Feb

2

Lee’s Blog

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For months now, I’ve been writing about my friend on a mission to end global violence named Lee Sinclair.  She founded the non-profit group, I’m Worth Defending, which is Kenya’s first women’s self-defense program.  She lives in San Francisco but is currently working in Kenya, along with another crusader named Carol Middleton.  Carol is the founder/owner of DC Krav Maga and DC Impact.  Together they are meeting with the trainers and taking their skills to the next level.  Can’t wait to join Lee in Kenya in January 2010, but in the meantime I’m loyally reading her blog.  Yesterday they visited a refugee rescue center and taught self-defense to teen girls covered head to toe in burkas.  Wow.  Read about Lee’s daily happenings by clicking here.

Jan

7

8th Annual Fundraiser at Slugger’s in Chicago

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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.

Aug

5

I’m Worth Defending

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I’d like to introduce you all to my new friend and soul sister, Lee Sinclair.  Lee started Africa’s first women’s self-defense program in the slums of Kenya back in 2001.  Lee is a writer and activist living in San Francisco, and was first brought to Kenya while coordinating a child care and sponsorship program for AIDS orphans. It was her experiences with these vulnerable children and their stories of rape, incest and sexual abuse that led Lee to realize that her own Self-Defense training could be lifesaving when applied to children living in the area.  Lee began teaching SD to small groups of local children but it quickly became clear that the problem deserved a larger effort. In February 2007, with the help of two US based Self Defense Instructors, Susannah MacKaye and Wendi Deetz, the first I’m Worth Defending team was formed in Korogocho slum Kenya. On February 26th 2007, after a month of specialized training, classes began. Since then, thousands of women and children have learned self-defense…and self-worth in the process.  Lee and I are planning some exciting international projects, so stay tuned.

Watch video about I’m Worth Defending.