THE TACTICAL SPEAKEASY
Remember when conversation meant something?
When we gathered not to scroll, but to speak.
Before DMs replaced dialogue.
Before every opinion had to be posted.
Back when the best insights happened between sips—
in pubs, garages, backyards, and speakeasies…
when ideas flowed like whiskey and laughter cracked like old vinyl.
There was a kind of sacredness to it all. A mystery. Like a secret society of the curious— where your next big idea, inspiration or breakthrough might happen in a chance meeting, from a thoughtful question, a quote, or a story that started with, “You ever think about…”
I started teaching in 1977, launched formal classes in 1979 and have been teaching all over the world since.
Teaching online was nothing new to me. I was giving seminars and consulting using Webex and Skype long before Zoom was even a company!
In 2020 we launched the Tactical Garage Gym during COVID to help people around the world manage fear, uncertainty, and potential violence. 5 years in and over 800 classes recorded, we’ve covered down on virtually every possible, conceivable scenario.
Half a decade in and over 800 classes, you would think we'd run out of things to discuss, review and practice. Nope!
But here’s the thing—and really, it’s the whole point of this article: Teaching self-defense has never just been a physical act for me. It never was.
It’s always been about the holistic value of understanding fear.
Knowing you could stand up for yourself—and for your family.
Being brave even when you’re afraid.
And from the start, I told the inaugural Garage Gym crew that they were family.
Literally, after the first month, I started calling them my Cheers crowd. (Remember the sitcom that aired in 1982? That was the vibe—everyone knew each other’s name.)
We had our regulars who showed up live. And hundreds more who caught the replays from different time zones around the world.
One of my favorite parts? Logging in to start class and seeing the “Cheers gang” already hanging out — catching up on each other’s lives like old friends.
Because that’s what they’d become.
People from all over the world, connected by a screen… and something deeper.
I loved it. Still do.
In fact, our weekly meets have become so much more than just an online self-defense class.
I often tell the group: the 60 to 90 minutes I spend with the Garage Gym gang is the most important — and most fun — part of my day.
It’s sacred to me.
Teaching is my canvas. It’s where I create. It’s how I keep my mind sharp and my body moving.
Here's some of what we covered yesterday in Class 802:
We explored fear loops and duress paths.
We trained primal gross motor movements.
We looked at how a sucker punch and a slash with a knife can look the same and how trying to intercept with a complex motor skill could end up poorly.
We worked variations off sudden sucker punches to tackles.
We reminded ourselves that when it comes to self-protection, mindset is everything.
We discussed Salvador Dali and a quote of his and how it could apply to our lives.
We watched a video of a fight between two guys in a casino — broke it down, analyzing precontact cues, how we would deescalate if forced into this same situation.
We also laughed. (Because I'm the funniest self-defense instructor on Zoom 😬)
And of course, we all checked in first, discussing how the week was going personally.
Here are a few of the stand-out quotes from the session:
“The SPEAR System® is the human weapon system, which means every class is actually teaching you more about you.”
“Until we’re emotionally and psychologically in control of ourselves and physically dominating our opponent, do not jump to complex motor skills.”
“The SPEAR Form is like a musical scale. Your job is to learn it then turn it into jazz.”
The Tactical Garage Gym is a modern speakeasy.
Half a decade after the lockdowns, we still gather on Zoom—
not just to train, but to talk.
To discuss fear.
To dissect violence.
To sharpen self-awareness.
To challenge ourselves physically, emotionally, philosophically.
To explore what it really means to feel safe, to be safe.
To be dangerous—in the right way.
So here’s what I ask of you, the reader, anytime you share your most precious resource – time – with another person, be it in conversation or training, ask yourself this:
Was that time well spent? Are you safer? Smarter? Did the experience make you think? Did it inspire curiosity, promote insight? Are you a better person as a result of the time investment?
Because that’s the measure of time well spent.
The Garage Gym is not just a martial arts workout. It’s not simply a self-defense class. It’s a Tactical Speakeasy.
If any of this article intrigued you, made you stop and think, made you curious — even for a second… I want to gift you Garage Gym #802.
The link to the class is below my signature.
See you inside the Tactical Speakeasy.
—Coach B
1. Grab your free access to Garage Gym #802 and see what the Tactical Speakeasy is all about.
2. Train With Me, Live — Final Spot Open
We’ve got 1 last seat for the Elite Training Retreat, June 6–8.
This is the REAL Tactical Speakeasy! This is a rare opportunity to train in person, in my home gym, with a small group of dedicated protectors. The experience is personal, and unforgettable.
3. Get Certified in the Official SPEAR System®
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your coaching toolbox, our Level 1 Certification will teach you how to coach the SPEAR System® —
The only system built around the startle-flinch, fear, and real-world violence.
Thank you Brad 🙏❤️👊
Tony this is one of the most wholesome, genuine, caring, appreciative and real articles I have ever read of yours. It's so true what you say about the lovely formation of like minded people all coming together and getting to know one another, sharing with each other and acknowledging each other while learning such incredible self defense profundity and skills from you. The whole TGG zoom environment is friendly, co-joining, heart felt and ever so empowering on many levels. This is not to leave out the fact no instructor, no teacher in the whole of the worlds self defense industry is able to produce the same content of pure science based knowledge that you do in each and every TGG class. So cerebral, so proven and so highly accurate in all that you say and teach. In fact Tony no one can prove the whole S.P.E.A.R. system wrong or unintelligent in any way. You are so passionate in all that you teach us and so empowering. We are all blessed to have you! Thanks!