On March 16th, the Safely team hosted a virtual safety session in partnership with Kailee Billerbeck, founder of Everyday Armor, focused on helping people feel more prepared in high stress situations.
The conversation centered around active shooter safety and how to think through decisions in moments where quick action matters. More than anything, the goal was to create a space where people could learn, ask questions, and feel supported.
Creating Space for Conversations That Matter
For the Safely team, this conversation felt especially close to home. As founders who attended the University of Texas, recent events in Austin have made safety an even more present and important topic in our community.
We know these conversations are not easy, but they are important. By creating space to talk openly and learn together, we can help people feel more informed and more prepared without leading with fear.
In the days following the Buford’s tragedy, we felt a strong responsibility to create space for conversation, education, and support. After partnering with the Austin running community for the Buford’s 5K Fundraiser, this session was another way we could continue showing up. The class was free to attend, and we encouraged optional donations to the Buford’s victims support fund for those who wanted to contribute.
Moments like this remind us that safety is not just about preparation. It is also about community, care, and supporting one another when it matters most.
What We Covered in the Session
During the session, we focused on practical ways to approach high stress situations and how to think clearly under pressure.
We discussed:
- How to recognize early warning signs and stay aware of your surroundings
- How to think through your options in a fast moving situation
- The importance of having a general awareness of exits and safe spaces
- How preparation can help reduce hesitation in critical moments
The goal was not to overwhelm, but to provide simple, actionable ways to approach safety with more confidence.
Why Preparation Matters
In high stress situations, your response is often shaped by what you have already thought through ahead of time.
Taking time to learn, visualize, and understand your options can help you feel more confident in how you respond if you are ever faced with an unexpected situation.
Preparation is not about expecting the worst. It is about giving yourself the ability to act with more clarity if something does happen.
Building Confidence Through Awareness
One of the biggest takeaways from the session was that awareness and preparation can go a long way.
This can look like:
- Noticing your surroundings when entering a new space
- Being aware of exits without overthinking it
- Trusting your instincts if something feels off
- Having a general plan in mind without feeling overwhelmed
These are small habits, but they can help you feel more grounded and in control.
A Community Focused on Learning and Support
What made this session especially meaningful was the openness of everyone who joined.
Participants asked thoughtful questions, shared experiences, and showed up with a willingness to learn. That is what makes these conversations so impactful.
Safety is not something we navigate alone. It is something we build together through shared knowledge and support.
Looking Ahead
We will continue hosting virtual and in person safety sessions focused on providing practical, approachable education across a range of topics.
If there are topics you would like to see us cover in future sessions, we would love to hear from you (team@livesafely.co).
A Safer Tomorrow Starts Today
At Safely, our mission has always been to help people feel more confident and prepared in their everyday lives.
That starts with education, community, and conversations like this.
