The world is a dangerous place and sometimes you need a superhero. Unfortunately, there is no way to achieve exceptional strength or the ability to fly like in the comics. However, that doesn't mean you can't become a superhero in real life. All over the world, the most common people create costumes and characters to prevent crime and help the community in which they live. Becoming a true champion of the weakest is not easy and the resulting risks and efforts should be taken into consideration. Before you can walk the streets and protect others, you need to come up with a character and prepare yourself for this task physically and mentally.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Creating Your Character
Step 1. Act with honor and integrity
Since you have decided to become a superhero in real life, you should go out of your way to set an example for those around you, especially the young. You can fulfill this task by always respecting and reporting offenses that occur. Honesty means fighting for the right things, regardless of the repercussions that they bring.
- In order not to scare people, it is best to have a sociable and positive attitude.
- Try to encourage others to live a better life.
Step 2. Be brave
If you want to be a real superhero, you need to take care of the community you live in and the people around you. Having courage means being willing to put your own well-being at risk so that others are safe and, consequently, to intervene and impose yourself when an abuse or a crime is committed. Before intervening, try to contact the police. Even if it is unwise and not recommended to put your life in danger, intervening to stop an attack or theft is a plausible gesture that you can always do.
- Be careful not to try to stop the crimes totally on your own, otherwise you risk being reported to the authorities as an executioner.
- Before a criminal takes the hard way, always try to convince him with words.
Step 3. Think about what you want to defend
Many real-life superheroes fight for a very specific purpose. Think about everything that interests you on a personal level, such as defending people from domestic violence, providing food to the homeless, or keeping your community safe. Don't try to intervene on your own when more serious crimes, such as assaults or homicides, occur. Contact the authorities if they happen.
- For example, Light Step is a hero who helps people struggling with more common problems, such as repairing a flat tire or providing gloves and socks to the homeless.
- Bike Batman is a Seattle boy who tries to prevent bicycle thefts.
Step 4. Create a costume and come up with a name
Many real-life superheroes use actual protective material, such as kevlar, in their costumes. At first make a sketch of the dress that will characterize your character by making some sketches on a notepad. If you have some experience in tailoring or costume making, you could create it following your sketches.
- For the name, draw inspiration from your own life experiences or from what you most admire in the comic book heroes you've read so far. It doesn't have to be too long, but make it easy to remember and pronounce.
- Real life superhero names are Captain Ozone, Mr. Xtreme, Master Legend, and Nyx.
- If you don't know how to make a costume, read How to Make a Superhero Costume.
- Pheonix Jones wears a yellow and black mask with a kevlar vest as he patrols the streets of Seattle.
Part 2 of 3: Fighting Crime and Improving People's Lives
Step 1. Improve your communication skills
While you can help prevent crime, you will need to spend most of your time conversing with people. Try talking to criminals, citizens and the police. Make sure you listen carefully and try to understand people's thinking. Dedicate yourself with interest to your interlocutors, leading them to tell the facts according to their point of view. Show that you are paying attention and that you understand them. Then act appropriately if they are committing some crime.
- Realize that everyone is different and that people's intentions are not necessarily bad.
- Learn to interpret the signals of non-verbal communication and to detect when someone seems agitated, nervous or angry.
Step 2. Patrol your neighborhood for suspicious behavior
It is important to patrol it especially if there are many crimes, there is no regular police presence or there is no surveillance system. It is essential to try to lessen the severity of the confrontations or violence you may witness, but try not to get directly involved or put yourself or someone else in danger. Your presence alone should be enough to dissuade people from committing crimes, such as robberies and car thefts.
- You'd better sit down and wait for the police to arrive, rather than face a criminal openly.
- For some time Guardian Shield has been patrolling the Beaverton neighborhoods of Oregon.
Step 3. Do charity and help the poor
Giving to less fortunate people is a gesture that many real-life superheroes decide to do. Some make visits and donations to the terminally ill in hospitals, while others provide food and clothing to the homeless. Think of some good deeds to do in your city, trying to help the community you live in.
- There is a good chance that the people in the neighborhood you live in will accept you if you do charity or volunteer your time.
- Zac Mihajlovic worked for the Make a Wish Foundation (non-profit organization) visiting terminally ill children.
Step 4. Help people who need assistance
Being a real superhero isn't just about stopping crime. Sometimes it also involves helping people in daily life. Try to be as helpful as you can when you see someone needs help. Don't pretend you don't see, like the rest of the people do.
- For example, to do a good deed, you could give directions or help the elders cross the street.
- Be open and available. Be wary of anyone in trouble.
Step 5. Try to fight crime if it's not too dangerous
There are times when you can stop a crime without putting yourself in danger. Use your discernment when dealing with situations. Try to resolve conflicts by listening carefully to the various versions of the facts and avoid making judgments. Focus on how people feel, giving them a chance to explain themselves. Come up with a plan that satisfies the parties involved and make sure that no one is in danger.
For example, if you see a group of kids smoking something illegal, try talking to them instead of calling the authorities or turning a blind eye. Try to achieve results when you help people, don't be destructive and violent
Step 6. Take care of your mental health
Being a real-life superhero can become a stressful task over time, so it's important to keep yourself mentally healthy so you can help others solve their problems. In addition to disorders that compromise psychological well-being, such as anxiety, depression and addictions, stress can also generate physical problems, such as hypertension, and promote the accumulation of cholesterol that clogs the arteries. Don't get obsessed with the superhero role. Give yourself some breaks and take some free evenings. Don't neglect relationships with closest relatives and friends and treat yourself to something relaxing.
- Practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and deep breathing to reduce stress.
- If you feel dejected or obsessed with being a superhero, consider seeing a therapist or psychologist to discuss your thoughts with.
Part 3 of 3: Get in shape
Step 1. Train to get stronger
You must have a strong body to look like a superhero and defend yourself in case of need. Go to the gym or hire a personal trainer, so you will become more handsome and energetic. If you are already an athlete or exercise regularly, focus on building your strength by lifting weights.
- Exercises that can increase strength include deadlifts, leg presses, bench presses, squats, and pushups.
- Work out three days a week and give yourself time to rest between sessions to build strength.
Step 2. Improve your stamina
If you want to be a real superhero, consider that you will have to walk a lot, which can be difficult if you are trying to fight crime while wearing a rather heavy costume. The best way to increase physical endurance is to run, jog, walk, cycle, swim, and do circuit training.
- Do cardio exercises at least three times a week.
- Alternate the exercises so you don't get bored.
- During your workouts, you can combine cardio and muscle strength exercises.
- Remember to stay hydrated when patrolling the neighborhood.
Step 3. Take a martial arts or self-defense class
While you should avoid hand-to-hand combat, you would do well to learn how to defend yourself in the most dangerous situations. Criminals do not want to be caught red-handed committing a crime, therefore, by informing the police of their misdeeds, there is a risk that they will take their anger on the informer. Find a serious gym that specializes in martial arts or self-defense near you and consider signing up for their courses.
The best known martial arts for self defense techniques include krav maga, sambo and Brazilian jiu jitsu
Step 4. Eat a healthy and balanced diet
If you eat unhealthy foods, you will have a harder time maintaining a superhero physique. So, consume foods that allow you to lead a fairly active life, such as the most nutrient-rich vegetables - including red and yellow peppers - and leafy greens - such as spinach and kale. Protein is also a very important element for a healthy diet. Eat lean or low-fat beef or pork, skinless chicken, turkey, and seafood.
- Give preference to whole grains when eating starchy carbohydrates.
- On average, a man should consume 2700 calories per day, a woman 2200 calories.
Warnings
- Some criminals will have no qualms about hurting you, so be very careful about the crimes you intend to fight.
- Always act in compliance with the law. Being a superhero doesn't mean being above the law, and you probably won't get strong support from people just because you claim to be a champion of justice.
- Always report crimes to the competent authorities. If you get involved in a crime, you risk getting yourself in trouble.
