Coffee with Alain

Coffee with Alain discussing a few cold weather survival tips from Cody Lundin's book "98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive."

The following is from 98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive by Cody Lundin:

The Cold-Weather Bottom Line

1. Produce heat. Exercise using the body's larger muscle groups (squats); eat calorie-dense foods, especially carbohydrates, frequently throughout the day; create fire in conjunction with space blankets or other reflectors if possible; locate south-facing microclimates for maximal sun exposure; hydrate using warm/hot fluids with dissolved hard candy or other sugars when available.

2. Decrease heat loss. Wear proper clothing especially in the head, neck, and torso areas; replace wet clothing with dry; create or find shelter from the elements; decrease surface area while increasing volume; avoid or insulate the body from cold surfaces.

3. Avoid becoming exhausted (60 percent rule). Working at 60 percent allows the body to burn fat reserves instead of using up glucose and glycogen stores. Get adequate sleep and rest.

4. Reduce internal and external constriction. Avoid ingesting vasoconstricting substances; tight clothing, equipment, and footwear.

5. Stay hydrated. Drink warm to hot liquids if possible; urine should appear "clear."

6. Stay aware of what's happening. Be conservative. Don't take unnecessary chances. Cultivate and maintain a "Party On" attitude.

Coffee with Alain discussing what it means to be prepared.

When preparing for something, whether a hiking or camping trip, a natural disaster, or something else, make sure your preparation includes:

1. Physical preparation: This includes fitness, health and hygiene.

2. Mental preparation: Having self-confidence through planning, training, and skill practice.

3. Materials or Equipment preparation: Have the right equipment accessible, in good working order, and know how to use it.

4. Scenario preparation: Go through scenarios of what might happen to be better prepared for what you would do.

Coffee with Alain discussing how to make every day amazing and how to stay safe doing it.

It's up to each and every one of us to define what an amazing day for us will be, and then to do the things needed to make it amazing. These can be big things or small things, but make every day amazing.

Stay safe while making your day amazing by living with a safety or personal protection mindset and practicing safe habits like I teach. A great way to gain more knowledge on safety is through the resources here at this website. Check out the 101 Safety and Self-Defense Tips books. But don't just read the books or watch the videos, actually put the information into practice. That's how you will stay safe while making each and every day amazing.

Coffee with Alain discussing a philosophical topic and life lesson from The Trial of Billy Jack.

Discussing the fact that we are all going to die. By truly understanding and accepting that, we can become detached from things that are not really that important and we can be more appreciative of everything.

Enjoy Life Safely and Make Every Day Count!

Coffee with Alain discussing safety strategies for when you, or your high school or college age student, are walking city streets or across campus. Learn how to stay safe when out and about.

According to the studies done by Betty Grayson and Morris Stein, predators almost universally chose their victims based on their level of awareness and body language. Essentially, you want to be aware of your surroundings, aware of yourself, and project yourself as a hard target, one predators don't want to mess with.

According to Grayson and Stein, these are some signs of weakness, which makes a person more attractive to a predator:

These are some signs that project someone the predator doesn't want to mess with because riskier for the criminal:

You want your posture and stride to make you look like someone who would be difficult to subdue or who would put up a fight. Be a Hard Target!

Another important consideration is to minimize distractions so you can be more aware of what is going on. Put the cell phone away and don't use headphones. Calling someone when you walk to make you feel more comfortable is not the best option. What can that person do? You are better off putting the phone away and being aware, and if you want something for reassurance, have something in your hand that you can defend yourself with, such as Reflex Protect or another defensive tool.

If you carry a tool for defending yourself, make sure you know how to use the tool (Practice and training are important!) Make sure the tool is accessible. It will do you no good in the bottom of your purse or backpack if you need it immediately. Have it in your hand or easily accessible.

A few more safety tips:

Coffee with Alain discussing Identity Theft, Enjoying Life Safely, Being Uniquely You, and the Korean Martial Art Festival.

Some scumbag is using my pictures for his Instagram account, and actually started following my daughter. I've reported the account and told my daughter to block him. People like that are out there, so be vigilant and take precautions and the steps necessary to keep yourself and identity safe. I actually post more than I sometimes advise because I want to show people you can get out and enjoy life safely, and inspire you to get out and enjoy things yourself. I want to be a positive influence on the Internet with all my activities which include blogs, podcasts, posts on social media, books, videos, courses, etc.

I thought that hearing "one of these things is not like the others" on The Big Bang Theory immediately after I read the same line in Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins was a sign. It's a sign that we all need to be uniquely ourselves, not like others.

The Korean Martial Art Festival is a fantastic event for all martial artists, not just those that study Korean styles. Dan "the Beast" Severn will be one of the instructors coming back this year, and I am planning on doing a cane workshop. April 21-23, 2023 in Crestview, FL

Coffee with Alain discussing messenger scammers and some clues to look for. Don't let these scammers take advantage of you.

General rules are to never send money to someone you don't know, and to always make sure emails and websites are legitimate. If any doubt, stop and verify first.

Coffee with Alain discussing the hit television show Yellowstone starring Kevin Costner. Warning! Spoilers regarding the first five seasons that have aired. #yellowstone #montana #kevincostner

I have been an extra, or background on seasons one, four, and five, and I've done stand-in work for season two. It's been fun, and on this episode I share some of what it was like on the set of one of the most popular television shows on TV right now.

Coffee with Alain discussing an MLK quote about doing what is right as well as the recent mass shootings in the news and some advice on surviving a shooting.

Great quote on my coffee cup this morning: "The time is always right to do what is right." - MLK Jr.

Several different shootings in the news. Two in California killed 11 people and 7 people. It's only prudent to have a basic plan regarding these terrible incidents. I don't want people scared and paranoid, but knowing how to stay safe and increase your chances of survival is a good thing. A basic plan and some tools to help keep you safe and save lives can mean the difference between life and death for someone, including yourself.

Survive a Shooting is a textbook on the topic, and my courses are aimed at helping regular people know more about what they can do before, during and after such an event to save lives.

Coffee with Alain discussing the day back to work after a trip and a travel safety tip you might not think about. Don't dread the day back to work after an absence, regardless if vacation or something else, embrace it. If the tasks you have to do when you get back suck, well take a cue from the Navy SEALS and embrace the suck! Just do it! My mug today says, "Today is my new favorite day." Let's make every day our new favorite day. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow isn't here yet. We have today, so make it your favorite.

Travel Safety Tip: I've discussed that being in shape will help you enjoy your travels and be safer doing so. Another thing you can do is make sure you lift properly when lifting and moving your luggage. Proper lifting form, using your legs, etc., will help keep you from pulling something that will ruin your vacation or trip. This is even more important as we age. Keep in the best shape possible and use proper form when lifting and moving things so you don't hurt yourself and ruin your travels.