Ronnie Green's Inter-Reacting
20 Years of Response Mastery
"Your response to their action determines the outcome. Choose wisely."
Ronnie Green spent 20 years developing "Inter-Reacting" - the art of choosing your response instead of just reacting automatically. It's the difference between being controlled by others and controlling your own outcome.
What Is Inter-Reacting?
Most people react - someone does something, you respond instantly based on emotion. Anger → anger. Insult → insult back. Push → push back.
Inter-Reacting means putting a pause between their action and your response. In that pause, you choose which animal to use. You're not reacting - you're strategically responding.
Their Action → [PAUSE] → Your Chosen Response
The pause is where your power lives
The Inter-Reacting Process
Step 1: Recognize the Trigger
Someone says or does something designed to get a reaction from you.
Example:
"Why are you so weird?"
Step 2: PAUSE (Breathe)
Take one slow breath. This creates the gap between stimulus and response.
In this 2-second pause, your brain shifts from emotional reaction to strategic choice.
Step 3: Choose Your Animal
Which protection strategy fits this moment?
• Need to set a boundary? → Elephant
• Need to gather information? → Tiger
• Can I confuse them? → Monkey
• Long-term situation? → Horse
• Need to escape? → Eagle
Step 4: Execute Calmly
Deliver your chosen response with confidence and calm.
Example (Monkey chosen):
"Thanks for noticing! I work really hard at being different." (Smile, walk away)
Real Scenarios: Inter-Reacting in Action
🎮 Scenario: Gaming Trash Talk
Trigger: "You're so bad at this game. Why even play?"
❌ Automatic Reaction:
"Shut up! You're worse than me!" (Now you're in an argument)
✅ Inter-React (Monkey + Eagle):
[Pause, breathe] "You're totally right, I should practice more. Have fun!" [Leave lobby]
Confused them, then escaped. No energy wasted.
📱 Scenario: Group Chat Drama
Trigger: Someone posts an embarrassing photo of you.
❌ Automatic Reaction:
"DELETE THAT NOW!!!" (Shows them it bothers you - they win)
✅ Inter-React (Tiger + Elephant):
[Pause, breathe, screenshot]
Public: "Interesting choice." (No emotion shown)
Private: Report to parent/teacher with screenshot evidence
Didn't give them the reaction they wanted. Built a case instead.
🏫 Scenario: Public Humiliation Attempt
Trigger: Bully loudly insults you in front of everyone at lunch.
❌ Automatic Reaction:
Fight back or cry (both give them what they want - attention)
✅ Inter-React (Elephant + Monkey + Eagle):
[Pause, breathe, make eye contact]
"Okay." (Said calmly, genuinely, then turn and walk to different table)
Refused to engage (Elephant), confused with calm (Monkey), escaped (Eagle). Crowd sees bully fail.
Training Your Inter-Reacting Muscle
Inter-Reacting is a skill. Like martial arts, it requires practice. Here's how to train:
Week 1: Notice Your Reactions
Don't change anything yet. Just observe: When do you react automatically? What triggers you?
Week 2: Practice the Pause
When triggered, take ONE breath before responding. Just the pause - don't worry about the perfect response yet.
Week 3: Choose Your Animal
After the pause, mentally ask: "Which animal fits this situation?" Then respond.
Week 4: Review and Refine
Journal what worked. What didn't? Adjust your strategies.
Practice Exercise: Role-Play Inter-Reacting
With a parent or trusted friend:
1. They say a common trigger phrase
2. You pause, breathe out loud (so they see it)
3. You say which animal you're choosing
4. You deliver the response
5. Discuss: Did the pause help? Was the animal choice right?
Practice 5 scenarios per week. The more you practice, the more automatic inter-reacting becomes.
"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response."
— Viktor Frankl (adapted by Ronnie Green)
Now that you understand inter-reacting, let's build a decision framework to help you choose the right animal for any situation.