I didn't always have this knowledge or experience...
I grew up in a small town in Georgia. My mom was a single mom and a police officer with Atlanta PD. I learned early on just how important personal safety is for ourselves and our loved ones, especially for women, teens, and girls.
Even though I grew up around police officers, I wasn't taught self-defense and had no idea how to learn about it. I didn’t start off as a self-defense expert. I was a PR and marketing professional and copywriter who rescued dogs.
However, I have always had an intense curiosity about firearms and self-defense. I wanted to learn how to use one and be proficient, and I wanted to always feel confident and fearless…
But I kept putting it off, making excuses and didn’t even know where to start. I bought a gun and had NO IDEA what to do with it! It sat in a safe for the first six months. I didn’t know how to handle it or use it, what the parts were (other than the trigger), how to load the thing, or even what type of ammo to buy.
When the world started going crazy in 2020, I decided to stop procrastinating, let go of my fears, and began learning about this life-saving tool I had in my possession and self-defense.
The two things that stood out as I began my firearms and self-defense journey were:
- Most firearms instructors are former military or law enforcement who teach like drill sergeants and make you feel like you need to be like G.I. Jane on the first day of class.
- Most self-defense instructors teach reactive defense - what to do if you are already being attacked.
While it is important to know what to do in the event you find yourself in a threatening situation, I felt there was a better way to go about it, so I created a program around proactive self-defense and how to avoid an attack together.
I also set out to teach self-defense and firearms in an empowering, uplifting way rather than an intimidating way. Self-defense and firearms became a passion, and I turned my passion into a business.
Since those fearful days full of confusion, frustration, and procrastination, I’ve gone on to become a Certified Firearms Instructor by the California Department of Justice, an NRA-Certified Firearms instructor, a USCCA-Certified Home Defense and Concealed Carry Instructor, and a CCW provider for the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office.
I am also a certified mindset and life purpose coach. I combine all of my training to offer women personal protection techniques that go beyond physical moves and tools and give them a sense of empowerment and confidence to stand up for themselves in any confrontational situation, whether physical, emotional, or psychological.
I’ve taught hundreds of women how to harness the power of mindset and self-defense to take full control of their personal safety, and protect their families. This is what lights me up!
I founded Ms. Defense with the sole purpose of helping women prioritize safety and well-being by embodying the principles of awareness, confidence, and resilience in their everyday lives. I also aim to help women protect themselves and their loved ones from violence and attacks, embrace their personal power, and be aware of their surroundings at all times.
In addition to teaching women how to protect themselves on the streets, I help companies and individuals protect themselves from cyber threats and online criminals.
When I'm not teaching, you'll find me writing, hanging out with my pug, Stella, throwing a steak in the grill, chilling with some Netflix, or giving back to my community through charitable work in animal rescue, human trafficking, and violence against women, teens, and girls.
However, I feel most alive when one of my students tells me that I helped them get their inner warrior woman back or that they now enjoy the feeling of freedom when walking to their car or their dog late at night. If I won the lottery, I'd still be doing what I'm doing. I love it that much!
If you’ve read this far, thank you. I hope this is just the beginning of our relationship. I’d love to learn more about you. The best way to share that and stay connected is to make sure you become one of our OutSmarters. Sign up below by entering your name and email. I'm so glad you're here!
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