(Approx 2 minute read)

A comment on my recent article where I was pushed into the road while out for a run read: “Well written but your first mistake was not crossing the road in anticipation, but sometimes in life our senses do not tell us.”
.
It’s a valid observation, but it highlights an important theme in self-protection and decision-making: the choices we make in the moment.
.
Hindsight is a powerful thing. It’s easy to say, “You should have done this or that”, when you’re not in the thick of it. In that particular situation, I could have turned around, crossed the road, or even taken a completely different route. Neither of the two individuals appeared threatening at first glance. But when you’re in the zone, running to a rhythm, waiting and trying to cross a busy road or turn around, isn’t always part of the plan.
.
And while the outcome could have been lot worse, I’ve often wondered: what if I had trained differently? What if my first instinct had been to de-escalate or to create space? Could I have avoided the potential danger of being pushed into traffic? Perhaps.
.
The truth is, most of us spend much of our time inside our own heads. We’re thinking about work, family, or in this case, the rhythm of my running. We’re rarely in a heightened state of awareness unless we train for it.
.
This is where the crux of self-protection lies – not just in physical techniques but in training your mind to stay alert and adaptable. The choices we make in those fleeting moments often define the outcome, but they’re rooted in habits and instincts developed over time. If your training focuses solely on fighting techniques, you may instinctively react with combat, as I did, even when avoidance or de-escalation might be the better option.
.
Looking back, I realize my response was a product of my training at the time (1985). I was conditioned to fight, to dominate, to win. And while that instinct served me in competition, it wasn’t necessarily the best mindset for real-world self-protection. In that moment, my instincts chose to engage rather than retreat, to escalate rather than escape.
.
So, what can we take away from this?
.
First, understand that no one is immune to making mistakes or misjudgments. Second, recognize that the goal of training is not perfection – but preparation. And third, remember that choices made in the moment are rarely perfect. What matters is learning from them and adapting for the future.
.
For those of us who practice the martial arts, practice the physical, yes, but also practice the mental and emotional aspects of self-protection. Train to read situations, to weigh options, and to act decisively. Because in the end, survival isn’t just about winning – it’s about making the right choice when it matters most.
.
Self-protection is about choosing the best path forward – before life decides to push you into traffic.
.
.
Written by Adam Carter – Shuri Dojo