Cosmopolitan
July 31, 2007 | 3 CommentsPosted by admin | Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog
Today I was interviewed for an article about personal safety for Cosmo. She asked me how I felt about women wearing high heels in regards to safety. I was like, “I feel great about it…I mean, seriously…can you think of a better improvised weapon?!” She was like, “Oh yeah…”
The article will run in the October issue, hitting newsstands in mid-September. Stay tuned.
Faux Bullets
July 30, 2007 | Leave a CommentPosted by admin | Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog
I’m always on the prowl for the latest trends and designs. Today as I was driving around, and kept seeing cars with fake bullet holes affixed to their automobiles. Upon doing a quick internet search, I learned that you too can have faux bullet holes in the side of your car for a measly $2.49! What a bargain.
Sometimes people challenge my statements that say MTV and the whole gansta culture glorifies violence. Instead of debating with these people, I think I’ll start sending them some of these fashionable stickers instead.
Departing NWMAF
July 28, 2007 | Leave a CommentPosted by admin | Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog
Today I left the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation Conference…and I’m so inspired by the awesome women that I met. I also made many contacts of women teaching incredible self-defense across the nation, which will make great additions to a database we’re building of self defense programs internationally. Last night GFB had a table at their bazaar, where people were selling all sorts of cool stuff. Within one hour, we had sold out of every single shirt and book we had!
Definitely was our crowd. I especially loved meeting my new friends from Israel. So it was a great conference, and I highly recommend to women martial artists that they attend next year. I know I’ll be there!
Where’d my headache go?
July 27, 2007 | 1 CommentPosted by admin | Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog
Yesterday I visited my friends in Dallas at Toni & Guy headquarters…Toni & Guy is the parent company of last year’s Fall tour sponsor, Bed Head. We’re talking about teaming up for some really fun stuff…stay tuned! Check them out at: www.toniguy.com
Today I learned about two really cool things. I was attending the NWMAF conference, and decided to take a class on the Alexander Technique. I’ve heard of it before, but never really understood it. Right before the class, I had a massive headache, so I asked another gal in the class if she had some aspirin. She said, “I don’t…but come over here.” She sat me down in a chair and starting swirling her hands around my head in all these crazy movements. I was wondering if I was getting “reikied” or something. But hey, I’m open minded. Turns out she does something called “healing touch.” I couldn’t believe it, but after doing this for just 5 minutes my headache was completely gone. Incredible. Turns out her name is Diane and she does really incredible work in integrating self-defense and self-healing…she teaches trauma survivors how to fight back. Very cool woman.
After Diane cured me, we took the Alexander Technique class taught by Janet Gee. She was voted “Best Martial Arts Teacher” in the city of San Francisco, and was such a cool lady. Her presence reminded me a lot of the patience, zen and wisdom of Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid. The technique is all about releasing tension, aligning posture and just being in a more peaceful relaxed state overall. She had seen my presentation yesterday and singled me out a few times saying, “This could REALLY help you.” I was like, “I know…I’m a total spaz.”
NWMAF - Dallas, TX
July 26, 2007 | Leave a CommentPosted by admin | Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog
Last night I arrived in Dallas to be a speaker at the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation conference. I was invited by my colleague in women’s self-defense, Darla Bolon. This morning I spoke to about 50 women’s self-defense professionals (speakers, instructors, etc.) about how to run and market a self-defense organization. We talked about websites and MySpace pages and the challenges of getting women to confront their own fears and sign up to take a class. I’ve met some great allies in the industry of keeping women safer, and I’m looking forward to doing some intensive training over the next few days. I’m especially looking forward to doing some mad jiu jitsu on Saturday…pics coming soon.
Girls Inc. - Denver, CO
July 25, 2007 | Leave a CommentPosted by admin | Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog
Yesterday I spoke to a bunch of lovely, rowdy teen gals at Girls Inc. downtown Denver. Such a fun, confident and spirited crowd. Afterwards I donated a book to each of them and autographed them all…their energy was contagious! (Notice how they got their hands on a bunch of my neon stickers…too funny.)
Thoughts on security…
July 24, 2007 | Leave a CommentPosted by admin | Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog
My friend Tracy Maxwell wrote a piece about security for the online publication, Divine Caroline. Not so much personal security from violence, but instead from all the curveballs life can swing you in general. As a cancer survivor, she has some really great insights. Click here to read the article
Whitewater Madness
July 16, 2007 | Leave a CommentPosted by admin | Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog
Today was the second time in two weeks that I hit the rapids in Colorado. I’m quite hooked on the whitewater rafting thrills and challenges, all the while being submerged (sometimes literally) in the wonder of nature. On my first trip, nobody got tossed into the river. Today, however, I was in for some surprises. I was sitting in the very front, and on the other front position was a girl about 12 years old. I thought she was a bit young to be running the front of the boat, but figured it wasn’t a trip that was all that challenging. Then about 30 minutes in, I look over to see the girl getting chucked over the side of the raft as we dipped down a 5 foot drop. She was gone. My years of lifeguarding kicked in as I jumped out of my seat and leaned over the edge to find her. She held onto her paddle, so she was able to reach it to me. Contact was made. But boy, she was freaked out. Her eyes were big as full moons with an unblinking gaze that said, “Get me the hell outta here!” It was true fear…and if facial expressions could speak, she was saying, “Am I gonna drown in this river? So I verbally said to her, “You’re gonna be alright.” Soon after I ungraciously grabbed her by her life preserver straps and hurled her into the boat…ending up on top of me somehow. But she was safe…and wet. And we all laughed. Later on, my mom commented on how surprised she was at how calmly, slowly and deliberately I fished her out of the water. Funny, I thought I was a complete spaz with all the adrenaline pumping. But I realized this skill of taking my time to do it right the first time was something I had learned during my Model Mugging, IMPACT and RAD self-defense courses. Taking the time to breathe, to think and to combat the panic button that just wants to send your muscles into a flurry. It’s a skill that helps you out of many situations, not just violent attacks. Learning to manage our adrenaline and harness our fear brings us power, control and usually good results. So don’t delay…take a self-defense class. The results will spillith over…
Click here to find a women’s self defense class near you.
Get Impacted
July 13, 2007 | Leave a CommentPosted by admin | Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog
Today I was interviewed by Martha Thompson, a sociologist, women’s self-defense expert and founder of IMPACT Self Defense in Chicago. Martha is interviewing some of the top women’s self-defense and personal safety experts in the country in an effort to understand the roots of violence…and what we can do about it. My hope is that she publishes her findings…the world needs to learn more, open up more and stop ignoring the violent acts happening to women around us. Check out Martha at www.impactchicago.org.
Love Your Lawyer
July 12, 2007 | Leave a CommentPosted by admin | Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog
Today I had a bunch of meetings in Denver, and I had time to visit the office of GFB’s legal counsel, Mark Lacis, Esquire. This guy is awesome, and he has the mad wall diplomas to prove it. Seriously, have you ever seen a more qualified person as communicated by their wall decor? I asked Mark to read me some fascinating laws in Latin. He did, as I stroked my imaginary beard. I think lawyers get a really bad rap…frankly, my lawyers over the years have bailed me out from some pretty crazy situations that arise when you are running any organization. I propose “Hug Your Lawyer Day” if it doesn’t already exist. And if it does, well then, celebrate it!
NSA - San Diego, CA
July 11, 2007 | Leave a CommentPosted by admin | Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog
You know those movies like “Best in Show” and “A Mighty Wind?” They are about dog show participants and folk singers, respectively. I propose they make one of those movies based on the people one might find at the annual National Speakers Association convention, where I’ve been chillin’ like a villain for the past 3 days. It was my first time to NSA, and it was quite an experience. Lots of characters. And some real fashion violations too. I haven’t seen so many women wearing shoulder pads since 1987. While not exactly my generation, I did meet some cool people and learn a lot about how I can reach more women in America with my message of personal safety. While I was in San Diego, I hung out with my girlfriend George. Gotta love chick Georges. She took me to the best seafood place in town, where I proceeded to gorge myself on chowder, shrimp cocktail and assortment of fried fish delights. Good times.
Gone Hiking
July 7, 2007 | Leave a CommentPosted by admin | Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog
I discovered a new passion today…we went hiking near Boulder, Colorado on some of the most beautiful, scenic trails I’ve ever seen. I’m hooked.
Happy 4th
July 4, 2007 | Leave a CommentPosted by admin | Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog
Today is a day where we all think about freedom and independence. Perhaps those who think about it the most are the ones who still have a lot to lose…our service men & women in the US military and those who love them.
My little brother Andrew (see us pictured above-he’s actually not so little) is a US Marine. Specifically, he’s a sniper who will be going to Iraq in October. As a family, we worry a lot about his future. We’re going to be chipping in to buy him some specialty armor that could save his life…but is not provided by the US Government. Andrew would never complain about this, as he is a loyal Marine to the core. But that’s what all the women in his family are for…raisin’ a ruckus.
So today, give some special thought and maybe a prayer if you do that sort of thing, for those who have lived, fought and died for a country that gives us freedom. Happy independence day.
Changes
July 2, 2007 | Leave a CommentPosted by admin | Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog
Today I made a big decision that will change the way my life has gone for 5 years. I decided not to re-sign my contract with the speaker’s bureau, CAMPUSPEAK. It was a hard decision, one that bred some drama surrounding the situation. But at the end of the day, it is a sign of growth. I am hiring someone for Girls Fight Back so that we can really start making some real change here in Denver, and across the nation eventually. I will be introducing the Program Coordinator soon, and she will be responsible for all my bookings at schools, colleges and corporations going forward.
As with all changes and ends to special relationships, even if you know it’s right…it’s still sad. Today I went for a run, and towards the end I lapped a pond near my house. Amidst a bunch of rocks and weeds stood the tallest, most in-tact dandelion I have ever seen. I stopped running and picked it…I’ve always been fond of the dandys, mostly because I too am a weed. I regressed back to childhood days, and attempted to blow all the little white, fuzzy seeds into the wind. Not a single seed budged. It was a rock solid dandy, and I saw some real symbolism in it, as it pertained to my life going forward. (See the cool dandy above) Perhaps you’ll recognize it too by visiting my new personal website: www.erinweed.com (It’s almost done, but video is coming in mid-July)
So going forward, if you’d like to bring me as a speaker to your school or business, call Girls Fight Back directly at 866-432-2423 and we’ll hook it up. Much thanks and gratitude goes to CAMPUSPEAK and all my friends who have supported me there over the past 5 years.