This past Sunday’s ETT group training session was truly memorable. We had perfect weather conditions and four willing & eager participants. Four willing & eager FEMALE participants. I put emphasis on the all female class not only to call out the “men” that decided to sleep in, but also to highlight the importance of women learning basic striking techniques. It’s important to know how to properly punch, kick, and/or knee someone if you ever have to physically defend yourself. However, I believe the confidence and reassurance of knowing how to strike is much more valuable to adult women than to adult men. Recent statistics and advertising campaigns have highlighted the vast problem of physical and/or verbal abuse perpetrated against women worldwide. I am confident that empowering women with knowledge of the striking arts will help them understand that they have the ability (mentally and physically) to defend themselves from victimization. I know that ETT or workout programs similar to it will not solve the issue of abuse against women entirely, but through personal experience I know that it is a step in the right direction. I have been fortunate enough to train with female fighters, train under a female instructor, and am engaged to a woman that has known how to defend herself from a young age. All these women have two things in common: they know how to fight AND they don’t take crap from anyone.