The state of the economy is a result of greed and lack of forward thinking. When things are good, little is done to refine the status quo and self-evaluation is postponed.

With your physical well being, taking practical martial arts that work (like Brazilian JIu Jitsu and MMA), and exercising your body is a cheap insurance to protecting yourself, when you need it, and giving yourself more years of life.

Regarding “practical” self defense, there are many martial arts out there. There is only one that works, and it has been proven over the last 10 years in the ring - Mixed Martial Arts. Taking anything else raises the risk of injury when you need it.

Only when facing adversity, do people realize what works and what does not. Don’t put yourself in that position when you need the skills to defend yourself. Being overweight, can place great burden on your health as well. Somehow we ignore this fact - either we are too busy with work, the family, or something else.  All this goes out the window if you experience a heart attack, get diabetes, and cancer.

Life is more fragile than you think.