Keeping Your Edge: A Day in the LifeElijah Shaw07:00 am -The day starts off with a workout, consisting of strength training, functional fitness, and cardio. No gym? No prob, calisthenics and bodyweight workouts can do the trick.08:30am -Time to fuel the machine. I'm vegan, so that means my breakfast are a little bit different than the norm. With that said, they almost always consist of a protein shake and some slow burning carbs, such as oatmeal, to carry me until my next meal (because you never know when that might be.)9:00am -With maintenance out of the way, the workday now officially begins. First order business is to touch base with the Private Aviation broker to double check arrival times and once again go over our protocols. (For example, I try and have the plane pushed a bit further from the FBO, with the shades down, and the stars facing away from building windows/customer parking.)9:30am -Next up, reconfirming car arrivals with the travel department. When using a contract company for movements, I double check to make sure that the drivers are vetted to our preconditions. This includes a review of driving history, and receiving a photo and contact number, of the actual driver doing the pick-up. Upon arrival, I then give the vehicle a once over and brief the driver on expectations and contingency planning.11am -After picking up the Client, we head to the FBO for a Tarmac debus, followed by wheels up.2:00pm -Wheels down. Tarmac arrival. Head direct to the hotel.2:30pm -Greeted by the Advanced Agent at a side entrance, who hands off the hotel keys and information packet. I then follow him to the P’s room, with the client stationary until time to depart to venue. While in my room, I use the occasion to again eat, and review the Advance reports of the venue sent by the team onsite. These include text, diagrams, photos and videos.3:30pm -After asking questions and offering input, I approve the plan and I wait for departure to the festival site. Coordinating festival arrivals is always a little tricky because of congestion on roads leading to the venues, last minute road closures, and local security checkpoints.7:00pm -Once on site, we move the Protectee directly into the secure green room, and go into lock down. At this point I’m given the latest updates, and then do an in-person walkthrough of the spaces that the Client is going to be in, with special consideration made to any areas of concern, and evacuation routes.9:00pm -Showtime. For festival shows, our primary mission is to ensure that for the next 90 minutes, the space is ours. This means only vetted individuals in The Bubble (The space consisting of the Stage, the Press Pit and the entrances Back of House leading up to the stage.) In short, if you're not working, you are not in our space, that makes it significantly easier to identify and respond to any potential threats in the area. Because the festival setting means large crowds, we also use our elevated vantage point to pay attention to the fans themselves, being on the lookout for any type of medical emergency that event security may have not yet keyed in on. If we do spot one, we radio to the local event supervisor, or emergency management services for them to handle, as our primary responsibility is the Protectee. However, that protection extends not only to the physical, but also the client's brand.10:30pm -Show Ends. Hard Out. Meaning we leave right away. With festivals, particularly one in which your client is the headlining closing act, the longer you delay after show, the more likely you are to be stuck in heavy traffic. Additionally, everyone is now trying to gain access to the VIP’s greenroom area, seeking an audience. Keeping in mind that some clients like to stay and shower or just unwind, if you can leave, do leave.11:00pm -Back at the FBO. Tarmac drop. Wheels up. Wheels down. Car Pickup. And the cycle starts all over again.Whew.Elijah Shaw is the National Director of the North American Bodyguard Association and the CEO of ICON Global, and International Executive Protection Consulting Firm. Elijah, who has been featured in international publications such as Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur, and Portfolio, runs the ICON Academy, an EP Training Program specializing in Celebrity & VIP Protection. He also currently sits on the Board of Directors of Executive Security International (ESI), the United States oldest Executive Protection Training School. His book, An Introduction to Executive Protection & Touring: A Guide to Mastering the Business of VIP Security, hit the Amazon best sellers list, and is available now worldwide.