{"id":81,"date":"2026-08-21T20:32:51","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T20:32:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heuristic-swartz.216-225-204-205.plesk.page\/?page_id=81"},"modified":"2026-09-22T15:41:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T15:41:24","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/heuristic-swartz.216-225-204-205.plesk.page\/?page_id=81","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Self-defense<\/span>
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Certified Self-Defense Instructors & Safety Consultants in Denver<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

We are trauma survivors and violence prevention educators who believe in a safer world through adaptive, inclusive safety training.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Our Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Experts in Safety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We bring over 15 years of combined training and expertise in self-defense, emergency preparedness, program development, safety consulting, and facilitation. We have collaborated with trauma survivors, mental health professionals, martial artists, personal trainers, social justice activists, corporate trainers, conflict resolution experts, disability rights activists, and emergency preparedness experts to create inclusive, comprehensive, and widely accessible safety and self-defense trainings. As self-defense instructors, we specialize in individual and group safety and self-defense trainings that create a sense of safety and confidence, and as safety consultants, we help individuals and businesses develop stronger, more staff-centered safety protocols. We work with businesses, corporations, non-profits, clubs, schools, event planners, parents, families, and others to create a safer culture for all.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Kayla<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Kayla<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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People with Stories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We are trauma-survivors with lived experiences in what it feels like to question your safety. We have walked the path towards re-finding our voices and our strength. We have worked in places that had great safety considerations, and places that didn\u2019t. We put into the practice the methods we teach and commit to building safety as a practice in our own lives. We love helping people reconnect to themselves and our favorite moments are when our students realize that they are strong and capable. We believe in the possibility of a safer world, not one devoid of risk, but a world where individuals trust in themselves and are supported by their communities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Safety and Self-Defense Consultants With You in Mind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We teach everyone\u2014from individuals and private groups to businesses and corporations\u2014but our specialty is in training people who are seeking adaptive, trauma-informed, and inclusive classes. Our clients include trauma survivors, people with disabilities, older adults, Queer and LGBTQIA individuals, people in recovery, youth of all genders, and women who want to reclaim their power. We believe that everyone should have access to these skills, so as self-defense instructors and safety consultants, we proudly support and defend the rights, safety, and freedom of marginalized communities and welcome anyone in our classes who shares these values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Staff Trainings<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Public Classes<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Mission<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"It<\/figure>
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We facilitate inclusive, trauma-informed safety and self-defense programs that inspire confidence, empowerment, and resilience in individuals at higher risk of violence, in order to cultivate stronger and more supportive communities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Vision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"We<\/figure>
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We envision a safe world where everyone (no matter their age, ability level, gender, sexuality, race, religion, or other identifiers) can show up authentically, live expansively, and pursue their wildest dreams.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Our Core Beliefs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Communities make us safer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Safety is not just personal, it is communal. We want to move out of thinking just of individual safety and begin to understand how our safety is wrapped up in the safety of our neighbors and community members. When we can help keep ourselves safe, we can help keep our community safe, and vice versa.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Self-Defense should be comprehensive<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Violence happens in many different ways, and self-defense should teach strategies that are able to address all the ways that people experience violence in the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Everyone is capable of defending themselves<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of ability, gender, age, race, or any other identifier, you can learn skills to effectively defend yourself. Self-defense should work to fit the skills to you, not make you fit yourself to the skills. If self-defense can not be made accessible for everyone, it is ineffective self-defense.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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It’s never your fault if someone harms you<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The responsibility is always on the person causing harm. While there are things we can do to help prevent or interrupt violence, there is nothing that you can do that will turn somebody into a perpetrator. It never has been and never will be your fault. No self-defense instructor should tell you otherwise.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Self-Defense transforms lives<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Self-defense is a practice, not a one-time event. It is a way that we can live that opens up the world to us. Self-defense, when done right, should build confidence and reassurance. It should allow us to live the life we want to live and know that if anything goes wrong, we know what to do.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Meet Your Safety Consultants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"Kayla<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kayla Berry, ESDP (she\/her)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kayla Berry is a certified empowerment self-defense instructor with over 6 years of experience in teaching kids, teens, and adults of all abilities in safety, self-defense, and violence prevention. She has also undergone specialized training in various areas, including Empowerment Self-Defense Professional credential from the International Association of ESD Professionals, first aid, Colorado Mandatory Reporter certification, Advanced Behavioral Threat Assessment Training, Community Emergency Response (CERT), Abuse Prevention (accredited by Safe Sport), and non-violent communication. On top of providing empowerment safety and self-defense trainings, Kayla works teaching emergency preparedness classes with the Denver Office of Emergency Management. Kayla is a rock climber, and has two cats (hopefully some dogs soon) and lots of plants! Her world feels better when she is surrounded by her friends or family and reintroducing hobbies that she used to love when she was young like guitar playing, writing, and traveling. She is on the constant journey to figure out how to explore the outdoors, which usually means lots of practice getting out of her comfort zone. She will gladly talk your ear off about plants, fantasy\/sci-fi books, or self-defense.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Krista<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Krista Hanley, ESDP (she\/her)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Krista Hanley is a writer, speaker, and violence prevention educator with over ten years of expertise facilitating programs in the areas of self-defense, trauma recovery, and embodiment. As a Columbine survivor, she brings her experience as a trauma survivor to the development of safety programs at We Are Safer Together. Some of her specialized certifications and trainings include: Empowerment Self-Defense Professional credential through the Association of ESD Professionals, Impact self-defense instructor and instructor-trainer certification, mental health first aid, Colorado mandatory reporter training, Community Emergency Response Team training (CERT), Trauma Informed Instructor certification, ALERRT Active Shooter Civilian Response, Advanced Behavioral Threat Assessment Training, Adaptive Sport Abuse Prevention Trainer (accredited by Safe Sport), and non-violent communication training. Krista is an artist and a writer, expressing herself through her watercolors and words. She is an avid traveler and loves to explore how taking appropriate risks can help her grow. She is a fierce advocate for her loved ones and her community. She has a cat who she adores and who adores her. She makes the best chocolate chip cookies in the world (just ask anyone).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Work With Us<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Why Choose Our Self-Defense Instructors?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Certified Expertise:<\/strong> <\/summary>\n

Our team holds elite Empowerment Self-Defense Professional (ESDP) credentials from the Association of ESD Professionals.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Trauma-Informed & Survivor-Led: <\/strong><\/summary>\n

We design every curriculum through a lens of trauma recovery, embodiment, and lived experience.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Adaptive & Inclusive Focus:<\/strong><\/summary>\n

We specialize in modifying physical techniques and safety plans to fit all ages, backgrounds, and physical ability levels.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Deep Community Roots:<\/strong><\/summary>\n

From working with the Denver Office of Emergency Management to volunteering with local advocacy groups, we are deeply invested in Colorado’s safety.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Media Appearances<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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25 years after the attack, a Columbine survivor dedicates herself to making others feel safer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Award Winning!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colorado Matters on Colorado Public Radio<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with co-founder Krista Hanley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

April 8, 2024  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Disrupting the Dominoes Podcast S2 E7<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Interview with co-founder Krista Hanley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

April 5, 2024<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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25 years after the Columbine shooting: What life now looks like for one survivor<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

All Things Considered, NPR (edit of Colorado Public Radio Feature)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with co-founder Krista Hanley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

April 15, 2024<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Listen Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Listen Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Listen Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Contact Us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Have questions? Want to get signed up for a class or book a customized training program? We are based in Denver, CO but are happy to travel to wherever you call home. Contact us now!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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