Make Them Pause: A Disrupting Mental Hack - Self-Defense Tip 33 - Get my BEST updates delivered to your inbox.

Make Them Pause: A Disrupting Mental Hack - Self-Defense Tip 33

Apr 18, 2025 8:06 pm

Hi friends,

I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU. Awakening Horde—Book 1 of the Shieldwall Academy series—just crossed 1,000 reviews on Amazon! This is a huge milestone for me as an indie author, and it couldn’t have happened without your support, your reading time, and your amazing word of mouth. You all rock.

Even better, Amazon has a crazy good deal on Kindle Unlimited today (some accounts may be excluded):

99¢ for three months, instead of the usual $36!

This allows you to read as many Kindle Unlimited books as you can binge in three months, including all of mine, for no extra cost. I get paid by the page read, so every chapter you devour helps support more books. Win-win!

If you’ve been thinking about jumping into KU, this is the time.

📚 New to my latest Series? Start Here:

Four books out. Book 5 almost complete on Patreon. Book 6 in the works to finish the arc.

A cunning street rat is thrown into a ruthless magical academy after a desperate gamble to save his friend. Now, with ancient secrets, monstrous beast waves, and a corrupt empire against him, he must master forbidden magic before it consumes him—or they do.

⚔️ 800,000+ words of fantasy and fury.

🎧 80+ hours of audiobook available.

💥 Plenty of battles, beasts, betrayal, and big brain moves.

But first, find your next read from my author friends below!

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Attrition: Initiation by Bronwyn Leroux

FREE Ebook!

Science. Family. Secrets. Which will prevail?

Perfect for fans of dystopian science fiction who enjoyed Red Rising and The Maze Runner.

Pulse Pounding Post-Apoc Reads!

Eight Ounces a Day by Kevin Steverson

Free eBooks!

When Civilization collapses, individual survival becomes your only focus.

Tons Dystopian and Post-Apoc Must Reads!

Horizon by Mandi Lavoie

FREE Ebook!

An action packed space adventure with a side of comedy

The Sovereign is trying to kill his loyal guard out of jealousy. What could go wrong?

Excellent FREE SciFi/Fantasy Adventures. Grab lots!

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Mental Hack Against Attackers

Here’s something most people don’t think about:

If someone is about to attack, break their rhythm. Just say something unexpected.

Example: “Do you smell popcorn?” or “You okay, man?” or “Wait—are you hurt?”

Why does this work? The human brain is wired to follow expected sequences in high-stress moments. Interrupting that flow, even briefly, with confusion forces a mental hiccup, which can buy you a second or two. Enough time to run, shout, or prepare to defend.

It’s not foolproof. But it’s weirdly effective. And most attackers don’t expect their target to throw them off mentally. They expect fear, freezing or screaming—not popcorn.

Extra tip: It can work with melting down toddlers, too. "Why are you wearing a blue shirt (when it's pink). :D

Stay sharp. Stay weird. Stay safe.

Thanks again for supporting my books and don't forget to grab the very cheap Kindle Unlimited!