Self Defence and Personal Safety For Women

Fear is part of being human - but when it starts running your life instead of protecting you, it’s time to learn how to calm your nervous system and feel safer in your body. In this episode, Julie Waite of Streetwise Defence is joined by Sadie Marshall, Co-founder of Take A Pause, to share practical, body-based tools to work with fear, reduce chronic stress, and build real emotional resilience. Th...

In this episode, Julie and Dene continue their essential conversation about how to stay safe, calm, and confident during the darker months. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, head to Episode 22 - this is the perfect follow-on. In Part 2, we go deeper into seven practical areas that make a huge difference to your personal safety after dark - without living in fear. You’ll learn: • How to stay p...

Now that the clocks have gone back and evenings are darker earlier, many people are feeling that familiar unease about being out after dark. In this episode of the Self Defence and Personal Safety for Women podcast, Julie Waite and Dene Josham, co-founders of Streetwise Defence, share how to stay safe and feel more confident when the nights draw in - whether you’re walking home from work, going fo...

Every day, girls and young women are changing how they live, dress, and travel - just to feel safe. The 2025 Girlguiding Girls’ Attitudes Survey reveals that 68% of girls aged 11–21 have changed their behaviour to avoid sexual harassment, and 1 in 10 have even missed school because of safety fears. In this episode of Self Defence and Personal Safety for Women , Julie Waite , women’s safety advocat...

Checking into a hotel or Airbnb should feel safe - but too often it doesn’t. Break-ins, weak locks, and even hidden dangers like carbon monoxide can leave women feeling anxious instead of confident. In this Quick Tips episode, Julie Waite shares three simple travel safety gadgets that can transform how secure you feel when you close the door. Affordable, portable, and easy to pack, they give you e...

Walking home, waiting for a taxi, or heading back to your car at night - these everyday moments can feel unsafe. In fact, 4 in 5 women in the UK say they don’t feel safe walking alone after dark . In this quick 10-minute tips episode of Self Defence for Women – Live an Empowered Life , Julie Waite (women's safety advocate and Co-Founder of Streetwise Defence) shares three simple, legal gadget...

Getting into an Uber or taxi should be simple. But for many women, it’s a journey that comes with worry. We’ve all heard stories of women being harassed, assaulted, or worse on their way home - and even if the cases are rare, the fear is very real. In this episode of Self Defence for Women – Live an Empowered Life , Julie Waite and Dene Josham take a deep dive into Uber and taxi safety . We talk a...

Summer feels safer - but violent crime actually increases. In this Quick Tips episode, Julie Waite (women’s safety advocate) and Dene Josham (former bodyguard to Angelina Jolie and self defence expert) reveal six overlooked summer dangers and how to avoid them. From burglary and social media oversharing to car theft and predatory behaviour, they share fast, practical tips based on real stats. Lear...

Heading to Glastonbury or a festival this summer? You need more than just a wellies-and-glitter checklist. In this episode, Julie and Dene break down the real risks - spiking, theft, sexual assault - and what you can do to protect yourself and your friends. Learn how to: Stay safe in crowds, tents, and after dark Spot the safety gaps most people miss Use instinct, prep and smart kit to stay street...

A car is stolen every 4 minutes in the UK—many of them high-end, keyless, and stolen silently off driveways. In this quick tip episode, Julie Waite from Streetwise Defence breaks down exactly how luxury car theft happens, how to protect your vehicle using layered defences, and the crucial mindset shift that could save your life. Learn about keyless relay theft, ghost tagging, and what to do (and n...

Feeling unsafe because of who you are? You’re not imagining it — and you’re not alone . In this Pride special, Julie Waite and Dene Josham (self defence expert and former bodyguard of Angelina Jolie) share 4 life-changing truths about real self-defence for LGBTQ+ people — truths that most people never talk about.  This isn’t about fighting. It’s about self-worth, setting boundaries, protecting you...

Phone snatching is fast, shocking, and on the rise — especially in busy public places. But with a few simple habits, you can make yourself a much harder target. In this quick 10-minute tip episode, women's safety advocate and Co-Founder of Streetwise Defence, Julie Waite, breaks down how phone thieves operate (think scooters, pickpockets, cafés, and even muggings), and shares practical, real-...

Menopause can mess with your mind, drain your energy, and leave you doubting yourself — but you don’t have to stay stuck. In this empowering episode, Julie Waite is joined by Juli Madacey (menopause coach and Co-Founder of Fabulous Beyond 40) to explore the emotional, psychological, and identity changes that come with menopause — and how to build emotional self-defence from the inside out. From me...

If you’re confused by UK self-defence law, you’re not alone. In this episode, Julie Waite (Co-Founder of Streetwise Defence) breaks down the real rules around protecting yourself — and what the law actually allows. Using the case of Martyna Ogonowska as a starting point, Julie explores why she was convicted of murder, the truth about carrying weapons, and what “reasonable force” really means. Lear...

In this eye-opening episode, Julie and Dene break down the most overlooked yet high-risk places children face danger — from trusted family members and online predators to public toilets, sleepovers, and the school run. With real stories, powerful stats (like 90% of abuse cases involve someone the child knows), and actionable safety tips, this is a must-listen for parents who want to protect their...

What would you do if someone tried to mug you? In this episode, Julie Waite (women's safety advocate) and Dene Josham (self defence expert and former bodyguard of Brad Pitt) share real-world personal safety tips every woman should know — from preventing a mugging to surviving one safely. You’ll learn how to stay alert, trust your gut, and respond decisively without escalating danger. They cov...

Could your pen, keys, or handbag actually save your life? In this episode, Julie Waite (women's safety advocate) and Dene Josham (self-defence expert and former celebrity bodyguard) explore the power of improvised weapons — everyday items you already carry that can help protect you in a self-defence situation. From street encounters to terror attacks and home invasions, they explain how minds...

80% of women have experienced harassment in public — and yet many still feel silenced or blamed. It’s time we talk about it. In this powerful episode, Julie Waite (women's safety advocate) and Dene Josham (self-defence expert and former bodyguard of Angelina Jolie) share real experiences and unpack the uncomfortable reality of street harassment — what it looks like, how it impacts women psych...

Are you tired of saying yes when you mean no? Apologising for things that aren’t your fault? This episode will help you stop people-pleasing and start protecting your energy. Julie Waite, women's safety advocate, and self-defence expert Dene Josham break down how confidence, boundaries, and self-worth are essential to emotional self-defence — and why saying “no” is a safety skill, not a selfi...

Do you feel guilty for saying no? Struggle to protect your time, energy, or peace? You’re not alone — and it’s time to change that. In this episode, Julie Waite, women's safety advocate, and Dene Josham, self defence expert and former A-list bodyguard, unpack how boundary-setting is a core part of emotional self-defence. They explore the types of boundaries we all need — emotional, physical,...

Are you feeling manipulated, emotionally drained, or constantly second-guessing yourself? You may be dealing with gaslighting or a toxic relationship. In this episode, Julie Waite, women's safety advocate, and Dene Josham, self defence instructor and former celebrity bodyguard, expose the red flags of emotional abuse — from guilt-tripping to love bombing — and explain how emotional self-defen...

What if the person you loved became your greatest threat? In this powerful episode, Julie Waite speaks with domestic abuse survivor and advocate Sharon Livermore MBE, founder of Domestic Abuse Education . Sharon shares her story of surviving coercive control, attempted kidnap, and abuse — and how she now educates others to break the cycle. You’ll learn how to spot red flags, understand the cycle o...

Ever had that gut feeling someone’s following you? Your instincts might be right — and this episode teaches you exactly what to do. Julie Waite and self-defence expert Dene Josham (former bodyguard to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt) walk you through step-by-step actions to stay safe if you sense you're being followed. Learn how to confirm the threat, escape safely, stay mentally ahead, and prot...

What if everything you’ve heard about women’s self-defence is only half the truth? In this episode of Self Defence for Women, Julie Waite (women's safety advocate) and self-defence expert Dene Josham (former bodyguard of Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Russell Crowe) debunk the biggest myths — like needing strength or learning to fight strangers. Instead, they reveal how real self-defence start...