Your voice. Your choice. Your power.
My Mission
Combining my expertise in personal safety education with an understanding of the unique challenges faced by young women, I create empowering, hands-on workshops that build confidence, situational awareness, and resilience.
My programs go beyond physical techniques, fostering a mindset of empowerment that inspires participants to navigate their lives with strength and self-assurance. By connecting with participants in an approachable and supportive way, I am dedicated to creating lasting impact and empowering the next generation of women to take control of their personal safety.
Meet Gretchen Butler
Empowerment Self-Defense Expert & Women's Leadership Coach
Before beginning her martial arts journey in her mid-thirties, Gretchen was a successful business owner in the male dominated world of table top gaming. Through that experience, she learned that respected leaders, women in particular, must be confident, resilient, and self aware. When she sold her business and began teaching martial arts, she truly realized the impact that she could have on others simply by teaching them how to find inner strength in themselves.
These days, Gretchen is dedicated to empowering women through workshops on women's leadership and empowerment self-defense. With over 10 years of experience in teaching martial arts and self-defense, Gretchen brings a unique perspective to her speaking engagements. Her talks are designed to inspire and equip women with the tools they need to thrive in leadership roles and navigate challenging situations with confidence and grace.
She has presented to women in the film industry, teachers, and library staff, as well has teen girls and elementary students.
Gretchen is also the proud mom of two fantastic, feminist young men who had, through her example, learned to be empathetic, kind, and respectful leaders in their own right. She also lives with her ever supportive life-mate. Together they spend their time sharing the stage as karaoke superstars.
Featured Workshops
Transforming from Boss to Leader
Unlocking the Potential of True Leadership
In this workshop, I teach essential and practical techniques for women to feel strong and confident in the workplace.
Participants will learn: situational and social awareness, boundary setting, effective communication, and physical safety, all within the context of leading by example to create a sustainable and productive workspace.
Empowerment for her future
Strength and Success for High School and College-Bound Women
In this workshop, I teach essential and practical techniques for young women to prepare them for the exciting journey ahead.
Young women will learn to thrive as independents through learning to set boundaries and use their voice. They will also learn practical communication skills and de-escalation techniques as well as physical safety.
Confidence in Motion
Personal Safety for Middle Schoolers
This engaging and interactive personal safety workshop is designed specifically for middle school students to build confidence, awareness, and physical safety skills.
Through role-playing exercises and age-appropriate discussions, students will gain the tools they need to navigate their environment safely and make empowered choices. The class emphasizes confidence, assertiveness, and preparedness, helping young individuals stand strong in a variety of situations.
Our group learned several hands-on self-defense techniques, as well as how to assert boundaries in possible dangerous situations. Gretchen did a great job of customizing the workshop to meet our needs as women in the film industry. We left with situational awareness information as well as physical tools to get out of an unwanted situation. I definitely recommend booking a self-defense class or workshop with Gretchen...
- Becky Bartlett, President, Women in Film Arkansas
Bringing Gretchen from Empowered Self Defense to our library was the best decision we made this year. She was engaging, straightforward, and made our teens feel safe and valued while they learned. Students loved it so much we'll be asking her back for our Summer and Fall programming!
- Bekah Smith, Teen Department Manager, Laman Library
Gretchen Butler does a fantastic job engaging our students. The girls stay engaged and enjoy learning different methods to deescalate situations and how to defend themselves in multiple ways and scenarios. We have worked with Gretchen for several years and look forward to continuing working with her.
- Russ Dykes, Coach, P.E. Instructor, Mount Saint Mary Academy