BLAUER TACTICAL

"Those that talk can be persuaded to walk" - Tony Blauer

So, tomorrow I'm off to visit Mr Tony Blauer

Tony is considered the world's foremost self defense instructor and a specialist in confrontation control and fear assessment and management.

You can see why I'm excited to meet this dude.

One thing that's been playing on my mind lately is the "reality" of my training.

Martial Arts are amazing and have a great deal of grounding in self defense. I train with sticks, swords, axes and knives as well as my bare hands but i am very aware that i am preparing for a tournament...a competition. A scary thing (the thought still makes me sick with nerves) but a competition with rules nonetheless.

I believe my training will help me with confidence, conditioning, strength, angle recognition, speed and awareness...all things that are undoubtedly very "real" and have a great deal of merit if you think about self defense, but ultimately i am learning to compete, not to fight.

When i was a kid i trained in Karate. I was pretty good for a chunky kid in NHS spectacles. I even entered (and did OK in) a few full contact tournaments...yet in the real world i was being physically bullied every day.

One thing i am exploring with the help of Tony is the psychology of fear. Understanding why people freeze and how to cope with that.

I never want to be in another fight for the rest of my life, this film isn't about being tough or hitting folks. I want to explore (and face) a few fears and learn to deal with a few demons.

The Cold Steel Challenge is going to be an epic undertaking, it'll be scary and painful and probably the toughest thing I've ever done...but what I'm realizing is that the preparation and training for this challenge is addressing much deeper issues as well.

It's funny, but this film is honestly changing me....

I can't wait to meet the new me at the end of this

Andy