Hey Ashley and Brit,
I’ve been a Crime Junkie since high school, and to be completely honest, when I first started listening, the stories scared me so much. Eventually I got tired of living in fear, so I took a big step and joined a jiu-jitsu gym (which focuses on grappling on the ground). At first, I trained constantly because I was afraid of being attacked and too small to defend myself. Over time, though, I gained confidence (and a little more anger toward offenders).
I wanted to be like you both – making a difference. Slowly, my fear turned into inspiration. I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in criminology, continued training, and began teaching self-defense to women, children, and vulnerable populations. I even researched tactics of sexual assault ot ensure our self-defense program used the best practices.
Now, I’m in graduate school for social work, preparing to dedicate my life to helping people in meaningful ways.
That inspiration has carried me across the world – I spent months in South Africa interning at a domestic violence shelter, and now I’m back in the U.S. working with an organization that provides free counter-sex trafficking classes for women and children worldwide.
The world can be incredibly scary, but through my programs, my jiu-jitsu gym, and the community of Crime Junkies, I’ve learned there is so much good to counteract the bad. The women I met in shelters showed unimaginable strength and resilience, and the women who complete our courses are some of the bravest people I’ve ever known.
I just wanted to share my gratitude with you both. Ashley and Brit, thank you for the awareness, protection, and hope you bring through your work. You’re truly changing the world one story at a time – and I’d love to offer our course to the Crime Junkie community as a way to give back to the community that has inspired me so much.
With gratitude,
A Big Fan