Let’s dig in.

What’s this blog actually about?

I started a martial arts and self-defense website in 1999 when the internet became mainstream. I wanted to try it out. I wrote articles, did book and video reviews, etc. Due to technical problems I eventually stopped. Fast forward to 2009 when blogging and WordPress became popular. I picked up where I left off and started this blog, imported some of my old articles, and never stopped. However, a lot has changed since those early days.

One insight is the different phases my blog went through:

The nature of a blog is that you don’t know where visitors first come in. This can be eminently confusing:

If you first read How to visit another martial arts school from 2009 and you found that useful, you might check out more recent posts, like How to live a long and healthy life: four fundamental tips. Talk about a big jump in topic…

Not having followed my work over the years (which is entirely reasonable) means you missed how I got from writing the one to the other. So this post aims to clarify the purpose of my blog.

Here goes.

Discuss violence, in all its forms and all its causes

Over the decades, my writing expanded in scope to see violence as more than just punching and kicking. For me, it now all ties together; every part links to the others. I’ll explain more below, but first an overview:

• The early blog posts were mostly technical, focused on martial arts and self-defense techniques and training methods:
  • 15 ways to become a better martial artist
  • How to conquer your fear of fighting
  • How to refill a Heavy Bag without having to empty it first
• Later, I moved out of the purely physical realm and wrote more about theory, physiology, psychology, etc. About the why things are a certain way regarding violence, as opposed to how to do them:
  • The realization that changed my self-defense training forever
  • Rites of passage and self-defense
  • Training to take a life
  • 8 Self-defense tips for men
• This in turn led to another expansion, to how violence works on a societal level:
  • Violence, death and common sense
  • Unintended consequences of the George Floyd protests and riots
  • Angry German citizens
• Eventually, we got to geopolitics and how they influence societies
  • WDP 155 – Toby Cowern
  • The Optimistic Episode
  • The age of Western humiliation
  • Surviving Societal Chaos: Resources for Making It to the Other Side

Each of these phases covers different layers of violence. Each layer influences all others: starting from you as an individual and then gradually expanding outward towards the entire world. For instance:

• Conflicts on a geopolitical scale can create tension and polarization within societies, leading to violence.
• Not understanding the psychological aspects of violence can lead to your physical techniques failing under stress.
• If you use physical techniques that are acceptable in a tribal society, but you live in a post-industrial one, society/government will condemn and punish you for it.
• Etc.

Let’s call this the Interconnected Violence Framework.

On this blog, you find information covering all aspects of this framework. For effective self-defense, you need an understanding of all its levels..

I still write about techniques like I did twenty years ago. For instance, How to train with edged weapons primarily covers the technical aspects of training with knives. Or Podcast episode 143 – Ares: How to not go too far? which is also more of a “how to” than anything else. I’ve also spent the last nine years releasing instructional videos on Patreon (more on Patreon below.) So I didn’t abandon this topic; I just began covering a lot of other aspects of violence as well.

To get things out of my head.

Writing is an exercise in thinking. It forces you to formulate your thoughts and ideas, create structure, test them, see how far you can take them before they break, etc. I write about what’s on my mind and share that with you, the reader. But it is also a way of learning, as my teacher explained long ago: at one point, you have to teach to still make personal progress. Writing is my way of “teaching” in that I hope it adds value to your training. For that, I have to think, investigate, research, test, etc., before I get to a finished post. Writing moves me through that process and hopefully helps grow my own understanding.

This is particularly true when I get questions, mostly in the short- and long-form monthly Q&A video on my Patreon. My Patrons ask questions I wouldn’t think of, or make me revisit what I (think) I already know. Invariably, that leads to personal growth. I can then also let go of that question after spending a fair amount of time in my head thinking about it.

My interests run wide and deep.

Musashi has even more comparisons in his Book of Five Rings, well worth reading (affiliate link), but here’s the key one.

The Way of the warrior does not include other Ways, such as Confucianism, Buddhism, certain traditions, artistic accomplishments and dancing. But even though these are not part of the Way, if you know the Way broadly you will see it in everything. Men must polish their particular Way.

I’ve always had a wide and eclectic range of interests, ever since I was a child reading dictionaries and encyclopedias. This means I tend to see similarities and connections you might find strange at first: I have guests on the podcast, like a visual effects specialist or a fiction author. Or you can read a post about What I learned from Carl Sagan. I usually tie it all in with the martial arts or self-defense world. These connections and similarities are fascinating to me and I share them here.

Why so much content on Patreon?

In the top picture, you see phase 4 and the shift to Patreon. Here’s why:

In 2017, I started my Patreon on a whim and, to my surprise, it was a resounding success from the get-go. Their support allows me to keep the blog and podcast completely free by financing the hosting of this site and podcast. In return, they get multiple exclusive videos every month, standalone videos and courses, bonus podcast episodes. There are now almost 1400 posts, hundreds of videos and dozens of bonus episodes and the library grows every month.

This is the only way I’ve found to consistently create high-quality content on violence that doesn’t get censored by social media. So I put a lot of time and effort into giving exclusive, in-depth content to my Patrons. I’m extremely grateful for their support throughout the years. Without them, I couldn’t do all this, nor deliver the quality of work I want to.

Conclusion

This blog has changed over time. So have I. So has the world around me. The cliché of change being the only constant is true. Hopefully the above gives you a clearer picture of what I do here and why.

A final insight I got is how my blog posts are much less frequent. That hurts the blog and creates a viscious circle as it is usually the first introduction people have to my Patreon. So I aim to rectify that as well, along with a bunch more things I won’t go into right now.

Stay tuned.

The post What This Blog Is Actually About appeared first on Wim Demeere's Blog.

But preferably, before you do: read on.

I have done, and still do, a lot of solo training; you can find some of it here. For the most part, because I have a weird schedule and can’t make it to all the classes I’d like to attend. So I train when my schedule allows, which often means I don’t have a training partner, hence solo training. For that training, but also when I work with clients, I have used the Impetus timer app for over ten years. It is relatively flexible, allows for some programming and is stable. But it is also limited.

I’m also a bit of a nerd and did some programming over 40 years ago. Back then, it was in BASIC on an Apple IIe, and I also learned a bit of Pascal. Heck, I even programmed on a Philips Videopac. I wasn’t very good at it though and, to the chagrin of my father, gave up on it when martial arts and self-defense became my primary focus. But I always enjoyed technology and computers and have worked a lot with them. Fast-forward many decades and enter Grok AI and vibe coding. I decided to try and make an app for my own training and about a month later, you can see the result now: Shadow Boxing Randomizer App

So what is it?

A free, practical shadowboxing training tool built by a martial artist, for martial artists. No fluff. Just shadow boxing.

• An app that speaks out loud single techniques or combinations for Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai and MMA.
• It’s completely free to use, but donations are appreciated.
• Small size, 125Kb, works even on a slow internet connection.
• The techniques and combinations are random, with minor logic to avoid certain repetitions.
• It works on computers but I mostly focused on phones.
• It uses the text to speech feature of your web browser, so no need to download lots of files.
• You can customize a lot: Number of rounds, duration, pause time, fixed or varial tempo of calls

What I suggest for best results:

• Start with single techniques or short combinations (2-3 techniques) and set about 5-10 seconds in fixed call tempo. That allows you to adjust to reacting to audio cues and do the technique or combo once or twice before the next one comes along.
• Do a single technique or 2-part combination, and set fixed call tempo to 30 seconds. Do the calls stationary, then add footwork, then add footwork for the technique/combo plus footwork to move away from the imaginary opponent. By the time you do all that, the next call will be there.
• Most of all, experiment with the different sliders and options. Make it work for you.
• Consider using earbuds and conneect them to your phone. Use whatever you have, or I can recommend these (affiliate link) as their fit is good for the explosive momvements you’ll do. Earbuds help a lot in reaction time, especially if you don’t train in a quiet envirnonment or don’t have acces to good speakers.
• It’s not just shadowboxing; I’ve used the app for my heavy bag training as well. Worked great, especially with earbuds. If you teach a class, you can put it on a speaker system and walk around correcting students instead of having to do so while you call out techniques.

Again, this is free, no charge. It’s one of those things I would have liked to have years ago, so I want others to enjoy it right away.

What’s next?

• It depends. If there is enough interest, I have some ideas to create an advanced version with custom modes (offense, defense, footwork, etc.), more advanced techniques for each of the combat sports, different levels of complexity, letting the user select or deselect certain techniques, and much more.
• I haven’t implemented any of these because it means a totally different programming architecture with multiple files and different programming tools. Aka, a lot more work. For now, I wanted something that works as a lightweight file and does the job but that limits the possibilities for more advanced functionality.
• So it all depends on the response I get from all of you. Speaking of: leave a comment here below if you find a bug or have suggestions for improvements or new features.

Most of all, go to the app here and start training. Enjoy!

P.S.: special thank you for my Patrons and the other beta-testers for their feedback.

The post Shadow Boxing Randomizer App appeared first on Wim Demeere's Blog.

Enjoy!

Summary

Randy King discusses his framework for civilian self-defense, focusing on the three critical phases of an encounter: the before, during, and after. The conversation highlights the industry’s tendency to overemphasize physical combat skills at the expense of crucial preventative measures, such as de-escalation, and post-conflict realities, such as managing injuries, legal ramifications, and potential retaliation.

Wim and Randy address the psychology of violence, examining how the internet changes predatory behaviors and how cultural trends affect young practitioners. They critique the romanticized “power fantasies” prevalent in martial arts culture, emphasizing instead the necessity of acknowledging fear, understanding the evolutionary reliance on community, and recognizing the baseline limitations of personal knowledge.

Key takeaways

• Self-defense extends far beyond physical fighting: Comprehensive safety strategies must place equal training value on pre-conflict boundary setting and de-escalation skills as they do on physical techniques.
• Immediate aftermath management is critical: Practitioners need a specific checklist immediately following an encounter, such as validating their own physical injuries while under the effects of adrenaline, moving to a secure location, and identifying immediate risks of retaliation.
• Community is a pillar of personal safety: Real-world safety relies heavily on a practitioner’s social network and environment, challenging the unrealistic martial arts trope of the solitary, all-capable survivor.
• The “curse of knowledge” impacts training: Instructors often forget the specific milestones, motivating factors, and basic validations required by entry-level students, which makes maintaining a beginner-centric perspective vital for effective coaching.

The links mentioned (affiliate link):

• The book: The Timeline of Self-Defense: Before, During, After
• Our previous talk
• Randy’s site
• Eight self-defense tips for men

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The post WDP 169 – Timeline of Self-Defense: Before, During, and After – Randy King appeared first on Wim Demeere's Blog.

The second part of our talk, in which Toby answers questions from my Patrons, is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/157721898

Enjoy!

Summary

Wim and Toby evaluate the escalating structural instability of 2026, framing the current global landscape through the lens of acute time sensitivity and the psychological trap of analysis paralysis. They analyze how compounding economic strain, shifting geopolitical proxy alignments, and the erosion of institutional trust are accelerating societal friction. The discussion focuses heavily on distinguishing between market unaffordability and total product unavailability as critical milestones in supply chain degradation.

The conversation establishes practical frameworks for individual agency amid macro-level chaos, drawing operational parallels to past systemic disruptions like the pandemic. They break down the mechanics of modern asymmetrical threats, specifically highlighting infrastructure vulnerabilities such as digital payment network failures and cyber-enabled disruptions. Ultimately, they advocate for a strategic shift in individual mindset, prioritizing localized resource fortification and practical financial diversification over passive consumption of mainstream narratives.

Key takeaways

• Overcome analysis paralysis by establishing proactive decision-making thresholds instead of continuously waiting for complete data in a saturated information market.
• Transition preparation strategies from managing market unaffordability to mitigating total product unavailability by securing essential baseline staples ahead of expected inflation.
• Build localized financial resilience against cyber threats and payment infrastructure failures by holding physical cash and opening accounts across detached banking networks.
• Utilize seasonally favorable conditions during spring and summer months to systematically audit and fortify personal emergency resources before historical periods of increased civil unrest.
• Reject complete reliance on public institutions during systemic disruptions, shifting focus entirely to actionable variables within your immediate sphere of influence.

The links mentioned:

• All previous podcast episodes with Toby
• Timeline of the cascade of consequences of the Iran war
• Podcast Episode 103: The Seven Pillars of Urban Preparedness with Toby Cowern
• The age of Western humiliation
• Surviving Societal Chaos: Resources for Making It to the Other Side
• There’s still time, but not much.

Like, share and leave a review!

You can support the podcast in various ways right here. 

Subscribe to the podcast and automatically get the latest episode:

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The post WDP 168 – Analysis Paralysis and Geopolitical Shift – Toby Cowern appeared first on Wim Demeere's Blog.

The second part of our conversation with supporter Q&A is here

Summary:

Paul Silfverstråle and Wim discuss the realities of the martial arts lifecycle, focusing on how practitioners must adapt their training and mindset as they transition away from their physical peak. They analyze the late instructor Dan Docherty, exploring his controversial but highly impressive approach to teaching, his deep knowledge of traditional Chinese culture, and his skill in distilling martial principles over rigid techniques.

The conversation details the structural mechanics of Tai Chi, contrasting its individual focus and alignment principles with the regimented training found in Japanese martial arts like Karate. Silfverstråle and Wim emphasize the necessity of rigorous foundational groundwork before exploring advanced internal concepts, using Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a modern parallel for high-level technical efficiency.

Key takeaways

• Accepting the lifecycle of training: Martial artists must transition from relying on raw youth and physical peak to using mentoring, strategy, and adaptation to accommodate aging and injuries.
• Prioritizing principle over technique: True skill development requires moving past mechanical repetition to internalize foundational body principles that offer freedom and variation in combat applications.
• The risk of premature system invention: Practitioners must spend years mastering basic fundamentals and undergoing rigorous groundwork before attempting to combine systems or create their own.
• Understanding structural alignment over magic: High-level soft or internal martial arts skills rely on precise musculoskeletal alignment to back movements with full body weight, rather than mystical energy.
• Embracing boring practice for mastery: True progress occurs when a practitioner pushes past the point of boredom in a drill and continues to repeat it until the mechanics become natural and instinctive.

The links mentioned in this episode:

• Paul’s Patreon
• Online Tai Chi Chuan My Tai Chi Chuan membership site.

Please like, share and leave a review!

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The post WDP 167 – Paul Silfverstråle appeared first on Wim Demeere's Blog.