FIND SELF DEFENSE TRAINING
FIND SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING NEAR YOU
Train with certified Mean Girl Self Defense instructors across the United States. If we don't offer classes near you, check out our weekend camps, online training and "friends" teaching women's classes in martial arts academies nationwide.
EVERY CLASS
INCLUDES
Awareness
Prevention
Boundaries
Avoidance
Technique
Confidence
Community
1 Instructor
1 Instructor
BY STATE
BROWSE CLASSES BY STATE
Select your state to see instructors and upcoming classes near you.
CALIFORNIA
AMY BAQUERA
Head Instructor California (LVL 3) Mean Girl Self Defense™
Amy is a Black Belt in Judo and Level 3 Instructor with Mean Girl Self Defense. Amy teaches kids Judo at Team Sacramento Judo in Rancho Cordova, CA. Amy’s martial arts journey began later in life when her daughter turned 5 and together, they joined the rest of the family on the judo tatami. Gallons of blood, sweat, and tears later, she is now a Shodan and has spent the last decade on a mission to share the freedom and empowerment that knowing your worth provides. It is her front and center goal to be for other women what she needs throughout life’s stages and struggles, but more importantly to help them realize they are already their own hero and always becoming what they need.
Available for
• Free Women’s Community Seminars
• Private Group Training
• Corporate Safety Workshops
• Full Self-Defense Courses
• Mini Courses & Specialty Clinics
ASHLEY
Ashley is a Mean Girl Level II and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu purple belt based in Lincoln, CA. A former women’s group instructor at the gym she founded and co-owned in Lincoln, Ashley cultivates a space where women can feel comfortable, find community, and gain confidence while learning valuable skills. When she is not on the mats, Ashley is raising her two children, ages 12 and 8, and completing her JD while she works full-time in professional services.
Ashley is available for:
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Private Classes
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Small Group Classes
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Small Group Mini Courses
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Small Group Workshops
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Womens Community Self Defense Seminars
JAKKI GARCIA
Head Instructor California (LVL 3) Mean Girl Self Defense™
Jakki is a 5th degree Black Belt in American Kenpo and Level 3 Instructor with Mean Girl Self Defense. She owns Kenpo Family Karate in Grass Valley, CA with her husband, where she teaches adult classes, kids classes, and Mean Girl Self Defense Classes weekly.
Available for
• Free Women’s Community Seminars
• Private Group Training
• Corporate Safety Workshops
• Full Self-Defense Courses
• Mini Courses & Specialty Clinics
GIN & RAIDEN
We’re a mother-daughter team with eight years of Jiu Jitsu training together. With additional martial arts experience and a past shaped by growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, Mom understands how quickly vulnerable situations can become dangerous. Together, we’re passionate about helping women and girls build real confidence, practical self-defense skills, and the courage to either escape potentially dangerous situations or defend themselves.
Available For:
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Free Women's Self Defense Seminars
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Private Seminars
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Workshops
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Corporate Seminars
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School Seminars
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Womens BJJ Classes
RACHEL RHYNE
Rachel is firstly a mother, wife and grade A silly goose. She is a competitive jiu jitsu practitioner and a practicing RN with a background in emergency room , trauma, disaster relief, critical care and case management. Her days are spent spending time with family and friends, exploring outdoors, going to the gym and juggling kid activities. She looks forward to advancing both her personal practice and the practice of others in the sport of Jiu Jitsu as well as coaching her children’s sports. Having encountered many victims of sexual assault throughout her nursing practice, Rachel is hopeful to give women a practical tool to empower themselves both physically and emotionally. She is excited to bring self-defense education to her community and the surrounding communities to not only prevent harm - but as a healing tool for those who have endured harm.
Available For:
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Womens Self Defense Seminars
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Private Workshops and Seminars
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Corporate Events
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Private Classes
STACEY COUNCILMAN
Founder & CEO, Mean Girl Self Defense™
Stacey is the founder and driving force behind Mean Girl Self Defense™ and Hero Self Defense Academy. She teaches throughout Northern California and travels nationwide to lead instructor certifications, women’s self-defense seminars, and advanced training events.
Her work extends far beyond the training floor. Stacey develops practical, real-world self-defense curriculum, mentors instructors, films educational content, and creates the programs and resources that help women build genuine confidence—not just memorize a few moves. Her focus is growing a nationwide community of highly skilled instructors who can bring effective, empowering training to the people who need it most.
Known for her straight talk, quick wit, and ability to make serious subjects feel approachable, Stacey creates spaces where people can learn without judgment or intimidation. She believes self-defense should be honest, accessible, and built for real life—and that becoming harder to hurt doesn’t mean becoming hardened.
Book Stacey for;
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Women’s free community seminars
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Private group training
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Corporate safety workshops
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Comprehensive self-defense courses
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Mini-courses and specialty clinics
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Firearms and basic pistol courses
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Instructor certification training
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Curriculum development and consulting
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Filmed educational content and media projects
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Podcast interviews and guest appearances
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Keynotes, panels, and public speaking events
FLORIDA
HEATHER GRANT
I fell in love with martial arts in 1996 when I started training in Taekwondo. I earned my Black Belt in 1999 and later my 3rd Degree Black Belt at just 16 years old, becoming the highest-ranking female student at my school. In 2015, I began training in Jodokdo Self Defense and earned my Black Belt in 2020. I've also trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and am proud to serve as a Level 1 Instructor with Mean Girl Self Defense.
Helping women has always been my passion. I love watching women grow in confidence, learn to set healthy boundaries, and discover they're stronger than they ever believed. As an assault survivor, I know firsthand how life-changing self-defense training can be, and I believe every woman is worth the fight.
When I'm not training, you'll usually find me writing, drawing, playing video games, attending comic conventions with my husband, or hanging out with our dog. I'm a proud nerd at heart, and I'm incredibly grateful to be part of the Mean Girl Self Defense and HERO Self Defense family.
Available For:
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Free Womens Community Seminars
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Mini Courses
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Private Classes
LESLIE STEINMANN
Leslie began training in 2009 after a friend invited her to a kickboxing and MMA class. When her professor encouraged her to try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, it was love at first roll. Since then, martial arts has become more than a hobby, it has become a lifelong passion.
Along the way, Leslie earned her black belt in Jodokdo and Kickboxing Instructor certification through Warrior Defense, where she continues to train. She currently holds the rank of Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and serves as a Level 4 Instructor with Mean Girl Self Defense, teaching Mean Girl Self Defense, Women's BJJ, and Co-Ed HERO BJJ classes. She is passionate about helping women gain confidence, practical skills, and the courage to trust themselves under pressure.
In 2022, Leslie became a certified instructor with The Warrior Forged Project and Mean Girl Self Defense, launching Florida's first Mean Girl Self Defense Level 1 course. Since then, she has taught numerous Level 1 and Level 2 courses and continues to help grow the Mean Girl movement throughout Florida and the East Coast.
Available for
• Women’s Community Seminars
• Private Group Training
• Corporate Safety Workshops
• Full Self-Defense Courses
• Mini Courses & Specialty Clinics
• Instructor Certification Training
MEGAN OVERTURF
In 2021, Megan and her husband started training Brazilian jiu jitsu as a way to cope with grief. She found jiu jitsu to be her best form of self-care. She values the mental and physical challenges of the sport and the community that surrounds it. She was promoted to purple belt in 2025.
Megan is an advocate for women and children. She serves her community by working with at-risk youth through the school and foster care system. Megan began working with Mean Girls because she believes that all women are “worth the fight”. Through Mean Girls, she wants to empower women to value themselves, especially those who have experienced abuse or violence.
Megan currently serves as a substitute instructor while she completes a doctorate degree and parents her 4 children. When she is done, she plans to use Mean Girls as a method to continue her social justice and advocacy efforts.
Available For:
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Free Womens Community Seminars
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Private Courses and Classes
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Mini Courses
GEORGIA
ARELIS COLON
Arelis Colón is the founder of 360 Body Defense, a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, CrossFit Level 2 Coach, USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach, and certified in four levels of Krav Maga. Drawing from her experience in fitness, martial arts, and physical rehabilitation, she is passionate about empowering others with the confidence and skills to protect themselves.
Having overcome numerous injuries and surgeries throughout her own journey, Arelis believes that self-defense is about more than physical techniques—it is about recognizing that your mind, body, and spirit are worth defending.
Available For:
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Free Womens Community Seminars
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Mini Courses
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Private Courses
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12 Week Courses
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Continuous Classes
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Expos and Events
CARLY PEARSON
Carly is a wife, mom/stepmom to 5 kids, certified personal trainer and co-owner of Torch Krav Maga & Muay Thai in Hiram, GA. She has trained Krav Maga for 10 years with her husband, and “Bad Guy” Blaze. In 2025 Carly began training with Mean Girl Self Defense, and in 2026 she became a Level I instructor.
Carly has discovered a true sense of empowerment through training real-world self-defense, and she is eager to share this vital knowledge and these skills with other women, hoping to inspire confidence and strength in each of them.
Available for:
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Free Womens Community Seminars
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Group Training Sessions
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Safety Workshops
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Corporate Seminars
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Year-round Classes
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Mini Courses
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Private Courses
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12 week Courses
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Continuous Classes
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Expos and Events
MISSY WEST
Missy West is a nutritionist, wellness coach, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, and Jiu-Jitsu coach who has practiced the sport for 13 years. She has experience working in mental health and supporting individuals with eating disorders, low self-esteem, and confidence challenges. Missy has a deep passion for health, fitness, and helping others build healthier relationships with food, movement, and themselves. Through nutrition, wellness, and women’s self-defense. Missy wants to empower women to believe in themselves, find their voices, set boundaries, and recognize their strength.
Missy is available for;
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Womens Community Self Defense Seminars
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Private Classes and Workshops
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Mini Courses
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Level 1 Courses
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Womens BJJ Privates & Classes
IDAHO
SAM MARTIN
Sam has been with Mean Girl Self Defense since its beginnings with The Warrior Forged Project. Blue Belt in BJJ and Blue Belt in Krav Maga, Sam is a Level 3 instructor with Mean Girl Self Defense. She loves to provide her local community with Free workshops and Seminars whether public or private settings.
Call Sam for an amazing experience in learning Violence Prevention and Self Defense.
Available for:
• Free Womens Community Seminars
• Group Training Sessions
• Safety Workshops
ILLINOIS
COMING SOON
Our Instructor for the Illinois region is unavailable at this time, but we have something in the works! In the meantime, please contact Stacey Councilman or Leslie Steinmann if you'd like services in Illinois or if you are an instructor looking to get certified in Illinois or surrounding areas.
LOUISIANA
CATHERINE STERLING
Catherine has been training BJJ and Mean Girl Self Defense for 3 years. She is a mom of 5 amazing kids and she loves to help empower women to feel safer and more confident in their everyday lives.
Available for:
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Local Seminars
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Group Training Sessions
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Private Courses and Workshops
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Level 1 Courses
KRISTINE STONE
Kristine has been training 6 years in Judo, 6 years in BJJ, and is a Womens BJJ instructor, along with being certified as a Hero Self Defense, LLC. | Mean Girl Project Level 1 instructor.
Kristine is a wife to an amazing nerd husband, and a mom to two teenage boys and one pre-teen girl. She has a passion to teach women how to protect themselves and gain the confidence they need to defend themselves.
Available For:
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Free Seminars
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Private Seminars
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Full Courses
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Year Round Courses
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Mini Courses
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12 Week Courses
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Corporate Seminars
MISSISSIPPI
KRISTINE STONE
Kristine has been training 6 years in Judo, 6 years in BJJ, and is a Womens BJJ instructor, along with being certified as a Hero Self Defense, LLC. | Mean Girl Project Level 1 instructor.
Kristine is a wife to an amazing nerd husband, and a mom to two teenage boys and one pre-teen girl. She has a passion to teach women how to protect themselves and gain the confidence they need to defend themselves.
Available For:
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Free Seminars
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Private Seminars
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Full Courses
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Year Round Courses
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Mini Courses
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12 Week Courses
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Corporate Seminars
MONTANA
COMING SOON
Our Instructor for the Montana region is unavailable at this time, but we have something in the works! In the meantime, please contact Stacey Councilman or Leslie Steinmann if you'd like services in Montana or if you are an instructor looking to get certified in Montana or surrounding areas.
NEVADA
COMING SOON
Our Instructor for the Nevada region is unavailable at this time, but we have something in the works! In the meantime, please contact Stacey Councilman or Leslie Steinmann if you'd like services in Nevada or if you are an instructor looking to get certified in Nevada or surrounding areas.
OREGON
ROBYN FUENTES
Robyn Fuentes is an Ashland local and proud mom of two boys. Originally from OKC, she has lived in the Pacific Northwest for nearly a decade. Her passion for women’s safety comes from real-life experience and a deep belief that every woman deserves to feel confident and capable. She is dedicated to teaching practical, empowering self-defense skills that help women of all ages protect themselves and move through the world with strength.
Available For:
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Free Womens Community Seminars
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Mini Courses
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12 Week Courses
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Private Workshops
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Corporate Seminars
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Yearly Women's Classes
ROSEMARIE CANTERO
I began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2019, and after a serious car accident in 2020, I returned to the mats in 2023 with a renewed appreciation for resilience. My recovery strengthened my belief that every woman deserves to feel capable and confident. As a women’s Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense instructor, I strive to create a welcoming space where women can learn practical skills, challenge themselves, and discover their own strength.
Available For:
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Free Womens Community Seminars
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Mini Courses
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12 Week Courses
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Private Workshops
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Corporate Seminars
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Yearly Women's Classes
TENNESSEE
CRISY GRIFFIN
Crisy Griffin was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and has dedicated her life to serving others—especially children, women, and individuals with special needs.
She began her martial arts journey seeking empowerment and healing after experiencing domestic abuse. What started as personal rebuilding became a calling. Through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Krav Maga, Kickboxing, and Judo, Crisy found not only strength—but voice, confidence, and purpose. She earned her Pink Belt in Women Empowered and Mean Girl Self Defense with one goal in mind: to help other women discover the same life-changing confidence and resilience that martial arts gave her. Crisy believes self-defense is more than technique—it’s transformation.
Available For:
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Free Womens Community Seminars
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Mini Courses
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12 Week Courses
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Year Round Women's Classes
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Workshops
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Private Seminars & Workshops
WASHINGTON
Jen began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at 38 alongside her three children, originally seeking practical self-defense. Soon after, she convinced her husband to join—and quickly caught the jiu jitsu “bug.” Within a short time, she became co-owner of her gym.
Four years later, she is now the sole owner of Chess Lab Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Yakima, Washington. Jen is a BJJ purple belt under Master Fabiano Scherner of American Top Team.
Since beginning her journey, Jen has been passionate about helping women advocate for their own safety—believing women should never see themselves as victims, but as victors. She works daily to lower barriers to entry for women in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and leads both the women’s BJJ and self-defense programs at her academy. She is also a Level 2 instructor for Mean Girl Self Defense and co-leads the children’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program.
Outside the academy, Jen holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and practiced clinical oncology pharmacy for over 15 years before stepping away to homeschool her three children. These days, she balances business ownership, coaching, weightlifting, homeschooling, and family adventures—along with camping, hiking, travel, sunshine, and raising future foodies.
Available For:
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Free Womens Community Seminars
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Year Round Classes
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12 Week Courses
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Mini Courses
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Private Courses & Seminars
JENNIFER BAILEY
WYOMING
COMING SOON
Our Instructor for the Wyoming region is unavailable at this time, but we have something in the works! In the meantime, please contact Stacey Councilman or Leslie Steinmann if you'd like services in Wyoming or if you are an instructor looking to get certified in Wyoming or surrounding areas.
OUR "BAD GUYS"
BLAZE PEARSON
Blaze Pearson is the co-owner of Torch Krav Maga & Muay Thai in Hiram, Georgia, where he has trained and coached Krav Maga for more than a decade. As one of Mean Girl Self Defense's original "Bad Guys," Blaze has helped train thousands of women by creating realistic, controlled scenarios that build confidence and practical skills. His experience and approachable teaching style make him an invaluable part of the MGSD team.
Available For:
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Womens Community Seminars
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Public and Private Workshops
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Mini Courses
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Year Round Classes
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Corporate Workshops
KEVIN STEINMANN
Kevin serves as Mean Girl Self Defense's Honorary Bad Guy, assisting with seminars, instructor trainings, and certification courses. A U.S. Army Sergeant (E-5) with 8 years of military service, he is passionate about helping create safe training environments where women can build confidence through realistic, pressure-tested self-defense.
Kevin also plays a key role in qualifying men who share the mission and values of Mean Girl Self Defense. He believes that strong, trustworthy men have an important role in creating safe training environments and helping women develop practical, effective self-defense skills. Known for his servant's heart and genuine care for others, Kevin is committed to empowering women and helping them become stronger, more confident, and better prepared for real-world situations.
Available For:
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Free Seminars
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Private Seminars
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Full Courses
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Year Round Courses
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Mini Courses
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12 Week Courses
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Corporate Seminars
TERRANCE WEATHERSBY
Terrance Weathersby is a Muay Thai specialist and one of Mean Girl Self Defense's Georgia "Bad Guys." Working alongside the Georgia instructor team, he volunteers his time to help create realistic, safe training scenarios that prepare women for real-world violence. Passionate about empowering women through practical self defense, Terrance brings skill, professionalism, and a supportive coaching style to every seminar, helping students build confidence through hands-on experience.
Available For:
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Women's Community Seminars
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Mini Courses
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Public & Private Workshops
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Year Round Classes
FRIENDS OF MEAN GIRL SELF DEFENSE
Schools and Organizations we recommend as safe spaces who collaborate with Mean Girl Self Defense
Chess Lab BJJ | Yakima, WA
At Chess Lab Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Yakima, we’re proud to represent the lineage of Fabiano “Pega Leve” Scherner, a legend in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA world — and to be led day-to-day by our own local black belt, Professor James O’Neal, a second-degree black belt under Fabiano himself.
Kell's Jiu Jitsu | Ashland, OR
Kell's Jiu Jitsu offers a variety of jiu jitsu classes along with martial arts training that includes self-defense techniques and even Muay Thai. At Kell's Jiu Jitsu, we believe that building a strong and supportive community is key to our success.
Rice Bros | Redding, CA
Rice Brothers Jiu Jitsu Academy helps you take Jiu Jitsu training one step at a time so you grow at the proper pace. We guide you through training with interactive learning experiences and a goal-oriented approach. Our instructors engage with our students and have established a successful Kid’s Jiu Jitsu program through these methods.
Rolling Panda BJJ | Hiram, GA
We have a “Ladies Only” class ran by Black Belt Instructor Easter Tiumalu Robinson. We have kids classes from ages 5 and up. All of our adult classes are suitable for all skill levels ages 13 and up.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Gi
Sisterhood of the Traveling Gi connects women in jiu jitsu and other martial arts to training spaces, resources, and each other, wherever they train or travel.
