The Time Line of Self Defense

Self-defense isn’t just about reacting when danger explodes in front of you. It’s about understanding the entire arc of a conflict—from the subtle cues before anything kicks off, to the critical decisions during, and the often-overlooked aftermath. Every stage shapes the outcome. And unless you understand the full timeline, you’re just guessing your way through someone else’s script.

That’s why I wrote Before, During, After: The Timeline of Self-Defense. Because real safety isn’t built in the moment—it’s built before it, during it, and especially after it.

Before: Setting the Stage

This is where real self-defense begins—long before anyone throws a punch. It’s about noticing the weird vibe in the room, catching red flags early, and not being where the bad thing happens in the first place.

Ever walked into a space and instantly felt off? Maybe it was someone’s posture, the way they were watching people, or just the energy in the room. That’s not paranoia. That’s data.

In the book, we break this stage down into clear, actionable tools: situational awareness, environmental scanning, boundary setting, and predator detection. You’ll learn how to spot trouble before it becomes your problem—and how to make yourself less appealing as a target in the first place.

This isn’t about fear. It’s about foresight.

During: The Main Event

This is the part most people think self-defense starts—when things get loud, fast, or physical. But this moment didn’t appear out of nowhere. It built up. You either saw it coming and adjusted—or you didn’t.

Here’s the truth: it’s not always about fighting back. Sometimes the best move is de-escalation. Sometimes it’s verbal judo. Sometimes it’s controlling your own fear long enough to make a smart decision.

In Before, During, After, I walk you through exactly what to do when the situation goes hot. From freezing to fleeing to fighting, this section gives you real options—not fantasy techniques. It’s where we get real about adrenal responses, decision-making under stress, and using your training without having to be a superhero.

The key here is this: you must de-escalate yourself before you can de-escalate others. If you’re spiralling, you’re not leading. Emotional regulation is the hidden superpower in this phase—and we teach you how to build it.

After: The Aftermath

If you think the story ends when the threat is gone, you’re in for a rough sequel. The after matters just as much—maybe more.

What happens when the fight is over, but the legal, emotional, and social consequences begin? Did you call for help? Did you document what happened? Are you prepared to deal with trauma, lawsuits, gossip, or media?

This part of the timeline is about recovery and resilience. How do you process what happened without being trapped by it? How do you come back stronger?

Before, During, After dives into this overlooked stage in a way most self-defense books ignore. Because survival isn’t just about making it through—it’s about making it past.

Why the Timeline Matters

Most self-defense training is a snapshot. This book is the full film.

By breaking conflict into these three stages, the timeline model gives you clarity, control, and context. You’ll never look at danger the same way again—because you’ll finally see it as a complete story, not just a single scene.

This isn’t theory. This is based on decades of real-world experience, thousands of conversations, and a relentless focus on what actually works—not just what looks cool in a dojo.

Want More?

If this resonated with you, you're exactly who I wrote this book for.

Before, During, After: The Timeline of Self-Defense is your full-spectrum guide to navigating conflict safely, intelligently, and powerfully—without relying on fantasy, ego, or false confidence.

📩 Want to be the first to know when it drops? Email us to get on the pre-release list and access exclusive content and early bonuses.

The fight doesn’t start with fists—and it sure doesn’t end there either.

Let’s rewrite your story together.

—Randy
@randykinglive