Who is Nicole Snell?
Speaker. Self-Defense Expert. Advocate. Trainer.
Adventurer. Solo Traveler.
I'm a dynamic, award-winning international speaker, facilitator, trainer, author, 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.
I Address Topics Including:
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Campus/Corporate Safety
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Outdoor/Solo Travel Safety
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Personal Safety
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Teen Dating Safety
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Women's Empowerment
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Boundary Setting
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Self-Defense
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Harassment Prevention
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Bystander Intervention
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Runner Safety
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Domestic Violence Prevention
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Violence Prevention
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Sexual Assault Awareness
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Leadership Development
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Motivation
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Career Development
My mission is to empower women and people of all gender identities around the globe to live their lives fearlessly!
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In addition, 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.
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
Government
Conferences
Private Groups
Individuals
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Photo by Jovelle Tamayo
Photo by MC2 Ramon Go
International Speaker
I have trained, facilitated workshops, delivered keynotes and led seminars at over 90 US military installations in 10 countries for SAPR Victim Advocates, leadership and service members. I speak at universities, high schools, Fortune 500 companies, the US Military, retreats, corporations, outdoor groups, conferences, and private groups internationally.
Photo by Deborah Hart Photography
"Her enthusiasm and her warmth are contagious; students invariably come out of her classes feeling stronger, happier, and more confident than when they came in. Nicole makes self-defense training fun as well as informative."
Photo by Yenny Garcia
Let’s get PROFESSIONAL
Dynamic. Driven. Engaging. Focused.
I travel the world speaking, training, and teaching violence prevention skills. I can't imagine doing anything else with my life! As a survivor, it is incredibly meaningful and rewarding to be able to teach others how to be their own best protector and live without limits.
I received a full scholarship to attend Cal State Long Beach as a President’s Scholar. I graduated with honors including Summa Cum Laude and Distinguished Student of Liberal Arts, with a BA in Speech Communication.
I spent the next 12 years working as a Line Producer in the Entertainment Industry, and produced over 75 shows worldwide. In 2014 I made a career change to women’s empowerment, sexual assault prevention, and advocacy. I began working for the Department of Navy Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (DON SAPRO), facilitating Sexual Assault Prevention (SAPR) workshops at military installations worldwide including the Pentagon, NATO, and the Office of Naval Intelligence. I've trained at over 90 military installations internationally.
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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 prior to becoming the CEO/Owner and have stepped into my new role with excitement. I will continue the mission to teach women and people of all gender identities how to be their own best protectors through boundary setting and evidence-based violence prevention education. GFB is a Black Woman Owned Business.
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Over the course of my career, I have delivered hundreds of interactive seminars, workshops, and keynotes for colleges, K-12 schools, every branch of the US Military, outdoor groups, corporations, Fortune 50o companies, the healthcare industry, private groups, and more. In 2017, I volunteered in Fiji to teach Girls Fight Back workshops for women and girls in several local villages.
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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 Victim Advocate, Credentialed ESD Professional and a collaborative partner with Difference Makers (10 Strong).
In 2019 I created Outdoor Defense, my YouTube series that provides safety strategies to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors solo. I've produced and released 60 episodes to date!
Professional Snapshot
400+
Speaking Engagements Around the World
95+
Military Installations I've Visited Including:
Diego Garcia
Bahrain
NS Guantanamo Bay
The Pentagon
US Air Force Academy
300+
Hours of Full Force
Self-Defense Training with IMPACT Personal Safety
1M
People Trained
12
Countries I've Worked In
Let’s get PERSONAL
Adventurous. Tenacious. Curious. Focused.
I've visited 34 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.
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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.
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I volunteered for 7 years as a hike/adventure leader for the LA based non-profit, Black Girls Trekkin and have partnered with various outdoor brands. I'm a proud Global Athlete Advocate for HOKA. I'm also an author for Treeline Review. I actively speak out for diversity and representation in the outdoors spaces.
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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!
Photo by Erik Umphery
Adventure Snapshot
2017
Solo Trip to hike the
4 day Inca Trail to
Machu Picchu
2018
Scuba Diving on
Koh Samui, Thailand
2016
Solo trip to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand,
2014
English Schooling Show, Crossrails Class
2010
Solo trip trip St. Maarten
2016
Solo Trip to
New Zealand, Waitomo Caves