Second Plan A

Amber and Ryan Hoover

Step into the Second Plan A lifestyle and embark on a sometimes funny, sometimes serious, and constantly engaging journey with a spirited married couple. Delve into thought-provoking conversations that touch on diverse topics, including confrontation, entrepreneurship, prioritizing mental and physical wellness, fostering personal growth, and exploring other meaningful subjects that deeply resonate with them.

  1. 12/10/2025

    41. Friction vs Failure: The Chance to Build Durability

    On this episode, we’re unpacking why we confuse friction with failure — in kids and in ourselves — and how that confusion leads to quitting when we should be getting durable. We draw from a Substack article by Ryan called “Quit Quitting for Your Kids.” Like most of his articles, you'll find an absurd number of concepts presented short and succinctly to get a full overview of the topic. We talk about Dips vs Culs-de-Sac, how “Life guarantees friction, but not all friction is the same", and cover important life lessons learned through quitting or not quitting. Keywords friction, failure, parenting, commitment, motivation, kids, resilience, quitting, long-term benefits, active listening

    57 min
  2. 40. From Self Defense to Holiday Eating: You Don't Need Permission

    11/26/2025

    40. From Self Defense to Holiday Eating: You Don't Need Permission

    On this episode, we’re fanning the flames of a simple idea: you don’t need permission to act — not in a fire, not in a fight, and not at a holiday dinner table. In fact, sometimes your wellbeing depends on breaking a rule instead of following one. We discuss the importance of understanding when to break rules for self-protection, the implications of zero tolerance policies in schools, and the impact of societal pressures during the holiday season. The conversation emphasizes the need for critical thinking, personal agency, and the ability to enjoy life without guilt.

    56 min

  3. 11/12/2025

    39. You Meant Well - Or Did You?

    Amber and Ryan discuss the significance of intent in decision-making, particularly in the context of self-defense and martial arts. They explore how flexible thinking and adaptability are crucial when faced with unexpected challenges. The conversation delves into the importance of understanding goals and outcomes, the role of variables in real-world scenarios, and the balance between intent and action. intent, decision-making, self-defense, flexible thinking, training, outcomes, risk-taking, psychology, combat strategies, learning from mistakes

    50 min
  4. 38. How Occam's Razor Wins Fights

    10/29/2025

    38. How Occam's Razor Wins Fights

    If you get a flat tire, was it a nail or someone slashed your tires? If you failed a test, is it because you' weren't prepared or your teacher is out to get you? In these situations, it's a common principle to use Occam's Razor to choose between two options. That means, the answer is likely the one that requires the least number of assumptions. In this episode, we take a look at the common misuse of Occam's Razor and how it actually applies in life, in coaching, and in training. We'll talk about where adding more can make you less safe in self defense and less effective in MMA or even sports in general. 00:00 Introduction to Occam's Razor 03:12 Understanding Occam's Razor 05:40 Misinterpretations and Over-Simplifications 08:33 Assumptions and Malice 10:55 Applying Occam's Razor in Coaching 13:32 Simplicity in Communication 16:07 The Balance of Complexity and Simplicity 18:22 Real-World Applications of Simplicity 26:45 Mastering the Essentials of Jiu-Jitsu 29:45 The Importance of Focused Training 33:44 Self-Defense: Prioritizing Practical Techniques 35:12 Understanding Realistic Scenarios in Self-Defense 42:49 The Reality of Knife Defense 44:55 Simplicity in Strategy and Training 49:56 Cutting Through Complexity in Life and Training #simplicity #complexity #selfdefense #coaching #assumptions #training #martialarts #lifelessons #efficiency ----Keep up with the plans:Be the first to get updates and news: ⁠secondplana.com⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SecondPlanAInstagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/secondplana

    53 min
  5. 37. The Edge of Pressure

    10/15/2025

    37. The Edge of Pressure

    On this episode, Amber and Ryan explore the dual nature of stress as both a potential strength and a significant weakness. They delve into the Yerkes-Dodson Law, discussing how optimal levels of stress can enhance performance while excessive stress can lead to breakdown. The conversation emphasizes the importance of individualized coaching strategies to manage stress effectively in training environments. They also introduce a new training program, Foundry, designed to progressively challenge participants and foster growth.

    32 min
  6. 36. Training From Negative: The Modern Krav Maga™ Approach

    10/01/2025

    36. Training From Negative: The Modern Krav Maga™ Approach

    On this episode, Amber and Ryan take a look at the importance of training from early recognition and how it is often overlooked in most training. We talk about why training from negative scenarios does matter but also where it goes wrong and how this applies to life off the mats. --- Check out the clips we referenced on instagram @secondplana https://www.instagram.com/secondplana

    52 min

  7. 09/17/2025

    35. Behavior Before Beliefs: Why Action Builds Identity

    Amber and Ryan explore the profound relationship between actions and beliefs, discussing concepts such as the sunk cost fallacy, cognitive dissonance, and self-efficacy. They delve into how behaviors shape our beliefs and the implications of this dynamic in various contexts, including social media and personal development. The conversation also touches on the Stanford prison experiment as a case study of how situational factors can dramatically alter human behavior.

    59 min

  8. 09/03/2025

    34. Dead Reckoning and the Dangers of Self Deception

    What can a maritime disaster teach us about tracking our progress in martial arts? In this episode Amber and Ryan explore the concept of dead reckoning, drawing parallels between a historical naval disaster and the challenges faced in life and training. They discuss the importance of regular check-ins, the compounding effects of small deviations, and the impact of cognitive bias on decision-making. The conversation emphasizes the need for effective communication in relationships, the role of ego in learning, and the significance of having a framework for conflict resolution.

    1h 8m
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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Step into the Second Plan A lifestyle and embark on a sometimes funny, sometimes serious, and constantly engaging journey with a spirited married couple. Delve into thought-provoking conversations that touch on diverse topics, including confrontation, entrepreneurship, prioritizing mental and physical wellness, fostering personal growth, and exploring other meaningful subjects that deeply resonate with them.

Information

  • Creator
    Amber and Ryan Hoover
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Amber and Ryan Hoover
  • Show Website
    Second Plan A