Hey Tim
Firstly welcome on board mate,

Just came across this thread as have not logged on for a few days.

I am also a self defence instructor, Motivation, for me personally was being able to defend myself INCASE anything should kick off, its like saying you drive a car and dont have air bags as you have never had a crash in 20 years of driving, however what if? due to no fault of your own you dont have that safety in place?. Worth the risk?

Everyones reason for self defence varies, whether it be traditional MA, or some form of combatives or street self defence or a mixture. I took it up 25 years ago as a result of a bully who was making my life miserable as a kid. Since then I have met lots of people in the arts who train for either health, wellbeing, losing weight, motivation, confidence, the list goes on and on. Fair enough you live in a safe area, no shit kicks off there, again fair enough. but as jamie says, " Shit happens" it does not have to be in your street or the next street. but could be anywhere else on a night out, a day trip absolutely anywhere. If there was no need for self defence people would not be flocking to seminars, and learning techniques which have the potential to save lives.

As for what is taught, physical techniques are always part and parcel of self defence and have been since the dawn of time. however, we do also teach the rituals of violence and how it is likely to " kick off " warning signs, body language, pre cursors to attack. attack rituals, etc. there is no good trying to defend yourself in a confrontation when 9 times out of 10 you are taken out before you know you are even in it. Awareness and avoidance first. learn the keys to how something works and it can be avoided. Granted not all the time, but its better than no training at all.

If it is not your cup of tea, thats fine, im glad you live in a safe place, and can and do respect your views on the subject. however myself, jamie, bob on here, we all do self defence, and have met some wonderful people along the way, gained confidence, motivation, respect for others, and along the way changed peoples lives for the better in one way or another. Each to their own.

But just my two cents.

Craig

Hey Tim,

Just to add a bit more....

Well, my motivation is the love of the training, for sure. However, I also train because I feel it will give me much a better chance if something ever "kicks off". I don't really share many of other Irish guys views that things are not getting worse. Unfortunately from what I've seen, and heard, it seems things are getting worse. While I know the media is does it's bit to sell papers. Most of my friends have all been attacked, or involved in some kind of altercation, at some stage and these are just normal nice guys. Sure, they go out to bars in town, and get hammered - but why should you be afraid of your own shadow.

On the subject about the "car accident" issue. I agree... self-protection is a three dimensional approach.
Well, I see it as most people try to be careful in their daily lives. Driving while being "switched on" is one of them. Eating healthy is another (one which I should try myself), not smoking another. The list goes on... So if you want to take a whole "holistic" approach to you own "self-protection". Why not only look after everything? What would be wrong with learning some physical skills as well? - just in case.

It would be good for many things - exercise, improve ones confidence, it's fun, meeting new people, etc. Even if you never have to use it you'll get something out of it.

But I stress... you must "train honestly", to quote Carl Cestari.

I see your point, you live in Galway, and you are in a minimal risk area (but never say never). So yes, it may not be applicable for you, or some of the guys who live out there. As I said though, criminals go where they find easy targets - they have no rules. Every town has it's bad ilk. I live in a small country town in kildare - you'd think it would be well quiet. Well, I was talking to the local Garda (theres only one that's how small it is) and he was saying that there are a large number of fights after the bars close. There are seven pubs in this tiny town!

What's your own motivation for training? Would it be something like the things I mentioned earlier? About having fun, socializing, exercising, learning new skills? OK you will obviously add a competition factor to it.

But you can see the comparison that I'm trying to make?

Cheers,

R.

I don't completely disagree with it. The "cult of RBSD" is a concern. However, my chief concern with the aformentioned stance is that we end up buying into the "by-product myth" and end up doing what White Suit Inc. and the mystics do. As such MMA becomes an absolute in itself.

I'm not quite sure I follow you.

On the subject of Limerick... I've a few mates who studied there. They would not agree with your view point. The scummers used to hunt and kick the shit out of the "art students". I had a mate who was bottled because he had long hair, and a leather jacket. Of course they go for the easy targets.

On the "SP training" about food, and accident prevention, etc. And people being honest with themselves - I'd agree with you here.

But who's perfect? Everyone has something they could do better in their lives.

As for people getting beaten up after a few jars, and could they have avoided it? Perhaps... But do we live our live tip toeing around the scumbags? Do we let terrorism force us into not living in the way we want?

In all fairness to Tim - I know why he's Skeptical (besides his MMA background). In fact we've had a few arguments in the past. But it was all in good fun.

In Ireland we are, in my opinion, at least 10 years behind the UK in terms of "self-protection". I'm not saying that there are not some good guys over there now, but it's only relatively recently that the movement is starting to gain momentum, and were starting to see some real talent coming across the water. Guys Like, Lee, Jamie, Tony Robbins, etc. (and hopefully many more!).

The boards that myself and Tim often post on, is consumed with bad, and outdated "self-defense" material. Or B.S. weekend courses that make some outrageous claims - which is only backed up by highly compliant training and bad you tube clips. Simply put on to make the good old "wallet extraction".

So naturally the MMA types, who train in full contact, sneer at these bad clips and instructors. Unfortunately they lump everything into the same bag... without knowing anything about the good material. Which is the part that I don't agree with and think is unfair.