The New Superpower for Women: Trust Your Intuition, Predict Dangerous Situations, and Defend Yourself from the Unthinkable

by Steve Kardian (Narrator), A. Clara Pistek (Contributor)

It takes only seven seconds for a criminal to pick you as a target. This empowering guide for women to protect themselves and their loved ones, from a self-defense expert and longtime veteran of law enforcement, combines commonsense advice on staying safe with concrete actions on what to do if find yourself in a dangerous situation.

Acts of terror. Kidnapping. Cyberstalking. Campus assaults. Getting drugged at a party by a “friend.” One out of four women will be a victim of a crime or assault in her lifetime. Don’t let this be you.

In 'THE NEW SUPERPOWER FOR WOMEN' Steve Kardian, a thirty-year veteran of law enforcement, FBI defense tactics instructor, and an expert on the criminal mind, demonstrates how to become a “hard target” and not a “soft target” by simply trusting your gut. Additionally, he shows how the habits of safety can become an integral part of your daily routine.

This guide is your essential resource to understanding how to stay safe in today’s world, whether you’re experiencing unwelcome attention, feel threatened in a large crowd, or are facing online harassment. Kardian shares proven safety tips, shows how to be proactive in identifying potential trouble, and illustrates defense techniques specially created to enhance the physical strengths of a woman. Real-life stories and examples are included to demonstrate what criminals look for in a victim. You will learn how to avoid being targeted and what to do in a confrontation.

Be prepared. Know the habits of safety to protect yourself and your loved ones.




RUNNING TIME ➩ 7hrs. and 5mins.

©2017 Steve Kardian (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, True Crime

Audible Audio

First published August 8, 2017

About the author

Steve Kardian spent more than thirty years as a career law enforcement officer, including time as an FBI defense tactics instructor. He is a partner at Defend University, a self-defense program created specifically for women that has trained and educated over 100,000 women of all ages. Kardian has dedicated his career to teaching women about safety, risk reduction, and crime prevention. He holds a 3rd degree black belt and the title of professor in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Kardian has been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, Real Simple, Women’s Day, and Cosmopolitan. He appears regularly as an expert in national media, including Fox News, Fox and Friends, Fox Business, CNN, Inside Edition, Headline News, Nightline, The Meredith Vieira Show, Kathy Lee & Hoda, Dr. Drew, and Dr. Phil. He lives in Westchester, New York, and is the author of The New Superpower for Women.

Reviews

[Greg Brainard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading an advanced copy of "The New Superpower for Women" because the author and I were recently reconnected 42 years after an event that changed both of our lives.

I don’t remember the first time I met Steve Kardian – mainly because I was dead. Our chance encounter took place one beautiful summer day back in 1974. I was an industrious 8 year old kid and Steve was a mature-beyond-his-years long-haired high school senior out walking with his girlfriend on the beach. In Chapter 6, you will read how he literally pulled me from my grave and breathed life back into my dead body.

A crowd of beach goers looked on in horror and frozen panic. Had it not been for Steve, I may well not be here today. I don’t begrudge the onlookers because they were not equipped to take action. They didn’t care any less than Steve, but they didn’t know what to do and could not overcome their natural responses to the unexpected and horrifying moment.

In this book, Steve passes along what has come naturally to him as well as what he has learned over a lifetime of police and detective work where he has faced hundreds of situations that could have life or death consequences. Steve shares practical insights, adapted martial arts techniques, and techniques to make it our second nature to deal with the unexpected in ways that we never could otherwise.

As a husband and as a father to a beautiful 18 year old daughter, I implore everyone to read this book and share it with your loved ones - male and female, young and old. While Steve focuses on women’s self-defense, the principles of how to tune into your natural instincts, overcome your natural fear responses, and take decisive action can apply to unexpected and dangerous situations that can happen in anyone’s life at any moment. The life that is saved by learning and applying these principles could well be yours or someone you love.

Greg Brainard

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important read for younger ladies & mature ladies alike. This book is packed with lots of valuable information that hopefully will never be needed in one's lifetime. My one disappointment is that the website that was recommended a few times throughout the book, no longer appears to be an active website. I googled 'Defend University' & there is another site that looks to be affiliated called 'combative corner' so that might be worth checking out. If you haven't made the time to get out &
take an actual self-defense course, this book, at very least, can provide some useful tips given an unfortunate circumstance arises one day. My hope for all is that it never does ...

[Megan Helmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every woman should read this and every High School senior girl especially! Yes, it does make you realize that no place is really safe and to always be on alert. I don’t necessarily think that’s possible without being in a permanent state of fight or flight and that’s terrible for brain development BUT I do think it is helpful in making us aware of the bad things that can happen if we aren’t paying attention.

[Shari Suarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for all women. The author is a 30 year veteran of law enforcement and a teacher of self-defense. He gives you all the information you need to stay safe and not be a target. It scared me but made me think about my own safety in ways that I hadn't thought about.

[Daleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative. I will definitely start working on some things he mentioned in the book. Women, read it!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good practical book for women of all ages who may be thinking “I should really learn self defence” but they feel a bit intimidated to know where to start. I’d say that this book is a beginner book to self defence. It covers
- knowing how to trust your instincts and learning to say no at the risk of being rude (very reminiscent of subject matter covered in Gavin de Becker’s The Gift of Fear),
- being aware of your surroundings,
- visualizing different situations and making plans for how you would respond to them (ranging from someone invading your personal space to being attacked in a parking lot)
- basic physical self defence techniques

There were a few things that didn’t apply to me or older women. These type of tips were more for younger women such as not accepting drinks from strangers at parties or being careful during spring break shenanigans. But I even found some useful tips there that could relate to just traveling (such as giving the reception your ID instead of verbally giving out your personal information).

I tend to be a cautious person anyway but this book is a good reminder to not discount my instincts. Additionally, this books would help people to bring it one step forward from caution - to be prepared and know what to do if the bad feeling/uneasiness/suspicion progresses to a bad situation.

[Elizabeth7781 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I am of the baby boomer generation. I am not this author's intended demographic. If I were 25 (ok, 35) years younger, I would likely have rated it higher, containing, as it does, many useful tips for maintaining situational awareness in a troubled world that always has been and sadly is still rife with danger for women in general. This would be a good book to give a young woman in high school or college, possibly even a woman in her 30s if she has lead a privileged and sheltered life. But by the time a woman has five to six decades' experience living, and especially if she has traveled in the world, she already has significantly heightened awareness of the danger around her and how to avoid placing herself in the midst of it.

[G. Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrowing, and useful. The section on colleges and the "red zone" was particularly awful considering they obviously are well aware there's a greatly increased risk to their female attendees at this time and so purchase extra insurance. What if that money was put into extra security measures to protect young women? Gave me some things to think about, and reaffirmed something a police woman told me years ago: if you think something is wrong it is, trust your intuition.

[Tamra J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 21st safety must read for females and parents

READ IT, LEARN IT. IMPLEMENT IT AND PASS IT on, SO EVERYONE CAN ; Read it, LEARN IT, implement, particle and teach others the importance of self and family saftey

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many case studies, but nothing super revolutionary in terms of safety strategy. I think this would be a worthwhile book for a recent high school grad heading to college or a single woman moving into her own apartment for the first time.

[Mike Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are safety-minded, this book is a must-read. The author provides lifesaving advice and real-world experience, and actionable insights. It's a great read that gets to the point quickly. The writing is clear and easy to understand.

[Jennifer F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every woman, and anyone with a daughter, should read this book!

[Laney Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would highly recommend this book to all women, and I found it quite validating to myself to know what is and is not legal and acceptable as far as how I should be treated by strangers

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great info for women to be more aware and safe.

[Patrick Mcknight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ought to be required reading for both girls and boys alike. A great addition to the Gift of Fear.

[Beth Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just can't finish this. While I think some of the information is good and relevant, the writing is repetitive and not engaging.

[Nikki Schoenbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for all women especially women in college

[Patsy Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody should read this book.

[Carolyn Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading in middle school. Mom always taught me to keep a hand free and keep my keys ready, and Dad taught me to keep my head on a swivel, but this book goes into it DEEP.

[D Nichols]

Valuable advise. Lots of good information.