The Timeline of Self Defense

Most people think self-defence starts with throwing punches, but real survival starts in your head. In this episode of The Timeline of Self-Defence, we’re in the During phase with Faith Roswell, founder of Armour for Life in the UK. Faith teaches psychological self-defence — how to manage fear, think clearly, and make decisions that keep you alive when things go sideways. We talk about what’s really happening in your brain during violence and why freezing isn’t weakness. Faith shares how to use your awareness, body language, and environment to take back control, plus a real story from her own life about staying smart under pressure. You’ll learn: • What “freeze” really is and how to move through it • How to control tunnel vision and see the full picture • How to make decisions in seconds under pressure • The difference between posture, threat, and real danger • When to disengage, when to fight, and when to flee If you’ve ever wondered how your mind and body react in real danger, this episode breaks down the psychology of survival in a way anyone can use. Timeline Phase: During – Decision-making under pressure and surviving the moment without making it worse Guest: Faith Roswell, Founder of Armour for Life Website: https://www.faithroswell.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithroswell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmourForLife Connect with Randy: Website: https://www.randykinglive.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randykinglive LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randykinglive YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@randykinglive Free Course: Grab your free 6-hour online course “Setting Boundaries That Stick” — a practical guide to verbal and emotional self-defence, available now at randykinglive.com #selfdefense #timelineofselfdefense #faithroswell #armourforlife #psychologicalselfdefense #fightflightfreeze #randykinglive #personalSafety #mentalresilience #deescalation

What if staying safe didn’t mean living in fear, but building simple habits you already use every day?

In this Before phase episode of The Timeline of Self-Defense, Randy sits down with Dawn Armstrong, founder of Think Safe Seminars and creator of the Habits of Awareness program. Dawn has spent years teaching people how to weave situational awareness into daily life—without paranoia, without tactical jargon, just practical habits that make you a harder target.

We cover:

Why 50% of self-defence is prevention, not physical moves

How to see a threat before you feel it

Habit stacking: turning everyday actions (like crossing the street) into awareness triggers

Why trusting intuition matters more than politeness

The surprising groups most vulnerable to being targeted—and how they can prepare

Using your phone as a safety tool, not just a distraction

The one simple habit Dawn says everyone should start today: Close and Click

This conversation is about freedom, not fear. Prevention is preparation. And with a few small changes, you can carry yourself with more confidence, less worry, and a lot more safety.

🔗 Where to find Dawn Armstrong:
Think Safe Seminars → [insert Dawn’s website/socials here]

🔗 Where to find Randy King:
All booking, courses, and socials → randykinglive.com 

🎁 Get free access to Randy’s 6-hour Boundary Setting Online Class at randykinglive.com

👉 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share this show. New episodes every week, covering the Before, During, and After of violence with experts, coaches, and survivors.

The aftermath of violence isn’t about “walking it off.” Dr. Bill Kennedy breaks down the real science of recovery — why trauma lives in the body, what resilience actually looks like, and how to set yourself up for healing instead of collapse.

Where to find our guest:
kcandt.com 

Credits
Voice Over: Ryan Rother
Music: Tyrants in Waiting

We cover:

Why resilience is more like a bent coat hanger than a Nerf football.

How trauma gets stored in your nervous system.

Why recovery is a wheel, not a straight line.

Practical tools for building resilience before and after violence.

Timestamps:
01:02 – The myth of “bouncing back” after trauma
07:15 – How the body stores trauma in the nervous system
15:22 – The wheel model of recovery vs. stage models
25:40 – Signs of healthy recovery vs. PTSD
33:50 – Why social support is critical in the aftermath
40:45 – Training resilience before you need it
46:30 – A new mantra: “Feel it and do it anyhow”

👉 Watch more: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbd6AXuOBrPkmHikdmVLdJ6bHsNlbOdUB&si=bmr1YqqA7GAYxHIQ

Self-defense isn’t just about throwing a punch — it’s about knowing where the fight is happening. Brandon Sieg breaks down the ranges of combat, why most people get hurt in the middle, and how to actually control distance when things go bad. Where to find our guest: Facebook: Gentry Martial Arts Instagram: @gentry_ma Amazon: Search “Brandon Sieg” for his eBooks Credits Voice Over: Ryan Rother Music: Tyrants in Waiting We cover: Why good technique doesn’t always mean good strategy. The hidden danger zone: why the middle range is where most people freeze. How different arts cover different ranges — and where they leave you exposed. Why weapons change the math, and how to deal with them without panic. How adrenaline lies to you about distance, and what training really prepares you for it. Why range is a decision, not a number — and how to make the choice before someone else does. Timestamps: 01:05 – Good technique vs. good strategy 09:40 – The “danger zone” in the middle 17:15 – What Taekwondo, Hapkido, and BJJ actually prepare you for 28:00 – Weapons and the reality of distance 36:45 – Adrenaline and distorted perception 45:10 – Scenario training that actually works 52:00 – Range as a choice, not a fixed number 👉 Watch more: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbd6AXuOBrPkmHikdmVLdJ6bHsNlbOdUB&si=bmr1YqqA7GAYxHIQ

Most families don’t have a plan until something goes wrong. Jason Brick shows how simple systems can turn a tragedy into a minor inconvenience.

You’ll learn:

How to set up simple self defence systems for your family.

Why preparation turns emergencies into inconveniences.

Examples you can implement today, from car safety to travel.

The psychology behind planning before violence occurs.

Jason Brick is a martial artist, author, and family safety expert who has spent decades helping families build resilience and safety.

👉 Share this episode with someone who wants to keep their family safe. Then check the “Before” playlist for more.

The fight isn’t over when the punches stop. Tammy McCracken explains the short-term and long-term steps that protect your health, your case, and your recovery after violence.

You’ll learn:

What to do in the first 10 minutes after an assault.

How to document injuries and preserve evidence.

Emotional triage: practical steps for survivors.

Long-term considerations most people forget.

Tammy McCracken, founder of 500 Rising, brings trauma-informed expertise to help people navigate the aftermath of violence.

When adrenaline floods your system, your brain doesn’t rise to the occasion — it falls to its training. SWAT veteran Kasey Keckeisen explains how to make better choices in those critical moments.

You’ll learn:

Why adrenaline affects decision-making in violence.

How to recognize and manage the freeze response.

Drills that improve choices under stress.

Lessons from SWAT that anyone can apply.

Kasey Keckeisen is a veteran SWAT officer and trainer who has spent his career making life-or-death decisions under pressure.

👉 Share this with someone who trains under stress, and check the “During” playlist for more.

Prevention starts with reading the room. Instructor Bensei explains how cultural and behavioural intelligence helps you avoid danger before it starts.

You’ll learn:

How to recognize danger cues across different cultures.

Why behavioural intelligence is key to prevention.

Practical tells you can spot in daily life.

How to avoid being selected as a target.

Instructor Bensei has taught millions online about situational awareness and practical self defence strategies.

👉 Share this with a friend, and check the “Before” playlist for more.

Most people don’t notice danger until it’s too late. Pamela Armitage explains how to sharpen your awareness so you can spot trouble early and avoid becoming a target in the first place.

You’ll learn:

How to develop practical situational awareness in daily life.

The subtle cues predators give off before they act.

Why early recognition is the most powerful self defence tool.

Simple drills to build awareness without paranoia.

Pamela Armitage is a trauma-informed self defence instructor with decades of experience helping people of all backgrounds build safer, more confident lives.

👉 Share this episode with someone who needs it, and check the “Before” playlist for more.

The fight ends in seconds — but the aftermath can last for years. Terry Trahan unpacks the realities most people never train for: the medical, legal, and emotional challenges of life after violence.

You’ll learn:

What the immediate aftermath looks like when weapons are involved.

How law enforcement and courts actually respond after a violent encounter.

The physical and psychological costs most people underestimate.

Practical steps to prepare for the “After” phase of self defense.

Terry Trahan is a survival and edged-weapon expert with decades of experience studying real violence and its long-term consequences.

👉 Share this with someone who trains for self defense, and check the “After” playlist for more episodes.