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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.
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(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).
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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
