Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The Magazine for Real-World Self-Defense
2
Note from the Publisher: Warriors Magazine, Publisher, Editors, and staff do
not guarantee, warranty, or endorse any product or
service contained within this magazine.
We further do not guarantee the safety,
appropriateness, or effectiveness of any product,
service, or any technique illustrated in this magazine;
the information is intended only for martial arts
training and not for any illegal or violent behavior.
By practicing any of the techniques listed or shown
on this website, you are assuming full responsibility
for your own actions and any injury or legal action
that may result from your actions. Specific self-
defense products/services and techniques illustrated
in this multimedia magazine may not be legal (or
justified) in any particular situation. Those same
3
products/services and techniques may not be
applicable under federal, state, and local law; and
therefore consumers should consult the authorities.
The Publisher, Editors, staff, and author make no
representation or warranty regarding the legality or
appropriateness of any weapon or technique shown
in Warriors Magazine.
Due to the nature of the products, services, and
instruction contained within this publication, a
physician should be consulted prior to use or
application.
4
Being a history junkie, I often hear people refer to
the greatest generation. Then my next immediate
thought is: “what made them so great?”
In fact, I have interviewed a number of them,
observed a few within my own family, and yet I was
5
never able to put my finger on what made them so
great, so strong.
Then the light bulb (now an LED to help save the
planet) went off. That generation was raised to be
strong, independent, and problem solvers who
realized the world did not meet you half way – not
even close.
So fast forward from 1945 to the present day and let’s compare a few areas. Earlier generations suffered through the Great Depression which taught them the value of a dollar, so they worked hard to earn a living. Many of today’s kids do not work at all and often receive everything they need from mom and dad, so much so they remain in their household well past 30 years of age.
7
Earlier generations did not get participation trophies for simply being in uniform, in fact, they frequently got nothing except the thrill of victory or the scorn of defeat.
Today, every child gets a trophy to ensure no one’s feelings get hurt. Unfortunately that only lasts until they need to earn a living in the workplace where it is practically a rule that everyone’s feelings get hurt. It is called competition and it is inescapable.
Earlier generations did not have helicopter parents probably because families were larger and there was simply not enough parent to go around; too little to be involved in every aspect of their kid’s lives. Today, parents are 100% fully involved in their children’s lives.
8
Now to be sure that is not all bad except when it crosses the line of stepping in to solve every problem their kids face. Again, I am not talking about drugs, alcohol, or any harmful vice. I am talking about youth taking responsibility to grow their lives, get an education or a trade, have a relationship, and then finding their own way to a job and a future.
I could go on and on, but the moral of the story is
that if we continue to nurture our kids to the point
where they become inherently weak, why would we
be surprised when they need “safe spaces’ and
comfort puppies.
If I would have told my dad I need a comfort puppy
he would have locked me in a cage with a Pitbull
(not really, my dad was not a dog person).
9
Seriously, we are creating soft targets with no coping
mechanisms, no problem solving skills, no desire to
win the struggle called life. The world is constantly
changing and the difficulties are only going to grow.
Maybe it’s time we understand that, sometimes it’s
OK to get your feelings hurt because only then will
you learn to stand up for yourself and solve your
own problems.
10
Ancient Wisdom For The
Modern Warrior
11
Generally, people who train in the military, martial
arts, or the fight game often try to portray a way of
life that follows in the traditions of a legendary
warrior or warrior clan; to conduct themselves by a
code that emulates historic heroes of the past. Not
surprisingly, most fall far short.
However, some men find the discipline and the
resolve to live their lives through a set of principles
employed only by the most accomplished and
honorable warriors the world has ever known.
James Williams is one such man. He has successfully
adapted the ancient philosophies of Japanese
Samurai and the code of Bushido to the unique
needs of the modern day landscape of tactical
warfare and personal self-defense. His skills and
experience could consume volumes, but suffice it to
say he is a true warrior in every sense of the word.
12
James Williams is the President of The System of
Strategy, which is a program he developed to teach
close quarter combat using the Principles of Samurai
swordsmanship.
13
He is former military and has studied and trained in
just about every major system of Martial Arts for
over five decades.
He has worked with Martial Arts icons like the Gracie
family, Remy Presas, founder of Modern Arnis, and
Kuroda Tetsuzan Sensei. Mr. Williams has appeared
in several television shows and he been featured in
numerous magazines all over the world.
He has taught unarmed as well as armed self-
defense (using his specific style of tactical training)
to the military, Special Operations Forces, law
enforcement, and government agencies on nearly
every continent.
14
James has taken a few steps beyond instruction with
two companies he established specifically “For those
whose lives depend on their tools”: Columbia River
Knives and Tools (CRKT) and Williams Blade Design.
15
He has designed improvised self-defense tools, but
his particular specialty is bladed weapons, including
swords and an assortment of fixed blade and folding
knives.
James Williams is a treasure trove of self-defense
experience, skill, and knowledge which could benefit
everyone, from sophisticated modern armies, to
anti-terrorism units, to everyday people looking for
16
an advantage to protect themselves and their
families.
Samurai Philosophy
According to Williams Sensei, conflict is inevitable
because it is the natural order of the planet.
Nevertheless he is quick to point out that we have
the ability to adapt and to arm ourselves with
weapons and knowledge; humans have the capacity
to prepare for difficult times if they so choose.
17
Unfortunately, through either apathy or fear, many
people choose not to take the steps necessary to
avoid the dangers of our world. Societies simply
cannot survive with this philosophy, so thankfully
most have a warrior class that stand between the
“tribe” and danger.
As with evolution it is survival of the fittest; so those
cultures that had a strong military remained, for
civilizations that did not, they perished.
James has shaped his life using the ancient Samurai
Code of Bushido. In plain terms, the Japanese word
for warrior is “Bushi”, where “Bu” means “to stop
the spear” and “Shi” means “the one”.
Literally, the word for warrior in Japanese is
interpreted as “the one who stops the spear”.
18
Throughout history, warriors were burdened with
the responsibility to protect their own, which could
have resulted in taking life; but a warrior is also
characterized by healing, expressing art, and
showing courtesy in all that they do.
Mr. Williams believes that a society’s survival cannot
rest with government; rather it is ultimately the duty
19
of individuals to become warriors in order to protect
their people and provide the solution.
In the case of the Samurai, they were not afraid of
facing the enemy - their only fear was not being able
to fulfill their duty with honor. Conversely, most
people are frightened by conflict and their emotions
become paralyzing.
This is the struggle that we must all confront and win
to avoid becoming a victim. For James Williams, the
answer is found in the Code of Bushido and
accepting what is, while preparing for the danger
that almost certainly awaits.
21
Empowerment
As an instructor, Williams Sensei has a number of
foundational principles that are the key to self-
defense. At the top of that list is empowerment. He
states those that are not empowered are by
definition dependent and dependency creates
weakness and weakness creates victims.
However, empowerment does not come naturally as
it needs to be a conscience decision supported by
focused preparation.
His personal strategy for readiness is to always carry
the right tools required to resolve the situation:
communication devices, weapons, and medical
supplies. Self-defense requires the confidence to
quickly take action when the situation demands it. It
involves an understanding that the goal is not to
22
fight, it is not to confront, but rather it is to solve the
threat effectively and efficiently.
James often drives this philosophy home with a
quote from Paul Howe (in reference to the 1993
Battle of the Black Sea in Somalia): “I don’t want to
be in a gun fight. I want to be in a shooting.” In a
23
fight, generally both participants have a high
probability of getting injured or killed.
From Bushido comes the axiom: “The highest level of
swordsmanship is Silent Victory”; that is, to defeat
your enemy without every touching his sword
through preparation, letting go of your fear, and
taking decisive action.
Empowerment is fundamental to force people to
take control of their own safety. Clearly it is a way
for everyday individuals to face their fears and use
them as motivation in an effort to avoid becoming a
victim.
Awareness
For the vast majority of everyday people with busy
lives and minimal time to train, perhaps the most
24
valuable self-defense skill is awareness. James
strongly endorses situational awareness as a primary
factor in avoiding dangerous situations, especially
when caught in an unfamiliar environment.
“Situational awareness is often the difference
between life and death – it’s that simple.” He notes
it is the legacy of our ancestors, including the
Samurai, to be able to read people and know where
you are and why you are there in any given setting.
In terms of tactics if you find yourself in a fight, you
have already screwed up in a big way, especially if it
has the potential to be a lethal encounter.
Most people are not prepared for an attack, they are
just victims in waiting. A major step in preparation is
to begin to constantly be mindful of your
25
circumstances and your surroundings. Train yourself
to know where all of the exits are when in a crowd,
to know where you are going when traveling, and to
understand that conditions during the day may
27
For example, if you park your car on a street in the
morning, the neighborhood may seem fairly normal
and safe; however, that scenario can quickly morph
if you do not return to your vehicle until the evening,
in the dark.
Simply being aware of this dynamic can have an
enormous effect on your safety, particularly if you
have your family with you which could limit your
options to flee if needed. Human predators
understand the environment just as they do in
nature.
Everyday citizens need to match that understanding
through a conscience effort to consider their
situation at all times.
28
The Right Tools
James believes in order to do a job well, you need
the right tools and self-defense is no different. He
noted: “Equality under the law does not mean
attacker and victim are physically equal.”
So to increase your odds of survival, Mr. Williams
29
advocates carrying the highest level of weapon that
the circumstances allow and the law
permits. However, there is a caveat: carrying a
weapon does not in-and-of itself ensure your safety.
You must train with it and understand the
responsibility that comes with being armed – when
to use it, how to use it, and what the possible fallout
could be from using it. Not surprisingly, James
favors bladed weapons not just because he has an
affinity for them and they are effective for self-
defense, but because they can be useful for a variety
of other tasks, for example cutting a seatbelt to free
a crash victim.
Perhaps his preference for knives is rooted in his
practice of Bushido and Kenjutsu which was, in fact,
the very basis for all Samurai training.
30
Mr. Williams noted that Kenjutsu contains some of
the most sophisticated strategy he has seen;
therefore he believes it is the foundation for all
empty-hand Martial Arts.
In addition to conventional weapons, James Williams
supports and promotes improvised weapons or what
is often referred to as environmental weapons.
Besides being easy to use and generally legal in all
areas, knowledge of improvised weapons means
that everyday people are always prepared, always
armed and ready for a possible threat. According to
31
James, all that is required is a small investment in
time to educate yourself on how to use items that
exist in your normal routine, like your keys or your
cell phone.
There are also implements available that are
somewhat in-between conventional weapons and
those that exist in your everyday
surroundings. These would be items that resemble
common objects, but are built specifically for self-
defense.
They could include a tactical key used in a slashing
motion, or a tactical flashlight used to blind your
attacker, or a tactical pen that is durable enough to
act as a push dagger.
32
Regardless of which improvised weapon you choose,
knowing how to use your environment to level the
playing field could mean the difference between life
and death.
James Williams is a unique example of how
33
individuals can become the solution to the dangers
we all face by employing proven ancient strategies
and philosophies.
His personal credo is that “We can’t change the
wind, but we can adjust the sails”. He teaches that
fear is contagious, but so is courage!
His message is to take action to avoid becoming a
victim and he strongly believes that we are all safest
when we look out for each other.
Mr. Williams is confident that his training and
commitment to a warrior lifestyle helps keep you
family safe. That said, the bigger question is: can he
be sure his family is safer from your training and
commitment to a warrior lifestyle...
34
35
36
Williams Tactical Pen
37
You probably use a pen on a daily basis. Did you know with the right pen you can also have the potential to defend yourself should the time arise. Remember, you don't get to choose the time; it chooses you! Play it safe, and consider adding this tactical pen to your everyday carry
38
Williams Tactical Key
39
You need keys to drive. Adding one more key that could potentially save your live is not too much of a hassle. Yes, your current key set can be used as a self defense tool if needed, but it may not be as effective as the Williams Tactical Key. Consider adding this tool to your everyday carry. It's equal in cost to one fast food meal.
41
K9’S For Warriors
42
Family has always meant the world to Joshua
Shelton. For him, the Army represented a
brotherhood and sisterhood of his fellow soldiers.
However, the addition of Duke to his family was the
necessary result of other unwelcome, life-changing
circumstances. Josh joined the Army in 2006. He
was deployed to Iraq just two months after
graduating boot camp, and soon thereafter lived
through two particularly traumatic encounters.
During his first tour, his vehicle was blown up by an
IED, and during his second, in 2008, he was involved
in a VIC rollover. Not only were those hard on him,
but, being a team leader, it was difficult to see his
subordinates go through the same.
The impact of those hardships carried over into his
life back home. Josh found K9s For Warriors through
Troopers Assisting Troops when searching for
43
remedies for his PTSD. He was paired with Duke, a
Lab Retriever, in the August 2016 class.
It’s common for the families of combat veterans to
feel PTSD as well. Josh told K9s For Warriors one of
his main reasons for applying to the program was, “I
44
wanted to take the burden off my wife a little.”
Quickly after entering the program, Josh began
improving his quality of life. He hopes to do the
same for other veterans that are suffering from the
effects of war.
“The program has helped in my recovery, and having
my Duke has made my whole life change. He has
saved me from many panic attacks.
I am able to be out in public more, and hopefully I’ll
educate other vets on the benefits of a service
dog.”
Josh’s family is also benefitting from the recovery
process that Duke provides. The new member of
their family is eager to be a source of comfort and
help to all. “My family is my world, and without
them, I wouldn’t be here. Duke is now another one
of my kids.”
45
A Testimony from Josh about the ways in which
Duke assists him on a daily basis:
46
The first month from being home from K9s I was out
with family eating and Duke kept pulling at me
making it seem that he needed to use the bathroom.
I kept taking him out and he never used the
bathroom. I was getting a little upset but then I had
a full blown panic attack and Duke was trying to get
me to stay outside away from the crowd inside. I was
able to love on him and he helped calm me down.
47
Duke has allowed me to go to the stores now and
not get overwhelmed with people.
He is very quick to pick up on my anxiety which I
now know how Duke will alert to that by trying to
get me out of situations literally pulling me away.
Duke has been such a positive addition to my life as
well as my family's life, especially my little girl Ella.
He has definitely made a very strong bond with her
and is very protective of her as well which makes me
feel better when we are out together.
I'm able to lower my guard a little more when I have
my children out with me. Duke is absolutely amazing
with my kids and my family and he is definitely
treated as such. He is my battle buddy.
48
A few more details about Josh:
- He has three kids ages 1, 2, and 5
- He lives in Barnegat, New Jersey
- He received a Purple Heart and the Combat
Infantry Badge (CIB) for his service
49
- His advice to other warriors is "Have trust in your
battle and everything will fall into place . It's a hard
process but very much worth it in the end."
What we know about Duke's background is that he is
an owner surrender. He is an English lab, and since
labs make fantastic service dogs!
“Duke is like one of my kids.”
50
Bite-Size Protein Balls
51
Probably the most common question I get asked as a
dietitian is “What should I eat after my
workout?” There are so many misconceptions
around the right answer.
As a “Cross-fitter”, I often hear in the gym about
filling up with protein during and after a workout to
help recover. Although this is partly true, many
athletes forget the other piece of the “recovery
puzzle”… Carbohydrates. “Even if I’m a weight
lifter? Even if I’m not a runner?”… Yes!
Most people know before an extended period of
aerobic exercise (i.e. running), that they should carb-
load for improved performance; however, most
people are unaware of the role carbohydrates play in
post-workout recovery. If you are an athlete, or just
trying to make improvements in the gym, your post-
52
workout nutrition will have an impact on your next
game/gym session.
53
During a workout, your body uses glycogen (stored
energy) from your muscles to power through your
exercise. The replenishment of muscle glycogen
after depletion through exercise is a central
component of the recovery process.
To maximize the rate of muscle glycogen storage, it
is important to consume carbohydrates after a
workout because carbs are partially converted to
glycogen. This does not mean that you should be
loading up on pizza, bagels and sweets; instead, opt
for complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains,
fruit, low-fat dairy and vegetables to refuel your
muscles.
As most people are aware, your body also requires
protein and amino acids for post-workout
recovery to help your tired muscles rebuild and
repair, especially after any type of weight training.
54
The key to proper recovery nutrition is to get a good ratio of carbohydrates to protein post-workout to replenish the nutrients lost to get your body ready for the next workout. Many people also forget about making sure you replace fluid and electrolytes after an intense session as well. To feel and perform your best at
55
your next workout, be sure to rehydrate right after exercising. So what are some good post- workout meals?
Smoothie with fruit, a scoop of protein powder (I’m a big fan of Vega Sport)
Low-fat chocolate milk
Yogurt with berries
Turkey on a whole-grain wrap with some veggies
I am also a big fan of the recovery drink FitAid with vital amino acids, omega 3’s (to help with inflammation) and electrolytes to help you recover and rehydrate. I like to pair this with a piece of fruit for additional carbohydrates.
Protein bar, such as Perfect Bar (it has a good carb-protein ratio for recovery). *Check out the recipe below for home-made version.
56
“When should I eat after a workout?” is another
common question I often get. Try to eat /drink
within 15-20 minutes of completing an intense
workout. Some people have a hard time eating that
soon after exercising, so if this is the case for you,
stick to something you are able to drink, such as the
smoothie or low-fat chocolate milk.
57
Whatever exercise you are in to, be sure to maximize
your workout by refueling and re-hydrating
properly. Stay strong, work hard, eat right!
58
59
FOAM ROLLING
60
The problem
If you are training the right way, it should cause you
some pain. Some training can lead to bruising,
injury, or even bleeding; however, all good training
sessions will cause some damage. The soreness can
be nagging or it can be very painful.
Certainly, all of us can relate to a specific time when
we woke up the next day or two after a training
session to find we could not even put our shirt or
pants on – that’s how sore your muscles may feel. It
is the kind of pain the can leave you absolutely
worthless for days.
A solution
Fortunately, there are some great recovery methods
61
that have been researched and delivered to the
public. Now for the purposes of this article, I will
leave the bruised, injured and bleeding segments to
another medical professional to advise you on
proper recovery.
In this article, we will only be discussing a particular
kind of recovery method for muscular soreness and
pain. The irony is that this method is also extremely
painful, but… it is the good kind of hurt. This
method is commonly known as FOAM ROLLING.
The physiology
Foam rolling is a technique that has been
implemented for almost a decade now. Foam rolling
is the term used to refer to something more
technical called “myofascial release”. What in the
62
world does that even mean? Well, let us begin by
breaking down the term myofascial. “Myo”
translates to “muscle” and “fascial” translates to
“fascia” which by definition is a sheet of connective
63
tissue that binds body structures together (e.g. the
bottom of your foot).
The word “release” was an interesting choice of
words by the researchers who discovered this
method. It is referring to the fact that the muscles
and/or fascia of the body are so “tight”, scarred or
inflamed that they need to be released from that
tension.
Ultimately, you are taking tissue in your body that is
super “tight” and sore and getting it to relax and
recover. This is also known as inhibiting the tissue.
The benefits
Foam rolling is a highly effective technique that I
have personally been using since 2010. The benefits
64
are incredible and usually instantaneous depending
on the level of soreness that you have.
It is a self-massage technique that is designed to
increase blood flow, thus bringing nutrients to heal
the inflamed and damaged tissue. Ultimately, this
provides you with less soreness, less pain and
greater range of motion to move freely and to go
about your day with joy and productivity instead of
sadness and worthlessness.
Here’s the catch: In order to cross the bridge from
having pain to becoming pain free you will need to
experience even greater pain. YES, that’s right - you
heard me correctly. Foam rolling is NOT a pleasant
experience and it can be extremely painful. But
always remember, that it is a good kind of hurt. As
you are doing it, keep in mind the end outcome is to
recover the damaged and inflamed muscles.
66
How to get started
If you have made it this far, then I am pleased
because everything I have said does not sound fun or
inviting in the least; but it will pay off.
Your next step to decreasing your daily pain is to get
yourself a foam roller. Any sports store should have
at least one option, and certainly On-line stores like
Amazon has numerous choices. Be careful in your
selection, because there are progressions of foam
rollers, some hurt more than others.
If you have never foam-rolled before then I
recommend the following as your starter. (As you
shop around you will see that there are some that
look like torture devices, but they are designed to
pinpoint a specific spot that has deep soreness.)
67
How to do it
To get you started, I have provided a quick video
that breaks down how to position yourself on and
68
around the foam roller for each major muscle
group.
Be sure to consult your physician before you start
foam rolling!
LEARN HOW TO FOAM ROLL:
69
Star Wars
70
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is one of the better Star
Wars movies, falling slightly short of the original
trilogy but light years beyond the abysmal prequels.
Yet it’s simultaneously a frustrating experience that
does little to advance the mythology of the saga,
preferring instead to tear down longstanding
institutions and uproot (or worse, ignore) the newer
plot seeds sown in 2015’s The Force Awakens in
order to take the series in a new, as yet unclear
direction.
The Force Awakens was rightly criticized for
rehashing major elements from the first Star Wars
movie. In doing so it subverted much of what the
original heroes accomplished, returning the
benevolent Republic -- which Luke, Leia and Han
successfully restored to power -- to the status of a
71
scrappy underdog battling a vastly superior
totalitarian foe in the First Order, i.e. the Empire
under new management. Proving that turnabout is
fair play, The Last Jedi does its level best to subvert
the foundations laid down in The Force Awakens.
72
The story boils down to the First Order hunting what
remains of the Resistance -- this is somehow
different than the Republic, which was already
eradicated in Force Awakens -- while Rey (Daisy
Ridley) tries to convince Luke Skywalker to train her
to be a Jedi and/or return to help the Resistance.
Though it provides a reasonably satisfying
explanation of what went down between Luke and
Kylo Ren, in most other regards The Last Jedi fails to
explore the mysteries introduced in The Force
Awakens.
Characters like Maz Kanata, Supreme Leader Snoke
and Captain Phasma are given relatively little to do
and don’t get me started on the handling of Rey’s
parentage. It’s like writer-director Rian Johnson
jettisoned whatever plan J.J. Abrams concocted for
these characters to make room for his own vision,
73
which raises concerns that Abrams might do the
same when he retakes the helm for Episode IX.
Ridley remains a strong lead and Finn (John Boyega)
and Poe (Oscar Isaac) are much more fleshed out
than they were in The Force Awakens. Adam Driver’s
Kylo Ren also rises as a much more complex and
interesting figure.
Unfortunately, Luke and Leia are shown in lights that
feel incongruous and at times even disrespectful. As
great as it is to see Mark Hamill holding a lightsaber
again, for fans who have been waiting 30 years for
Luke to finally show what he’s capable of, this might
feel like a betrayal.
Instead of giving the original heroes and stories the
deference they’re owed, Johnson pays homage to
74
George Lucas’ legacy with goofy catchphrases and
terrible dialogue.
Finn’s climactic fight against Captain Phasma, for
example, is drained of its impact when Finn shouts
75
“Come on, chrome dome!” like they’re in a G.I. Joe
cartoon. It’s jarring, weirdly childish and at odds with
the intellectualism to which the film aspires.
But this is nevertheless a good Star Wars movie and
a significant improvement from The Force Awakens.
What it lacks in fan service it makes up for with the
most lavish visuals the series has ever seen and
novel commentary on what life is like for the 99% of
the galactic population not actively fighting a civil
war.
Though the bulk of the movie takes place during an
absurdly drawn-out chase scene, it’s consistently
thrilling and crisply paced, and it features some truly
jaw-dropping moments. Not all of them are
completely earned or even logically coherent, but
76
both in terms of visual pop and emotional weight,
Johnson rarely misses the mark.
*OFFICIAL WARRIOR MOVIE REVIEW*
I give Star Wars: The Last Jedi
3.5/5 warriors
77
Warriors Magazine
Advertisers
78
Continue your journey of becoming safer and a harder person to kill! Access 1 more OR All Back Issues here:
Read Warriors Magazine anywhere, anytime
Read on planes, trains and automobiles
Access it right from iBooks on your mobile device
Wifi not required
Mobile-friendly content
Purchase Back Issues Here!
