Stoic Bodywork News Letter - June 2025:

Jul 15

Stoic Bodywork News Letter - June 2025:

Dear Honorable Fellows of the Human Genome,

This newsletter will be written from a different professional angle than usual. Before I start with that I will say I hope you never have to worry about using any of what I’m about to discuss.

You may or may not know I have a background in private security. I also have a background in predictive linguistics and temporal emotional climates. The linguistics, markers, and information from the lesser known predictive communities are all agreeing on some things. I felt I should share this as not many have access to this info.

I expect to see a lot of emotional upheaval and unrest from now through the end of July which I expect to be the most tense. This will probably trail into August but then mellow out a bit. This is not just in the social, political or economic spectrums that I stay out of. It is across the board and most likely global.

Emotional tensions will be high for everyone and that can cause misunderstandings and reactions. This could just be a string of events that puts you on edge or makes you feel overwhelmed. It will be happening with everyone and you may even find yourselves being short with your loved ones or acquaintances.

Helping you navigate your personal and home lives is not my forte. As a former security professional I will instead speak on the outside world and especially group gatherings. I’d like to ask you to be mindful of your surroundings and spend an extra 30 seconds on situational awareness in your goings about. I’ll detail some suggestions an what that might look like in the recommendations section below.

Please do not be alarmed at anything I’m saying, I’m just in a unique position to provide this information to you and I do truly hope this newsletter is out of an overabundance of caution. For all I know the emotional tensions we are expecting could be due to a new advancement in technology that changes the way we live. My training and experience tell me to be ready for the other options as well. At the very least it is good information to have.

Always remember my ad nauseum disclaimer: I am not a doctor, medical, legal or financial professional, and none of this is medical, financial, legal or professional advice of any kind. Also, any affiliate links below will be noted with an asterisk ‘*’. Enjoy.

News:

We have an Instagram. I’m terrible at social media but we do have one now. Please follow us.
I have started a 3D printing business. It, as well as my other businesses, all operate under one roof now. If you need custom 3D prints or rapid prototyping work done you can reach out to design@norsepanda.com for a quote. We also do laser engraving.
Still working on the new manuscript, but a decent bit of progress has been made.
First round of podcast invites have gone out. I’m also looking for recommendations for guests. Please email podcast@stoicbodywork.com with serious inquires. I clearly overestimated the interest of being a guest so I’m going to push forward with that being a small part of the podcast and focus more on solo recordings so I can get started.

Current work / Research / Recommendations:

Here are some tips and info. The most important piece of self defense is situational awareness and preparedness. From personal experience I can tell you that everything else is random circumstance once an altercation begins. You may choose to train in a physical self defense method, which I do recommend, but that requires regular training. That being said, avoidance is pre-built into your system, and doesn’t require special training to practice.

General tips for everyone:

Stay Present and Alert: Avoid distractions like phones or earbuds in unfamiliar or high-risk areas; keep your focus on your surroundings.
Establish a Baseline: Notice what’s normal for a place (sounds, crowds, behavior) to quickly spot anything unusual. Combine this with the next one to make decisions based on changes.
Scan Your Environment: Regularly observe people, exits, and potential hazards; you can use the “10-5-2 rule” (check 10 feet, 5 feet, and 2 feet around you). I expand on this one a lot when I teach it, but first remember to think in 360 degree bubbles.
Practice the OODA Loop: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act—cycle through these steps to stay proactive in dynamic situations. (Col. John Boyd created this system and it is still used today, you can find a lot of resources on it to better understand how to use it.)
Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, act on it—leave, change routes, or seek help without hesitation. !Parents - This one is your go to every time you are out with the kids!

Day to day additions:

Position Yourself Strategically: Choose spots with clear views and easy exits, like near doors or with your back to a wall in public spaces.
Read Body Language: Watch for tense postures, erratic movements, or unusual attention directed at you or others. I also expand this to include how people are dressed and what they are carrying. (ex. hiding their features indoors or wearing gloves and heavy clothes on a hot day while not working)
Plan Ahead: Know your route, parking, and safe spots before entering unfamiliar areas to avoid hesitation or vulnerability.

More for the parents:

Keep Kids in Sight: Always maintain visual contact with your children in public; use reflective clothing or bright colors to spot them easily in crowds. (Personal tip: Be mindful of parking lots. Criminals are lazy, they look for quick opportunities in those types of spaces where a vehicle is close by.)
Teach Kids Key Info: Ensure kids know their full name, your phone number, and to find a trusted adult (emergency services personnel) if separated. You are the judge as to what to teach your kids here. I have had parents also teach their children about front desk staff. This can be helpful when on vacation, but it does require you to teach them to differentiate a concierge desk from other counters and staff. As a former bouncer and doorman I can tell you it is wise to find the scary looking but well dressed person watching the door and introduce your family (If unsure you might look for an earpiece and check with the front desk to confirm they work there). We’ll watch out for you and yours.
Monitor Surroundings Actively: Follow the general tips above before letting the kids move freely, and check in now and then. Regiment it if you are prone to distractions.
Set Clear Boundaries: Instruct kids on safe zones (e.g., stay within arm’s reach in busy areas.) I prefer they have something to hold onto such as a hand or piece of clothing but this is where the 10-5-2 rules should be implemented and rehearse what to do if approached by strangers.
Use the Buddy System: Encourage older kids to pair up with a sibling or friend and check in with you regularly during outings. I often suggest building this into the activity. You might use a ‘currency’ to lightly enforce check ins. Perhaps they need to come to you to get more money, a drink of water or snack, etc. For the older ones you might have to come up with something more creative to negotiate check ins.

Product recommendations:

Here are some safety items you might consider. I have experience with similar items. I just researched the most up to date versions of those products to get these recommendations. Flashlights are my go to for blinding and bashing instruments that are also safe around kids and just handy to have.

Please keep in mind local laws. Everyone should know how self defense is described for their local area. For Pa it is:
18 Pa.C.S. § 505 - Defense of Self &
18 Pa.C.S. § 506 - Defense of Others

As with any defense item:
YOU MUST TRAIN WITH IT REGULARLY TO MAKE USE OF IT IN A SITUATION.

Basic rechargeable flash light over 1000 lumens* - Battery operated ones will be a little cheaper, just make sure they are over 500 lumens.

2-in-1 Flashlight and stun gun* - Flashlight is a bit weak but the stun gun makes up for it. I wouldn’t expect this to stop someone completely but they do hurt enough to want to avoid them.

Stun Pen* - I’ve been hit with one of these and can say it does the job. The crackle they make alone can make someone think twice and it will make you lose control of a limb. These are a good discreet and non-lethal option to have with you.

Fully tactical flash light* - This is expensive but very bright. 2000+ lumens will temporarily blind someone, even in daylight if it is close enough to the eyes. The turbo strobe setting will significantly disorient someone at night. A lot of professionals carry something like this so when we see similar high powered light sources we pay attention to them more.
There's also a half powered mini version*