Being a self-defense and gun advocate did not randomly come to my mind as a lifetime pursuit. As a child, age nine to be specific, I became active at the gun range and on the blue mats of the Valente Brothers Jiu-Jitsu academy. My parents decided they wanted my sister and me to learn how to defend ourselves and operate a gun. They understood that knowing these techniques were not only important for defending ourselves, but also in building our self-confidence and living a disciplined life style.
Hunting eventually came along as well. When I was thirteen I shot my first animal, a wild boar, with my granddad’s 30/30 Marlin. I have never missed an opportunity to go hunt since then. Being outdoors and active is one of my favorite things; however, place a gun in my hand and a hunting license too, then I am happier than a girl with a new pair of shoes. The adventure, danger, and being in the wilderness, is what I love so much about hunting. The outdoors are uncontrollable and learning how to handle what it throws at you and being able to adapt is another aspect of hunting I adore.
Learning Jiu-Jitsu, how to shoot and hunt wasn’t easy. It was sometimes even uncomfortable; however, that didn’t prevent me from pursuing these skills. Because I enjoyed doing each activity so much, I learned how to persevere through the hard times, which inevitably taught me the life lesson you must go through the bad to get the good. I have never stopped learning how to hunt, shoot and fight, and I don’t think I will ever stop. Each field offers something new and different to discover every time. I believe that is why I am so obsessed with them.
So, here is my challenge for you. If you do not know how to protect your own life, go out and learn! It is your life after all and learning how to protect it is what I like to call a “safe investment.” Preferably, I would suggest learning how to shoot a gun, operate a knife and do Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (self-defense Jiu-Jitsu, not sport). Learning each of these skills will make you a well rounded butt kicking individual, which would make any attacker sorry they picked on you.
Lastly, go hunting. Get yourself out of the mall and place yourself in God’s glorious playground. You will learn the way the world operates away from society and if the zombie apocalypse really does happen, you have a head start on surviving it.
Editor’s Note: Regis has been a featured speaker at CPAC, columnist for the NRA, and host of the new T.V. show, Primal Urge. Her dad, Doug also has an article with us today. Take a look, Locked and Loaded Lasses: I Have a Dream!