In Episode 639 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco sits down with martial artist and media producer Paulo Rubio to discuss practical training methods, knife design philosophy, and the reality of self-defense situations. Rubio, formerly known for his work with Funker Tactical, shares his transformation from documenting martial arts masters around the world to becoming a dedicated instructor himself.

The conversation covers Rubio's approach to creating training drills, including his innovative reverse blink drill that tests reactions in fractions of a second. Based on research showing that knife thrusts occur in just 0.14 seconds, this drill reveals what your body actually does under extreme pressure, rather than what you think it should do. Rubio explains his philosophy of creating hundreds of drills and discarding most of them, encouraging students to develop their own training methods based on honest self-assessment of their weaknesses.

DeMarco and Rubio discuss the complexity of real defensive scenarios, including split-second decision-making when multiple people might enter a violent situation. Rubio shares insights from his years of learning from masters across every fighting discipline, explaining how he alchemized that knowledge into teachable skills. The episode also explores knife selection and design, with Rubio advocating for simple, functional tools rather than Frankenstein blades trying to solve every problem at once.

Whether you train in Filipino martial arts, study knife techniques, or want to understand practical self-defense from someone who has learned from the best and tested it all himself, this episode offers valuable perspectives on training, teaching, and the honest assessment of what actually works when it matters most.

Listen to Episode 639 at www.theknifejunkie.com/639. Find Paulo Rubio online at www.paulorubio.com and follow him on Instagram at @gn_funkertactical for training videos, drills, and honest commentary on martial arts.

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