One of the great things about being a GFB/SFB Speaker is that we get to empower people across the nation! I received a warm welcome at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX and we got down with a Students Fight Back event sponsored by the awesome folks of RISE.

The Risk Intervention & Safety Education (RISE) program is a prevention and wellness initiative established for the students at Texas Tech. They are extremely passionate about the health and well being of their Red Raiders and I felt incredibly honored to be able to speak to this group about personal safety and self-defense.

We had an intimate group that was engaged throughout the entire program. We laughed together when talking about an animal’s intuition vs. us humans. Why is it that us humans act like we’re the most intelligent animal on earth and yet we ignore the very instinctual survival method we’re all born with because we think we know better? Um…no. Let’s start listening to that voice so it can help to protect us! We are our own best protectors and when we realize that we become so powerful!

After the presentation I watched as several folks practiced their new lines with each other (“No. Back up. I don’t want any problems”) and talk about how they’re going to use that the next time they meet a creeper. That was so awesome to see and that is what this program is all about. Empowerment! Education! Taking control of your life! And having fun while doing it!

Texas Tech, thank you so much for having me and for showing me how excited you all were to learn something new. And RISE, thank you for all you do…and for my awesome T-shirt!

Cheers,

GFB Nicole

Springfield, IL is the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, the capital of the great state of Illinois and home to the University of Illinois-Springfield. It was here at UIS that I was invited to spread the Students Fight Back message of being a badass of your own life!

We had a small but mighty group gathered who were eager to get their knowledge on and we dove right into the basics of trusting your intuition and choosing to be actively aware. My amazing assistant did a great job helping me demonstrate strategies for avoiding a creeper using your verbal skills and then we transitioned into the physical fight segment. Because even when we do a great job of being aware, keeping an eye out for those who would try to manipulate us, and using our voice to avoid a confrontation sometimes we may have to physically defend ourselves. We pointed out all the hotspots that people of any gender identity have such as the eyes, throat, stomach, knees and groin. Each time we discussed a strike or practiced the bad ass ballet steps, my assistant would confirm to me that yes, this was something that would really hurt! I asked if he had been in a lot of fights and he said, no, he played football! Yup, he had first hand knowledge of how all those places were extremely sensitive!

The most important concept that resonated with this highly participatory group was the knowledge that they are worth fighting for. By knowing that, embracing it and not being dissuaded from believing it in all aspects of our lives, we become our own best protectors.

Thank you University of Illinois-Springfield and Student Life for bringing me to your campus to educate, empower and entertain your students! Go forward peacefully!

Cheers,

GFB Nicole

One thing was clear at Bradley University- Alpha Chi Omega women kick major ass!

I could feel the energy in the room from the moment I stepped on stage. These women were ready to live fearless lives and learn how to be their own best protectors. The section where we teach “No is a complete sentence” really resonated with this crowd. I think, especially as women, that we are taught that it’s not ok or nice to say no. We go through our lives trying to please people, not standing up for our boundaries and letting others make us uncomfortable because it’s seen as socially unacceptable for us to be assertive and say what we want. Well today these fabulous women re-learned that their body is their own and they have the right to set boundaries and that those boundaries should be respected. It is okay to say No and you’re under no obligation to engage in any kind of physical contact with anyone. MIC DROP!

When we got to the section where we learned about verbal strategies everyone got super excited as I demonstrated some strategies with my amazing assistant/creeper for the day, Nick. We laughed, and we joked and we discovered that learning to protect ourselves can be fun as well as empowering! The energy kicked up another notch we got up to practice the badass ballet. Everyone was incredibly vocal (using your voice reminds you to breathe and it can be hella scary for an attacker) and seemed really pumped to be learning these simple yet effective techniques.

Some great questions were asking during the Q&A including what to do if you’re in an enclosed situation like an Uber car. Close quarters fighting is really the core of the GFB method of self defense… that is if talking your way out or the double boundary doesn’t thwart the creeper. If someone is going to disrespect your no and your boundaries and move in to grab or hurt you, you have to get in close to not only protect yourself from strikes but also so you can attack full force. In close quarters fighting you aim for the hotspots like eyes, throat, temple and groin and don’t relent until you can get away to safety. Be the cat being given a bath….be fierce!

I want to share a very touching moment that happened after the presentation. A woman came up and expressed how thankful she was that she was able to see the program and that she learned a great deal and it has completely affected her life. She shared her story with me and thanked me profusely for empowering her with the knowledge that she can protect herself, she can walk alone at night without fear and that she doesn’t need a male escort everywhere she goes in order to have an expectation of safety (unfortunately she had other self defense folks who told her this. Major sad face.) To that incredibly brave woman- thank you for taking the time to speak to me and express what this event meant to you. I am so humbled that I was able to help you see how incredible you are and that you don’t have to live in fear. Women like you are why I do this work! I want to empower women so that they can feel powerful, strong and fearless going through their life. I want to give women back that feeling of safety and confidence in themselves. Never forget or doubt that you are a powerful creature and are vastly stronger than you know.

Thank you Bradley University and Alpha Chi Omega for hosting me and for your contagious enthusiasm! You have all touched me with your warrior spirits and I will never forget you!

Go forward peacefully & powerfully!

Cheers,

GFB Nicole

The small but mighty crew from Lehigh Carbon Community College were so engaged and eager to learn when I visited Thursday night, we had a heck of time throwing down. And quite a diverse group attended Students Fight Back!, hosted by the wonderful Student Life. I always love seeing both men and women, especially when they are not required to be there, coming together to be a part of the solution in the battle against violence. Such a supportive and connected energy flowed with this group of future leaders, taking a stand to look out for each other and deciding that the rape and violence culture is not something to be ignored, but stood up against, united. Deciding to be their own best protectors in any situation. Deciding enough is enough. So proud to be a part of Lehigh Carbon CC for a night. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your rockstar community . Until next time…
Love and Light,
GFB Bree

This gang is my jam. My posse. My people. Though it was my second time on campus and there were familiar faces in the crowd, I fell in love with this crew all over again. We had so much fun while learning and empowering each other to live badass, fearless lives. And the energy. Talk about good vibration. Like woah. They were snappin’..  literally snapping their fingers as if it were a spoken word jam (I couldn’t get over this, like geeking out hardcore)… laughing, clapping, hugging, air-punching, getting so physically into it I couldn’t have been smiling bigger.

This is the spirit of Girls Fight Back! When you get snaps and claps to ideas like “I’m worth fighting for. No is a complete sentence. If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no. Start trusting your intuition on every level that it comes….” and so much more, I’m reminded of why the GFB message is so freaking crucial. Thank you UMass Lowell for allowing me to be a part of the social change you are creating on your campus and the empowering message you are sending round the world. You are rockstars. You are future leaders. You are game changers. Can. Not. Wait. To see you all again! Till next time…
Love and light,
GFB Bree