Covert Self Defense Step 1 Free Download

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Discover the everyday object you can legally carry anywhere—onto planes, into courthouses, through any TSA checkpoint—that doubles as the most effective improvised self-defense tool ever tested.

See threats before they see you.

A pen for self-defense.

Train your mind and your body before it is needed.

Praise for Covert Self-Defense

"A must-read for self-defense instructors and anyone developing real self-defense skills. Covert Self-Defense is truly mind blowing. It is a practical and eye-opening resource that shows just how much there is to understand about violence outside the cage."

—Natan Levy, UFC veteran, decorated grappler, Karate & Kung Fu black belt, USDC 2&3 Champion, self-defense and mixed martial arts instructor.

"A realistic and well-researched look at self-defense, with clever and effective pen techniques you won't find anywhere else. Covert Self-Defense delivers."

—Randy Turner, former JTF2 operator, former MMA pro fighter, BJJ black belt, and founder of Direct Actions.

"Truchon takes a 10,000-foot view of self-protection itself. Even if you never intend to fight with a pen, this book is packed with practical, field-relevant insights that truly shine. Highly recommended."

—Craig Douglas, founder of ShivWorks, retired SWAT and undercover narcotics officer, BJJ black belt, and internationally recognized expert in close-quarters self-defense

"A clear practical guide to staying safe in unpredictable times. Truchon's research and clear explanations make every lesson vivid, real, and easy to absorb."

—Rokas Leonavicius, creator of Ultimate Self-Defense Championship, black belt in Aikido, MMA practitionner.

"An entertaining and comprehensive guide to being unobtrusively prepared for a variety of potentially threatening situations... based on numerous interviews, years of research and practice, and some engaging human psychology."
—Nancy Olson, Forbes (March 30, 2026)

"This book rewires how you walk into every room for the rest of your life."

Mind. Awareness. Technique. Aftermath. All of it.

Covert Self-Defense is 364 pages. 18 chapters. Hundreds of illustrations. Hundreds of referenced sources.

I wrote it to give you the full picture of what self-defense really is: the moral weight, the legal rules, the human psychology, the innovative pen-fighting techniques, and what happens in the hours and days after force has been used.

To get there, I interviewed leading experts, read countless books, and combed through peer-reviewed research.

Then I distilled all of it down to the essentials, i.e. the knowledge you actually need to protect yourself and the people you love.

—J-F Truchon author of Covert Self-Defense, founder of The Atomic Bear

Part I — The Mind (your free download)

Chapters 1–4

Winning the fight is easy. Surviving what comes after is where most people lose everything.

You'll learn:

The 5 Hidden Dilemmas that decide whether you walk free or face charges.

The 5 Legal Pillars every prosecutor will test you against.

Why trained fighters are often more legally exposed than untrained civilians.

Why a pen is more defensible in court than a licensed firearm.

Part II — The Stealth Warrior

Chapters 5–9

Criminals chose you three blocks ago. Here's how to be un-chooseable.

You'll learn:

The #1 criterion prisoners use to pick victims (it's not size or strength).

Why only 11% of criminals target someone making eye contact.

The 8 warning signs of a predator hiding behind politeness.

The "No Test" that exposes a fake helpful stranger in 3 seconds.

Chris Voss's hostage-negotiation tactics, adapted for everyday life.

How to be pro-active in avoiding to be target. Avoid the confrontation with mental Jedi skills.

Part III — Pen Fighting

Chapters 10–15

The 3-inch weapon that fits in your pocket — and matches a knife up close.

You'll learn:

The 3 grips that turn a ballpoint into a precision tool.

Why Olympic fencing techniques dominate at close range.

The 7 target points that stop an attacker in 2 seconds without killing.

Escapes from the 3 most common street attacks: bear hugs, wrist grabs, collar grabs.

Techniques proven on camera at the Ultimate Self-Defense Championship.

This book uses rich illustrations to show pen combat techniques from experts.
Illustrated by Marvel and DC Comic illustrator Tom Mandrake.

Part IV — The Aftermath

Chapters 16–18

You survived. Now comes the second fight — with police, lawyers, and your own mind.

You'll learn:

The 9 mistakes people make in the first 10 minutes after using force.

The 4-word answer to the officer's first question (legally bulletproof).

How to process the psychological weight of a violent encounter.

The Nicolae Miu case — a real "self-defense" that became a homicide charge.

The daily practice that turns all 18 chapters into pure instinct.

You don't just read the book. You embody it.

Beautifully and Clearly Illustrated by Tom Mandrake

Here is a small sample of the illustrations you will find in this book

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