Self Defense is as mental as it is physical. Learn both to be truly prepared to defend yourself, survive, and thrive anywhere. Just like Mr. Miyagi teaches in The Next Karate Kid.

Why Self Defense Is As Mental As Physical

That's right, self defense is just as mental as it is physical. There’s a mental shift that needs to happen before you are ready to defend yourself. It’s not just about learning how to use your body to fight back. It’s not just about learning to pay attention to your surroundings and look for potential dangers. It’s not just knowing how to react and what to do. It’s also about being ready to do so. …
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Route 66 Road Trip: Take a US road trip down the historic Route 66 Mother Road and don't miss my top recommended must see stops and attractions along the way.

50 Things To See On Your Route 66 Road Trip

If you're itching to get out of your pandemic bubble and take a much-needed vacation, we recommend you have yourself a Route 66 road trip adventure. After all, we’re still allowed to travel within our own country. And what better road to travel than America’s Mother Road, the legendary Route 66. Some things are a bit emptier thanks to the pandemic, but everything is still more or less open and eager for you to swing…
Posted inPlanning Tips, US
Self Defense Classes: Train like Jennifer Lopez did in the movie "Enough" and learn women's self defense online or in-person classes near you.

Self Defense Classes

In-Person Classes Near You While my Tough Cookie Travel Self Defense Courses offer comprehensive, holistic and realistic training to keep you safe and strong wherever you roam, they are still online only. So if you want to round out your self defense training with more hands-on instruction (which I highly recommend), then look below to see if there are any classes I recommend in your area. These are the organizations with my Tough Cookie stamp…
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Check out my ultimate guide to the best martial arts for women's self defense

Best Martial Arts for Self Defense

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our Disclaimer here. I love martial arts. I’ve been studying various styles for many years and I highly recommend them for many reasons. But if you want to know the best martial arts for self defense, I have to be honest with you. There aren't many styles I would say are useful in their entirety for self defense. A few do prove helpful in…
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Shop travel themed home decor on Amazon for some travel inspiration while you're stuck at home

Travel Home Decor

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our Disclaimer here. Stuck at home with the travel bug? Or any other kind of bug? Why not embrace the staycation and add some travel home decor. You can feel a million miles away in the destination of your dreams, wherever your heart desires, without actually going anywhere. Here are my top 16 travel home decor ideas to give your home a travel-inspired makeover…
Posted inPacking Tips, Travel Inspiration
Shop Tough Cookie Clothing tank tops on Amazon

Tough Cookie Clothing

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our Disclaimer here. Tough Cookies are everywhere. And anyone can be a Tough Cookie. In my opinion, the more Tough Cookie love out there, the better. So imagine my joy at discovering another brand on Amazon called Tough Cookie Clothing. It's like we took a page out of the same book, or were reading the same book, or something about forming one giant global…
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Get your Jane Austen quotes mug on Amazon for travel inspiration

Jane Austen Travel Quotes

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our Disclaimer here. Where my fellow Janeites at? Jane Austen was truly one of history's OG Tough Cookies. She wrote the book (several actually) on strong, independent female characters who aren't afraid to travel and forge their own path. So in honor of her, I thought I'd compile some of my favorite Jane Austen quotes from her most iconic and inspiring heroines in the…
Posted inMovies, TV Shows
Elementary Joan and Kitty

The Best Travel Self Defense Weapons

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our Disclaimer here. To be honest, I often caution others against using most self defense weapons when first learning how to protect themselves. If you aren't extremely well trained in any of these weapons, they can just as easily be used against you in a fight. And then what's the point of having them? But if you are prepared to be smart and careful…
Posted inSafety Gear, Safety Tips
Learn More About My Tough Cookie Women's Self Defense Training Workshops

Travel Self Defense Training

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our Disclaimer here. Travel Safety Mini Online Course Want to learn to travel safer and stronger like a Tough Cookie, but don't have the time or monies for a full-length course right now? I got just the thing for you, boo: my Travel Safety Mini Course! Learn the most essential travel safety tips in a quicker, more bite-sized package that won’t be as hard…
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Learn my ABC Elements of Self-Defense Training System and defend yourself like Tangled

Elements Of Self Defense

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our Disclaimer here. Self defense is not about fighting. It’s about surviving. That’s why we call ourselves survivors. Even so, one must still prepare for battle. Self defense is 90% caution and 10% confrontation. As Mr. Miyagi says (and we’re paraphrasing here), we train to fight so that we don’t have to. To help you learn how to defend yourself like a true Tough Cookie,…
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Travel Safety Accessories

Travel Safety Accessories

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our Disclaimer here. However tough or experienced a traveler you are, it never hurts to take along some key travel safety accessories for backup support. Even James Bond had his gadgets. Think of me as your Q, advising you on the best gear for your next adventure.  Right. Now do please pay close attention 007. Here are my top recommended safety accessories for travelers…
Posted inSafety Gear, Safety Tips
Travel Safety Bags

Travel Safety Bags

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our Disclaimer here. One of the best ways to travel safer is to get yourself some better travel safety bags. There are many ways to carry your prized possessions with you as you travel. And if well secured, on your person can be a safer place to keep them than locked up somewhere else. But you need to be careful about how you carry…
Posted inSafety Gear, Safety Tips