SCROLL
OUR MISSION
OUR MISSION is to provide women and girls with fun and high-quality self-defense and violence prevention courses in order to help develop and build confidence, resilience, and self-worth.
From our founders to our instructors, each individual involved in our company believes in our mission to make women safer through self defense education and the building of confidence, resilience, and self worth. In late 2021 the founders of The Warrior Forged Project (WFP) and Mean Girl JiuJitsu (Mean Girl Project - MGP) decided to join forces and create what is today - HERO Self Defense, LLC | Mean Girl Self Defense.
While keeping the vision and purpose of the (WFP) 5013C nonprofit alive, we decided to continue to create and add courses designed to give consistent training to those that attend the FREE seminars. We provide training to a level of proficiency in both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and krav maga, as well as introduce judo, wrestling, muay thai, filipino martial arts, firearms and other defensive and offensive weapons training, mixing in techniques and principals found in several martial arts and combative systems.
What is unique about all of our seminars and courses, is that we also train our instructors and students defensive tactics and violence prevention, passing on the knowledge of how to recognize violence before it happens and what to do to make yourself and your loved ones safer day-to-day.
All of our presentations, seminars, and courses are designed to accommodate everyone, at any age or ability.
Courses RUNNING NOW
The following locations/Instructors have Continuous classes throughout the year. When a HERO or Mean Girl self defense course isn't avAILABLE, these locations offer private, womens only classes, or are otherwise accepted as Hero Self Defense verified "safe" Academies. Contact individual instructors for more information on private groups or upcoming courses.
FOR A Private Group Seminar, Workshop, or presentation, please fill out thIS contact Form
Location:
Grass Valley Kenpo Family Karate
Typical Class Time: Fridays 5-6:00pm
What To Wear: Comfortable gym style clothes, flip flops or slides, bring water
Location:
Lincoln Jiujitsu Academy, Lincoln, CA
Typical Class Time: Fridays 7:00-8:30pm
What To Wear: Comfortable gym style clothes, flip flops or slides, bring water
Location:
Ralph Gracie Sacramento
Typical Class Time: Tues & Thurs 6-7pm
What To Wear: Comfortable gym style clothes, flip flops or slides, bring water
Location:
Warrior Defense BJJ, DeLand, FL
Typical Class Time: Fridays 6:00-7:15pm
What To Wear: Comfortable gym style clothes, flip flops or slides, bring water
Location:
Warrior BJJ, Acworth, GA
Typical Class Time: Contact Instructor for times
What To Wear: Comfortable gym style clothes, flip flops or slides, bring water
Location:
Settlers Park, Meridian, ID
Typical Class Time: Contact Instructor for times
What To Wear: Comfortable gym style clothes, flip flops or slides, bring water
Location:
Various locations including Revolution Fitness, Naperville, IL
Typical Class Time: Contact for class times
What To Wear: Comfortable gym style clothes, flip flops or slides, bring water
Location:
Wall 2 Wall Martial Arts, Denham Springs, LA
Typical Class Time: Mondays & Wednesdays 5:00-5:45pm
What To Wear: Comfortable gym style clothes, flip flops or slides, bring water
Location:
MAC MMA, Conroe TX
Typical Class Time: Contact instructor
What To Wear: Comfortable gym style clothes, flip flops or slides, bring water
Location:
95 Dam Rd, Wisconsin Dells, WI
Typical Class Time: Contact instructor
What To Wear: Comfortable gym style clothes, flip flops or slides, bring water
MORE LEVELS
STACEY COUNCILMAN
Along with being the founder and CEO of The Warrior Forged Project and CEO of Hero Self Defense, LLC | Mean Girl Project, Stacey is a 4x IBJJF Master World Champion, several time Pans, Nationals, and NoGi World Champion and has been the number #1 ranked brown belt master 3 female in Brazilian Jiujitsu for three years running (2021-2023). She is also a black belt in Kung Fu San Soo and has been an advanced civilian, law enforcement, and military Krav Maga instructor through ICSU since 2018. In 2021 Stacey opened The Warriors Forge - a self defense academy in Roseville, CA which was also considered the west coast base camp for both Hero Self Defense, LLC and The Warrior Forged Project. In May of 2023 Stacey closed the academy to work solely on building Hero Self Defense, LLC, and Warrior Forged Project due to time limitations while running a gym.
Stacey is actively working on building and improving programs and courses, marketing and business development for The Warrior Forged Project and Hero Self Defense, LLC, and writing a book on self defense, as well as continuing to train and compete in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Outside of work and training, Stacey enjoys time with her husband, and growing her farm and homestead in Northern California. She loves to cook and hang out with her 3 dogs and 20 chickens, and is also a mom of three grown children in their 20's and hoping to enjoy grandchildren in the near future.
LESLIE STEINMANN
Leslie started training in 2009, when a friend introduced her to kickboxing & MMA. The professor at her gym suggested she give Jiu Jitsu a try and it was “love at first roll”. Although her BJJ/Self-Defense journey has had some ups and downs in 2017, she earned her black belt in MMA and currently holds a purple belt in BJJ. Leslie continues to train BJJ & self-defense and has a deep passion to help women gain confidence, skill and courage through the martial arts.
Leslie is a certified Kicking Boxing/Self Defense Instructor with Warrior Defense BJJ (her gym) as well as instructs BJJ. In 2022, Leslie became a certified instructor with The Warrior Forged Project & The Mean Girl Project and launched Florida’s 1st Mean Girl Project LVL 1 Course in her town. Since the 1st class launch, she has taught several MGP 1 Courses, a LVL 2 course and is continuing to build and grow the program in FL and now throughout the East Coast.
Outside of training, Leslie loves to spend time with her husband, Superman, & her two boys (one who is serving in FL’s National Guard and the other whose focus is finishing school & fishing). Leslie enjoys quality time with her friends, fishing, biking for miles, surfing, drinking good coffee and hanging out with her doggo during morning devotional time on her back porch.
LINDSEY HEDLUND
Lindsey started training at age 34 and immediately fell in love with jiu jitsu as a sport and for self-defense. She paved the way at her school as the only competitive adult female and the first female to earn her purple belt. In 2021, she launched a women’s only self-defense program known as Mean Girl Jiu Jitsu, which encouraged ladies to cast aside all stereotypes and risk of being labelled in order to protect their own safety and well-being. In 2022, Lindsey added Krav Maga and MMA training to her schedule and became a certified instructor with Warrior Forged Project, along with still training and competing in BJJ. Jiu jitsu has helped Lindsey to acknowledge her worth and become more resilient in all aspects of her life. She believes that every woman would benefit from training and truly treasures the jiu jitsu community!
Off the mats, Lindsey loves spending time with her husband and two daughters. She graduated with a BS in Biochemistry and Cellular/Molecular Biology, Masters in Business Administration, and works full time in regulatory affairs for medical devices. She has completed marathons, triathlons, and loves functional fitness training (especially with her family). She also loves hiking, writing, family board/video game nights, and trying any new experience or food!
TESTIMONIALS
Angela from Roseville...
Since everyone is getting a little emotional today I figured I’d hop on the bandwagon.
*******
Obviously you guys know I’ve been doing jiu jitsu for a while now, and I’ve been helping Stacey teach you all when I can. What you might not know about are the mental struggles I’ve been facing the past couple years. I’m sure a lot of us are familiar with the destruction anxiety and depression can cause, and it’s something I’ve been fighting with HARD. The nights I have come in and have had the privilege in helping teach you all, and seeing the progression and the FIGHT come out of you has been a truly amazing journey for me- in my own confidence, in my own self worth, and in my own fight against imposter syndrome.
Of course some days are harder than others. In fact, yesterday I had my first panic attack on the mat LOL. But shit happens, and honestly knowing the Mean Girl ladies were there inside made it so much easier to get back on the mat and move on.
I’m really thankful for this group, and eternally grateful for Stacey allowing me not only the experience of the gym and the program, but the opportunity to be apart of the teaching process. I am real lucky.
Thanks for coming to class you guys 🤍💖🤍
Danielle from Roseville...
You may or may not remember that I mentioned back in February that I did a thing. I stepped out of my comfort zone, the strong introvert that I am, as out of shape as I am, and went to a martial arts studio for a self-defense class for women where I knew no one. To say I was sweating bullets would be a legit understatement.
But I was determined and committed despite my insane life - and trust me it’s insane. See as a survivor of domestic violence, I greatly understand how fundamentally important it is to be able to protect oneself. Now as a momma of two young littles, feeling confident I can protect them and developing the skills to do so became paramount to me.
What I discovered over the initial classes and then the 12 week program was I was not alone. I was surrounded by women equally new and wanting to gain control, each with their own story and reason for being there. A camaraderie and a bond was formed. A genuine want for each other’s success and a whole lot of laughter. Oh and we learned the beginnings of self defense with Krav Maga and Brazilian JuJitsu throw in. Tuesday nights have become my favorite night of the week. I sweat. I often feel like I’m missing something, knowing I’ll get it with time and practice. And I have a LONG way to go. But there is nothing like the feeling of confidence I have gained with each class. Yet another part of me I’m Taking Back in 2022.
#godsplan #lifeplanbygod #themeangirlproject #warriorforged #takeback2022 #worththefight
Amanda from Roseville...
My whole life I’ve been called a mean girl, but up until recently, it’s something I’ve wanted to change. Now I wear that title proudly.
Day 1 of the Mean Girl Project, I went in not knowing what to expect. I left and immediately called my mom crying, telling her that I was SO GLAD I had decided to take this course. Stacey had a lot to say that day, but what stuck out to me most was the phrase “you are WORTH the fight” I tried to hide my tears in class because it was something that I ultimately had not believed for a long time. I quickly learned that it is easy to believe in yourself when you are surrounded by a group of women who believe in you, and push you to be your best.
The Mean Girl Project has changed my life. It has changed the life’s of those that I know and love, who didn’t even attend the course, because they see a difference in me, and are making the effort to live a happier life.
Over the last 12 weeks I have seen tremendous growth in not only myself, but the other women in the class as well. We all came in not knowing that we would make great friends and have a great time. We have grown together like a family and look forward to seeing each other every week.
I have so much I want to say, so many feelings I want to let out. But I’ll narrow it down to this: I had been scared, for a very long time. I had no faith in myself when it came to being able to defend myself against an attacker. I had been in that situation before and was SCARED and didn’t know what to do or how to protect myself. I am CONFIDENT now. I KNOW what to do, how to get away, and how to prevent the unspeakable from happening. All BECAUSE of this course. To go from being afraid, to living life confidently, in only 12 weeks, BLOWS my mind.
It’s hard to put into words just how amazing this course is, and how much Stacey truly cares about what she is teaching us. This course, these women, the combination of them, I will forever be grateful for all of it. #meangirl
10/10 would definitely recommend.
Get in Touch
We currently have courses and workshops in several states throughout the U.S. including Florida, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Idaho and California.
916-510-6562