From Competitor to Protector: The Story Behind StrongHER Self-Defense

My name is Sarah Draht, and StrongHER Self-Defense exists because of every lesson, injury, triumph, and setback I've experienced over the past two decades. This program isn’t just a business—it’s the culmination of my life’s work, my purpose, and my unwavering belief that strength doesn’t always look like a fight. Sometimes, it looks like strategy, awareness, and the ability to make informed decisions under pressure.

I started training in martial arts in 2005, building a foundation in MMA, Muay Thai, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I went on to become a Canadian Champion in San Shou, earning a place on Team Canada and later earning my black belt in BJJ. But my competitive career was suddenly derailed by a devastating car accident. Multiple surgeries followed, and for a time, it looked like everything I had built was gone.

But that was just the pivot point.

I returned—not just to compete, but to win. I earned two IBJJF World Titles and co-owned three martial arts academies across the Okanagan. I developed structured programs, fostered community, and helped shape students into not just better athletes, but more resilient people. Then, after the pandemic, I made a decision. I sold my share of the academies to pursue something deeper: a vision I had been holding for years.

StrongHER Self-Defense was born from a gap I kept seeing—one where traditional self-defense either ignored women’s realities or relied on outdated, reaction-based approaches rather than strategy. This was needed. Something practical. Something trauma-informed. Something current. Something that spoke to women not as vulnerable, but as capable individuals who already have the strength—they just need the tools and framework to access it.

Today, I teach StrongHER workshops throughout Vernon and the Okanagan, and continue to expand access across the region by partnering with organizations, schools, and community groups. I also extend the reach of StrongHER through online platforms—sharing educational content, updates, and resources via social media and my website to help more individuals access tools, insights, and strategies. 

I also work full-time in Protective Services, managing high-risk individuals and regularly engaging in physical interventions. The role demands sharp situational awareness, calm under pressure, and fast, effective decision-making in unpredictable environments. The physical and psychological intensity of my work reinforces the core of what I teach through StrongHER. In both settings, I’ve seen that preparation is the strongest form of offense—because when you're equipped and aware, you're better positioned to respond effectively, even in uncertainty.

I live what I teach: preparedness, clarity, and response—not reaction. My workshops are rooted in strategy, not just technique. We focus on awareness, boundary-setting, pre-contact cues, and decision-making under pressure—equipping individuals to assess, prepare, and act with purpose.

But this isn’t just about the physical. It’s about reclaiming your sense of control—your space, your boundaries, and your ability to choose how you respond.

What I offer through StrongHER isn’t a one-off workshop. It’s a mindset shift. A network of support. A movement toward self-protection rooted in intelligence and resilience.

I’ve seen the impact when women recognize their own strength—and learn how to apply it.

StrongHER is here to change that.

Redefining readiness means embracing preparation over reaction—because power doesn’t always mean fighting, but does require being ready.

Register for our next workshop. Or follow us on instagram: @strongherselfdefense or Facebook: StrongHER Self-Defense learn more.

– Sarah Draht Founder, StrongHER Self-Defense