With everything going on in the world today, it's no surprise that body armor sales have been going through the roof. But one kind of body armor, in particular, has been selling out more than any other body armor; Level IV plates. 

Level IV body armor plates are highly desirable based on their stopping power. However many people opt for Level 4 plates without truly knowing what ballistic threats the plates actually stop.

There is also one major drawback to Level IV body armor plates that I'll get to in a bit. But first, let's go over what level 4 body armor will stop.

Level IV is the rating put forth by The NIJ (National Institute of Justice). NIJ Body Armor Ballistic Level IV are the highest rated hard armor plates under the NIJ standards. They are designed to take one hit from an Armor Piercing 30.06 traveling at a velocity of 2880 ft/s. NOTE: This test will remain the same for the 01010.07 standard. 

As 2022 comes to a close, many of us don't know what the future holds. Between the economy, housing market, stock market and skyrocketing crime, anxiety is at an all time high. Add to that discoveries about what has really been going on at prominent social media companies like Twitter and Facebook, and we are left with not even knowing if we can trust the platforms we rely upon so heavily for communication. 

So in 2023 you have two options. You can either continue to do what you did all through 2022 (and most likely for many years prior). Or, you can commit to doing things completely different. The former will most likely result in more of the same; anxiety, fear and distrust. While the latter will more than likely result in all new situations and possibilities. This is a snippet on how to change your life in 2023.

Here's something else I realized after starting this little experiment. Delaying caffeine intake for 90 minutes after waking up is a mini challenge to start the day off. And doing so gives you a little victory or win to start off your day. And from there, it's easy to attack the rest of your day with a winning mindset.

I know this may sound trivial, but once you try it, you'll realize exactly what I'm talking about here. Just ask anyone who starts their day at 5am by going to the gym. Getting up a 5am is the first win. Going to the gym is another win. Getting a good workout in is a third win. The workout if typically followed by a healthy shake or breakfast; another win. So before 7am (when many people are still in bed) you've managed to rack up four (4) WINS for the day. And this folks, completely transforms the rest of your day. Truth be told, routines like this can transform the rest of your life. 

If you desire big changes in your life you have to start by making small changes in your daily routine. Try delaying your morning coffee by 90 minutes and see what happens. I'm highly confident that it will have the same affect on your life as it did mine.

One of the hardest things to do during the holidays is finding gifts for that special man in your life. He works hard, is a good provider and the protector of you and your family. You feel he deserves the best and you want to get him something unique that he'll truly love; not something he'll have to pretend to like. 

So, the team and I spent the last few months scouring the internet, reading blogs and speaking with real men in real life (not on social media) to discover what's important to them. Whether your man is into hunting, fishing, shooting, sports, fitness, tactical gear or all of the above...there's something on our list for him.

NOTE: The links to third party companies provided in the article below are not affiliate links of any kind. We receive no compensation from the third party companies if you use any of these links. I wanted to keep this as authentic as possible. And yes, I actually own and use everything on the list below. Enjoy!

Nothing in this life is more important than your health. Think about it. If you don't have your health, what else even matters? 

Second to your physical health is your fiscal health. Stress about money is one of the leading causes of breakdowns in physical health and relationships. 

Fiscal (financial) health and wealth is attained through knowledge. A wise man once said that your bank account is one of the greatest indicators of your level of knowledge.

So let's get to it...

Health: Drink This As Soon As You Wake Up

This one tip has changed the lives of so many of my friends. It's simple. It's uncomplicated. And, it works. Drink 24 oz. of water as soon as you wake up, on an empty stomach. Here are 10 reasons why you should drink water as soon as you wake up.

When I tell people I work out  and lift weights 6 days a week and train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 4 days a week, I usually get a "look" as if I'm some sort of whack job. Funny thing is, that's how I feel about people who don't work out at all. Seriously, what's more important than your health; fantasy football and Netflix?

Without your health, you have nothing. Just ask anyone currently dealing with a serious medical condition. 

Health: Boost Your HGH

HGH (Human Growth Hormone) is critical for so many things physiologically I can't even go into it all here. Most of you know I'm a huge proponent of maintaining proper HGH levels but doing it NATURALLY. There are lots of potential side effects when taking exogenous HGH so I prefer to do the things that will help my endogenous HGH production. 

How much does level 4 body armor cost?

Because of their increased stopping power and advanced construction, level 4 body armor typically costs more than level 3 body armor. 

Now, the following numbers are just averages. Prices vary between manufacturers. One of the biggest factors to look for is where the plates are produced. Many people on the internet feel that body armor produced overseas is inferior to armor produced domestically in the United States. Keep in mind these same people are posting these comment using a device that was produced overseas while sitting on a chair which was produced overseas. Point being, just because it was produced overseas, it doesn't mean it's inferior. And just because it was produced in the U.S. doesn't mean it's better. Choose your body armor based on the quality of the company and product. 

When it comes to level 3 body armor, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300-$350 per plate. This seems to be the industry average. As for level 4 body armor, expect to pay anywhere from $450-$500 per plate. 

The Tradecraft Jacket is a mens tactical jacket that holds two (2) level 3A soft body armor panels. One (1) 10x12 plate in the front and one in the rear. The panels are strategically placed for optimal protection of the wearer's vital organs (center mass). NOTE: The Tradecraft Jacket is capable of holding Level 4 plates. However this will greatly increase printing while wearing the jacket. 

The thin level IIIA panels are completely concealed and virtually unnoticeable to the average person walking by. Additionally, The Tradecraft Ballistic Jacket offers superior warmth, comfort and storage capacity, making it not just a safer choice, but a practical one as well.

Crime and shootings are up across the country. You deserve to feel safe and protected while going about your daily activities. And you shouldn't have to pay an arm and a leg for it. Get the best bulletproof jacket for protection at a price you can afford. 

When considering body armor, one of the biggest concerns for most civilians is concealment. Understandably, most people don't want the world to know they're wearing body armor. Therefore, the lower profile the better. But there's also another important factor when it comes to concealed civilian body armor; comfort.

The truth of the matter is, it doesn't matter how much you spend on body armor and how "covert" it might be. If it's not comfortable, chances are, you're not gonna wear it. And there's no point in owning something (especially body armor) if you're not gonna use it.

That's why the Stealth Body Armor Plate Carrier by 221B Tactical has been such a hit with civilians, private security, personal protection and executive protection fields. Its ultra slim, low profile design makes it extremely easy to conceal; even beneath a thin, single layer of clothing. And with its comfort stretch cummerbund and breathable backing, The Stealth Body Armor Plate Carrier can be worn for hours without discomfort.