Joe-Saunders.com
SENSHIDO SELF PROTECTION // SAUNDERS SUBJECT CONTROL // THREAT ASSESSMENT // VIOLENCE PREVENTION TRAINING DESIGNER // WRITER // SPEAKER
Get Delusional
In a video I saw today on one of my new favourite blogs, Will Smith (yes, the movie star/rapper) had some very profound things to say about success and living a joyful existence. So many pearls of wisdom were contained in the video that I’m certain I could write a year’s worth of blogs just on the ten minutes I watched. However, one of the quotes that stayed with me was this:
“I think that there’s a certain delusional quality that all successful people have to have. You have to believe that something different than what has happened for the last 50 million years of history… you have to believe that something different can happen.”
How many great people, when first presenting their ideas to a friend, spouse, loved one or potential financial backer, have been told that they are delusional? How many have been told that it can’t be done? Before someone tells me that question can’t be answered, I know, it’s rhetorical. 
Continue reading
The Immutable Law of GFGI
Do you want success? Do you want accomplishment? Do you want recognition? Do you want results? My friend Chris Watson, strength and conditioning coach, has coined one phrase that I think sums up everything required for those goals: “GO F***ING GET IT!”
Recently I was having a debate on my Facebook page with another friend about the merits of taking risks when opportunity presents versus preparing studiously and hoping the preparation manifests into opportunity. My friend argued that it was better to make sure you were adequately prepared before “rushing into something.” My reply was simple:
“Good things come to those who go and get them. Regret comes to those who wait for someone else to get it for them.”
This sparked further debate, with my friend arguing that too many people rush into things unprepared and live to regret not having waited. The only problem I have with the wait and see approach is that sometimes opportunities only come around once. I’ll take acting when the opportunity presents over spending years preparing for an opportunity that may never come around again. Continue reading
Words of Wisdom from George Carlin
Legendary American comedian and social commentator George Carlin (1937-2008) was responsible for the following pearl of wisdom. Have truer words ever been spoken?
A Message by George Carlin:
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. Continue reading
Shoutout: The Versatile Chef
Quick shoutout to the awesome lady at The Versatile Chef coffee stand on Beaconsfield Tce, Brighton, QLD who gave me a coffee on the house because I didn’t have any cash. I’m truly appreciative!
Challenging the Norm: Vibram Five Fingers
Around 18 months ago I became aware of a product known as Vibram FiveFingers. While reading the fantastic forum over at Mark’s Daily Apple, these VFF’s as they were referred to kept coming up in conversation. At first I figured they were some kind of specialty running shoe, as most conversations centred on using them for running. Eventually, my curiosity in overdrive, I checked them out.
Now, if you’re looking at the photo above or if you just clicked the link, you’ll notice these are unlike any shoes you’ve seen before. They are literally like a glove for your feet. Vibram’s whole premise is to enable you to walk as nature intended – barefoot – with only minimum interference to protect you against sharp objects. Intrigued by all things different yet logical, I got myself a pair and so did Amanda – pictured. Continue reading
Welcome to the new Joe-Saunders.com
Welcome to the latest evolution of Joe-Saunders.com. Long term readers will notice some of the top posts from earlier incarnations appear as we go forth, however the focus of this blog will be quite different. Whilst previously I have written at length about self defence and personal safety, the focus of this blog will be something more profound. I truly believe that self defence begins with the self, and what we put into the world is directly proportionate to what we get back. As such, I wish to use this blog to provoke thought, promote personal development and interpersonal relationships and recognise the truly good people that I come across during my daily travels.
In short, this blog is about living a fulfilling, vibrant life! Do I have all the answers? Absolutely not! Sometimes though, it’s not about having all the answers; it’s about asking the right questions.
Please enjoy reading and send all feedback to joe@joe-saunders.com or simply comment here.
Inspirational Quote from Richard Dimitri
Here is an inspirational and deceptively deep quote from my friend, mentor and brother, Richard Dimitri. Rich posted this on Facebook this morning and it struct a chord with me, so I thought I’d share:
“Fuck anonymity. Own your words. Own your thoughts. Own your actions. Own your damn lives already. Anonymity will get you nowhere. There is no respect for those with no accountability. Speak your minds and sign your names. Stand up for what you believe and not what you’re told to believe. DO SOME SHIT.” - Richard Dimitri
Words to live by.
Top 5 Excuses NOT to learn Self Defence
This blog is a guest contribution from Chris Roberts of SAFE International
In this blog, I will look at the Top 5 Excuses I have heard to not learn self defense. While my business SAFE International obviously has a vested interest in self defense since it is my profession and passion, I find it interesting to hear so many excuses to not learn self defense. While it would be great to spend weeks, months, and years learning how to protect oneself and their family, I still hear the excuses when it comes to just spending a few hours learning this valuable skill that could potentially save your life or the life on one of your family members.
Continue reading
Injecting Realism into Traditional Martial Arts
As a long term traditional martial artist, as well as a fierce proponent of reality-based self-defence (RBSD), I am often asked how I can seemingly play for both teams. Unfortunately, these days it seems that you are either one or the other. Some traditional martial artists scoff at the idea of running around in street clothes and role-playing in what they see as more of a bad acting class than a martial arts class. However, there are many open minded instructors that are curious about what RBSD may offer, but reluctant to abandon what they currently teach. The good news is you don’t have to. Read on to find five ways to incorporate some reality into your classes without pretending to be an Israeli commando.
