This episode features Chapter 12 from the full-length audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell.

When everything goes sideways, thinking faster can save your life. This chapter introduces the legendary OODA Loop—a four-step mental model used by fighter pilots, protectors, and survivors to stay ahead of violence before it erupts.

Observe. Orient. Decide. Act.
Mastering this simple framework turns hesitation into action and confusion into control. David explains how to apply the OODA Loop in real-world situations—from dimly lit hallways to gas station standoffs—and why action always beats reaction.

You’ll learn:

• How to “reset” a threat’s timeline and take back control
• Why predators run subtle compliance tests—and how to fail them with confidence
• How to apply OODA at gas stations, restaurants, parking lots, and your daily life
• What happens in the mind under stress—and how to train around it

Whether you’re a protector, parent, professional, or human navigating an unpredictable world, this chapter equips you with the fastest, clearest survival tool you’ll ever learn.

This is a single chapter from the audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell, available now on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon.

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