Ep 66 Don’t Be an Easy Target with Damian Porter

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi is joined by Damian Porter, also known as The How Not To Die Guy, for a powerful, practical conversation about situational awareness, self-protection, bravery, and what it really means to prepare for unsafe situations.

With a background in the New Zealand Army, including Special Forces, policing in Western Australia, and over 15 years as a firefighter, Damian brings lived experience from high-risk environments - but what stands out most is his grounded, teachable approach to helping everyday people stay safer.

This is not a fear-based conversation.

It’s a preparation-based one.

Kristi and Damian unpack why most people freeze in dangerous situations, how practice changes reaction time, and why “hypervigilance” isn’t the goal - awareness is. They explore how violence often arrives as a surprise, why ego can escalate risk, and how simple behavioural shifts - like using your voice, creating distance, or taking early action - can interrupt harm.

The episode also bridges their shared work in child safety and prevention. They discuss:

Teaching children to recognise unsafe behaviour

Practicing “emergency no” and using your voice

The power of situational awareness in everyday settings

How offenders rely on silence, compliance, and disbelief

Why most perpetrators avoid resistance and exposure

How bravery is a choice - not a personality trait