Jan
26
Quick Update
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It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged, and have so much going on. So here’s a quick update, until I can make some significant 2009 announcements. In mid-January my husband and I jetted off to Cabo San Lucas for a week of R&R. Cabo is an interesting place, and definitely got me into the mode for thinking about safe spring break seminars I’ll be conducting at colleges in February. This place was party-town, mostly comprised of people in their 50s and 60s. They were total rock stars, and I thought more than once, “I wonder if your kids knew you just took a shot of tequila poured down your throat by the random bartender.” Conversely when I visit spring break hot spots every March, I’m always thinking, “I wonder if your parents know…” But overall, it was a good trip and I think all of us need time away now and again to just zone out, dream and re-connect with loved ones.
What made this trip even better was the fact that frequent flier miles bought the flights and our hotel was bought in a charity auction for Sungate Kids last year. This is an amazing non-profit that conducts forensic interviews of abused children in the safety of a cute little yellow house. The interviews are videotaped, in hopes to prevent the kids from having to take the stand in court and have to confront their abusers. Kudos to my good friend, Diana Goldberg, who is the Exec. Director and is doing such tremendous work.
On the flight back to Denver from Mexico, I was hit with a stomach virus like no other. It was insane, and of course kicked into high gear at 30,000 feet. Nothing is quite as glorious as ralphing in an airport bathroom. I had one day to recover, and then was back on an airplane to New York City. I gave my first speaking engagement of the year at Shippensburg University, and the following day had a meeting at the Times Square headquarters for SELF magazine. Girls Fight Back and SELF are cookin’ up some big ideas, so stay tuned. Spent this past weekend in the mountains enjoying picturesque falling snow, hot chocolate and loved ones. Now Monday is here, had a great meeting about ideas for campus safety initatives with Pearson Higher Education, and am hoping to get back into my regular blogging routine. So that’s the scoop…wishing you a great week. Before I go, a quick little quotation for you as January soon comes to a close…don’t forget to set your intentions for 2009!
Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.
~Oprah Winfrey
Jan
14
Best Female Performer
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Well the results are in, and I’m absolutely humbled and touched to be named a Top 5 Finalist as “Best Female Performer” by Campus Activities Magazine this year. Voting is now open to decide who wins…if you have a minute, vote here for your favorite professional speakers: http://www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com/awards
Being recognized in this way is quite flattering, but the real reward for me is when women realize for the very first time they are worth fighting for…and also for the first time make the empowering personal choice to sign up for a class and learn more about their personal strength and power. I’m very grateful to have an international network of women’s self-defense professionals that I can pass these young women on to, who then teach them to save their own life. It’s such a great team. Thanks to you all for your ongoing support.
Jan
9
Over the next few weeks we are working to finalize corporate sponsors for the Girls Fight Back Spring ‘09 Tour. We’re looking for successful companies and associations who promote a healthy image and message for women who are looking to support a highly visible, empowering and educational series of 30 events around the country. Sponsors will receive publicity and media exposure, in addition to reaching approximately 20,000 students at the live events. A packet of information describing the sponsorships in detail is available to interested companies. Please contact us to have one e-mailed to you.
Jan
7
It’s already been 8 years, but here I am, publicizing yet another awesome fundraiser in memory of an amazing girl. Every March since 2002, hundreds of people have come out for a night of fun, music and mayhem in memory of Shannon McNamara, the inspiration behind Girls Fight Back. Each year we’ve worked to raise money for a specific project that is geared towards making women and girls safer and stronger. This year is particularly significant, as it’s the first time our goal is to raise money for women half a world away in Nairobi, Kenya.
I first met Lee Sinclair, founder of I’m Worth Defending, in July 2008. We were both speaking at the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation annual conference. We developed an immediate girl crush on each other and I’m simply in awe of what this woman has accomplished in such a short amount of time. I’ll be traveling to Kenya in January 2010 to teach women’s safety and self-defense with Lee, and during 2009 I’ll be busy fundraising for it. It’s my hope to also bring along a film crew and make a documentary about the experience. The world needs to see what is happening in Africa, and so little money makes such a huge difference there.
So this year on Fri. March 13th, we’ll be partying it up, remembering Shannon and raising money for I’m Worth Defending. If you cannot attend the event, I’m hoping you will consider making a donation by clicking here. My goal is to raise $10,000 during 2009 for the trip in 2010. Here’s a little more event info, for all you crazy Chicagoans…I will see you there.
DATE: Friday, March 13, 2009
TIME: 8:00 pm – 12:00 midnight
LOCATION: Slugger’s (across from Wrigley Field)
3540 N. Clark, Chicago, IL
COST: $35 per person – all you can drink beer, wine, well drinks
*Please be responsible. Don’t drink and drive.*
Jan
1
Top 10 Things I Learned in 2008
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Sometimes we plan too much for the future without reflecting upon the past. Instead of making 2009 resolutions today, I’d like to re-cap what I learned in 2008. Hopefully, this will help me realize what I need to work on in the coming year. In no particular order, here you go: The Top 10 Things I Learned this Year.
1. I learned to take big, scary risks. I hired a staff, got an office, produced an expensive live DVD of the Girls Fight Back seminar, had my own radio show and did more speaking engagements than ever in my career. Risk is uncomfortable, but also invigorating!
2. I learned it’s okay to have high expectations of people, and how to be equally prepared for pleasant or unpleasant surprises. This year, I had both. In the end, I learned a lot about being a boss and building a solid team.
3. I learned that travel is cool and fun sometimes, but it’s also a bitch when you travel for a living. Funny, but I seem to re-learn this one every year.
4. I learned that Girls Fight Back is destined to be much bigger than me. It’s time to grow. A big announcement is coming soon, but here’s a hint: GFB will be hiring Speakers/Instructors this year. For real.
5. I learned a lot about money…how to make it, how to lose it, how to manage it, how to invest it and how to beef up or slim down when necessary. 2009 will be more mobile, leaner, smarter and stronger…all with the help of Mint.com. (Greatest website ever, IMHO.)
6. I learned how much I want to become a mother someday. I miscarried my first pregnancy in August, and several weeks later I began my Fall Tour. It was sad, if not the hardest loss I’ve endured next to Shannon’s murder in 2001. While this sort of life event can make a person quite bitter or envious, really I just learned what a miracle life is.
7. I learned to let go. Especially after the miscarriage, I started to realize how NOT in control we are of many things. Sometimes there is peace in knowing we simply aren’t in charge, even for control freaks like myself. I learned to stop and listen to what God or the Universe has in store for me, instead of me always calling the shots.
8. I learned to think globally. This year I began to dream bigger than my own country, and envision what is possible for the world. I met a woman named Lee Sinclair (Founder of I’m Worth Defending) who taught me about violence happening across the globe in Africa. I’ll be going to Kenya next year to teach women’s safety and self-defense, and can’t wait to humbly contribute in any way I can.
9. I learned to choose friends and critics wisely. Everyone has an opinion, and you can’t be all things to all people. Haters (especially anonymous ones) are everywhere, but they’re only as important as you let them be. So are friends – keep them close and show appreciation often.
10. I learned to breathe. It might sound crazy, but getting serious about yoga and meditation this year taught me how stressful my life was. Literally, I was holding my breath much of the time. It’s an ongoing struggle to keep my life within a reasonable balance – but who ISN’T struggling with this! Baby steps, right?
What did you learn this year? Please comment.
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