Did you know that when you begin learning martial arts, self defense and how to handle yourself in a violent situation, you actually start to give off certain "vibes" in your regular, every day life, that tell people you're not someone to mess with?

It's true.

In fact, I've seen this phenomenon so many times, it doesn't even surprise me anymore.

For example, a martial arts student of mine (someone who is small and looks anything but "tough") once told me how his wife started noticing a change in him within just weeks of starting his self defense classes.

She noticed it one day when they were at the store. Apparently, he was just kind of standing there in this crowded store, where a bunch of cash registers were down and people were tense and getting angry.

Yet he just kind of stood there in line and she noticed he looked...well...tough. She never thought of him like this. And never in a million years would have guessed it was possible for him.

But there was something in his eye, she said, the way he looked and even the way he stood, that said, "back off."

And you want to know something?

When you start learning martial arts -- and especially how to street fight -- and when you really know, in your heart and mind, you can take out someone who attacks you -- even if they're bigger, stronger and meaner than you are -- people will sense it.

The chances of someone picking you out to rob, mug or threaten go way down. You won't come off as being weak. You'll come off as being tough, and in control. Even if you're a naturally small and skinny guy or completely out of shape.

It won't be a conscious thing, either. In fact, you won't even know it's going on. You'll only know when someone, like my student's wife did for him, tells you about it.