College Bound: How to Be Ready, Stay Safe, and Still Live Your Life.

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Description

You can't always protect them-but you can help prepare them. College is more than academics and independence-it's a high-stakes transition filled with unfamiliar environments, social pressure, and real-world risk. From late-night parties to first apartments, campus protests to new relationships, students face decisions every day that can impact their safety, reputation, and well-being. Unfortunately, most are sent off with advice that's outdated, vague, or based on fear. This book changes that.
Written by nationally recognized self-defense and leadership coach Ryan Hoover, "College Bound" offers a real-world guide for students-and for the parents who want to support them without hovering. With a calm, no-nonsense tone, it delivers practical tools for setting boundaries, building situational awareness, navigating digital life, and developing habits that make students harder to harm.
No scare tactics. No rigid rules. Instead, you'll find straightforward conversation about what confidence actually looks like, how to handle conflict without escalation, and why preparation beats paranoia every time. Whether your student is moving into a dorm, commuting to campus, or starting fresh in a new city, this guide will help them move through the world with more clarity, capability, and calm.
Inside you'll learn:
How to build everyday habits that reduce risk in under 30 seconds.
The difference between real confidence and performative bravado.
How to set and hold boundaries-socially, physically, and digitally.
What to know about moving out, going out, hooking up, and speaking up.
How to prepare for conflict before it happens, without living in fear.
"College Bound" is ideal for students, parents, and educators who want more than surface-level safety tips. It's a modern resource for a modern world-and a must-read for anyone stepping into independence for the first time.

Author Bio

Ryan Hoover is the founder of Fit to Fight, a personal defense organization with affiliates across the U.S. and internationally. He has spent over two decades teaching thousands of students-from high school seniors to law enforcement officers-how to move through the world with more awareness, confidence, and readiness. As a respected voice in the self-defense and fitness communities, Ryan is known for his practical, no-nonsense approach. He's been featured in many national outlets and regularly speaks at events focused on safety, leadership, and personal development.
Additionally, Ryan has co-authored multiple books on personal safety and training, including "The Incomplete Guide to Modern Krav Maga," and developed nationally recognized programs focused on boundaries, confidence, and real-world readiness for students and young adults-including "College Bound," "GROUNDED," and "SPARology." He's also the creator of Savage Grae, a leadership and mindset framework for students, athletes, and professionals navigating high-stakes environments. Outside of his credentials and accolades, what sets Ryan apart is his commitment to preparing people for the real world-not with paranoia or bravado, but with clarity, capability, and care.
Currently, Ryan lives in North Carolina with his family, where he continues his passion for teaching, writing, and leading from the front.