What do I mean? Memorize 10 phrases to visit a foreign country. You can order a plate of food, ask for bathroom, and call cabs all day long. That’s self defense. You’re not prepared to adapt to new situations. Instead, you could have a basic understanding of how language works and you can perform, pronounce words, hear locals, and react to situations you’ve never been in before. You feel better, and can go more, go farther, and live better. That’s Personal Protection.

“Of course, we all know that there are no guarantees that violence won't occur; therefore, protective tools must be in place. These tools need to be effective, direct, and immediately useful or victim runs risk of making things worse by trying to defend herself with techniques that won't hold up.” – Robert Bussey

Personal protection isn’t just mental. It is not just physical. It’s both. And it can be relatively simple, safe, and fun, to learn. That’s something I feel good about telling my sister.