Who is Nicole Snell?

Speaker. Self-Defense Expert. Advocate. Author.

Adventurer. Solo Traveler.

I'm a dynamic, award-winning international speaker, facilitator and self-defense expert specializing in sexual assault and violence prevention education, gender based violence prevention, personal safety and empowerment self-defense. I am committed to ending violence in all of its forms by educating others with self-defense skills and advocating for change. I believe in social justice, equality and that everyone has the right to walk through the world feeling safe, powerful and confident.

My mission is to empower women and people of all gender identities around the globe to live their lives fearlessly!

As an outdoor enthusiast, solo adventurer/traveler and hike leader, I want to use my skills to encourage others to expand their world, explore and do what brings them joy. Without limits.

2020 Webby Award Winner
Tastemade Travel: Self-Defense for Female Travelers

You are worth fighting for and you are fully capable of

being your own best protector!

Book Me Now!

Groups Served Include

University

College

High School

Youth Orgs

Corporate

Brands

Tech

Realtors

Law Firms

Sales Teams

Travel Industry

Conventions

Healthcare

BIPOC Orgs

Run/Hike Groups

Retreats

Advocates

DV Shelters

Military

DoD

Conferences

Private Groups

Individuals

Photo by Yenny Garcia

Let’s get PROFESSIONAL

Dynamic. Driven. Engaging. Focused.

I travel the world speaking and teaching self-defense and can't imagine doing anything else with my life!

I received a full scholarship to Cal State Long Beach as a President’s Scholar, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in Speech Communication.

I spent the next 12 years working as a Line Producer in TV Production and produced over 75 shows. In 2014 I made a career change to women’s empowerment, sexual assault prevention, and advocacy.

I have had the privilege of facilitating Sexual Assault Prevention workshops at military installations worldwide including the Pentagon, NATO, and the Office of Naval Intelligence. I have delivered interactive seminars and keynotes for hundreds of colleges, K-12 schools, outdoor groups, corporations, Fortune 50o companies, the healthcare industry, private groups and the US Military. In 2017, I volunteered in Fiji to teach Girls Fight Back workshops for women and girls in several local villages.

In 2020, I purchased Girls Fight Back, the world-renowned personal safety and empowerment self-defense company founded in 2001 by Erin Weed in honor of her friend and sorority sister Shannon McNamara. I was a speaker for the program for 6 yrs and have stepped into my new role as CEO with excitement. I will continue the mission to teach women and people of all gender identities how to be their own best protectors. GFB is a Black Woman Owned Business.

I'm a lead instructor for full force self-defense with IMPACT Personal Safety and a member of the IMPACT Global Travel Team. My self-defense training includes IMPACT LA, Defense Against the Armed Assailant training, FAST defense & the GFB Speaker Academy. I'm an NACP Credentialed Advocate, Credentialed ESD Professional and a collaborative partner with Difference Makers (10 Strong).

In 2019 I created Outdoor Defense, a YouTube series that provides safety strategies to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors solo.

Professional Snapshot

370+

Speaking Engagements Around the World

Military Installations Visited

Including:

Diego Garcia

Bahrain

NS Guantanamo Bay

The Pentagon

250+

Hours of Full Force

Self-Defense Training with IMPACT Personal Safety

190K

Audience Members Directly Taught to Date

Countries Worked In

Let’s get PERSONAL

Adventurous. Tenacious. Curious. Focused.

I've visited 33 countries on 6 continents and hiked in 19 of them. And I often do it solo! People have tried to discourage me by saying it’s not “safe for a woman to travel by herself” or that my wide range of interests and the activities I participate in are "not things that girls do”, or that “Black people don’t do that.” I refuse to live in fear and I will not allow others to limit me or control how I live my life based on their own fears or stereotypes.

I've had many adventures in my life including: Scuba diving, horseback riding, camping, hiking, ice skating, archery, falconry, white water rafting, sky diving, hang gliding, surfing, motorcycles, snowboarding, wake boarding and more! I love adventure and want to experience as much as I can.

I am a hike/adventure leader for Black Girls Trekkin and have partnered with various outdoor brands. I actively speak out for diversity and representation in the outdoors spaces.

In addition to the long list of hobbies I enjoy, I also write, host, do commercial work & voice overs, and am a humanist wedding officiant!