I think that dude has seen too many movies. If only the real world were as simple as he describes.
In my experience, everybody is a wuss, so to speak. Put any of these tough talkers in the right situation, and they're as likely to assume the fetal position as anybody else.
No matter how many karate lessons you take or weights you lift, there's always someone bigger than you, or worse, psychotic, devious, or vindictive, regardless of size. Hence, it is perfectly reasonable to expect those institutions our tax money supports to preserve law, order and justice, and to protect us from deviants rather than taking everything into our own hands. Most self-defense courses will teach you that trying to be a hero or grow beer muscles can be a deadly and stupid move.
Nowadays, girls are as likely to be bullies as men, so all of that John Wayne crap is useless, unless you want your girlfriend to bulk up and grow a set of cojones to defend herself against a nasty rumor...or if you want to go to the nail salon and pound on the gossip girls to defend her honor.