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"The Psychology of Self-Defense"
How a Retired UFC Fighter Turned Police Sergeant Teaches Everyday People to Project Strength, Deter Threats, and Stay Off a Criminal’s Radar

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The Story
Post-Talk Q&A with Officer Marcus Reid (Retired UFC Fighter, Sergeant – Pender County Sheriff's Department) Speaking to the Cape Fear Neighborhood Watch Alliance, “You asked how I can tell if someone’s an easy target or not. Good question—and I’ll tell you something that surprises most folks…” I fought in the UFC for over a decade before retiring and becoming a police officer.
These days, I serve as a sergeant with the Pender County Sheriff’s Department, but I still think about personal defense every time I step out of the house—and especially when I’m talking to people like you.
Criminals? They think the same way fighters do—except they’re not looking for a challenge. They’re looking for the easy win. When I was in the cage, we trained for equal fights. Out there on the street, it’s different. A predator doesn’t want a fair fight. He wants a sure thing.
They choose in 7 Seconds.
I’ve watched surveillance footage over and over—guys making their move in parking lots, bus stops, gas stations. You can see it as clear as day. They make their decision in under 7 seconds based solely on how someone moves and carries themselves. They’re scanning: “Will this person fight back?” “Will they yell, draw attention?” “Could they be carrying something?” You want them looking at you and thinking, “Too risky. Not worth it.”
❌ Here’s What Gets People Picked I can spot a soft target in seconds—and so can they: Head down Shoulders caved in Hesitant, unsure steps Glued to their phone Avoiding eye contact Looking lost or overwhelmed This kind of body language screams: "I’m distracted. I’m unsure. I won’t resist."
✅ Here’s What Makes Them Back Off Now. Flip that around. If you want to look like someone who’s not worth the trouble:
Keep your head up, eyes scanning. Move with purpose—like you know where you're going. Shoulders back, relaxed but upright. Make brief eye contact—not a stare, just confidence. Walk like someone who could be a problem if you were messed with.
I Call It the “Confidence Multiplier.”
When I was fighting, we used to say, “If you know you can handle yourself, you don’t have to prove it.” The same principle applies to self-defense in the real world. There’s a kind of confidence people hope they have—it’s based on the idea that, “Well, I’ll figure it out if something happens.”
I call that hope-based confidence. Then there’s the confidence that comes from being prepared. When you’ve trained… when you carry tools you know how to use… when you’ve walked through the “what-ifs” in your head and have a plan?
That’s preparedness-based confidence—and it shows in every step you take. Criminals pick up on it. Trust me—they notice. 🥊
The “UFC Checklist” (For Civilians). You don’t need to have ever thrown a punch in your life. But if you can carry yourself like someone who might, you’ll be safer than 90% of the population.
Here’s what I tell my wife, my daughter, my neighbors: Shoulders back, chest open, head up, scanning naturally, Eyes alert, not darting—confident, steady walk. Hands visible—not buried in pockets. Calm but ready posture. Again, this isn’t about being aggressive. It’s about not looking like prey.
The truth is, I’ve walked through some rough areas both as a fighter and a cop. The people who get picked on aren’t always the weakest—they’re the ones who look unsure. You don’t need to be the toughest person on the block. You need to project enough confidence to make someone else think, “This one’s not going to go quietly.” Combine that presence with situational awareness—and if you're legally able, carry something you're trained to use—and you become the kind of person criminals avoid. “Any other questions? I’ve got time—and I’d rather answer them now than have you need this stuff later.”
The Lesson: “Walk like you’ve Got Backup”
Because confidence, not size, is what keeps most predators away. You don’t have to be the strongest or fastest person to stay safe—you have to look like someone ready. Confidence, awareness, and purposeful movement send a clear message: I’m not an easy target. Most predators aren’t looking for a fight—they’re looking for silence, fear, and distraction.