A few years ago, we read a book about the tribal evolution of men and the necessity of honor societies.
Tribal men knew that if you were weak, you were a liability to them, their family, and the tribe as a whole. Their way of life could be ended by famine, a harsh winter, or the next raid from the rival tribe.
Honor compelled each man to be the most dangerous and productive version of himself.
It was life or death.
So, iron sharpened iron and the dull were discarded.
This was the way.
Fast forward to today and we are far removed from that way of life.
We live differently.
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We don’t have to hunt.
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We are largely protected from the elements.
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We enjoy the comforts of modern medicine and the digital age.
But the evolution of society has not been an absolute positive for the evolution of men.
And because of that, we have lost the brotherly accountability that made the tribe strong.
We still need tough men.
We still need warriors.
We still need the sheep dog.
Honor should still compel us to be the most dangerous and productive version of ourselves.
Because today, just as hundreds of years ago, the future of our children still largely depends on the strength of dangerous and righteous men.
And they still exist.
This blog series is dedicated to them, their mission, and the value they bring to each one of us.
That brings us to our brother, BowTiedZilla.
BTGasmask: Tell us a little bit about yourself that fits inside the framework of being hard to kill. Veteran? Fitness? Martial Arts? Gun enthusiast?
BTZilla: I am a father, husband, and current law enforcement officer. Fitness and martial arts are some of my top priorities in my life outside of my family.
BTGasmask: What does it mean to you to be hard to kill? How would you define it?
BTZilla: Hard to kill means exactly that. You’re hard to kill. You’re capable of violence and in extreme shape to be able to withstand any attack. When someone looks at you, they need to think “Don’t mess with that guy.”
BTGasmask: Why is being hard to kill important to you? Dangerous job? Family? Grew up in a rough neighborhood?
BTZilla: It’s important to me because of the inherent danger of my job in law enforcement. I have to be hard to kill to be able to go home to my family every day. On top of that it is important to me because it is my duty to protect my family. You can’t protect your family if you’re dead. Better make yourself hard to kill.
BTGasmask: We see some men run away from taking care of themselves when they become new dads. We see some run towards it, almost like a duty to be around for the long haul for their kids. How did becoming a father affect you?
BTZilla: I think becoming a father enhances who you truly are. You’ve always had the fire in you but becoming a father makes the fire burn hotter. And vice versa for those with no fire. With enough awareness you can change that though if you run away from it.
BTGasmask: What are you currently doing that keeps you ready for the fight whether that be in the world of fitness, diet, martial arts, range time? What is your approach to training that/those skill(s)?
BTZilla: Training: intense weightlifting 3-5 times a week. Cardio- both slow and steady and high intensities 5-7 times a week. I go to the range at least once a week. Shooting is a perishable skill, and you need to be proficient in many different weapons systems. I train BJJ and boxing as well. Diet is simple. 1+g of protein per bodyweight, .3g of fat per bodyweight and fill the rest of my calories in with mostly carbs (or extra protein/fats). My calories shift based on if I’m in a bulk or cut. I aim to eat mostly Whole Foods (usually a 1lb of meat a day and plenty of rice, potatoes, and fruit/veggies) and drink protein shakes. My approach to training is to be as dangerous and fit as possible. My motto that is echoed on my X/twitter is “Be Fit & Get Dangerous”
BTGasmask: Have you ever had a close call with death that reframed how you approach life and your goals? If so, what was it and how did it change you?
BTZilla: Too many to count, I work in one of the most dangerous cities in the US. I’ve had guns pulled on me & I’ve held people at gunpoint. It changed me by making life more “real”. things can change in a blink of an eye; your life can be gone at the snap of a finger. Better be ready.
BTGasmask: It seems to get tougher and tougher these days to be a cop. What is something that you'd want people to know about the realities of the job?
BTZilla: It’s tough, long hours, but fun work. The recruitment videos try to make it glamorous and say “it’s a public duty” or whatever. The best people in law enforcement join because it’s fun, you get to catch bad guys, and you get to carry a badge and a gun. There is a sense of duty with getting bad guys off the street, but you soon realize you can’t be Superman. Show up, do your job, and take care of yourself and your family.
BTGasmask: What do you think are the most important skills/abilities someone needs to have in a violent encounter?
BTZilla: Overall fitness (be able to run away, or fight if it comes to it), some kind of fighting capability, proficient in firearms, awareness and be able to keep your cool in a tough situation. Your body dumps adrenaline into your system in a real life or death situation, you need to be able to control yourself. Situational awareness is key. Everywhere you go you should be scanning and looking for threats. You can’t turn it off. Some people say that’s being “paranoid”, but nothing make me more calm than knowing my family and I are safe.
BTGasmask: What tools do you consider a must to keep on your person/in your vehicle for emergencies? Gun? IFAK? 3-day bag?
BTZilla: EDC: Person- gun & knife are non-negotiable You should have an IFAK in Every one of your vehicles and various places around your house. A go bag is good to have in case of emergencies.
BTGasmask: For your EDC, what brands do you trust for your gun and knife? Any particular model you would recommend and your reason for choosing it?
BTZilla: I’m a Glock maxi. Glock 19 and Glock 43x are two of my favorites. It’s the most durable and reliable brand out there. For knives, I have a CRKT Septimo and it does fine. Benchmade makes great knives but it’s going to cost you.
BTGasmask: What advice would you give to other men, who maybe haven’t been tested or are wondering if they have courage, about what you have discovered in the process of becoming hard to kill?
BTZilla: Do hard things. In a world full of convenience, you have to purposely do hard things to grow. You can’t get tough sitting around and doing nothing. Hard things - Fitness, learn a new skill, whatever is hard for you. I love fitness because it tests your body and mind. An intense workout will push your limits and you will come out the other side as a better man. Push yourself!
H2K is grateful for men like BowTiedZilla.
We thoroughly enjoyed getting to talk to him and are thankful for his willingness to be the first man featured in this new blog series.
We pray the lord will continue to bless him and his family and watch over him as he keeps our community safe.
Please give him a follow on Twitter/X,
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If you are a H2K or know someone who is, send them our way so we can keep this series going.
Until then, thanks for reading our Substack and feel free to check out our trauma kit line at H2KIFAK.COM.
We leave you with a quote-