts to clearly define a social situation as one where you have the choice to respond with violence (responding to an insult, aggressive actions in a social setting etc …).

Just because your ego is bruised doesn’t mean you don’t have a choice. If you choose to respond with violence of any form (from whenever you learned ‘the response’) you risk it ending up the same as an ‘extreme’ situation. Asocial violence doesn’t involve choice — you either use the tool of violence or it’ll be used on you. I always counsel my clients to know the difference.

Knowing you defended your manhood at the local pub is of little value when you are facing manslaughter charges. And your girlfriend, mates, or whoever else ‘egged you on’ to do so certainly won’t be there for you when the criminal justice system comes calling.

Of course Tom, being well schooled in using the tool of violence makes it much easier to be courteous in the face of ignorance (see the quote above). TFT can go a long way to making it easy to walk away when you have a choice, funny that knowing how to ‘drop someone’ and END them gives you such freedom to actually live a more peaceful life.

###

Tim: This probably sounds weird, but I was wondering if the TFT nuclear DVD set I purchased from you also may apply to dog attacks? I’ve had a few close calls before I knew about your program. (Once I was coming out of a hunting field and had my rifle, but the other time I was with an empty muzzle loading rifle and a child…fortunately we “beat feet” to the truck in time to avoid those snarling beasts).

Thanks!

Nick

+++

Well Nick the question is not so weird; I tend to get a lot of these. The short answer is violence works on all forms of animal life. TFT is designed to deal specifically with humans. We are the top predators on the planet and the biggest threat to each other.

We designed tools to defeat animals because they usually possess greater reflex speed, strength, and power.

When you find yourself without such mechanical advantages then it comes down to getting an injury on the beast as quickly as possible. There are numerous reports of people surviving encounters with all types of wildlife. It all comes down to the surviving human inflicting an injury on the animal and getting away or ending the animal’s life.

The most amazing account I know of was in a book I read about South African Commandos where one soldier survived an attack by a huge crocodile. The story was incredible as was the pictures. This guy was able to relax and get his target (eye of the croc) while the teeth of the croc dug into his torso. His use of violence to survive was amazing under extreme conditions.

I personally have had dogs released on me and was able to hold them at bay by charging them. I had no choice at the time and luckily the dogs weren’t well trained. But to specifically design training for dealing with animal attacks is just not something I would ever use my time and resources to cover.

###

Tim-

” – Speed does NOT equal power ”

This was quoted in the last newsletter, “The List of Brian.”

I learned from (my instructor) that circular moves got tremendous power over the more linear versions because of the acceleration the circle allows. An example he often used was the chop: Comparing the straight, flicking style of Korean and Japanese styles with the large, circular Chinese style, especially when well-rooted and using the strength of the hips and waist, it became obvious when striking anything how powerful the latter was. It was devastating in comparison.

So, when you refer to “speed” when you say (or Brian quotes you saying) “speed does not equal power,” are you referring to the fast, flicking motions or those that gain speed through acceleration? Or do you mean something different?

Thanks in advance,

Steve

+++

Steve-

I’ve written about this in other newsletters. Your instructor’s points are well taken. Flicking light punches or kicks rarely produce an injury as defined by TFT. Only if the ‘flick’ results in the other guy losing his balance and getting injured while colliding with the planet will the effort be effective and that would be pure luck.

We define striking as using the triad of violence (injury, penetration, rotation) with the base engine of violence: your bodyweight. I’ll be releasing our TFT striking series very soon which will cover this critical idea. There are numerous ways to employ your bodyweight into your strikes. The circular movements and employing the waist/hip area are just a few.

We need to injure the other guy if we want to survive violence. Flicking motions and lightly striking the area of the body can score points in a competition but have disastrous effects if used to fight for your life.

I’ve elaborated more on this in earlier newsletters so please re- read my thoughts.

***

Ok now I’m off for an ocean swim … now Nick’s question has me looking for sharks — thanks Nick, way to ruin a good swim!!!!! Until next time

Tim Larkin
Creator of Target Focus(TM) Training
http://targetfocustraining.com

PS. My ‘Nuclear’ Weapons video series clearly defines all Target Focus Training system principles. Read more about it at:
http://www.targetfocusweapons.com

PPS. In just one weekend you can learn to defeat any attacker using the Target Focus Training system. See how at:
http://targetfocustraining.com/livetraining

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“One should always play fairly when one has the winning cards”-Oscar Wilde
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People often ask me for the best way to “protect” them in some imagined criminal assault.

They want me to respond by giving some perfect technique that handles their particular imagined scenario.

They’re often disappointed at first when I don’t respond the way they want me to answer their question. They don’t like to hear the truth — that violence is random and thinking only in terms of “techniques” to use against a random act is a good way to get you killed.

The problem with practically everyone’s approach to dealing with violence is not that they’re incapable of learning techniques.

It’s that they don’t understand this way of responding to violence — real asocial, maim, cripple, or “kill you now” violence — is seriously flawed.

That’s because when it comes to violence, we (meaning you and me, the productive, law-abiding members of society) live lives of ASSUMED CONSTRAINTS.

We are taught early on by parents, teachers, and our legal system that if we want the benefits of living in a society like ours then we need to constrain our violent impulses when things don’t go our way.

And obviously, this is a very good thing.

It’s the reason you don’t kill the obnoxious jerk that steals your parking place, you wait patiently for the light to turn green at an intersection, and you don’t shoot the neighbors Labrador for digging up your rose garden.

When it comes to the subject of violence, we are controlled by society much like circus elephants are controlled by their handlers.

These trainers know the most reliable way to handle an elephant is to “condition” it when it is very young.

They put a shackle on the baby elephant’s leg with a short chain that is held in the ground by a very long spike. The baby elephant tugs at the chain attempting to break free.

After a short while the elephant breaks the skin around the shackled leg and gives up. But the pain of attempting to break free is never forgotten.

Later on, that same method is used to control the now fully-grown elephant, even though the adult beast could pull the spike free with no more effort than you and I use to remove a thumbtack from a corkboard.

And the same approach is taken with all productive members of society regarding the tool of violence.

We are “shackled” at a very young age — first at home, later in ours schools, and finally at our workplaces.

When faced with violence, most of us respond SOCIALLY.

We attempt to communicate with our attacker in hopes of avoiding the use of violence. We may threaten to use this tool but we really don’t want to since that shackle is still firmly attached.

The sad part of ASSUMED CONSTRAINTS is that most martial arts, combat sports, and, yes, even most “reality fighting systems” teach you to respond — WHILE STILL SHACKLED!

It doesn’t work.

I learned long ago the first order of business is to teach my clients how easy it is to break those ASSUMED CONSTRAINTS when the threat warrants such an approach.

Because the real threat to society is when we run up against some “rogue elephant” that has never been “shackled” and has no problem using violence to get what he wants. And imagine how easy it is to fight someone if they have their leg shackled.

Remember first and foremost — violence is rarely the answer to most situations, but when it is the answer, it’s the ONLY answer.

Once you understood that (and as a reader of this newsletter you have heard me say it numerous times) you then must be able to rip off those ASSUMED CONSTRAINTS and free yourself so you can utilize the tool of violence when required.

I can assure you the methods and principles taught in TFT Live Seminars and our various other products do EXACTLY that, allowing you your best chance to survive an asocial, violent threat.

Take some time to digest this message, read through it again — then look within to see if you can truly break free from your “shackle” if the need arises.

If you’re not sure — really sure — then get some help to do this because you don’t want to discover those shackles are intact with a 9mm pressed against your ribcage.

Until next time,

Tim Larkin
Master Close-Combat Instructor,
Creator of Target Focus(TM) Training

PPS. Our live training seminars “Surviving The Most Critical 5 Seconds Of Your Life” show you how to rip off the shackles that leave you unable to act in a life-threatening situation. Imagine living your life without fear. That’s what this class gives you. The next one is in New York City, July 22-24. This is the ONLY session on the east coast this year so you want to register for this event now. It’s a terrific time to see the city with some good rates on hotels and airfares. Be sure to take advantage of attending with a guest — the second person gets in for only $450, a super deal. But only two of these guest packages remain for this training so click on this link now: http://targetfocustraining.com/livetraining.

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“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”-Albert Einstein ************************************************************

It’s always great when you have readers who take the time to respond to one of my newsletters. Tony wrote in to further comment on another reader’s assertion that I should provide a guide to determine whether or not an attacker is on drugs and that my methods and principles may be too extreme since we are not sure of the intent of the attacker. I answered this in another newsletter but Tony has provided us with more information:

###

Tony starts out:

As always, thanks Tim.

I wanted to also address this guy’s email:

(this was a question from a previous newsletter)

“I would honestly respectfully suggest that your scenario on your tape of a drugged out attacker likely to kill for money (vs. a non homicidal robber) is more of a minority situation than a majority situation, and suspect that this determination could be narrowed down a bit via the observation of certain signs, which, when in effect, would more easily justify the use of your lethal methodology (like a throat strike) in the mind of the person being attacked, which would make your tapes perhaps more marketable and less likely to invite legal action if interpreted incorrectly by potential viewers. Perhaps a discussion of drugs or serious psychosis would be a good addition? You are doing solid work, it would be a shame if some misinterpretation or over-jealous lawyer were to destroy it for lack of disclaimers or more in-depth discussion.”

I found this with one quick search:

http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/crime/

The annual Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) asks victims of violent crimes who reported seeing the offender whether they perceived the offender to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. According to the 1998 survey, 30 percent of victims could not determine whether the offender was under the influence of a substance. Of those who could make a determination, about 31 percent reported that the offender was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Arrestees frequently test positive for recent drug use

Data collected from male arrestees in 1998 in 35 cities showed that the percentage testing positive for any drug ranged from 42.5 percent in Anchorage, Alaska, to 78.7 percent in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Conclusion: The evidence indicates that drug users are more likely than nonusers to commit crimes, that arrestees frequently were under the influence of a drug at the time they committed their offense, and that drugs generate violence.

Not to mention that under a violent assault most people wouldn’t have the cognitive ability to “decide” if someone is high or not…let alone be able to act on such a decision in a second or two. Keep up the good work Tim.

Thanks, Tony

***My Comments:

Thank you, Tony, and again, the whole idea that one can predict what another human is going to do is a very dangerous assumption. If you find yourself with a knife to your neck or a gun to your head and think you can figure out some criminal’s intent you need to ask yourself this question:

“When was the last time I put a knife to someone’s neck or a gun to someone’s head and demanded their wallet?”

If the answer is never then you have little to reference in order to make ANY type of valid assumption. Do I say you always need to respond with violence?

NO! That will always be YOUR choice.

But I do point out that getting an injury on the other guy is the only thing that changes things in your favor and allows you to control the outcome.

Thanks again to Tony for the follow up!

###

Brian from Chile writes:

Mr. Larkin,

I would just like to congratulate you on your newsletter. I think it really hits the mark on using violence as a survival tool. I have yet to have the pleasure of experiencing some of your products (for economic reasons), but I hope to rectify that soon.

I would like to briefly explain why I think the work you are doing is so important. I was a wrestler for over 10 years and have trained under many coaches and have been to many camps. On one occasion a Japanese coach was visiting and he said something that really opened my eyes. He said that pinning your opponent was not achieved by how many moves you know or how strong you are, but rather by pain and fear of death. He went on to explain that it is very difficult to hold a person on their back against their will. However, if they are in extreme pain or fear death, they will pin themselves to make it stop.

In all the years and countless hours of practice learning “how” to wrestle, this was the only time I can remember someone teaching me how to “win”. The distinction is enormous. I noticed on some of your newsletters that you seem to be fielding a lot of questions about martial arts. I believe the distinction people are having trouble grasping is that any martial art can teach you “how” to protect yourself, but I believe that your system focuses on how to “win”.

In a violent situation, this distinction can be the difference between life and death.

Keep up the good work.

Brian Burkett US Citizen living in Chile

***My Comments:

Brian, your coach was a smart man. Target Focus Training is solely focused on teaching you how to win when faced with unavoidable asocial violence. You absolutely need this intent to come out on top and survive. That is why the prison population as a whole is so effective at using violence. Their purpose is to win and that alone is enough because few of that population have ANY formal training in martial arts or combat sports. I’m glad the newsletters are helping you in Chile and we hope to see you soon in a live training!

###

Until next time,

Tim Larkin
Master Close-Combat Instructor,
Creator of Target Focus(TM) Training

PS. This reminds me of an article about TFT from Black Belt magazine.

Written by contributing editor Mark Cheng, it’s titled, “Target- Focus Training: Does It Hit The Mark?”

I think Mark’s last paragraph pretty well sums up the article: “For me, a veteran of the martial arts and a medical professional, [the training] was just as spectacular. I heard explanations that would befit a trauma specialist and learned principals that most martial arts masters save for their advanced black belts. Without cloaking techniques in mysticism, without diluting the realities of combat in a sporting format and without sacrificing safety for realism, Larkin and his men delivered an uncompromising course on the intelligent and responsible use of violence. TFT is right on target for anyone who’s serious about survival.”

To see what Mark is so excited about and to have that same feeling yourself, head on over and register for one of our live training sessions today. You can find the list of available dates at http://targetfocustraining.com/livetraining.

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“For great aims we must dare great things” -Clausewitz
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Hey Guys,

Been getting quite a few questions about dealing with edged tools like knives:

*** Hello Tim,

As a guy who wanted to aim for being a well rounded fighter I try to train and possess skills like in the fire arm, knife and hand to hand.

But when it comes to a knife it seems to be such a frightening subject that I think I am fortunate enough not to have encountered a real knife. I try taking some Filipino knife disarming lessons but I find it contradicting to their knife retention techniques. My question sir is, just how can you eliminate a threat with a knife? That is always a puzzle in my mind. Thanks…

By the way this years Hong Kong seminar too bad I cant join hope next year you have the same seminar held in Hong Kong.

Frederick Taiwan/ Philippines

###

Fredrick-

Sorry I missed you in Hong Kong. Hope you can join us there next time. I cover this material in depth with our most recent package “Surviving the Most Critical 5 Seconds of Your Life”. That provides the most up to date methods we teach on the subject.

Briefly the problem is not the knife but the man holding the knife. Training yourself to recognize that what makes any man dangerous is his active brain. This is tantamount in freeing you from the belief that any tool (knife, club, and/or firearm) in and of itself is the threat.

We just finished a live training in Dallas where the new methods we employed to teach these principles resulted in the class almost ‘teaching’ themselves what to do in any violent situation. My instructor and I were astonished at how LITTLE guidance new clients need once they OWN that critical info. Sadly most people blow off the need to really educate themselves; instead they search for ‘cool techniques’. But as we always say ‘Principles save your life, techniques get you killed’.

*** Here’s a question about crowds and comments on the fact TFT isn’t for the big, fast and strong!

Tim, Just started watching the “5 most critical seconds of your life” and WOW! What an assortment of life saving information is jam- packed into the DVD series. I also have the Nuclear Weapons and Joint Breaking series and this completes the package.

When I first found TFT on the internet I was like everyone else and said sure……LOOK at Tim Larkin with his 20 inch biceps and he could take out most people with a stare…….but when you see Torin and Chris (TFT Master Instructors) and some of the other average normal guys performing TFT on you it gives a boost of confidence. Thanks for the opportunity to ask some questions: 1. Have you got any real life examples of TFT saving innocent lives on the street? I have seen the video where Chris talks about his own wife using it but would like to hear other stories. 2. I remember reading on your web site that you had a training class in New York the weekend before 9/11………I hope none of your students or instructors were aboard any of the planes but hypothetically, would you have advised anyone doing anything in a situation like that( possible bomb aboard, etc) when normal protocol is to hijack, land the plane and request demands. In the same line of thinking, I know to use TFT to protect myself on the street but it may be tough to act in say a crowded bank or a convenience store during a robbery where bystanders could be hurt if you attempt to use TFT to disable the sociopath. Just wondering what your advice would be in situations like this? Looking forward to your response and to watching the rest of the “5 most critical seconds of your life”. Jimmy

###

Jimmy by now most of your questions should be answered since the ‘Surviving The Most Critical 5 Seconds Of Your Life’ handles all of the above listed concerns. ‘Social versus Asocial Violence’ will be a good one to review periodically in that package. The instructors and I share numerous stories in the series of how TFT was used by clients (guns being pulled on them, knives, home invasions, armed robberies). Many of those situations involved innocent people that the client had to take into account. The answers are not always what one like to hear but you get nothing but the unvarnished truth from TFT.

As for the seminar I did right before 9/11 I was fortunate not to have lost any clients but my clients did lose friends and associates. I have a great base of clients in NYC and it’s amazing how resilient New Yorkers are to such challenges.

I’m glad you mentioned the fact that my instructor staff covers the spectrum of body types. There is a huge misconception out there that the tool of violence is only available to you if you are big, fast, and strong. I’m in outstanding physical condition because it’s a lifestyle choice but it has nothing to do with whether I can successfully use the tool of violence. In the past 20 years I trained 1000′s of people all shapes and sizes and those that had to use the training had one thing in common … INTENT. If you couple that with the excellent targeting and methods TFT provides and you have a devastating ability to get the most out of the tool of violence.

*** Here’s a question about multiple attackers:

Hello Mr. Larkin,

I purchased your “NUCLEAR WEAPONS PACKAGE” over a year ago to fill the gaps in my Martial arts skills and was very impressed since I wasn’t able to go to live seminars.

Anyway to get to the point, I noticed a few times in the videos that after striking targets and all that looking around for other attackers is necessary so my “stupid” question is what would you NOT recommend doing, before, during and after in order to efficiently remain in “Cause State” in multiples.

I ask because I have a bad habit of attracting a half dozen + attackers often, so I get the jump on them 1st, that’s the reason why I try to keep a very low profile when going out and why I bought the tapes.

Have you ever had this problem?

Thank you for your answer to real violence and I hope I never have to use TFT again in the real world, no offense.

Sincerely TFT Video Student, James

###

James, the ‘Social VS Asocial’ lecture we do on the free ‘TFT Sample DVD’ is critical for you. Please go to the Website and get your free copy. As for multiple attackers we will release a product specifically dealing with that often asked for subject in the near future.

Until then your best bet is the ‘Surviving The Most Critical 5 Seconds of Your Life’ Seminar Series; where this and most every other subject on using violence as a survival tool is covered.

Injury, penetration, and rotation are key elements in all effective uses of the tool of violence and that goes double for multi-man situations. I’ve written on these subjects in other newsletters and please review them for more specifics.

***

As always great questions, please keep them coming and I hope everyone stays safe and lives a violence free life!

Until next time,

Tim Larkin
Creator of Target Focus(TM) Training
http://targetfocustraining.com

PS. My ‘Nuclear’ Weapons video series clearly defines all Target Focus Training system principles. Read more about it at:
http://www.targetfocusweapons.com

PPS. In just one weekend you can learn to defeat any attacker using the Target Focus Training system. See how at:
http://targetfocustraining.com/livetraining

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“Learning is not compulsory… neither is survival.”-W. Edwards Deming
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I was watching an Instructor Class the other night with one of my great friends from the fighting world and we discussed how difficult it is to talk about fighting to most people.

This difficultly lies in the fact that my definition of fighting is very different from most “fighters”. When someone tells me they know how to fight, that triggers in my mind numerous examples of specific methods of inflicting trauma on the human body with the goal being the destruction of other guys.

In the rare instance when I decide to speak about fighting in a social situation, I usually regret doing so. Quickly I see that most people are uncomfortable with my very calm descriptions of the effective use of violence.

Most people get caught up in the surreal aspects of violence that permeate society today… the WWF or video game fake violence… as opposed to learning how to methodically deliver systematic strikes to vulnerable parts of the human body with the goal being the total destruction of the other guy.

People always comment on how friendly and approachable I am — as well as my instructors. They are confused, I’d guess, because most of the martial arts and combat sport world is dominated by aloof personalities who seem more concerned you recognize their ‘rank’ rather than answer your questions.

I tell clients all the time that the more trained you are to deal with real violence, the more emotionally relaxed life you live… and the more you get to enjoy life experiences and people.

There’s much less need to use false aggression in your demeanor to give off that ‘I’m intimidating’ message. That is an Effect-State(tm) (and fear-based) protection mechanism that is mildly effective but takes a huge emotional toll to pull off.

This is yet another reason to seek out competent training in hand-to-hand combat. By facing the fact violence exists and learning how to effectively use violence, you truly free yourself from unnecessary fear in your day-to-day living.

———- One note: look for future emails about once every 7 days. ———-

Until next time,

Tim Larkin
Creator of Target Focus(TM) Training
http://targetfocustraining.com

PS. My ‘Nuclear’ Weapons video series clearly defines all Target Focus Training system principles. Read more about it at: http://www.targetfocusweapons.com

PPS. In just one weekend you can learn to defeat any attacker using the Target Focus Training system. See how at: http://targetfocustraining.com/livetraining

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“Success is neither magical or mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the fundamentals”-Jim Rohn

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Wow… thanks for all the questions you’ve been sending in. They are great.

******

(If you haven’t had a chance to ask me your #1 self-defense question, take a moment right now and as time permits, I’ll answer selected questions. Submit your questions at: http://www.askdatabase.com/campaigns/?af=26491 While I can no longer respond to everyone personally I will answer as many questions as possible in this newsletter).

******

Ok, first up is Shama (I always leave out your last name when you send me a question unless you specifically tell me it’s ok to use your full name) who writes:

“Hi Mr. Larkin,

1). Have you been attacked any time by bigger opponents?

2). Do people try to intimidate you in your workshops & seminars?

3). How are your products compared to the ones sold on TRS direct?

Shama

PS: your insight on the fighting and violent mindset is amazing.”

My Answer:

Shama-

Glad the newsletters are helpful.

To answer the first question — YES! In fact, I am still waiting for the day I get attacked by someone smaller, slower and weaker than me. It just doesn’t seem to be in the cards though! That’s why TFT makes so much sense… it is results-oriented and bypasses the need to be bigger, stronger, and faster.

Your second question is interesting. Over the years I’ve had a couple of knuckleheads ‘test me’ and I had no choice but to take ‘em out. Since we’ve launched TFT, however, I’ve had NO such incidents and I think it is because of the methods we use to instruct. Our focus and commitment is completely on you, the client, and instruction is straightforward and delivered without ego on the instructor’s side. You can see this in the customer comments on our website: http://targetfocustraining.com/customer_comments.html

It tends to make for a very positive training environment.

As for how our products compare to others: that my friend is for YOU to decide. I certainly don’t assume the only stuff in your self-defense library is Target Focus Training products (I know… a shocking admission!) I encourage you to check out other views on the subject because ultimately the information has to work FOR YOU.

And no matter how brilliant I think my TFT system is… if I haven’t made sense to you, then it’s not going to help you during that critical most important 5 seconds of your life.

Of course, if you can only afford ONE program then you damn well better get TFT!!!!

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Next up is Simon:

“Sir, I have decided to buy one of your programs, but need help choosing one. I am 40 yrs. 5.11 and have done no training [martial arts] before, I have a beer belly 38″ otherwise thin I want to get in shape, and defend both my family and myself if needed.

Q. Can I train on my own? And is it the more you train the better you get?

Q. Which of your products would you suggest?

Q. Who would you suggest for conditioning Fury, Pavel, or Staley and which course? [They have several]

Q. Can you recommend any good diet /nutrition programs? I look forward to your reply and thank you for your time and help.”

Simon

My Answer:

Seems like you’re getting a late start on your new year’s resolutions, Simon!

As an overall comment… TAKE BABY STEPS! You are thinking of making some radical changes to a formally sedentary lifestyle and most people fail because they bite off way more than they can chew. That being said, here are your answers:

I would get on over and check out our new video seminar series “Surviving The Most Critical 5 Seconds Of Your Life” (http://targetfocustraining.com/seminarser1.html). This series is the best, most current info on the TFT program and covers all the questions you just asked and WAY more.

For conditioning, you need to answer a couple of questions first. If you travel or have little or no room for exercise equipment then Matt Furey is the man. I’d suggest his Gamma Fitness program. It is an outstanding bodyweight conditioning program.

If you can store a little equipment at your house, then go with Pavel’s “Power to the People” book and DVD. Once you get a good base laid down you’ll probably want to add Kettlebells to your routine. Pavel’s Russian Kettlebell Challenge is excellent.

If you go to a gym and have access to a full line of free weights, then Charles Staley’s EDT Program and his online coaching program is excellent. Charles is world class and you can see him ‘trash’ me on his latest EDT DVD when I go for a Kettlebell 15 minute PR.

By the way, if you haven’t got Charles’ superb DVD yet then hang on until you read about our new video seminar series mentioned above. There’s a surprise bonus included with it that’ll blow you away!

That’s pretty much how I do it. When I travel, its Furey; when I’m training at home, its Pavel; and when I go to the gym, its Staley. So basically during some part of the year one of these three guys is kickin’ my butt and keeping me in shape. You can read more about any of these products by going to our products page (http://targetfocustraining.com/products_training.html) and clicking on the “Tim Recommends” section at the bottom.

Now, for a diet — well, I’ve looked at tons of ‘em and I’ve followed different programs but the regime that works best for me (9% bodyfat on my 41 year old butt) is a simple straightforward approach that I’m putting out on DVD this summer.

There’s no counting calories, no special supplements, no special foods. And I was able to follow this approach for the last 2 years while traveling 200 days out of the year to over 42 countries. Look for it soon.

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This next question is from Olaf. (I really appreciate my International clients taking the time to write me in English. I know it takes a lot of time versus your native tongue):

“Hey Tim,

An empowering newsletter as usual. Your last installment made me think of some thing an aikido instructor once told me…

“THE HIGHEST VIRTUE OF MARTIAL ARTS IS SELF DEFENSE. IT IS NEVER NECESSARY DEFEND THAT IDEA.”

When I heard that I thought “DAH”…and also wow that’s good…that helped me…when ever I am doing partner work in a martial arts class I end up taking care of my partner or game opponent.

The people that do the best in class can disconnect it seems, better than other people. Their skill is often not as good. They are just better at switching to a lack of regard mode of thinking, better than other people. The more I do martial arts the more I realize this. And this has been a critical factor in my successes. I do not even realize how much I am trying to be nice and then when I do it is just wow — this is not that hard. I still have a fear of hurting people.

And it is this fear that is really holding me back. But still just realizing this was WOW! WOW! WOW!

I am fighting myself also…like guilt and shame. It is a mindless habit…and a personality structure…any way.

Your newsletter has helped me a lot with the breaking of some of these chains that bind me. I can be a regular guy and take care of self when I need too.

Many thanks.

OLAF…”

My Answer:

Olaf, you will really gain a great deal from our new bonus DVD “Social vs. Asocial Violence” that comes with
the video seminar series mentioned above.

This answers what you described which I think is the number one thing holding people back from protecting themselves when the time comes. Not understanding when violence is THE answer costs you big time.

The byproduct of knowing this is that you get to have a great life the rest of the time. You recognize when you need to act and, more importantly, when NOT to act.

I’m glad my newsletter has helped and hope to see you in a training soon.

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Good questions, folks. Keep ‘em
coming. And don’t forget to send me your #1 Self Defense question.

Until next time,

Tim Larkin
Creator of Target Focus(TM) Training
http://targetfocustraining.com

PS. My ‘Nuclear’ Weapons video series clearly defines all Target Focus Training system principles. Read more about it at:
http://www.targetfocusweapons.com

PPS. In just one weekend you can learn to defeat any attacker using the Target Focus Training system. See how at:http://targetfocustraining.com/livetraining