Straight Talk - Mind and Muscle Podcast VOL WEST “Learning to Think, Move, and Fight Smart.”
Survival isn’t about theory—it’s about understanding THE TRUTH ABOUT FIGHTING and acting accordingly.
In this episode, I sit down with Vol West, a Frenchman turned American, with real-world expertise in survival, combatives, and firearms.
His journey—from the unpredictable streets of 1980s Paris to military service and running Station Nine, a company producing knives and gear for special forces—is a masterclass in preparedness, adaptability, and hard-earned wisdom.
Key Takeaways:
🔹 Simple Wins Fights – Vol cuts through the noise: Forget flashy moves, focus on what works. Running, thinking, and wearing the right shoes might be your best self-defense tools.
🔹 Understanding Violence – The reality? Most self-defense training fails against real aggression. Vol explains why sport-based martial arts can create a false sense of security and how to train for real-world survival.
🔹 Your Mind is the Weapon – Violence is psychological as much as physical. If you aren’t mentally prepared, you’re already at a disadvantage. Vol shares mental conditioning techniques to keep you ahead of danger.
🔹 Gear That Works When It Matters – Station Nine builds knives and tools designed for those who don’t get second chances. From WWI-inspired escape tools to modern-day survival gear, Vol shares how history shapes innovation.
🔹 Situational Awareness: The Skill That Keeps You Alive – Avoiding a fight is better than winning one. Vol’s method? Stay out of weird places, at weird times, with weird people.
Bottom Line:
Self-defense isn’t a hobby—it’s a mindset. Vol West doesn’t just talk about survival—he’s lived it. Tune in for a hard-hitting conversation on what it really takes to adapt, overcome, and win when it counts.
🔗 Connect with Vol on Insta
@vol_west https://www.instagram.com/vol_west/
@station_9_. https://www.instagram.com/station_9_/
And check out the awesome tools for survival at - https://www.stati9n.com/
I am Damian Porter , Former NZ Special Forces Operator, Subject Matter Expert from www.hownottodieguy.com and www.eatwellmovewell.net
And you are listening to my STRAIGHT TALK MIND AND MUSCLE PODCAST sponsored by www.mystait.com
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