Hello, my name is Ginger Rae, founder of YGG Fitness & Defense.

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My story, unfortunately, is no different than millions of other women’s stories - only mine was isolated to one incident.

I am a survivor of intimate partner violence.

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My physical recovery was a shadow compared to the mental and emotional turmoil of trying to understand... why?

 

My search for answers led to a painful discovery: women are still viewed as minorities - as less than men — and, as such, remain targets for violence.  That realization both frustrated and infuriated me.

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I was disappointed in myself for the blinders I’d been wearing - for quietly going along with the socially accepted version of what a woman should be - when deep down, my heart kept whispering, “This is not how I define me.”

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That was the beginning of my healing process - a journey toward personal change, awareness, and a deep desire to empower other women.

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My martial arts practice - along with every form of fitness I turned to - became my refuge, the space where I found mental healing, personal strength, and growth.

During one of my martial art training sessions, I had a lightbulb moment - a realization that would become YGG Fitness & Defense.

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Throughout my martial arts journey, I often found myself one of the few women in spaces built for and by men - disciplines designed around their strength, their rhythm, their rules.
Still, I held my ground.  I rose above every boundary that was quietly set for me.

"If I can rise here, so can every woman."

 

Here’s the beautiful truth about learning self-defense: once you possess these skills, you will rarely, if ever, need to use them. The confidence, awareness, and self-esteem gained along the way will expand into every part of your life. You start to recognize red flags — the subtle signs of control, manipulation, or disrespect  - long before they escalate. You sense when something feels off, when words don’t match actions, or when your boundaries aren’t being honored. You walk away from toxic dynamics, and make empowered choices to safeguard your mental, emotional, physical, and even financial well-being.

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Ultimately, you learn to value you - and that changes everything.

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The journey looks different for every woman.  

 

But what a beautiful and empowering ride it is to discover your authentic self,  

and live a life you love.

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"Be powerful. Be ready. Be you."
Ginger Rae