When we say the words "self-defense," most people immediately picture physical combat. They imagine blocking a punch, escaping a grab, or neutralizing a threat on the ground. While those physical skills are vital backup plans, they are exactly that: backup plans. The most effective self-defense actually happens long before anyone throws a punch. Here's the truth: the best fight is the one you never have to fight. This brings us to the "soft skills" of personal safety. These a