Elizabeth Smart Foundation Announces Women’s Self-Defense Training in Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The Elizabeth Smart Foundation (ESF) is excited to announce a Colorado Springs location for their Smart Defense self-defense training program. Classes are held in four-week sessions at the Iron Roots Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym—owned by husband-wife duo Erin Johnson and Dan Ries. Registration is now open at elizabethsmartfoundation.org/smart-defense.
Smart Defense is a self-defense training program created by ESF and designed specifically for women and girls (ages 10 and up). After being sexually assaulted on an airplane in the summer of 2019, kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart decided to help women and girls learn how to defend themselves.
The Smart Defense curriculum was designed by hand-picking self-defense techniques and skills from a number of martial arts styles including Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. Each technique was selected with the objective of giving participants the skills to potentially stop an attack and to feel in control of their bodies and boundaries.
Program director Miyo Strong assisted in creating the Smart Defense training program. Strong is an award-winning Jiu-Jitsu World Master Champion. Prior to joining the ESF team, she taught self-defense for Temple MMA and Empower Self-Defense.
“Smart Defense is where education, empowerment and physical self-defense come together,” Strong said. “There has been a gap in traditional self-defense programs, and we’re proud to be the bridge of change. We emphasize the education surrounding sexual violence prevention, not just the martial arts techniques used for defense and escape.”
Traditional Smart Defense classes take place in a physical facility, usually a local martial arts gym, with at least two trauma-informed instructors. Erin Johnson, co-owner of Iron Roots Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, will lead the Colorado Springs classes with three other instructors including her husband, Dan Ries. Johnson and Ries have been training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for 33 combined years and are both certified black belts.
“Erin and Dan exemplify everything we believe at the Elizabeth Smart Foundation,” Strong said. “They are passionate and more than willing to lead the way in their community to prevent, heal and educate on the realities of sexual violence. We’re honored to be joining forces with them.”
Johnson shared, “I’m excited to be part of such a special program and to bring Smart Defense to Colorado Springs. One of my favorite parts about running our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school is getting to work with women. Most women don't know that they are capable of throwing a person over their shoulder, but when we learn proper mechanics, our bodies suddenly become incredibly powerful to us.”
Johnson believes women deserve a space in the Jiu-Jitsu community and is passionate about leading women-focused classes. One of Johnson’s Jiu-Jitsu students is survivor leader Tiffany Summa.
Summa said, “I started Jiu-Jitsu at a time in my life where my assault was weighing heavily on my mind, and I wanted to start feeling more empowered with my safety. Not only did Jiu-Jitsu give me that, but it also gave me a team of people in my corner on my good days and bad.” She continued, “…I’m so grateful to Jiu-Jitsu for making me feel more confident in my abilities to protect myself. Feeling strong and physically capable, coupled with trauma-informed therapy, has been absolutely life changing for me.”
Smart Defense classes are currently available in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Salt Lake City, Utah; Riverton, Utah; St. George, Utah; and Pocatello, Idaho. Minors participating in the program are encouraged to bring a parent or guardian with them. To learn more or to register, visit elizabethsmartfoundation.org.
If you or a loved one has been affected by sexual violence, the National Sexual Assault Hotline, operated by RAINN, is available at 800.656.HOPE or via live chat at https://www.rainn.org/. Communication is available 24/7, confidential and free of charge.
About the Elizabeth Smart Foundation
The Elizabeth Smart Foundation was founded in 2011 by kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart. Smart was abducted in 2002, after which she endured nine grueling months of daily sexual assault and abuse by her captors. The mission of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation is to bring hope and end the victimization and exploitation of sexual assault. In January 2022, the Elizabeth Smart Foundation officially became a part of the Malouf Foundation™ to broaden the impact of both organizations through education, healing and advocacy. All donations made to the Elizabeth Smart Foundation go directly toward their programs, including Smart Defense™ and the “We Believe You" campaign. For more information or to donate, visit elizabethsmartfoundation.org.
