In this episode of The Hardened Edge, host Dean Ash sits down with security expert Idan Abolnik, a former Israeli close protection officer with firsthand experience operating in the high-risk world of organized crime and private protection. Idan shares his powerful journey—from military service to working with mafia figures and high-profile clients—and opens up about the intense realities of the job.

Discover what it takes to operate in the shadows: the importance of trust, risk assessment, team dynamics, and the psychological toll of living under constant threat. Idan also reveals the ethical challenges faced in close protection, and how he miraculously left behind a life intertwined with the Israeli mafia.

Whether you're in the industry or just fascinated by the world of personal security, this episode offers raw, real-world insight into close protection, bodyguarding, organized crime, and survival under pressure.

🎧 Topics:

• Life inside private protection and the Israeli mafia

• The difference between guarding VIPs and protecting criminals

• Building trust with dangerous clients

• Tactical training, risk assessment, and ethical dilemmas

• The exit: walking away from organized crime

#CloseProtection #PrivateSecurity #Mafia #OrganizedCrime #BodyguardLife #IsraeliSecurity #PersonalSafety #RiskAssessment #SecurityExpert #IdanAbolnik #TheHardenedEdge

🎧 Inside South Africa's Security War: An Expert Speaks Out
Hardened Edge Podcast with Dean Ash

In this gripping and unfiltered episode of the Hardened Edge Podcast, host Dean Ash sits down with a disguised security specialist operating in South Africa’s most volatile and dangerous environments. For security reasons, the guest’s identity remains confidential — but his chilling insights are 100% real.

🚨 What’s really happening behind the headlines?
This episode peels back the curtain on the brutal realities of crime in South Africa — a country battling a surge of kidnappings, farm attacks, cash-in-transit heists, hijackings, and organized criminal violence.

Our anonymous guest is a close protection specialist who has operated in the shadows for years, protecting high-risk individuals and navigating chaos that most of the world never sees. His voice may be disguised — but his message is loud and clear: South Africa is at a breaking point.

🔎 Topics Covered:

• The terrifying rise in kidnappings for ransom — including tactics used and how civilians can reduce risk

• Inside stories of cash-in-transit heists and the military-level planning behind them

• The brutality of farm attacks, and why rural communities are arming themselves

• Hidden crime in Cape Town’s tourist zones — and why foreigners are walking into danger

• The broken justice system and the growing wave of vigilante action

• The psychological toll on private security personnel and law enforcement

• Why self-defense training and mental preparedness are no longer optional for South African civilians

💣 This is not just another crime story.
This is a raw, real-world briefing from someone living on the edge of South Africa’s unfolding security crisis. It’s a rare glimpse into a world most people never hear about — unless it’s too late.

Whether you're in South Africa, planning to visit, working in security, or just want to understand how nations crumble under pressure — this episode will shake you.

🎙️ About the Hardened Edge Podcast:
Host Dean Ash explores real-world security, personal protection, and the people who walk the line between order and chaos. No fluff. No filters. Just battle-tested insight from the edge of danger.

🔥 Share this episode with friends, family, or anyone who needs to understand what’s really happening in South Africa.
💬 Leave a review, subscribe, and stay tuned for more conversations from the frontlines of global security.

In this engaging conversation, Dean Ash and Alex Reid delve into the critical differences between combat sports and self-defense. They explore personal experiences with bullying, the motivations behind fighting, and the importance of realistic training in today's dangerous world. The discussion also touches on the role of masculinity, the effectiveness of various martial arts, and the need for self-defense skills in an increasingly violent society. With a focus on practical applications and real-world scenarios, the conversation emphasizes the necessity of preparing for the worst while maintaining a balanced approach to martial arts training.

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, we sit down with PEADOPHILE HUNTER Chris Duff for a raw, unfiltered look into the world of online predators, child exploitation, and the fight to protect vulnerable children in the digital age.

Chris shares real experiences from the frontlines—decoy operations, sextortion cases, grooming investigations, and how he works to gather evidence that can lead to arrests and prosecutions. With increasing threats online, this episode dives deep into the challenges of internet safety, child protection, and navigating the legal grey areas between vigilante justice and official law enforcement.

🔍 In this episode, we cover:

• The tactics predators use to groom and exploit children

• How sextortion is evolving online—and what parents need to know

• Undercover communication techniques and evidence gathering

• Working with or independently from law enforcement

• The psychological toll of this work and why it matters

• Where rehabilitation fits into the conversation about justice and change

Whether you're a parent, teacher, law enforcement professional, or simply someone who wants to be informed—this episode is a must-listen.

In this compelling episode of the Hardened Edge Podcast, host Dean Ash sits down with Dominique Olfsen, a renowned combat self-defence instructor from South Africa. Dominique opens up about her transformative journey into self-defence, shedding light on the critical importance of awareness and training for women. With the alarming rise of violent crime in South Africa, particularly targeting women, Dominique passionately advocates for the urgent need for self-defence education.

Throughout the episode, Dominique delves into the core techniques of self-defence, emphasizing the significance of consistent practice and how overcoming fear and hesitation is key to surviving dangerous situations. She also discusses how body types can influence self-defence strategies and the essential mindset required to effectively protect oneself.

Dominique touches on the moral and ethical considerations involved in self-defence, emphasizing the importance of making quick, sound decisions in high-pressure situations. She strongly advocates for mandatory self-defence education in schools, citing the cultural challenges surrounding violence in South Africa. Drawing from her own experiences, Dominique shares both the harrowing realities of violence faced by women and girls and the success stories from her training sessions that highlight the transformative power of self-defence.

This insightful conversation concludes with a powerful message about how self-defence training can be a vital tool for empowerment and survival. Dominique's expertise offers practical advice for personal safety and navigating dangerous situations, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in self-defence and personal empowerment.

In this conversation, Dean Ash interviews Idan Abolnik, a self-defense expert and creator of Kalah Combat. They discuss the global crisis of violence, the importance of realistic self-defense training, and the emotional and psychological aspects of defending oneself. Idan shares his background in military and security, the principles of Kalah Combat, and personal experiences with violence. The conversation emphasizes the need for everyone to take self-defense seriously and provides practical tips for staying safe in today's world.