Vernon Expert Offering Self-Defense Course for Women
Sarah Draht wants to help women feel safer.
The Brazilian jiu jitsu second-degree black belt and former mixed martial arts fighter is the founder and head instructor of StrongHER Kickboxing & Self-Defence.
Draht also won the 2026 Enterprize Challenge for Vernon’s first women’s-only kickboxing and self-defence academy.
She will be hosting a self-defence workshop Saturday, Oct. 17 at the academy (3105 28 St.), from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Admission is by donation in support of the North Okanagan Hospice Society (NOHS).
The event follows Draht’s summer of fundraising and rehearsals for Dancing with the Stars Vernon in support of hospice care.
Now, she is bringing that energy back to the mats with a practical, welcoming workshop for women of all backgrounds and fitness levels.
That background, paired with jiu jitsu skills and frontline work in protective services, gives her a different take on personal safety than what most people expect.
“I’m doing this because there is a gap in practical safety education, and we need to fill it - this work is too important,” Draht said. “You want to be prepared ahead of time, not trying to figure things out in the middle of a bad situation. It’s about putting tools in your tool belt early so you know how to respond. The goal is always to get home safely.”
For Draht, that means addressing prevention long before anything gets physical.
“Most self-defence classes jump straight into teaching women how to fight, but the real secret is psychology first,” she said. “Real safety is about awareness, trusting that quiet voice in your gut when something feels off, setting clear boundaries with your voice, and knowing how to get out of a bad situation safely. Fighting is always the very last resort.”
Because of her recent training through the Justice Institute of British Columbia, Draht also demystifies the legal side of personal defence. Participants learn what is legally reasonable and justified under Canadian law, cutting through fear and confusion so they feel clear, confident, and capable in their day-to-day lives.
The session is open to all local women ages 10 and up and serves as the kickoff for StrongHER’s upcoming four-week foundation series in November.
Admission is by donation at the door or online, with all proceeds going directly to help the North Okanagan Hospice Society continue providing compassionate end-of-life care for local families.
To learn more and to register, click here.
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