Tony Blauer

Hey, Tony Blair. Thanks, Dan. I love doing this. I love coming to Blacksite. And the, you know, the bio at turning 65 years old, you know, how do I do a two-minute bio? But I, you know, I start off, there's two things that are unique about our system. One is it's the foundation of understanding the psychology of fear, how to turn fear into fuel. and I grew up afraid of everything.

Hey, Tony Blair. Thanks, Dan. I love doing this. I love coming to Blacksite. And the, you know, the bio at turning 65 years old, you know, how do I do a two-minute bio? But I, you know, I start off, there's two things that are unique about our system. One is it's the foundation of understanding the psychology of fear, how to turn fear into fuel. and I grew up afraid of everything.

I was a really good athlete, but I was afraid of every single sport. I didn't want to strike out. I didn't want to let my team down. If I was grappling, what if the guy breaks my knee? And I would worry about all the wrong things, so I never hit flow state. In spite of that, I figured out a system to manage fear so I could excel as a parent, as a dad, as an athlete, as an entrepreneur.

I was a really good athlete, but I was afraid of every single sport. I didn't want to strike out. I didn't want to let my team down. If I was grappling, what if the guy breaks my knee? And I would worry about all the wrong things, so I never hit flow state. In spite of that, I figured out a system to manage fear so I could excel as a parent, as a dad, as an athlete, as an entrepreneur.

The other part of that is I was scared to death of violence, and I grew up in the 60s, and so that was batman and manix and the wild wild west and and it was wild so i'd watch all these shows and this this fear connection is so important because i was so afraid that all that was going to happen to me that when i was watching the tv shows i was going if i learned to fight all that fear will go away

The other part of that is I was scared to death of violence, and I grew up in the 60s, and so that was batman and manix and the wild wild west and and it was wild so i'd watch all these shows and this this fear connection is so important because i was so afraid that all that was going to happen to me that when i was watching the tv shows i was going if i learned to fight all that fear will go away

So I started to learn how to train martial arts, grappling, and all that stuff. And when I got into fights as a kid, as a teenager, the fear didn't go away. I was like, what is wrong? And I realized that we look at self-defense incorrectly, and I spent my life transforming and reimagining how people can protect themselves.

So I started to learn how to train martial arts, grappling, and all that stuff. And when I got into fights as a kid, as a teenager, the fear didn't go away. I was like, what is wrong? And I realized that we look at self-defense incorrectly, and I spent my life transforming and reimagining how people can protect themselves.

Same thing. And it's interesting because if you talk to Tyson or De La Hoya when they were fighting, they might not have had that same answer. It was when they matured and evolved that you realize, oh my God, fear was my fuel. We have a program called No Fear and it's spelled K-N-O-W. And it's just this reframe of... that if you get to know fear, that's the stress inoculation, that's the reps.

Same thing. And it's interesting because if you talk to Tyson or De La Hoya when they were fighting, they might not have had that same answer. It was when they matured and evolved that you realize, oh my God, fear was my fuel. We have a program called No Fear and it's spelled K-N-O-W. And it's just this reframe of... that if you get to know fear, that's the stress inoculation, that's the reps.

If I asked you a question about business, about betrayal in business, an entrepreneurial thing, and I've seen you teach and talk so many times, your answers are like, you're like, but it's because you've had so much experience with it, When we're kids, nobody mentors and tells us fear is a good thing. Fear is there to keep you alive.

If I asked you a question about business, about betrayal in business, an entrepreneurial thing, and I've seen you teach and talk so many times, your answers are like, you're like, but it's because you've had so much experience with it, When we're kids, nobody mentors and tells us fear is a good thing. Fear is there to keep you alive.

Fear releases these chemicals that make you stronger, that make you faster. But if you've got a negative relationship with it, you know, if your coaches, your mentors, your parents don't teach you, it's okay. You got to lean into fear. But so George St. Pierre, one of the greatest MMA guys. I was, so I grew up in Montreal and George was a Kyokushinkai fighter.

Fear releases these chemicals that make you stronger, that make you faster. But if you've got a negative relationship with it, you know, if your coaches, your mentors, your parents don't teach you, it's okay. You got to lean into fear. But so George St. Pierre, one of the greatest MMA guys. I was, so I grew up in Montreal and George was a Kyokushinkai fighter.

In Montreal, he used to bow to me in the gym before he was Rush St. Pierre, before he did MMA. And what was wild, we became friends. But he never talked about fear and psychology until after he got much older. And now he talks about it. I just saw a clip of him saying,

In Montreal, he used to bow to me in the gym before he was Rush St. Pierre, before he did MMA. And what was wild, we became friends. But he never talked about fear and psychology until after he got much older. And now he talks about it. I just saw a clip of him saying,

he wouldn't have been a champ if it wasn't for fear so i think part of that is you as you get older you go like i think now that i'm in my 60s i think of people when i was in my 20s or 30s telling me business advice or mobility or or any type of advice and i'm thinking that doesn't apply to me that doesn't apply to me so i i really think that um

he wouldn't have been a champ if it wasn't for fear so i think part of that is you as you get older you go like i think now that i'm in my 60s i think of people when i was in my 20s or 30s telling me business advice or mobility or or any type of advice and i'm thinking that doesn't apply to me that doesn't apply to me so i i really think that um

I look at fear as a psychological tool, as an organic fuel. We like to tell people, you can't be brave if you're not afraid. So it's a reminder that if I use that fear, it can be empowering. The hard thing is when you have an experience of fear, whether it's business, health, entrepreneurial violence,

I look at fear as a psychological tool, as an organic fuel. We like to tell people, you can't be brave if you're not afraid. So it's a reminder that if I use that fear, it can be empowering. The hard thing is when you have an experience of fear, whether it's business, health, entrepreneurial violence,

the physiological change like the blood rushing to extremities feels like you're like like that and your heart is racing and you get vertical breathing and your palms are sweaty if nobody teaches you that that's okay that's what your body's doing autonomically that can freak you out and so that's why a lot of people hyperventilate or they get that freeze response

the physiological change like the blood rushing to extremities feels like you're like like that and your heart is racing and you get vertical breathing and your palms are sweaty if nobody teaches you that that's okay that's what your body's doing autonomically that can freak you out and so that's why a lot of people hyperventilate or they get that freeze response

Genius.

Genius.

Yeah.

Yeah.

After we finish this, I'll show you some really cool old pics. I knew him before he was Rush. In fact, you know, my high gear equipment that we do the force of force stuff. I... gave him some equipment back at the gym there so he could work on his ground and pound, like just gave it to him. And it was wild to see his career just grow.

After we finish this, I'll show you some really cool old pics. I knew him before he was Rush. In fact, you know, my high gear equipment that we do the force of force stuff. I... gave him some equipment back at the gym there so he could work on his ground and pound, like just gave it to him. And it was wild to see his career just grow.

And, you know, there's one interview that I use in some of our presentations where he says, that the worst day of his life is the day he has to fight, that he's terrified. And when you see him doing his Superman punch, punching people in the face and fighting guys, if I said to you that guy this morning was terrified, you wouldn't believe it.

And, you know, there's one interview that I use in some of our presentations where he says, that the worst day of his life is the day he has to fight, that he's terrified. And when you see him doing his Superman punch, punching people in the face and fighting guys, if I said to you that guy this morning was terrified, you wouldn't believe it.

What people don't realize about fear, and this is like the gift of this like epiphany, like this light bulb moment, is that, you know, Tyson used to throw up before his fights, but people didn't know that, right? If you remember like what a menace, he was just like dominated everybody. Imagine if you and I, and you're a betting man, you invest.

What people don't realize about fear, and this is like the gift of this like epiphany, like this light bulb moment, is that, you know, Tyson used to throw up before his fights, but people didn't know that, right? If you remember like what a menace, he was just like dominated everybody. Imagine if you and I, and you're a betting man, you invest.

If you and I were walking in the bowels of an arena and we opened the door and it was a young Mike Tyson, right? But wait, so visualize this. I'm there and I go, the next fighter we see, you're going to bet on to win, I'm going to bet on to lose. and we open the door and there's Tyson crying, throwing up, you'd have gone, oh man. I'm vetting the other guy for sure.

If you and I were walking in the bowels of an arena and we opened the door and it was a young Mike Tyson, right? But wait, so visualize this. I'm there and I go, the next fighter we see, you're going to bet on to win, I'm going to bet on to lose. and we open the door and there's Tyson crying, throwing up, you'd have gone, oh man. I'm vetting the other guy for sure.

So what I tell people, it's called fear management. And there's like a joke I make when we do our No Fear seminars is I go like, you know, you have a Costco store manager, Walmart store manager, that what we all need is like a little fear manager button that we need to manage fear. The market changes, you're managing fear really quickly. You're being followed, you know, you're managing fear.

So what I tell people, it's called fear management. And there's like a joke I make when we do our No Fear seminars is I go like, you know, you have a Costco store manager, Walmart store manager, that what we all need is like a little fear manager button that we need to manage fear. The market changes, you're managing fear really quickly. You're being followed, you know, you're managing fear.

You're late for a flight, you're managing fear.

You're late for a flight, you're managing fear.

uh it's it's uh it's a wild thing and the better we manage fear the better we manage time the time is the only resource we can't get back when we're in a fear loop we're catastrophizing what's going to happen what next oh i'm going to lose this i'm going to screw this i'm going to you know like when when when covet hit was wild because all of my contracts most of my contracts are law enforcement military

uh it's it's uh it's a wild thing and the better we manage fear the better we manage time the time is the only resource we can't get back when we're in a fear loop we're catastrophizing what's going to happen what next oh i'm going to lose this i'm going to screw this i'm going to you know like when when when covet hit was wild because all of my contracts most of my contracts are law enforcement military

Well, guess who stopped doing any training at that time? So we went and so like 35 contracts got frozen and I'm like a small boutique business. You know, I've got 20 trainers around the world, but it's just me, my wife and a couple of people inside sales. The whole thing stopped. So two weeks became two months and I'm going, I'm going, I'm going to lose everything.

Well, guess who stopped doing any training at that time? So we went and so like 35 contracts got frozen and I'm like a small boutique business. You know, I've got 20 trainers around the world, but it's just me, my wife and a couple of people inside sales. The whole thing stopped. So two weeks became two months and I'm going, I'm going, I'm going to lose everything.

and now it was fear management and it was like like how am i gonna so here i am a fear management expert i felt like somebody shoved a vacuum up my ass and was sucking out my insides right i was just like like like terrified um and that's why i i i tell people i make this joke if i wanted to learn how to skydive and i'm afraid of heights i told you i'm afraid of everything you know so number one fear in the world is public speaking but like you see me talking in front of a group

and now it was fear management and it was like like how am i gonna so here i am a fear management expert i felt like somebody shoved a vacuum up my ass and was sucking out my insides right i was just like like like terrified um and that's why i i i tell people i make this joke if i wanted to learn how to skydive and i'm afraid of heights i told you i'm afraid of everything you know so number one fear in the world is public speaking but like you see me talking in front of a group

when i'm in my zone doing my stuff there's there's i got no fear because you know your material you know to manage you manage the fear but if i make the joke if i'm going to learn how to skydive i don't want to learn from a red bull 22 year old red bull athlete with a death wish i want to learn from a 55 or 60 year old jump master who fought in three wars survived and has done this thousand jumps and he loves it so much that when he retired he said i want to teach people to do this

when i'm in my zone doing my stuff there's there's i got no fear because you know your material you know to manage you manage the fear but if i make the joke if i'm going to learn how to skydive i don't want to learn from a red bull 22 year old red bull athlete with a death wish i want to learn from a 55 or 60 year old jump master who fought in three wars survived and has done this thousand jumps and he loves it so much that when he retired he said i want to teach people to do this

So if I want to learn investing, and you see this now, I make fun of this all the time, if I see one more longevity influencer online who has gorgeous genetics, they're 24 years old, like, hey, talk to me about longevity when you're 100 and you look like that, not when you're 24. So if I want to learn investing from someone like you, I want to learn fear, like I'm

So if I want to learn investing, and you see this now, I make fun of this all the time, if I see one more longevity influencer online who has gorgeous genetics, they're 24 years old, like, hey, talk to me about longevity when you're 100 and you look like that, not when you're 24. So if I want to learn investing from someone like you, I want to learn fear, like I'm

like like i said i've been afraid of everything am i going to be a good dad oh my god should i open my school should not open my school all my life throughout my career 60 decades you know six decades 60 decades i'd be pretty old six decades um and i tell people i go i'm going to tell you and hopefully it'll work for you what i did to manage fear with all these stages

like like i said i've been afraid of everything am i going to be a good dad oh my god should i open my school should not open my school all my life throughout my career 60 decades you know six decades 60 decades i'd be pretty old six decades um and i tell people i go i'm going to tell you and hopefully it'll work for you what i did to manage fear with all these stages

You know, and there are some people that are, you know, people who are just not afraid of anything. And they're like, I call them the unicorn. And if you meet a unicorn while you can be inspired by them, there's nothing to learn. So if you and I go, how did Mozart write that when he was seven?

You know, and there are some people that are, you know, people who are just not afraid of anything. And they're like, I call them the unicorn. And if you meet a unicorn while you can be inspired by them, there's nothing to learn. So if you and I go, how did Mozart write that when he was seven?

we don't understand that we're not unicorns right so we can be inspired by greatness but we can't really uh emulate what that person sees you see things differently like like math wise i've seen you up talking and you do like a computation and all of a sudden like like you see that like you're a rain man right like and if i go i want to do i want to be able to do what dan does when i look at that i go i don't understand what he's doing how did he do that

we don't understand that we're not unicorns right so we can be inspired by greatness but we can't really uh emulate what that person sees you see things differently like like math wise i've seen you up talking and you do like a computation and all of a sudden like like you see that like you're a rain man right like and if i go i want to do i want to be able to do what dan does when i look at that i go i don't understand what he's doing how did he do that

So it's a zone of genius. You can be inspired, but I'm off on a crazy tangent. But it's important what we do when we make those decisions to improve ourselves. There's going to be when you move outside your comfort zone, you get a fear spike. And if you don't know how to manage that fear spike, you step backwards and you stay small. So I think that's where I was going.

So it's a zone of genius. You can be inspired, but I'm off on a crazy tangent. But it's important what we do when we make those decisions to improve ourselves. There's going to be when you move outside your comfort zone, you get a fear spike. And if you don't know how to manage that fear spike, you step backwards and you stay small. So I think that's where I was going.

Well, I think at the end of the day, whatever your political angles are, whatever your diet, nutrition angles are, we are survival organisms. If I knock you out, your body, independent of your ego, your attitude, your beliefs, tries to, you know, re-regulate your nervous system and awaken. If I cut you, you don't have to go say, hey, white blood cells, you know, do your thing.

Well, I think at the end of the day, whatever your political angles are, whatever your diet, nutrition angles are, we are survival organisms. If I knock you out, your body, independent of your ego, your attitude, your beliefs, tries to, you know, re-regulate your nervous system and awaken. If I cut you, you don't have to go say, hey, white blood cells, you know, do your thing.

shit tries to heal itself. If I said, what'd you say? And jumped across your body without you thinking, would go, whoa, whoa, whoa, take it easy. You would hit a, what we call a nonviolent posture and try and naturally diffuse. So we understand intrinsically, there's a survival response we have in it. I really believe...

shit tries to heal itself. If I said, what'd you say? And jumped across your body without you thinking, would go, whoa, whoa, whoa, take it easy. You would hit a, what we call a nonviolent posture and try and naturally diffuse. So we understand intrinsically, there's a survival response we have in it. I really believe...

because for centuries we've outsourced our safety like there's like like a hundred years ago you knew which mushrooms killed you and which ones got you high you know a hundred years ago you might be you know i go into town to sell some pelts and some you know bandits come onto the ranch and our wife was up there with a black rifle powder right you know rifle going i will shoot you but she was shaking she was managing her fear to protect her kids and protect her property so um

because for centuries we've outsourced our safety like there's like like a hundred years ago you knew which mushrooms killed you and which ones got you high you know a hundred years ago you might be you know i go into town to sell some pelts and some you know bandits come onto the ranch and our wife was up there with a black rifle powder right you know rifle going i will shoot you but she was shaking she was managing her fear to protect her kids and protect her property so um

we've outsourced our safety and i think when you realize that you are the provider the protector that that classic language when you know you look in the in the in the mirror and you go i can protect myself i will defend myself and The world's gotten a little crazy in the last five years.

we've outsourced our safety and i think when you realize that you are the provider the protector that that classic language when you know you look in the in the in the mirror and you go i can protect myself i will defend myself and The world's gotten a little crazy in the last five years.

If I need to be a courageous bystander and like the, I've been saying this for about 20 years, the ability to protect yourself or a loved one is an arguably the single most important skill you could possess. And I've had a lot of people try to argue with me and I go, okay, let's see, you have a car collection. I go, keep your car collection, but I'm killing your family.

If I need to be a courageous bystander and like the, I've been saying this for about 20 years, the ability to protect yourself or a loved one is an arguably the single most important skill you could possess. And I've had a lot of people try to argue with me and I go, okay, let's see, you have a car collection. I go, keep your car collection, but I'm killing your family.

you go, okay, no, yeah, take the cars. Oh, you have a stamp collection. Like, cause people try to like, you know, the, the, the, the, the irrational mind tries to argue and that, you know, be the contrarian. And I'm like, so,

you go, okay, no, yeah, take the cars. Oh, you have a stamp collection. Like, cause people try to like, you know, the, the, the, the, the irrational mind tries to argue and that, you know, be the contrarian. And I'm like, so,

I always like giving the substance before I get to a direct answer is why should you learn how to improve your situational awareness, manage fear, be able to handle a sudden close quarter, a violent encounter, find out that you just got, you know, you're in a car accident, you're getting robbed and you got in a fight and you got cut or duty to care.

I always like giving the substance before I get to a direct answer is why should you learn how to improve your situational awareness, manage fear, be able to handle a sudden close quarter, a violent encounter, find out that you just got, you know, you're in a car accident, you're getting robbed and you got in a fight and you got cut or duty to care.

I'm going to put a tourniquet on somebody else or holy shit, I did get cut. I stopped the guy. How do I put a tourniquet on me? like the ability to save your life for someone else. I was like, what is more empowering than that? Here's the transcendent part of that is, and this is a great thing.

I'm going to put a tourniquet on somebody else or holy shit, I did get cut. I stopped the guy. How do I put a tourniquet on me? like the ability to save your life for someone else. I was like, what is more empowering than that? Here's the transcendent part of that is, and this is a great thing.

There's a guy that I trained, he was a Marine and he came to train with me a couple of times hand to hand. He retired and he got hired by a DOD software company, Department of Defense guys. And he was responsible for 12 people and their sales team.

There's a guy that I trained, he was a Marine and he came to train with me a couple of times hand to hand. He retired and he got hired by a DOD software company, Department of Defense guys. And he was responsible for 12 people and their sales team.

and multi-millions of like like sales commission now he's on and they figured his background and who he knew and all of this how he that right you're like you're buying the rolodex right and and the credibility like he was there he calls me because he knows we do all the the mindset fear management stuff and he literally says that i can't mention his name but but his quote is i would rather be in a gunfight than be in this board meeting that i go to and talk about my quota

and multi-millions of like like sales commission now he's on and they figured his background and who he knew and all of this how he that right you're like you're buying the rolodex right and and the credibility like he was there he calls me because he knows we do all the the mindset fear management stuff and he literally says that i can't mention his name but but his quote is i would rather be in a gunfight than be in this board meeting that i go to and talk about my quota

He had no... So here's a guy... If I said to you, Dan, board meeting, negotiating, or surrounded by bad guys with guns shooting at you, you'd go, board meeting, right? So... I really think if you think about this outsource safety concept, because what do you do? Something's happening. You're like, 911. What's the response time now on shit? Like, minutes. We had a home invasion in 2009.

He had no... So here's a guy... If I said to you, Dan, board meeting, negotiating, or surrounded by bad guys with guns shooting at you, you'd go, board meeting, right? So... I really think if you think about this outsource safety concept, because what do you do? Something's happening. You're like, 911. What's the response time now on shit? Like, minutes. We had a home invasion in 2009.

Cops were there in three minutes. That's outrageous. That was 2009. I might have come home to a completely different scenario with no family. But, like, now...

Cops were there in three minutes. That's outrageous. That was 2009. I might have come home to a completely different scenario with no family. But, like, now...

like you can empty like a magazine on somebody like 9 12 14 in four or five seconds like you're you're not even finished dialing 911 and you're dead or bleeding so it's for for many people out there they they live in a bubble uh oh you're gonna love this this story i think it'll really resonate with where you're going so i was really good friends with bruce lee's son brandon

like you can empty like a magazine on somebody like 9 12 14 in four or five seconds like you're you're not even finished dialing 911 and you're dead or bleeding so it's for for many people out there they they live in a bubble uh oh you're gonna love this this story i think it'll really resonate with where you're going so i was really good friends with bruce lee's son brandon

And I was on the set of The Crow with him three weeks before he was shit. You never knew this? This is wild. I'm on the set of The Crow. They're doing some stunt work. And I'm like going, like, this is a dangerous set. Like, these guys, something's off here. And there was one part where they were going to throw an actor into some boxes. And I see nails coming out of the boxes. Oh, my God.

And I was on the set of The Crow with him three weeks before he was shit. You never knew this? This is wild. I'm on the set of The Crow. They're doing some stunt work. And I'm like going, like, this is a dangerous set. Like, these guys, something's off here. And there was one part where they were going to throw an actor into some boxes. And I see nails coming out of the boxes. Oh, my God.

And I'm like... Like, I go over to the stunt coordinator. I go, dude, like, there's two nails out of this, like, crate here. You're going to throw somebody in. So when I heard what happened, I was like, there was a moment where I felt like if I was there, I'm the type of guy that if there's a gun on the table, I'm going to check. Is it loaded? Is it this?

And I'm like... Like, I go over to the stunt coordinator. I go, dude, like, there's two nails out of this, like, crate here. You're going to throw somebody in. So when I heard what happened, I was like, there was a moment where I felt like if I was there, I'm the type of guy that if there's a gun on the table, I'm going to check. Is it loaded? Is it this?

So I don't know if you know the whole story of how he died. There was the dummy round blew when the primer blew. No one cleaned the gun, so the tip of the bullet was in the barrel. When they put the squibs in to close up on the gun so you get the flash, it blew the lead out so slow that it just did so much damage when it hit Brandon in the stomach.

So I don't know if you know the whole story of how he died. There was the dummy round blew when the primer blew. No one cleaned the gun, so the tip of the bullet was in the barrel. When they put the squibs in to close up on the gun so you get the flash, it blew the lead out so slow that it just did so much damage when it hit Brandon in the stomach.

but I got this call like Brandon's dead and I'm like, holy shit. Um, and, um, so I went out to the funeral and I'm on a red eye back and it was back in the day, Walkman, you know, so I had a Walkman. I, I love to read. I had three books. It's a red eye back. I was living in Canada at the time. And, uh, I put my books down here. I'm in business class. I got a seat beside me. I'm like, oh, good.

but I got this call like Brandon's dead and I'm like, holy shit. Um, and, um, so I went out to the funeral and I'm on a red eye back and it was back in the day, Walkman, you know, so I had a Walkman. I, I love to read. I had three books. It's a red eye back. I was living in Canada at the time. And, uh, I put my books down here. I'm in business class. I got a seat beside me. I'm like, oh, good.

I'm quiet. I'm doing this. And before they close the door, a flight attendant, not working the flight, runs on. So she's got her name. She's got whatever, Delta or American, whatever it was. She gets in, and I'm wearing like this, T-shirt, jeans. And she says, oh, that's my seat. I move my shit, and I'm thinking, oh, fuck.

I'm quiet. I'm doing this. And before they close the door, a flight attendant, not working the flight, runs on. So she's got her name. She's got whatever, Delta or American, whatever it was. She gets in, and I'm wearing like this, T-shirt, jeans. And she says, oh, that's my seat. I move my shit, and I'm thinking, oh, fuck.

you know and then she's like fired up it's midnight you know she goes oh my god hi my name's uh you know suzy i'm a flight attendant uh i thought i was gonna miss the flight this isn't my hub and i'm going oh my god she's gonna talk all night i want to sleep and i'm like i'm not in a good mood a good friend of mine just died i'm coming for a funeral I'm trying to make this dramatic.

you know and then she's like fired up it's midnight you know she goes oh my god hi my name's uh you know suzy i'm a flight attendant uh i thought i was gonna miss the flight this isn't my hub and i'm going oh my god she's gonna talk all night i want to sleep and i'm like i'm not in a good mood a good friend of mine just died i'm coming for a funeral I'm trying to make this dramatic.

And she goes, she goes, so what do you do? And we're starting to taxi. And I look at her and I go, I'm a life insurance salesman. Thinking, who wants to talk about life insurance just as you're taking off, right? And she looks me up and down. She goes, you're not a life insurance salesman. I'm a good reader character.

And she goes, she goes, so what do you do? And we're starting to taxi. And I look at her and I go, I'm a life insurance salesman. Thinking, who wants to talk about life insurance just as you're taking off, right? And she looks me up and down. She goes, you're not a life insurance salesman. I'm a good reader character.

person and I said okay you got me I'm lying I'm a life extension insurance salesman and she goes life extension insurance what's that I go I teach self-defense and she says oh my god I always want to learn how to defend myself and I interrupt her and I go no you didn't because people who always wanted to do something do it I said I think what you meant to say is you always wanted to be you always want you want to know how to never be near a situation where you might have to defend yourself

person and I said okay you got me I'm lying I'm a life extension insurance salesman and she goes life extension insurance what's that I go I teach self-defense and she says oh my god I always want to learn how to defend myself and I interrupt her and I go no you didn't because people who always wanted to do something do it I said I think what you meant to say is you always wanted to be you always want you want to know how to never be near a situation where you might have to defend yourself

And she goes, oh my God, yeah. I ended up doing a five hour seminar for the whole flight home. But it was this idea that if, when you say to people, come to Blacksite and train with us, they go, this looks cool. But then they sit there, they don't realize the noxious effect of fear. Like why would you invest in and practice something you never want to have happen?

And she goes, oh my God, yeah. I ended up doing a five hour seminar for the whole flight home. But it was this idea that if, when you say to people, come to Blacksite and train with us, they go, this looks cool. But then they sit there, they don't realize the noxious effect of fear. Like why would you invest in and practice something you never want to have happen?

You've got to be at another level in your thinking where you go, The worst day of my life would be I had a chance to influence the outcome, but I didn't know what the hell to do. And that's what we're giving people here is options. We're options facilitators. Every one of us is a human weapon. We all know how to fight. We don't know how to fight. We don't know we know how to fight.

You've got to be at another level in your thinking where you go, The worst day of my life would be I had a chance to influence the outcome, but I didn't know what the hell to do. And that's what we're giving people here is options. We're options facilitators. Every one of us is a human weapon. We all know how to fight. We don't know how to fight. We don't know we know how to fight.

And it's overcoming that fear first. And it's the type of thing where you can come and do the training and go, okay. Now I know, and maybe I'll do one or two more gun classes or I got to practice once a month with the tourniquet, or I am going to learn jujitsu or whatever. You fall in love with something, but the ability to know that you can protect yourself and not be manipulated, that's huge.

And it's overcoming that fear first. And it's the type of thing where you can come and do the training and go, okay. Now I know, and maybe I'll do one or two more gun classes or I got to practice once a month with the tourniquet, or I am going to learn jujitsu or whatever. You fall in love with something, but the ability to know that you can protect yourself and not be manipulated, that's huge.

But the transcendent value is that changes your emotional, psychological posture at your next meeting, right? So it's super interconnected. You know the expression, the pen's mightier than the sword? So I took some poetic liberty and I added a sentence to it. The pen is mightier than the sword when you know how to use a sword. So you're there, you're going, in the back of your mind,

But the transcendent value is that changes your emotional, psychological posture at your next meeting, right? So it's super interconnected. You know the expression, the pen's mightier than the sword? So I took some poetic liberty and I added a sentence to it. The pen is mightier than the sword when you know how to use a sword. So you're there, you're going, in the back of your mind,

You're such a strong negotiator because you know you don't need the deal. If you don't like the person or you don't like the whatever, you're gone. That's the katana. I'll cut this in a second. Remember Iggy Pop? This is one of my favorite quotes. He said, imagine if desperation were attractive. So a lot of people come in there, they need the deal so bad or they need.

You're such a strong negotiator because you know you don't need the deal. If you don't like the person or you don't like the whatever, you're gone. That's the katana. I'll cut this in a second. Remember Iggy Pop? This is one of my favorite quotes. He said, imagine if desperation were attractive. So a lot of people come in there, they need the deal so bad or they need.

And, and so they come at you negotiating with fear as opposed to with fierce, like in, you know, it's, uh, it's that mindset switch and you can get closer to that when you do this training. Cause you discover that you are vulnerable and then you, you build to strengthen that and you just, you become a better version of yourself immediately, even after two days.

And, and so they come at you negotiating with fear as opposed to with fierce, like in, you know, it's, uh, it's that mindset switch and you can get closer to that when you do this training. Cause you discover that you are vulnerable and then you, you build to strengthen that and you just, you become a better version of yourself immediately, even after two days.

Yeah, thanks. So I grew up. doing wrestling, taekwondo, boxing, got into some confrontations where nothing worked. They were so close, they were so fast. One was a road rage, one was multiple assailants, one was actually in a boxing ring. And, and I had this wicked tunnel vision and I was a Bruce Lee junkie, like all of us, right?

Yeah, thanks. So I grew up. doing wrestling, taekwondo, boxing, got into some confrontations where nothing worked. They were so close, they were so fast. One was a road rage, one was multiple assailants, one was actually in a boxing ring. And, and I had this wicked tunnel vision and I was a Bruce Lee junkie, like all of us, right?

I think you were the world's biggest Bruce Lee fan, but I was like everyone, every Bruce Lee fan thinks they were the biggest Bruce Lee. I loved them. I remember when I was 15, my mom said, are you going to go into the family business? You're going to be a lawyer, doctor, cop, you know, it was the seventies. So there were only three jobs.

I think you were the world's biggest Bruce Lee fan, but I was like everyone, every Bruce Lee fan thinks they were the biggest Bruce Lee. I loved them. I remember when I was 15, my mom said, are you going to go into the family business? You're going to be a lawyer, doctor, cop, you know, it was the seventies. So there were only three jobs.

And I, and I, I said, mom, I'm going to be a famous martial artist like Bruce Lee. I'm going to develop my own system. And I was on the floor looking at Bruce Lee magazine doing the splits. She pat me on the head and said, okay, sweetheart, we'll talk about this when you're older. Like I just knew I wanted, I abhor violence. And I'm so afraid of it that I just think about it all the time I study.

And I, and I, I said, mom, I'm going to be a famous martial artist like Bruce Lee. I'm going to develop my own system. And I was on the floor looking at Bruce Lee magazine doing the splits. She pat me on the head and said, okay, sweetheart, we'll talk about this when you're older. Like I just knew I wanted, I abhor violence. And I'm so afraid of it that I just think about it all the time I study.

I'm obsessed, not passionate, obsessed. And so I started teaching in 1977. My first paying official student in 1980, this kid, Mitch, gets dropped with a left hook, Dan. And I'm teaching him at the time what we all think of when we think about fighting. We think John Wick. We think Jackie Chan. We think Bruce Lee. Doing moves, doing moves.

I'm obsessed, not passionate, obsessed. And so I started teaching in 1977. My first paying official student in 1980, this kid, Mitch, gets dropped with a left hook, Dan. And I'm teaching him at the time what we all think of when we think about fighting. We think John Wick. We think Jackie Chan. We think Bruce Lee. Doing moves, doing moves.

So I'm teaching him the moves and how to think and do this stuff. And I go and just visualize this.

So I'm teaching him the moves and how to think and do this stuff. And I go and just visualize this.

i come back to his private lesson i've been training him for three months he was having a bully situation at school his dad was a friend of my family i'd known them for decades um literally since i was born and i'm 20 at the time and he says and his dad uh joey says mitch is having a bully situation at school i need you to um teach him some stuff because you're still doing your your your martial tricks right called the martial tricks i said yeah

i come back to his private lesson i've been training him for three months he was having a bully situation at school his dad was a friend of my family i'd known them for decades um literally since i was born and i'm 20 at the time and he says and his dad uh joey says mitch is having a bully situation at school i need you to um teach him some stuff because you're still doing your your your martial tricks right called the martial tricks i said yeah

It's 1980. I'm making $4.50 an hour for my father sweeping in his, in our, we had a ladies import export clothing business. So I'm in the back sweeping and I would punch boxes every day. We get a shipment in like Rocky. This is like before 1976 when Rocky, you know, came out or not 1980. It was four years after.

It's 1980. I'm making $4.50 an hour for my father sweeping in his, in our, we had a ladies import export clothing business. So I'm in the back sweeping and I would punch boxes every day. We get a shipment in like Rocky. This is like before 1976 when Rocky, you know, came out or not 1980. It was four years after.

So I'm inspired by the Rocky scenes and I'm beating the shit out of the boxes, doing stuff. Joey says, I'll pay you. This is really how I started my business. He goes, how much you charge me for Mitchell? I go, I'm not going to charge you, friend of the family. He says, no, no, no, no, no. I want you to do this like for real and be serious about this. And I go, okay, I don't know.

So I'm inspired by the Rocky scenes and I'm beating the shit out of the boxes, doing stuff. Joey says, I'll pay you. This is really how I started my business. He goes, how much you charge me for Mitchell? I go, I'm not going to charge you, friend of the family. He says, no, no, no, no, no. I want you to do this like for real and be serious about this. And I go, okay, I don't know.

I can't charge you. He says, how's 20? So I'm thinking five classes because I'm making five bucks an hour. I said, whatever, that's fine. He says, so I'll pay you 20 bucks a class. And I'm like, holy shit. And I'm going, I'm rich. I'm like, I can retire. I have you in one class. So I start teaching Mitch. Suddenly Mitch's brother Steve goes, how come Mitch gets private lessons? Now I got that.

I can't charge you. He says, how's 20? So I'm thinking five classes because I'm making five bucks an hour. I said, whatever, that's fine. He says, so I'll pay you 20 bucks a class. And I'm like, holy shit. And I'm going, I'm rich. I'm like, I can retire. I have you in one class. So I start teaching Mitch. Suddenly Mitch's brother Steve goes, how come Mitch gets private lessons? Now I got that.

And they're in a wealthy area. And then one day we're training outside and Derek across the street says, what are you guys doing? Next day I got 30 private, 30 like in a week.

And they're in a wealthy area. And then one day we're training outside and Derek across the street says, what are you guys doing? Next day I got 30 private, 30 like in a week.

At 20 bucks an hour. Oh my God. And I'm 20, it's 1980. And I'm still working 40, 50 hours a week.

At 20 bucks an hour. Oh my God. And I'm 20, it's 1980. And I'm still working 40, 50 hours a week.

Yeah, I'm doing. What? So I'm doing this and I'm working nine to five for my father, sometimes Saturday. And then every single night for six years, I'm teaching privately. Whoa. But Mitch's bully situation that kicked this all off. I come back for a private lesson and he's sitting there like this in his room. And I went, what happened? And he jumps up here. Can I swear on the show?

Yeah, I'm doing. What? So I'm doing this and I'm working nine to five for my father, sometimes Saturday. And then every single night for six years, I'm teaching privately. Whoa. But Mitch's bully situation that kicked this all off. I come back for a private lesson and he's sitting there like this in his room. And I went, what happened? And he jumps up here. Can I swear on the show?

Okay. And he's going, so beep, beep, beep, beep, beep. And I'm going, calm down, man. What's going on? And he goes, you know the bully? And it had been a verbal abuse up until now, no physical. And he said, man, the guy today, he put his hands on me. And I told him, you look like the school wasn't doing anything. So I was just teaching him in case it got physical.

Okay. And he's going, so beep, beep, beep, beep, beep. And I'm going, calm down, man. What's going on? And he goes, you know the bully? And it had been a verbal abuse up until now, no physical. And he said, man, the guy today, he put his hands on me. And I told him, you look like the school wasn't doing anything. So I was just teaching him in case it got physical.

He was running late for class, and the bully trips him, and everyone starts laughing. And Mitch gets up, and he's like, what are you bothering me for? And I'm paraphrasing it for editing purposes. You know, what are you bothering me for? I don't even know you. You've been bugging me since school started. And the guy walks up, and he goes, and he shoves him.

He was running late for class, and the bully trips him, and everyone starts laughing. And Mitch gets up, and he's like, what are you bothering me for? And I'm paraphrasing it for editing purposes. You know, what are you bothering me for? I don't even know you. You've been bugging me since school started. And the guy walks up, and he goes, and he shoves him.

He goes, what are you going to do about it? To you? No, to my student Mitchell, right? And Mitch is 15 years old. And he shoves Mitch, and Mitch goes back, and he just goes red, like someone puts your hand on you, and you just lose it. And he grabbed the guy and slammed him against a locker bank and said, leave me alone, man. I don't even know who you are. You've just been bugging me.

He goes, what are you going to do about it? To you? No, to my student Mitchell, right? And Mitch is 15 years old. And he shoves Mitch, and Mitch goes back, and he just goes red, like someone puts your hand on you, and you just lose it. And he grabbed the guy and slammed him against a locker bank and said, leave me alone, man. I don't even know who you are. You've just been bugging me.

And then he looks at me. Mitchell looks at me. He says, then he dropped me with a left hook. I said, Mitch, I don't understand. What do you mean? Like, why didn't you parry, block, flip? And he goes, well, I was... holding him with my left hand, and then he goes, I had my school books that I'd picked up in my right hand.

And then he looks at me. Mitchell looks at me. He says, then he dropped me with a left hook. I said, Mitch, I don't understand. What do you mean? Like, why didn't you parry, block, flip? And he goes, well, I was... holding him with my left hand, and then he goes, I had my school books that I'd picked up in my right hand.

So you can imagine if you and I had to box, Dan, and I had to hold your shirt and hold books, how easy it would be to hit me in the face, right? And so, but, and I swear this happened. I said, I described it as it was like the god of self-defense. I was 20, 1980. I went, oh my God, we teach self-defense wrong. And what I meant by is we don't talk about the emotional psychological.

So you can imagine if you and I had to box, Dan, and I had to hold your shirt and hold books, how easy it would be to hit me in the face, right? And so, but, and I swear this happened. I said, I described it as it was like the god of self-defense. I was 20, 1980. I went, oh my God, we teach self-defense wrong. And what I meant by is we don't talk about the emotional psychological.

We don't have a pre-fight ritual.

We don't have a pre-fight ritual.

Just like real violence is just sudden it happens and actions faster than reaction What happens when our situational awareness is compromised and you get a little nerdy here for a second our executive function is hijacked our cognitive brain is bypassed and our limbic systems called an amygdala hijack goes shit like and we you know, so we know Mike Tarzan been on your show many times and

Just like real violence is just sudden it happens and actions faster than reaction What happens when our situational awareness is compromised and you get a little nerdy here for a second our executive function is hijacked our cognitive brain is bypassed and our limbic systems called an amygdala hijack goes shit like and we you know, so we know Mike Tarzan been on your show many times and

He loves snakes. Most guests here, if you slipped a snake in here during the interview, they'd be like, what the? They would do. So their primitive self, their primal self would react to that until you stress inoculate. So I started that day in 1980. I said, everything we do has to make sense in the real world. And we started reverse engineering everything.

He loves snakes. Most guests here, if you slipped a snake in here during the interview, they'd be like, what the? They would do. So their primitive self, their primal self would react to that until you stress inoculate. So I started that day in 1980. I said, everything we do has to make sense in the real world. And we started reverse engineering everything.

We would look at any real incident and go, what impact does it have on our body and our mind? Because I'm not going to stand there, and I always tell people now, if you look at CCTV and video evidence, you've never seen a John Wick fight in the real world. It doesn't exist. There's no evidence of it.

We would look at any real incident and go, what impact does it have on our body and our mind? Because I'm not going to stand there, and I always tell people now, if you look at CCTV and video evidence, you've never seen a John Wick fight in the real world. It doesn't exist. There's no evidence of it.

You would think if all of the, and I've been a martial artist for 50 plus years, so people think I'm hating on martial arts. I'm just trying to make us safer. Going, look, this is cool. I've got a gun collection. I got spears. I got knives. But if somebody broke into my house, I'm grabbing my Glock and a Tomahawk. Like, here we go.

You would think if all of the, and I've been a martial artist for 50 plus years, so people think I'm hating on martial arts. I'm just trying to make us safer. Going, look, this is cool. I've got a gun collection. I got spears. I got knives. But if somebody broke into my house, I'm grabbing my Glock and a Tomahawk. Like, here we go.

I'm not going to grab my spear or a black powder rifle where I go miss and go, oh, like shit. Right. Let me let me reload. So we just got to look at real violence. So how did spear happen? is while I was only, I was doing Fight Club before Fight Club was a movie. We were like getting once a month together. We'd get together and beat the crap out of each other.

I'm not going to grab my spear or a black powder rifle where I go miss and go, oh, like shit. Right. Let me let me reload. So we just got to look at real violence. So how did spear happen? is while I was only, I was doing Fight Club before Fight Club was a movie. We were like getting once a month together. We'd get together and beat the crap out of each other.

But it wasn't just let's fight like in Fight Club. I'd say, literally I'd go, Dan, what's your biggest fear in a confrontation? And you'd say, I don't know, two guys with a knife.

But it wasn't just let's fight like in Fight Club. I'd say, literally I'd go, Dan, what's your biggest fear in a confrontation? And you'd say, I don't know, two guys with a knife.

then we would do psychology we do drilling and then we'd put our makeshift gear on i lived in montreal at the time didn't have my equipment company so it was like a hockey helmet gauntlets taekwondo chess guard baseball shin guards we were like frankenstein right we'd put everything on and then i'd say uh next up uh dan fleischman and you'd put your gear on and i go dan your scenario is this

then we would do psychology we do drilling and then we'd put our makeshift gear on i lived in montreal at the time didn't have my equipment company so it was like a hockey helmet gauntlets taekwondo chess guard baseball shin guards we were like frankenstein right we'd put everything on and then i'd say uh next up uh dan fleischman and you'd put your gear on and i go dan your scenario is this

And two guys with a knife would approach and you'd be like, oh man, this is when he interviewed me. And I would give you that fear and you'd see people like viscerally go. And it, cause, cause if I say let's spar, you go, hold on a second, you warm up and you get ready and you stretch and your shadow box, you don't just start. So these things were like fight club with a scenario.

And two guys with a knife would approach and you'd be like, oh man, this is when he interviewed me. And I would give you that fear and you'd see people like viscerally go. And it, cause, cause if I say let's spar, you go, hold on a second, you warm up and you get ready and you stretch and your shadow box, you don't just start. So these things were like fight club with a scenario.

And, uh, in it, I noticed we'd have a, we had a reputation and we do these once a month. That some bad asses from all over Montreal would come in and a lot of them would like turn and frigging shrimp and go fetal and tap. And I go, man, like I thought this guy, you know, you judge a book by cover. But what I realized is nobody understood two things here, how to manage their fear in the scenario.

And, uh, in it, I noticed we'd have a, we had a reputation and we do these once a month. That some bad asses from all over Montreal would come in and a lot of them would like turn and frigging shrimp and go fetal and tap. And I go, man, like I thought this guy, you know, you judge a book by cover. But what I realized is nobody understood two things here, how to manage their fear in the scenario.

But the other thing I noticed is that when people were surprised, they all flinched. And it was like, so I started experimenting with this and I developed a drill called the sucker punch drill, which would be, I'd have a mouth guard on, you'd have gloves on and we'd just be talking. And I'd say, Dan, whatever you want in the conversation, punch me as fast as you can, right?

But the other thing I noticed is that when people were surprised, they all flinched. And it was like, so I started experimenting with this and I developed a drill called the sucker punch drill, which would be, I'd have a mouth guard on, you'd have gloves on and we'd just be talking. And I'd say, Dan, whatever you want in the conversation, punch me as fast as you can, right?

Remember the Ali video that I showed? We show a clip of that or a picture of that on here, where there's a picture of Ali, like the greatest, Freddie Starr, have you seen this video yet? I don't think so. I'll send it to you. Freddie Starr's leaning over talking to Ali in the interview in the UK. And Ali's like listening and drawn in. And then Starr goes, and whap, and he throws a jab.

Remember the Ali video that I showed? We show a clip of that or a picture of that on here, where there's a picture of Ali, like the greatest, Freddie Starr, have you seen this video yet? I don't think so. I'll send it to you. Freddie Starr's leaning over talking to Ali in the interview in the UK. And Ali's like listening and drawn in. And then Starr goes, and whap, and he throws a jab.

And I got a picture of Ali going, total fetal. But here's a guy that's fought Fraser, Norton, you know, like the foreman. And here's like this little... who surprised him and made him flinch. So we show that video because a lot of people, especially male egos go, I'm not going to flinch. This is bullshit.

And I got a picture of Ali going, total fetal. But here's a guy that's fought Fraser, Norton, you know, like the foreman. And here's like this little... who surprised him and made him flinch. So we show that video because a lot of people, especially male egos go, I'm not going to flinch. This is bullshit.

And I go like, you're flinching is your friend when your situational awareness is compromised. You want something to go, whoa, I didn't see that. So SPEAR is an acronym for spontaneous protection or startle response, accelerated response, spontaneous protection enabling accelerated response. I figured out almost like classical conditioning, a series of drills where we

And I go like, you're flinching is your friend when your situational awareness is compromised. You want something to go, whoa, I didn't see that. So SPEAR is an acronym for spontaneous protection or startle response, accelerated response, spontaneous protection enabling accelerated response. I figured out almost like classical conditioning, a series of drills where we

trick the body synthetically into micro flinches and then attach a cognitive correction so we're converting the flinch so instead of us going like most victims of stabbing who don't survive a stabbing they'll get slashed in the arm and then there's always a trail down their back so if you started hitting me I flinch

trick the body synthetically into micro flinches and then attach a cognitive correction so we're converting the flinch so instead of us going like most victims of stabbing who don't survive a stabbing they'll get slashed in the arm and then there's always a trail down their back so if you started hitting me I flinch

non-conscious movement but then i want to get away i go like this and i turn and the person's still coming at you so there's that for there's a forensic line all the time so what we do is we teach people the flinch is going to happen whether you like it or not

non-conscious movement but then i want to get away i go like this and i turn and the person's still coming at you so there's that for there's a forensic line all the time so what we do is we teach people the flinch is going to happen whether you like it or not

then how do you convert it so how do you attach the limbic uh the uh uh amygdala hijack with the limbic system with this cognitive like an athlete what should i do here so it's a micro flinch and then there's a uh like a sequence of drills we do we call finger splayed outside 90. where you drive in and you recruit this core to extremity explosive movement, almost like a biological airbag.

then how do you convert it so how do you attach the limbic uh the uh uh amygdala hijack with the limbic system with this cognitive like an athlete what should i do here so it's a micro flinch and then there's a uh like a sequence of drills we do we call finger splayed outside 90. where you drive in and you recruit this core to extremity explosive movement, almost like a biological airbag.

And we've been teaching it. So I discovered this like an archaeologist in 1986, 87. And I've been refining it like... like to today when, when COVID started, I saved my company by teaching online. We've done almost 800 classes since 800, two hour classes online, all over the place, man. Um, So I just say that because I'm still, I'm so obsessed with it. We're still coming up with wild stuff.

And we've been teaching it. So I discovered this like an archaeologist in 1986, 87. And I've been refining it like... like to today when, when COVID started, I saved my company by teaching online. We've done almost 800 classes since 800, two hour classes online, all over the place, man. Um, So I just say that because I'm still, I'm so obsessed with it. We're still coming up with wild stuff.

So basically I recognize we're all human weapons. We all have fear. How do we use fear as fuel? How do we use our natural inclination to whatever we're going to do and weaponize fear and weaponize our startle response and get back in the fight?

So basically I recognize we're all human weapons. We all have fear. How do we use fear as fuel? How do we use our natural inclination to whatever we're going to do and weaponize fear and weaponize our startle response and get back in the fight?

Um, so best thing is, is so I've got two main websites, Blower training systems, my last name, B-L-A-U-E-R training systems. I've been around long enough that if you just Google Tony Blower, you'll find my, my, the lovers and the haters like any of all of us have. Uh, then there's Blower Spear. Um, Of course, you can find me through Blacksite.

Um, so best thing is, is so I've got two main websites, Blower training systems, my last name, B-L-A-U-E-R training systems. I've been around long enough that if you just Google Tony Blower, you'll find my, my, the lovers and the haters like any of all of us have. Uh, then there's Blower Spear. Um, Of course, you can find me through Blacksite.

I've been, I think, to every single event since we started. And, you know, I love it. Thank God I live close to here, you know, so it's just easy for me to shoot in and do it. But yeah.

I've been, I think, to every single event since we started. And, you know, I love it. Thank God I live close to here, you know, so it's just easy for me to shoot in and do it. But yeah.

there's there's something so special if you're sitting on the fence should i do this should i do this like being able to understand your vulnerability and how to turn like like the primary ingredient of courage is fear and to experience that and then to go oh my god i know how to put on a tourniquet i know how to shoot a gun and you're not going to master stuff like the and you got world-class instructors here but you're going to know what you don't know and fear of the known is a lot more manageable than fear of the unknown absolutely

there's there's something so special if you're sitting on the fence should i do this should i do this like being able to understand your vulnerability and how to turn like like the primary ingredient of courage is fear and to experience that and then to go oh my god i know how to put on a tourniquet i know how to shoot a gun and you're not going to master stuff like the and you got world-class instructors here but you're going to know what you don't know and fear of the known is a lot more manageable than fear of the unknown absolutely