New Member introduction

[atek3]

howdy, I'm pretty new to the whole "fitness" scene but you all came highly recommended from a friend on "The High Road" forum. First a little bit about myself. I'm a ~160 lbs, 5'11", 22 year old. Not very strong, but not a couch potato either. Since 2001 I've been very interested in learning to defend myself. Between 2001 and 2003 I trained heavily in the use of rifle and pistol. Firearm skill, however, only counts for a fraction of the overall "personal protection portfolio", awareness, fitness, unarmed, and nongun skills, all count for a lot too. So lately I've been more concerned with improving my level of physical fitness (flexibility, strength, and endurance), and unarmed skill. In the several months I've done backpacking to help build up endurance and leg strength. In the last month, I've started doing brazillian jui jitsu to help with my fitness, and my unarmed combat skill. Later I'd like to add muay thai to add striking skills, escrima/kali for weapon skills, and weightlifting for pure strength.

Thanks a lot,
atek3

[Workaholic]

Welcome to DiscussFitness!!!

There are so many threads that you can look up for reference. I hope you enjoy these forums and continue to come back.

Welcome to DF atek3. Without getting too personal, is there a reason why you are so interested in personal safety? Public safety officer or security, perhaps? Living in a bad part of town?

[Iain]

Would that be me or is there another Highroader here?

Good to see you here. Good bunch here, generally the standard of the posters is high and so are their manners.

[atek3]

Without getting too personal, is there a reason why you are so interested in personal safety? Public safety officer or security, perhaps? Living in a bad part of town?

Good question. In a free society people should be free to take advantage of the division of labor to the greatest extent they can. It's more efficient for me to do what I do best, and trade for everything else I need rather than trying to do everything not so well. However, one skill that can't be subcontracted or delegated is self-defense. No matter how much our society invests in the police and military to protect us. The odds that they'll be at your side when you need them are quite low. Despite the low-odds of being mugged, attacked, or caught in the middle of a riot, it is not paranoid to be well prepared.

thanks,
atek3