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Former Secret Service agent Evy Poumpouras explains Becoming Bulletproof

She served under the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations. In her new book, she teaches you to protect yourself better, build your confidence and strengthen your mental resilience.

Patrick Holland Managing Editor

Patrick Holland has been a phone reviewer for CNET since 2016. He is a former theater director who occasionally makes short films. Patrick has an eye for photography and a passion for everything mobile. He is a colorful raconteur who will guide you through the ever-changing, fast-paced world of phones, especially the iPhone and iOS. He used to co-host CNET's I'm So Obsessed podcast and interviewed guests like Jeff Goldblum, Alfre Woodard, Stephen Merchant, Sam Jay, Edgar Wright and Roy Wood Jr.

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Patrick Holland

July 13, 2020 10:11 p.m. PT

2 min read

Evy Poumpouras is as inspiring as she is brave and intelligent. She worked as a Secret Service agent during the Clinton and Bush administrations and was on the Presidential Protective Division for President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama. She was recognized with a US Secret Service Valor Award for her work as a first responder in the 9/11 attacks and is now a journalist, a co-host on the Bravo show Spy Games and an author.

This story is part of I'm So Obsessed (subscribe here), our podcast featuring interviews with actors, artists, celebrities and creative types about their work, career and current obsessions.

In a new episode of the I'm So Obsessed podcast on CNET, she talks about her book Becoming Bulletproof. In it, she teaches you how to protect yourself, strengthen your mental resilience and build your confidence. The idea is that you can learn to read people, influence situations and live fearlessly.

"In law enforcement, I was a polygraph examiner and interrogator. I was constantly negotiating with people and other governments," said Poumpouras. "Those skills can transition to all parts of our lives, and so they ended up bleeding into other parts of my life. And when you have a really good foundation of tools that you use in your life, it also makes you a more confident person."

During our interview, Poumpouras talked about her mindset learning to take a bullet for another human being, how amazing White House pets smell at all times, going undercover to stop fraud, and graduating from Columbia University in journalism after having a career in law enforcement.

Listen to my entire conversation with Poumpouras and subscribe to I'm So Obsessed on your favorite podcast app. In each episode we catch up with an artist, actor or creator to learn about work, career and current obsessions.