defensivetactics

People ask if I miss being in the military, short answer. Ye..

People ask if I miss being in the military,
short answer.
Yes.
Long answer: no
I’m glad I have my freedom. I’m glad I’m able to leave for vacation without asking 7 people in my chain of command and it might get denied.
I’m glad I don’t have to shave everyday.
I’m glad I don’t have to worry about my hands in my pockets.
I’m glad I’m able to connect and engage with other veterans and help them o their path to happiness and success.
Do I regret getting out when I did? I’m not sure. That answer changes with how I’m feeling that day or week.
But the real question is do I miss the military or the people. And it’s the people that I miss. Not the military itself. I miss the brotherhood. But with everything in life, things come to an end, and there’s new beginnings.
And I’m happy to continue doing what I’m happy with, and engaging with my vet buddies.

-Ryan

In a world full of negativity, keep smiling and pushing thro..

In a world full of negativity, keep smiling and pushing through.

-Ryan

they say that big forearms make the whole arm look big, what..

they say that big forearms make the whole arm look big, what do you think?

-Ryan

Here I’m running a custom AR-15 with a nice desert Cerakote,..

Here I’m running a custom AR-15 with a nice desert Cerakote, an EOTech, and an angled grip that just feels right. Smooth transitions, easy control, and built exactly how I like to run it. More importantly, I’ve got a solid sling for rifle retention—and of course, my ammo is quality, so I’m clear of misfires or hangups.
Priorities.

-Ryan

Tactical rifles aren’t just weapons—they’re tools built for ..

Tactical rifles aren’t just weapons—they’re tools built for precision, speed, and control. Every setup has a purpose. Train smart, move sharp, and always stay ready.

-Ryan

cheers to the weekend and another day alive on this beautifu..

cheers to the weekend and another day alive on this beautiful earth.
Stay safe
-Ryan

Control, precision, and confidence—every rep matters, even o..

Control, precision, and confidence—every rep matters, even one-handed. It’s not just about looking the part, it’s about training for real-world application. Grip, stance, and focus dialed in. Always sharpen the fundamentals—because when it counts, there’s no room for sloppy.

Stay dangerous.

-Ryan

Can you handle the heat I’m bringing? Out shooting in the de..

Can you handle the heat I’m bringing?

Out shooting in the desert. it’s important to not leave any trash, which I never do, but this area is COVERED with trash. I like to bring a trash bag and shovel and try to collect a a couple pounds of the broken glass, spent casings, and empty bottles left from inconsiderate people. Kinda like the saying “leave no trace” for when you go camping!

-Ryan

Lying leg curls had the hamstrings on fire here 🔥 —clean rep..

Lying leg curls had the hamstrings on fire here 🔥 —clean reps, full squeeze, and that slow burn you pretend not to love. Hit 4 sets of 10, then finished with 2 single-leg burners to really feel it. There’s no cheating this one—it’s all tension, all grind. By the last rep, the back of my legs were lit up, and honestly, they’re looking solid. Hamstrings are underrated… until you step away and they catch the light just right.

-Ryan

Working out when you don’t want to builds a foundation of di..

Working out when you don’t want to builds a foundation of discipline. Because man some days I don’t f**ing want to. but we gotta keep showing up and getting those little victories.

-Ryan

We workout so we look good in the clothes we go out in 😌-Rya..

We workout so we look good in the clothes we go out in 😌
-Ryan

Stretching isn’t a break—it’s part of the work. Flexibility,..

Stretching isn’t a break—it’s part of the work. Flexibility, mobility, and recovery are what keep you in the fight long term. Strong is good, but strong and durable is better.

-Ryan

Weekend’s here. Recharge, have your fun, but keep the missio..

Weekend’s here. Recharge, have your fun, but keep the mission in mind. You don’t have to lose progress to enjoy yourself. Balance is part of discipline.

-Ryan

In case you were wondering, yes, I can pick you up 😉-Ryan

In case you were wondering, yes, I can pick you up 😉

-Ryan

You’re not always going to be motivated. That’s why habits m..

You’re not always going to be motivated. That’s why habits matter. Show up when it’s boring. Show up when you’re tired. That’s what separates the strong from the soft.

Happy Earth Day!

-Ryan

by far my favorite upper body lift. The incline DB bench pre..

by far my favorite upper body lift. The incline DB bench press just hits the spot so so good. Didn’t go that heavy as I was starving and my sugar was low, but 4 sets of these and you’re surely gonna feel it. Especially when you superset it with pushups!

-Ryan

Went for a hike today — nothing crazy, just enough to feel t..

Went for a hike today — nothing crazy, just enough to feel the sun and break a sweat. The trail was dusty, the views were solid, and I only questioned my life choices twice. Felt good to move without overthinking it. Sometimes that’s all you need.

-Ryan

it’s getting hot out there. Time for short shorts and tank t..

it’s getting hot out there. Time for short shorts and tank tops again!! Finally!

-Ryan

A lot of people have been asking and requesting me to go bac..

A lot of people have been asking and requesting me to go back to my mustache.. this is NOT a recent picture of me! This is a couple years old….
We adapt and change and find our new identity all the time. I call it leveling up. Leveling up to the new you. I’ve adopted the beard since I separated from the military. But sometimes we gotta get back to our roots… what do you think, should I go back to the mustache?

-Ryan

Your minimum base fitness level should be:• 50 push-ups• 10 ..

Your minimum base fitness level should be:

• 50 push-ups

• 10 pull-ups

• 50 squats

• 20 dips
• 50 sit ups.

This should be a baseline of your phsycial ability. It is not unreasonable. If you’ve ever done it, start and see how many you can do. Record it one day, then try again the next. Progress start with you!

-Ryan

Incline dumbbell press is one of my favorite movements—pure ..

Incline dumbbell press is one of my favorite movements—pure control, full range, and constant tension. It hits the upper chest hard, builds strength you can feel, and forces both sides to work independently—no hiding weaknesses here. You’ve got to stay locked in, stable, and explosive through every rep. This is where real strength shows up, and I love every second of it.

- Ryan

Lifting arms is definitely my favorite workout, if you could..

Lifting arms is definitely my favorite workout, if you couldn’t tell…

-Ryan

Most people take weekends off—I take them as an opportunity ..

Most people take weekends off—I take them as an opportunity to get ahead. The grind doesn’t care what day it is.

-Ryan

Earned, not given. The work’s done—now we recover.-Ryan

Earned, not given. The work’s done—now we recover.

-Ryan

Motivation fades fast, but discipline sticks. The results do..

Motivation fades fast, but discipline sticks. The results don’t come from hype—they come from showing up on the days you don’t want to. You either put in the work now, or you stay the same. No shortcuts, just consistency.

-Ryan

Trust your gut. 
Ever felt uneasy in a situation but couldn’..

Trust your gut. 


Ever felt uneasy in a situation but couldn’t explain why? That’s your instincts warning you. The human brain picks up on tiny details before you consciously process them. If something feels off—listen to it.

🚩 A person staring too long? Move.

🚩 Someone walking too close behind you? Change direction.

🚩 Something about a situation feels “wrong”? Leave.

Most people ignore their gut feeling because they don’t want to seem rude or paranoid. Your safety is more important than being polite.

-Ryan

Following up on the situational awareness topic. Situational..

Following up on the situational awareness topic.

Situational awareness is a skill—and like any skill, you need to train it. Try these drills throughout your day:

🛑 The Exit Game: Every time you walk into a place, find at least two exits immediately. Here’s a hint, there always 2 exits.

🛑 The Awareness Check: Look at people around you—who’s distracted? Who’s paying attention? Who’s watching others?

🛑 License Plate Drill: When you walk past a parked car, glance at the license plate and try to memorize it. It sharpens observation skills.

🛑 Threat Assessment: If someone were to attack you right now, what’s your first move? Where’s your escape route?

Practice these, and you’ll start seeing things others miss!

-Ryan

Before you walk into any room, store, or parking lot, do a 5..

Before you walk into any room, store, or parking lot, do a 5-second scan. It’s simple:

👀 Check for exits. Always know your way out.

👀 Look for potential threats. Anyone acting strange? Anyone watching people too closely?

👀 Identify barriers and obstacles. If something goes down, where can you move for cover?

👀 Assess the vibe. Does something feel off? If your gut says leave, leave.

You don’t need to be paranoid—just take five seconds to get a read on your environment. That’s all it takes to stay ahead of the threat.

-Ryan

Criminals don’t attack randomly—they look for the easiest vi..

Criminals don’t attack randomly—they look for the easiest victim. If you seem distracted, unaware, or hesitant, you become a soft target. Here’s what makes someone a target:

❌ Not paying attention (head in phone, unaware of surroundings).

❌ Walking with poor posture (hesitant, slouched, looking weak).

❌ Isolated with no backup (walking alone at night in a bad area).

❌ Oblivious to signs of trouble (ignoring gut feelings, ignoring weird behavior).

Want to avoid being a target? Walk with confidence, be aware, and don’t give them the opportunity.

-Ryan

Violent encounters don’t come out of nowhere—there are alway..

Violent encounters don’t come out of nowhere—there are always warning signs. Here are some Pre-Attack Indicators to watch for:

⚠️ Target Glancing: The person keeps looking at you, sizing you up.

⚠️ Unnatural Positioning: They get too close, angle themselves for an attack, or block your exit.

⚠️ Hiding Hands: Reaching into pockets, adjusting clothing (could be concealing a weapon).

⚠️ Sudden Mood Shift: If someone suddenly tenses up, clenching fists or jaw, breathing changes, get ready—something’s coming.

The best way to win a fight is not to be in one. Spot the warning signs early and remove yourself from the situation before it escalates.

-Ryan