The John Hallett Podcast | Training Time Hierarchy Episode #88

In this episode of The John Hallett Podcast, we tackle one of the most important—but often overlooked—principles in self-defense training: how to prioritize your training time.

Whether you're a beginner or advanced, how you divide your time determines whether you actually get better or just stay busy. If you want real-world skills that hold up under pressure, you’ve got to train with purpose.

⛓ The Hierarchy of Self-Defense Training

Here’s the ClearSky training breakdown John shared:

🥇 30% – Self-Defense Techniques (High Probability Attacks)

• Chokes (rear, wall, ground)
• Bear hugs, grabs, weapon threats
• Escape & evasion drills

“Train for what actually happens, not what you hope will happen.”

🥈 25% – Combatives (Striking & Movement)

• Punches, elbows, knees, kicks
• Pad work, angles, footwork

“Your hands are your first weapons. But if you don’t train your timing—you won’t land a single one when it counts.”

🥉 25% – Ground Fighting & Grappling

• Escapes (mount, guard, side)
• Takedown defense, stand-ups

“The ground is a brutal place if you don’t know what you’re doing.”

💪 10% – Fitness & Strength

• Conditioning, explosiveness
• Endurance drills

“If your skills fade when you’re tired, what’s the point? Fitness is the gas that keeps you in the fight.”

🧠 10% – Mindset, Law & Awareness

• De-escalation, legal use of force
• Tactical breathing, situational awareness

“Your mindset wins fights. If your brain shuts down, so does your body.”

🎙️ Real Talk From the Mat

• On unrealistic training partners: “Hey man, I like you—but you're going too hard. I’m here to learn, not survive you.”
• On repetition: “Want to be a great striker? Try 10,000 reps. On a bag. At home. At the gym. That’s how black belts are made.”
• On training priorities: “Cool techniques don’t matter if you can’t breathe or recover under pressure.”
• On mindset: “If my arm gets blown off in combat, I’ll pick it up and beat you with it. That’s the level of mindset we want.”

💡 Takeaways

• Train what’s most likely to happen. Not what looks cool.
• Condition your body AND your brain. Don’t gas out mentally or physically.
• Stay humble. Train often. Online or in-person—just train.

📍 Want More?

👉 www.ClearSky.Training

📍 Castle Rock, CO – One Month Free for Locals

🛒 Gear + Supplements: shop.rmsdf.com & shop.clearsky.training