Building resilience, using Jiu-Jitsu to Make a Difference

Teaching self-defense workshops, programs, and customized sessions inspired by Jiu-Jitsu to underprivileged communities of women and children is a deeply fulfilling mission. As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, I firmly believe that martial arts are not just about physical skills—they are a transformative tool for building confidence, self-control, and resilience. For women and children in marginalized communities, these programs provide an opportunity to reclaim their sense of security and autonomy. By focusing on real-life scenarios, students learn how to stay calm under pressure and react effectively to potential dangers. Through this training, they not only gain practical skills to protect themselves but also develop mental strength, discipline, and self-belief, empowering them to face life’s challenges with courage and confidence.

Person wearing a white martial arts gi, smiling

Ongoing project with UNDP Combating violence against women in Public Spaces

Group of women posing in a martial arts studio with a green wall and exercise mats.
A group of women posing indoors, some standing and others sitting on a gym mat, with a green wall in the background.
A group of women posing together indoors on a gym mat, performing martial arts or exercise poses. They are dressed casually, some are kneeling while others are standing, with a green wall in the background.
Group of people in a room with a green wall, posing for a photo with hands raised, some wearing casual clothing.
Group of people standing in a room with red beams and a screen in the background.

Women’s and marginalized people’s safety and access to public spaces is a fundamental right. UNDP is supporting a group of 150 participants in self-defense workshops focusing on fostering a relational approach to women's bodies and public space. By nurturing a woman's understanding of her body's instinctive responses to danger and her relationship with the spaces she navigates, she will be better equipped to maintain her safety in public spaces. This workshop is designed to provide practical tools and emphasizes awareness, risk assessment, and understanding the body's natural response to danger, women will gain valuable knowledge about:

  • Basic and essential self defense techniques

  • ⁠Strategies to maintain personal safety

  • ⁠Building confidence and assertiveness

  • Identifying potential risks

  • ⁠Recognizing their body's instinctive reactions to threat

  • Protecting themselves and setting boundaries

  • Handling difficult situations with strength and composure

  • Practical Self-Defense Skills

  • Learning the right movements at the right times

  • Acting decisively and assertively 

The intention is not to shift the onus of ensuring safety onto women themselves, for it remains a fundamental right to be guaranteed by the state and society, but to offer them the necessary tools to confront challenges they will face. They cultivate skills in assessing and mitigating risks while learning to trust their instincts in uncomfortable or threatening situations. Through a combination of theoretical discussions, practical exercises, and group reflections, participants are encouraged to explore their relationship with public space and cultivate a heightened sense of body awareness. Consequently, participants are expected to experience increased confidence, preparedness, and trusting in their instincts, ultimately contributing to an enhanced overall sense of safety in public spaces. The results of this project will also contribute to the ongoing discourse on women's safety and inform the development of more comprehensive and effective interventions.

The Women's Security Awareness Training (WSAT)

WSAT focuses on personal security awareness, safer accommodation, safer travel, and responding to sexual harassment and violence against women. The training aims to create a safe space, raise awareness of security risks affecting female personnel and dependents in various UNSMS organizations, and provide practical tools to mitigate these risks, enabling women to work confidently while advancing gender equality and women's empowerment globally.

The course covers the application of practical safety and security measures, as well as understanding the different avenues of support available in case of an incident. It was a privilege to attend, support, and assist in this training, which, for the first time, incorporated a physical and technical component, teaching participants how to escape an attack with minimal harm while maintaining both physical and emotional resilience.

A group of people posing in a conference room, with large windows and wooden paneling, smiling for the camera.

Building Strength, Confidence, and Community Through Jiu-Jitsu

Group of eight people in athletic wear standing together in a brightly lit gym with arms around each other, smiling.
Group of people posing together indoors, wearing athletic clothing, some standing and others sitting, smiling at the camera in a bright room.
Group of people in athletic attire posing in a gym setting with a white mat.
Group of people posing on a training mat, wearing athletic clothing, indoor setting.
A group of nine people posing in a gym setting, some kneeling, others standing, wearing athletic clothing.
Group of people posing in a martial arts gym

Teaching Jiu-Jitsu at the gym is more than just coaching—it’s about sharing a passion for this transformative martial art. Every class brings together a diverse group of people—different ages, backgrounds, and skill levels—all united by a shared enthusiasm for Jiu-Jitsu. This diversity creates an environment where everyone can learn from one another, building mutual respect, trust, and friendship on the mats.

What makes teaching Jiu-Jitsu so motivating is witnessing personal growth in every student. From their first basic techniques to mastering complex ones, each milestone is a celebration of perseverance and passion. The energy, dedication, and drive that students bring to the mat fuel my own passion and push me to give my best every day.

Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a sport—it’s a way of life that instills discipline, builds confidence, and fosters a supportive community. Being able to share this journey with others and watch them grow stronger both physically and mentally is an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s a reminder of how powerful this art is in shaping not only skilled practitioners but resilient individuals.

Building Strength and Security: Tailored Self-Defense Programs

Introductory Workshops

My Introductory Workshops provide a practical foundation in self-defense, focusing on essential skills such as maintaining distance, situational awareness, and breaking free from common holds. These short sessions are designed to give participants the tools to feel more confident and secure in everyday situations.

Comprehensive Self-Defense Programs

My Comprehensive Self-Defense Programs offer a deeper dive into self-protection skills, combining progressive training in martial arts like Jiu-Jitsu with mental preparedness and physical conditioning. Participants build resilience over time, mastering techniques and strategies to handle a variety of real-life scenarios with confidence and decisiveness.

Customized Workshops

I offer Customized Workshops tailored to meet the specific needs of diverse groups, such as women, youth, corporate teams, or humanitarian workers. These sessions are designed with the unique challenges of each group in mind, ensuring participants gain the practical skills and empowerment needed to navigate their specific environments safely and effectively.

NGOs I collaborated with

  • Fair Trade Lebanon logo with "Improving Lives" slogan.
  • Logo of "hd Mediation for peace" with stylized quotation marks and "hd" initials.
  • AFEL logo with text 'Restoring Childhood Since 1976'
  • Logo of Caritas Italiana, featuring a red cross emblem and the text 'Caritas Italiana organismo pastorale della CEI.'
  • Logo of The National Association for Vocational Training & Social Services (NAVTSS) featuring a handshake and stylized floral symbols.
  • Logo of Our Lady of Hope with a hand holding a pen, text: Fattal Foundation for Education.
  • UNDP logo with blue background and letters in white.
  • International Rescue Committee logo with a yellow background and black arrow icon.
  • The word 'MOSAIC' in stylized, fragmented blue and purple letters with a combined male and female gender symbol forming the 'O'.
  • Abstract logo with overlapping letters "MWA" in brown, yellow, and teal.