By Mark Grobbelaar , Founder & CEO at INpowered
Let me start with a question. How many of you think that safety is important when you’re out running or cycling? Every hand would go up.
But then if I asked, how many of you actually plan your routes with safety in mind, tell someone where you’re going, or even carry something with you that could help in an emergency? The hands drop very quickly.
So if we all believe safety is important, why don’t we act like it?
I think it’s because most of us assume, “Well, nothing happened yesterday, so nothing will happen today.” But that’s not how the world works. Out there, things can turn bad quickly. Which is why I say safety is not luck. Safety is choice. Safety is preparation. Safety is awareness.
In our INpowered program personal protection program, we speak about layers of safety. The more layers you have, the harder it is for someone to get to you. Each one is another obstacle an assailant would have to cut through before they can get close to you.
Knowledge and Awareness are very important. But here’s the catch: awareness without knowledge is just paranoia. The real power comes when you combine the two. Add in communication, planning, and you’re suddenly not such an easy target anymore.
We also talk about what we call the Triangle of Jeopardy. For an attack to happen, three things must exist: the intent to do harm, the ability to do harm, and the opportunity to do harm. You can’t control intent. You can’t control ability. But you can control opportunity. And that’s what most of us forget. Don’t hand someone the chance to make you a victim.
So how do you stop giving away opportunities? If you’re running, stick to safe routes. Don’t be predictable—change your times and change your paths. Don’t block out the world completely with headphones. Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
If you’re cycling, ride in pairs or groups when you can. Make sure someone in the group has a communication device. Stay visible, and never assume a driver has seen you, even if you’ve made eye contact. Carry ID. Carry a phone. And yes, consider carrying a self-defense tool if that feels right for you. But here’s the deal: don’t just carry it. Learn how to use it. Because in a high-stress situation, a tool you don’t know how to use isn’t just useless—and it can work against you.
And above all else, trust your gut. When something feels wrong, it is wrong. Don’t wait to find out. Don’t go and check. Don’t second-guess yourself. Just go. Early action is often the only action you’ll have.
Being aware isn’t about living in fear. It’s about being prepared. It’s about building enough layers that you’re harder to reach, harder to harm, and more likely to get home safe.
At INpowered, we don’t believe in paranoia—we believe in knowledge, awareness, and belief. Because when you know what’s possible, when you believe you have an option, you’re stronger than you were before.
Be safe. It’s a jungle out there.
