Scaling Force. Rory Miller

       Clint Overland spent 22 years as a bouncer, thug, and SOB for hire. Not someone you want hanging around your teenage sons as a role model. Reformed, he currently lives in West Texas with his beautiful wife and four children, two dogs, three cats, and four guinea pigs. He’s trying to make up for some of the bad he has done by telling people the truth about training for real violence. You can reach him at [email protected]

      Let me start by telling a short story just to set the theme. The job was to find a guy who had made a friend of their boss mad. They were to hurt the individual bad enough for him to understand that he had crossed a line that should not even have been approached. The target was known to the two breakers and they took turns watching, learning his pattern and habits for several days. Come Friday night, they were waiting for him at the local tavern where he stopped for a drink after work. The target came in, had several beers, and walked into the restroom. The breakers followed him and while one watched the door, the larger one approached the target who was taking a leak. Slamming the target’s face into the top of the urinal, knocking out all of his teeth, the breaker began stomping on the target’s prone body, over and over again. The target was left alive, most of his ribs, both of his collar bones, one arm, and one leg broken into multiple pieces. For their work, the breakers were given a one thousand dollar bonus each.

      What’s the difference in the actions of the two breakers and what is being taught in today’s dojos and training halls? The breakers weren’t there to earn a point, gain a belt, or follow some system of honor. No, they were there to do a job and get paid for it. They are professionals and they went about their job as quickly and proficiently as possible. No ego boosting, no getting worked up and adrenalized. They simply took care of business.

      Professional violence is a business and one that I am well acquainted with!

      I spent twenty-two years working as a bouncer and as a problem solver like the breakers above. I have seen the absolute worst that humans can and often do to each other. Sadly, in another life, I was more than willing to do the exact same thing. One therapist, right before he fired me as his patient told me, and I quote, “You were born a mean tempered son-of-a-bitch and I don’t think I can help you anymore!” Another one said I was a “functioning sociopath with mid-level psychotic tendencies” and that I gave him nightmares so he couldn’t see me again. I started noticing a pattern after that…

      So when I discuss violence, its cause, effects, and outcomes, I know just enough to make myself somewhat understood. I am not a martial artist nor do I teach any self-defense class. I am a reformed knee-breaker and professional thug. The book you’re holding in your hands is a book about violence. Not some glorified Hollywood version of a violence-junkie’s masturbation scene but real violence that often leads to prison or death.

      A lot of the time I find myself laughing at some of the things I see on YouTube and other internet sites; I mean, come on people, where do you come up with this stuff? I don’t argue the point that picking someone up and smashing his head onto the concrete isn’t effective; it’s also attempted murder. Think I am kidding? Watch a couple of the more popular self-defense videos and you will see what I mean. If you’re that mad at someone, put a zip-tie around his neck, jerk it tight, then sit back and watch. It’s a lot easier and makes for a better show.

      Another thing I find funny is the way