This episode features Chapter 14 from the full-length audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell.

What happens to your brain when fear hits? Why do people freeze, forget, or fall apart—even with training? In this powerful chapter, David Burnell breaks down the inner battle that happens the moment stress spikes—and how to win it.

You’ll discover:

• The difference between the cognitive brain and the survival brain
• What the “amygdala hijack” is—and how to stop it from taking over
• Why freezing isn’t failure, but biology—and how to move through it
• Simple mental tools like box breathing, stress inoculation, and pre-decision planning
• How to train your brain to stay functional, not perfect, when everything’s on the line

Whether you’re a protector, parent, student, or someone preparing for the unexpected, this chapter will change how you view stress and prepare for the worst day of your life.

This is a single chapter from the full audiobook Before It Happens: The Art of Staying Safe Before Violence Starts by David Burnell, available on Audible, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.

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