“When it seems like the world is ending, being willing to help others is the antidote to fear.”

When you’re afraid, forget about yourself and try to help others.

“To him who is in fear, everything rustles. (Sophocles) ”

Learn to read the cues that reveal whether people are honest or deceitful. 

“We are never done with fear. Whenever you think you’ve conquered one fear, there will always be another to take its place.”

Never back down; never give up. 

Remember these tips to protect yourself from falsehoods:<ul><li>“Everybody lies” – Accept the fact that every person lies. Many do so repeatedly. Typical individuals lie, on average, once or twice a day. In a single conversation, the average person will lie one to 10 times.</li><li>“Reading people” – Become an avid student of body language, which can reveal what people are thinking. When people worry that others may know they’re lying, their jaws may clench, they may fidget, or they may put their hands over their mouths when they speak.</li></ul>

Falsehoods -1

To influence others, consider these tips:<ul><li>“How to influence” – Your words are your most potent weapons. Most people speak carelessly and choose their words without forethought</li><li>“Undivided attention” – People who came to former US President Bill Clinton’s rallies loved him. While on duty with the Secret Service duties, Poumpouras saw first-hand how much Clinton’s people cared about him. Clinton made each person he talked with feel like the only person in the world. To win people over, give them your undivided attention. </li></ul>

How influence others

“If you must fight, then fight.”Instead of throwing a punch, draw on these layers of knowledge: <ul><li>“Harnessing fear” – Managing your fears doesn’t always mean overcoming them. Instead, make them work for you</li><li>“Mental armor” – This is your internal protection against other people’s bullying words or threatening behaviors</li><li>“The Secret Service mind-set” – Prepare yourself, mentally and physically, for events that could paralyze you with fear</li></ul>

Bulletproof vests are made of many layers of fabric. To protect yourself, you need many layers of knowledge -1

“Heroism is quiet. It isn’t about bravado or being the biggest or the strongest. It isn’t about firing guns or being awarded medals. It’s about what’s in your heart and mind and spirit.”

Life is easier when you influence others, so learn to apply proven persuasion techniques. 

<ul><li>“Bulletproof your life” – Your home should have exterior lighting to discourage intruders. Keep your doors and windows free of shrubbery criminals could hide behind. Install good locks. Dead-bolt your doors. Carry as few credit cards, identification cards and insurance cards as you can to minimize the hassle and exposure if someone steals your wallet. To avoid identity theft, minimize the number of websites on which you enter your birth date. To protect your children, don’t post information about them online. </li></ul>

Bulletproof vests are made of many layers of fabric. To protect yourself, you need many layers of knowledge -2

Despite her fears, Poumpouras stayed strong amid the frightening rubble, haze and fire. She helped stunned and bloody victims survive.“In the end, when it’s over, all that matters is what you’ve done.” (Alexander the Great)

Tiny and untested, Evy Poumpouras was fresh out of Secret Service training on 9/11. She became a heroine.

<ul><li>“How people read you” – Consider how terrific the newscasters on TV look: perfect clothes, great posture, big smiles and every hair in place. </li><li>“What are they really saying” – Occasionally, people’s words have nothing to do with what they want to communicate. Listen for clues. For example, phrasing like, “As I’m sure you’re aware…” is a signal to work hard to understand the speaker’s message.</li></ul>Never expect to have a perfect radar for deception; no one does – not even an experienced polygraph expert.

Falsehoods -2

▶When you’re afraid, forget about yourself and try to help others.▶Bulletproof vests are made of many layers of fabric. To protect yourself, you need many layers of knowledge.▶Learn to read the cues that reveal whether people are honest or deceitful.▶Life is easier when you influence others, so learn to apply proven persuasion techniques.▶Never back down; never give up.▶Tiny and untested, Evy Poumpouras was fresh out of Secret Service training on 9/11. She became a heroine.

Becoming Bulletproof

Protect Yourself, Read People, Influence Situations, and Live Fearlessly

Former Secret Service agent and star of Bravo’s Spy Games Evy Poumpouras shares lessons learned from protecting presidents, as well insights and skills from the oldest and most elite security force in the world to help you prepare for stressful situations, instantly read people, influence how you are perceived, and live a more fearless life. Becoming Bulletproof means transforming yourself into a stronger, more confident, and more powerful person. Evy Poumpouras—former Secret Service agent to three presidents and one of only five women to receive the Medal of Valor—demonstrates how we can overcome our everyday fears, have difficult conversations, know who to trust and who might not have our best interests at heart, influence situations, and prepare for the unexpected. When you have become bulletproof, you are your best, most courageous, and most powerful version of you. Poumpouras shows us that ultimately true strength is found in the mind, not the body. Courage involves facing our fears, but it is also about resilience, grit, and having a built-in BS detector and knowing how to use it. In Becoming Bulletproof, Poumpouras demonstrates how to heighten our natural instincts to employ all these qualities and move from fear to fearlessness.

Former Secret Service agent and star of Bravo’s Spy Games Evy Poumpouras shares lessons learned from protecting presidents, as well insights and skills from the oldest and most elite security force in the world to help you prepare for stressful situations, instantly read people, influence how you are perceived, and live a more fearless life. Becoming Bulletproof means transforming yourself into a stronger, more confident, and more powerful person. Evy Poumpouras—former Secret Service agent to three presidents and one of only five women to receive the Medal of Valor—demonstrates how we can overcome our everyday fears, have difficult conversations, know who to trust and who might not have our best interests at heart, influence situations, and prepare for the unexpected. When you have become bulletproof, you are your best, most courageous, and most powerful version of you. Poumpouras shows us that ultimately true strength is found in the mind, not the body. Courage involves facing our fears, but it is also about resilience, grit, and having a built-in BS detector and knowing how to use it. In Becoming Bulletproof, Poumpouras demonstrates how to heighten our natural instincts to employ all these qualities and move from fear to fearlessness.