Category Archives: Victim’s rights

2019 Recap

Getting married, three Rising Strength events and running in the Boston Marathon for the Oral Cancer Foundation have made this without a doubt the busiest and best year so far.

I was so fortunate to start off the year by hosting a great self-defense class at the Easton YMCA with LeCarlo Beaty. LeCarlo, as always, did an amazing job with making the women feel comfortable and encouraged everyone to have fun all while teaching life saving self-defense. We had an awesome turn out and I am so grateful for the support the YMCA has offered over the past years in allowing me to host these classes.

One of the women who attended the class at the YMCA asked if I would teach a class for her daughter’s Girl Scout Troop. Go Mom! The topics discussed at the classes can often scare many parents but these are conversations that unfortunately we need to have. The statistic is still 1 in 4 women will be a victim of an attempted or completed rape. Starting these conversations early is critical to changing this. At the class we focused on trusting your instincts and believing in yourself. Thank you to Matt Herron who taught this class and traded his time for Girl Scout cookies!

In April, I had the opportunity to run in the Boston Marathon for the second time for the Oral Cancer Foundation. It took me three marathons to qualify for this Boston Marathon and I could not have been happier to be out there again. For a runner, there is no better event than the Boston Marathon. From the start to the finish for 26.2 miles you are being cheered on by the people of Boston and being inspired by all of the runners along the way. While I was on the course I saw a police officer running in full uniform, disabled athletes that defied all odds against them and prevailing each mile and countless runners fulfilling a dream. Running for the Oral Cancer Foundation in honor of mom is something that I will forever be grateful for. Due to the amazing sponsors Forward Science, Caliber Home Loans, Higginbottom Orthodontics, ShoreGate Partners, MDSW Law, SamSport, Benson and Mangold and DS Smith, and many personal donations we were able to hit our target goal of raising $5,000 for the Oral Cancer Foundation!

Huge THANK YOU to Forward Science for your continued support and closing the gap with a generous donation that made us reach the $5,000 goal! I am very grateful to have Forward Science on our team in the fight against oral cancer! Their life saving devices, products that help with the effects of radiation and commitment to raising awareness are pivotal in this battle.

Five days after getting married, I had the opportunity to go back to the Senior Summit to share my story and teach a self-defense seminar with John Givens. John is an incredible teacher, owner of a local MMA studio and all round great guy! This was the second year in row that I have had the opportunity to be a part of this great event. I am so proud to live in a community that values seniors and all those who provide care for them. In the class, like many others, several women shared their stories of survival. I am grateful that we provided them an outlet to share, heal and feel empowered through self-defense. Thank you, John for teaching a great class and donating your time to the community!

I can’t thank my husband, Eddie, enough for all of his support in every single one of my endevours. I am extremely lucky to have such a supportive and thoughtful partner. Getting married was absolutely the best part of 2019.

Self-Defense at the Easton YMCA

Thank you to everyone who attended our self-defense workshops this winter! We had great turnouts at both events and as always LeCarlo Beaty from Divas in Defense did a fantastic job teaching the courses.

At both classes, I shared my story of how self-defense helped me over come the fear I had after the attack. I feel very strongly that not only is self-defense an important tool in preventing assaults against women but it is also a powerful way to help victims of assaults heal. I am so grateful that I was able to take self-defense soon after the attack and I know that it had a huge impact on my recovery.

In my opinion, one of the best aspects of LeCarlo’s classes is that he focuses on real life situations. We discussed the importance of situational awareness every time you leave your house. How often do we go about our day and routines without fully being aware of what is around us? I know that the day of my attack, I had no idea that I was being followed on my morning run. Being aware of your surroundings and trusting your instincts are critical. At the classes the women learned how to properly punch and kick and how to get out of many different types of holds. I feel confident that all the women who came to the course learned survival skills and also had fun.

If you want to learn more about personal safety and self-defense pick up a copy of LeCarlo’s book Life Insurance: Basic Guide for Women’s Safety and Self Defense. I was honored to write and share my story for the foreword for this book and I couldn’t be prouder of all that LeCarlo does to keep women safe.

Rising Strength at Miles and Stockbridge


Yesterday, we had an awesome day at the law firm of Miles and Stockbridge! I shared the story behind Rising Strength and LeCarlo Beaty taught a self-defense course to the female lawyers who work there. We reviewed basic self-defense and situational awareness. Thank you, LeCarlo, for again teaching a great and fun course!

I can’t thank my dear friend, Beth Koloup, enough for helping organize this class. Beth is a lawyer at Miles and Stockbridge and has been a tremendous supporter and advocate of both Rising Strength and Carol’s Fight. Beth is the epitome of a great friend. I could not have gotten through the loss of my mom and overcome the attack without the support of amazing friends like Beth.

Thank you, Eddie, for always being so encouraging and supportive!

Self-Defense in St. Michaels

1 in 6 women in America will survive an attempted or completed rape. 1 in 87 women in America will take a self-defense class.

Thank you to the women who braved the snow on Saturday to attend the self-defense class at the St. Michaels YMCA! It was a great morning with LeCarlo Beaty from Divas in Defense providing many life saving skills. We went over how to properly punch, kick and get out of holds. Thank you, LeCarlo, for your enthusiasm, professionalism and traveling over two-hours to get to the class!

We had women of all ages in attendance and received great feedback. Thank you,Tracy Cohee, for providing the space for the class and to your awesome staff for staying open in the snow storm! We will be providing another free self-defense class in the upcoming months.

Thanks, Eddie, for being the best “attacker” and photographer on Saturday 🙂

Rising Strength Farm Flow

Farm Flow

“Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise”

-Maya Angelou

This past fall, I reconnected with my high school soccer teammate Jamie Weymont after ten years of living in different states. Within moments of us spending time together it became clear that Jamie and I share a passion for connecting and empowering women. Before the day was over we had started to contemplate how we could combine our efforts.

On Saturday June 18, 2016 we held the first Rising Strength Women’s retreat, aptly called Rising Strength Farm Flow because of the beautiful farm that it was held on. I’ve been fortunate to have many incredible experiences but this past weekend will stay with me as one of the most powerful days I’ve ever had. The day was supposed to be focused around yoga, meditation and sharing the story behind Rising Strength but it became so much more when we opened the conversation in a group sharing circle. I cannot thank the women who attended enough for joining us and sharing your experiences. It was impossible to leave the day not feeling empowered by the strength and resilience of these women.

Thank you to all of the amazing women who shared their time and hearts with us on Saturday. Thank you for making the Rising Strength Farm Flow such an unforgettable day.

Thank you to all of the amazing women who shared their time and hearts with us on Saturday. Thank you for making the Rising Strength Farm Flow such an unforgettable day.

Jamie, thank you for organizing a day that was called “magic” by more than one attendee. We are all blessed to know you and call you a friend! Thank you, Shelly for hosting us on your gorgeous farm.

Thank you, Kia for making it to this event! So grateful for our friendship that has last long after our ETSU soccer days ended!

Thank you, Kia for making it to this event! So grateful for our friendship that has lasted long after our ETSU soccer days ended!

One of the coolest parts of the day was getting to spend time with women I went to high school with at John Carroll. Thank you so much for coming it was beyond awesome to see you all!

One of the coolest parts of the day was getting to spend time with women I went to high school with at John Carroll. Thank you so much for coming it was beyond awesome to see you all!

1 in 6

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1 in 6. That is the statistic reported by RAINN for the amount of women in America who survive an attempted or completed rape. I never would have believed this statistic until I became it on September 21, 2013. Unfortunately, every time I speak at a school or organize a self-defense class I have women and men share with me their story of abuse and rape. I was so fortunate to be able to get away from my attacker before I was raped or killed, but so many others do not get away.

Please take the time to read a powerful letter from a victim of rape to her attacker…Letter to Rapist

When I read her story, I think of how close I was to enduring the horror of rape and then having to deal with being in a hospital getting photographed and prodded while answering questions from police and having to face my family and friends after knowing that life would never be the same. I’ll never forget the look on my dad’s face when investigators told us how lucky I was to be alive. I think of that moment often and it fuels my passion to prevent this from happening to anyone else. While my heart breaks for this victim and what she has endured, I am also so proud of her for detailing her experience and putting it out there for the world to see.

I believe that we live in a country that is better than a 1 in 6 statistic. I will keep sharing my story and working to keep women safe and help survivors heal until we are better than that. Thank you to all the amazing people who are supporting me on this mission.

Upcoming Rising Strength Event

Justice in Motion

Justice in Motion

I am honored to be speaking at this year’s Justice in Motion 5k, in Jonesborough, TN on April 25, 2015. The Justice in Motion 5k is dedicated to victims of homicide, while also raising awareness of victims rights and promoting victim services for ALL victims of crimes. All proceeds of this race will go to local non-profit groups in the area that provide aid to victims.

I never thought I would be a victim of an attempted rape and murder, not because I was naive that terrible things don’t happen, but because I considered myself a pretty cautious person who didn’t put myself in bad situations. Being attacked in my home by a paroled rapist did not seem feasible in Johnson City, TN, the college town I had grown to love. I was extraordinarily lucky to have gotten away from my attacker before I was injured or killed. So many others, were not as fortunate as I was, including the two women my attacker raped several days after my attack. Please help me in honoring the victims of violence by joining in the cause of Justice in Motion.

To register or donate to the race, please click the link below. Thank you!

Justice in Motion

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I recently went back to Johnson City, TN and went on my first run there since the day of the attack. It is believed that my attacker followed me from my morning run back to my home. After the attack, I avoided going near the street where I used to live, a mile from where I went to undergrad and grad school at ETSU. Over a year later, it felt great to be back in Johnson City and I don’t feel like the attack defines my experience there. Instead, when I go back to Johnson City I choose to see it for the beautiful place, filled with incredible people and where I have so many great memories. The attacker could not take away my love of East Tennessee.

I am very excited for upcoming Rising Strength talks and a partnership with Go Shake. As well as the second Blue Ridge Relay team. Thank you to everyone for the support of Rising Strength!

First Year

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“To live every day as if it had been stolen from death, that is how I would like to live.”
-Garth Stein

As I look back on the past year and all that has happened and been accomplished, it’s hard to believe that Rising Strength was only started in January. Through the support of many incredible people in my life I was able to share my story and the message of Rising Strength to students and athletes at East Tennessee State University, Emory and Henry College and Belmont University. Hosting self defense classes and running the Blue Ridge Relay provided some of the most unforgettable moments and I am so grateful to all of those who made them possible.

I cannot thank my friends and loved ones enough for the support they have and continue to pour on me as the goals of Rising Strength grow. I am very excited to start 2015 as we plan more talks, announce new partnerships and start preparing for the Blue Ridge Relay.

Huge thank you to the sponsors and supporters who made our goal of running the Blue Ridge Relay possible!
Blue Lizard Sunscreen, ETSU Athletics, Team Kattouf, Mountain Yoga, Interstate Container and Broyles Florist