I spent years teaching traditional self-defense—basic fighting techniques mixed with a bit of awareness. While these techniques were simple and effective in real-life scenarios, they just weren’t working for everyone. Not every woman has the same physical strength, time, or even the drive to commit to hours of training.

Have you taken a self-defense course before? How much do you actually remember? Fighting skills require a lot of time and effort to learn—and even more to maintain. But how much time are you really willing to spend preparing for a situation you don’t want to experience in the first place?

Over the years, many students have asked to learn things like 'defense against attacks from behind' or 'knife defense.' But after 40+ years of martial arts experience, I can tell you: those techniques are very unrealistic for the average woman (or man).

Instead, I’ve discovered a far simpler, smarter approach—one that doesn’t rely on fighting, but on being proactive and aware, empowering you to handle situations before they escalate

One of the biggest misconceptions about self-defense is that the danger starts with the attack. But in reality, it doesn’t. A punch to the face doesn’t happen out of nowhere. A knife attack doesn’t begin with someone standing in front of you with a weapon. Rape doesn’t begin with the assault—it starts much earlier. The key to handling any situation lies in recognizing the warning signs before they escalate.

Take an 'attack from behind,' for example (watch the video above for a personal story from my own life). It's almost impossible to miss the signs of something suspicious happening behind you. The biggest mistake most people make is ignoring their instincts and hoping for the best. But why not just turn around and check?

By simply turning around, you instantly know whether there’s danger or not. If there’s no threat, you can relax. If you sense danger, your heightened awareness gives you time to act. Doesn't that seem like a better strategy than waiting for the attack to happen?

When you ignore your instincts—like not turning around when something feels off—you’re harming yourself in the process. Even if nothing happens, the fear you carry with you stays. You may get home and feel relieved, but that fear lingers, ready to resurface the next time you face a similar situation. Instead, by trusting your instincts and taking action, you can live with confidence, free from that constant worry

For years, I taught traditional self-defense, believing it was the solution. But over time, I realized these techniques weren’t addressing the real needs of most women. They weren’t empowering women to feel safe, confident, or in control in everyday situations.

While fighting techniques can have value, they aren’t the foundation of self-defense. They’re just one small piece of the puzzle. Without the essential foundation—confidence, awareness, and boundaries—these techniques will fall short when you truly need them.

Through years of teaching and studying human psychology, I developed a smarter, simpler, and more effective approach—Project FemPowerment. This holistic method is designed to empower you, without relying on physical combat skills.