Ups and Downs

So this blog post will be a tad more personal.

I had a very exciting day today.  I got to finally see the blue prints for the new Masada Tactical, and with that I got to start ordering many of the new items for the new space, including mats, towels, more fitness equipment, office supplies, and the list goes on.  It was energizing.  I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

I am truly excited for this new venture.  I am stressing about it because I want to make sure it is just perfect.  But I am happy that I have the opportunity to do this.

Those who know me for a while know that the new Masada Tactical facility is pretty much what I always dreamed of.  There is nothing missing from this place...at least in my mind.  But as I am looking into a bright future, excited about the opportunities, I can't help but think back at the past six and a half years.

How we are still around in beyond me.  We opened Clinch and Masada in 2007, just as economy began its downward spiral.  As if that wan't enough, we faced many other obstacles, from professional to personal.  It seemed as though we were doomed from the get go.  And as much as I would like to say that it was nothing more than the fight in me that kept me going, I must admit that most of the credit goes to those who surrounded me those days and kept telling me it is all worth it.  Not sure I would have been able to make it alone.

For someone with zero management knowledge I must have done something right, because not only did we beat the statistics of most new business going under in the first three years, but we flourished and grew.  We had to relocate to accommodate the growing number of members and programs.  A "problem" we face now again as we once again grew to the point that in order to keep providing the quality of service we pride ourselves on, we must expend again.

Rocky said: "It ain't about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.  How much you can take and keep moving forward.  That's how winning is done!".  And if you won't listen to Rocky, who will you listen to?!?

We got hit.  A lot.  Financially, emotionally, physically.  But we never stayed down.  We got up and kept moving forward.  And I am proud of our collective accomplishments, because Masada isn't about me.  It is a collection of people from all different backgrounds and goals, who managed to find a passion and a family within Masada and with each other, in order to build something great.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank those who helped, supported, and held that safety net when I needed it and continue to do so today.  I want to thank Vince and Ber for making it fun to go to work every day.  I want to thank Steve for keeping me straight and focused when I needed to.  I want to thank Darrell, Cy, Ben, Josh, Billy and all of the other instructors we had over the years.  I couldn't have done it alone.  I want to thank Zalman, Shelton and Angie for doing a fine job at the reception desk.  And I want to thank Phaygi for not only being a sounding board at work, but for putting up with me at home as well...not an easy task. 

 

Lastly, I want to thank our members.  At the end of the day this is all for you.  I am privileged and humbled that you want to learn from me and our staff.  Everything we do is to better our products and services so you never doubt your decision to trust your safety, health, fitness, and happiness in us.  We do what we do because of you.

I want to leave you with this quote.  Unfortunately I don't know where it originated, but I refer to it regularly to remind myself what I stand against:

"Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone telling you that you are wrong. 

There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. 

To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage, dedication, perseverance, and the will to fight through knowing you are right.  

YOU WILL SUCCEED."

So come to the gym on Monday, and take a look at the blue prints for the new space.  Let us share with you the next chapter of our journey.  And we look forward to spending many more classes, happy hours, cups of coffee, and other occasions with you all.

Stay safe,

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein

Masada Tactical

Prepping...not just against zombies anymore

When people ask me about preparedness I admit that I try to do some advance planning.  I am not building bunkers, or moving "off the grid", but I do think that some general safety precautions are most definitely required.

No, I truly don't think the living dead will be coming after me.  At least not in the sense that the media has had us think of it.  Reality is that "zombies", as in mindless ravenous entities, are already among us, trolling within arm's reach of the general populous.

For me zombies are those who in a whim will not hesitate to think twice about breaking an entry, stealing what they need, and possibly hurting those in their way.  I am talking about drug addicts, mentally disturbed individuals, and even those who suffer from poverty and who, when cornered, may need to fend for themselves to survive.

There are many reasons why a person, who may under most circumstances be law-abiding, will become a predator.  Most will do so out of a protective drive.  Out of the need to protect themselves and the ones they love.  Others will just do it to take advantage of a situation that affords little protection to those they can prey on.  But what will cause a person to cross that line?  History teaches us that it doesn't have to be a viral attack that leaves these people mindless.  We have seen occurrences happen after most every social, economical, political, and environmental collapse.

Remember Hurricane Katrina?  Massive flooding left thousands stranded, stores abandoned, and a playground for those who took advantage of it.

How about the economic collapse of 1929?  Again, many were left homeless, desperate, and with little to lose.

Examples go on and on.  It seems as though almost daily we hear about a natural disaster in one place or another, from floods to storms and fires.  We hear about civil uprising which isn't that civil after all, leaving people raped, beaten and stripped of all belongings and dignity.  We hear about stock markets crashing, tribal wars, racial discrimination, and many other ailments of our modern lifestyle that one can see how simple it is for a person to go over the edge.

So how can you defend yourself, without resorting to shooting a zombie in the head?  Well, you can invest a little in enhancing your home security.  Make sure that your house is not the one broken into.  Get a dog.  make sure that crucial items are always stocked and secure.  Make a plan to leave town if the situation warrants it.  Know where you will go and how you will get there.  Find like minded people to help you.

The CDC used Zombies as means of educating the general population on general safety and preparedness.  Follow some of their tips to enhance your current safety level.  

So invest a little time and effort in pre-planning for what is more likely and inevitability rather than a probability.  Have a plan to remain safe when the rest of civilization is starting to feed on your like.

Stay safe,

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein

Masada Tactical

The Benefits and Limitations of Self-Defense tools

Last week a news crew came to Masada Tactical to discuss our opinion of a new self-defense tool that hit the market.  It is a cellphone that doubles as a stun-gun.  This is not a new invention.  We have seen many fake phones that are actually stun-guns, as well as cases for cellphones that act as stun-guns.  But for whatever reason, this one has been making some headlines.

The question was straight forward: do we think, as self-defense instructors and professionals, it is a good idea?

As the case often times is, the answer could not be black or white, but rather a shade of grey.  Reality is that most tools out there have their benefits and potential risks.

For all intensive purposes the discussion is not limited solely to "cellphones gone wild", but is extended to OC sprays (pepper sprays), knives, batons, and an array of other products that have been developed and marketed as the ultimate self-defense tools.

Following are my two cents on the subject.

First and foremost, no matter how effective the tool may be, if you, as the defender, have little to no resolution to win the fight, the tool is pointless and will do you little good.  If at the moment of truth you freeze, fail to utilize your skills and tools, or just assume the fetal position and wait for the nightmare to be over, having a tank at your disposal won't help you.  As the saying goes:

Next, we must understand that every tool we carry and are ready to deploy can be taken away from us and used against us.  This is especially true to knives and stun guns.  An integral part of any training program that teaches how to use those tools must include lessons in retaining it.  Once taken away from a person trying to defend him/her self, the tool will most likely be used against him/her.  in the case of OC spray, the tool doesn't even have to be taken away from the defender.  Once the spray has been released it will disperse in whichever direction the wind blows, contaminating everything and everybody around...including the defender!  If you carry OC but never got sprayed you are up for a rude surprise when you decide to use it.

Next come the understanding of how your self-defense tool actually works, and as importantly what the different measurement units are.  OC spray is measured in Scoville Units.  Most are 2,000,000 units...but not all.  And out of that the percentage (concentration) varies as well.

People always discuss stun guns and their voltage, but reality is the voltage matters much less than the amperage they actually transmit.  Do you know the differences, or what each means?  research it...I don't have enough space to cover it all.  You may think you have the best tool out there, when in reality it may just be a very good marketing ploy by the seller.  Do your homework.  Don't fall prey to this guy...!

Lastly, did you consider the legal aspect of using the tools?  Are you allowed to use a "less than lethal" weapon?  Pay attention, the language does not state Non-Lethal, but rather "Less than Lethal".  A chance still exists that your actions can take another person's life.  As a general rule you are expected to use a level of force equal or less to that used against you.  Unless you can articulate your actions, we may have an issue.  

In your research of the differences between voltage and amperage you should take a second and also research your state's opinion regarding the Castle doctrine and the Stand Your Ground provision.  Hint: MD is not very accommodating to either.

Are you even allowed to carry a self-defense tool? Here's an example: OC is legal in MD, however, Baltimore City proper has a city ordinance that prohibits carrying it.  Are you aware of the legal right to carry and use the tool you so choose to have on you? What if your assailant has a reaction to the tool (allergy, cardiac, etc.) and dies?  Can you support your case in court? 

Can you live with yourself?

The goal of this blog is not to scare you or tell you that you shouldn't carry any tools.  Those who know me know that I am armed, and I am a big fan of tools that can keep me safer.  But I take the time to train with each tool I carry, understand the legal ramifications, and know when I should and when I shouldn't utilize it.

So what should you do?  Begin by training your mindset.  Our classes are designed to make warriors. Skills are secondary to mindset.  Then learn to use your personal weapons: hands, feet, etc.  You may or may not have your taser/stun-gun/OC-spray/knife/club/bazooka/B-2 bomber on you when you get attacked...but hopefully you always have your limbs.  And if you choose to carry a weapon, learn how to use it properly, retain it, and use judgement in utilizing it.

Join us on Sundays at 11:30 for our weapon classes.  Learn how to use knives and sticks to protect yourself.  And learn all the "other stuff" that goes around it too!

As always, Stay safe!

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical