Community
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me to add your own content and make changes to the font. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.
2025 Summer Camp Open — First 20 Campers Get $100 Off! Register Now
HIGHLAND VILLAGE WOMEN'S SELF DEFENSE PROGRAM
Empowering Women To Become Strong, Confident Protectors
6 SKILLS YOU'LL MASTER AT GIRLS WHO FIGHT
Trade Fear, Doubt and Insecurity For
Strength, Confidence and Control
1. Handle Yourself With Confidence In All Situations
Learn how to respond to inappropriate peers, manipulative strangers, abusive partners, and bad gut feelings in our Strategy Sessions designed for real-life situations.
2. Master Hand-Picked Techniques From The Most Effective Martial Arts
Train in the most effective techniques from Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts—hand-picked for women’s self-defense. No fluff, no wasted time—just what works when it matters most.
3. Eliminate The Freeze Response
In our Scenario Drills, you’ll learn to act fast, stay calm under pressure, and fight back with fighting spirit—no hesitation, no self-doubt.
4. Master Your Boundaries
Learn to assert yourself with clarity and confidence. Set boundaries that protect your peace and keep toxic, dangerous people out—for good.
5. Build Unbreakable Mental & Physical Strength
Our program will shape you mentally and physically into a strong, fit, confident person who is ready, willing, and capable of fighting for yourself and what you want (and never settling for anything less)
6. Create Lifelong Habits For Total Success
Develop the habits, mindset, and discipline that drive excellence—in training, relationships, career, and life. The best part? All alongside a powerful community of women who've got your back.
FILL OUT THIS FORM TO
Get 2 Weeks Free!
The next page will let you schedule your intro class. We will never share your information. By submitting you agree to receive SMS or e-mails about special offers and events. Rates may apply.
Build real world self defense skills and confidence through safe, effective training– with a supportive and empowering community
TRANSFORM YOUR SKILLS, AWARENESS & CONFIDENCE IN JUST 6 WEEKS
Next 6-Week Beginner Course Starts June 29th
FILL OUT THIS FORM TO
Save Your Spot In The Beginner Course
Start Your Self Defense Journey
Join 20 women on a 6-week journey to gain skills, awareness and confidence to stay safe and thrive in life. In just 6 weeks, you'll:
-
Build a strong foundation in practical, real-world self-defense
-
Gain life-changing insight into violence prevention and personal boundaries
-
Develop mental strength, awareness, and confidence
-
Grow and graduate alongside an inspiring team of women who support each other
You don’t need experience—just the courage to start.
By the end of this course, you’ll walk taller, speak stronger, and feel safer—because you’ll know you can protect yourself. Includes:
✅ 6 Exclusive Semi-Private Training Sessions (Beginners Only)
✅ 6 Bonus Self Defense Classes
✅ 1 Violence Prevention & Strategy Workshop
✅ Uniform
✅ "The Gift of Fear" Book
The next page will let you sign up for the Beginner Course. We will never share your information. By submitting you agree to receive SMS or e-mails about special offers and events. Rates may apply.
“Girls Who Fight has truly been life changing for me. With every lesson, I feel more empowered, more capable, and more excited for life again.”
.jpg)
“Deciding to join Girls Who Fight is probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for myself. Girls Who Fight is the best place I could’ve possibly found to achieve my goals for self-defense. It is the most welcoming and safe community that I’ve been a part of, constantly being surrounded by such strong and wonderful women is life changing in itself."
.jpg)
.jpg)
“Starting my self defense journey with Girls Who Fight has been one of the single best decisions I've made as an adult. Not only have I gained confidence in myself, but also in my body and its ability. On top of that, I have had the pleasure of being part of a cohort of inspirational and incredible women."
.jpg)
"Are six stars not available? Girls Who Fight is such a special and unique place. I had never found somewhere where the teaching and techniques were tailored for real life, real women and in such a positive and encouraging atmosphere."
.jpg)
.jpg)
GET 2 WEEKS FREE
Master the Skills to Defend Yourself—And Make Sure You’re Never a Target
The Girls Who Fight Program® is designed to make you excellent—physically and mentally—in the skills that deter, detect, and defend against violence. You'll learn to:
-
DEFEND COMMON ATTACKS with proven techniques from Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts
-
AVOID BECOMING A TARGET by setting strong boundaries and recognizing danger early—whether from strangers, peers, or intimate partners
Become The Most Confident Version Of Yourself
Girls Who Fight isn’t just about learning to defend yourself—it’s about becoming the kind of woman who stands tall in every part of life. You’ll gain:
-
A FUN, EMPOWERING HOBBY that keeps you fit, strong and healthy
-
A POSITIVE OUTLET that helps relieve fear, stress, and anxiety
-
MENTAL STRENGTH, discipline, focus, courage, and confidence that transforms every part of your life.
Surround Yourself With Driven, Positive Women
Lasting change is hard to do alone—but at Girls Who Fight, you won’t have to. You’ll train alongside a powerful community of women who are strong, focused, and committed to growth—in training and in life.
-
JOIN A TRIBE of confident, strong, positive women who inspire your best self
-
Train in a SAFE, POSITIVE, EMPOWERING environment
Meet Your Instructor – Gemma Sheehan
Founder of Girls Who Fight • Former MMA Fighter • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt
I’m a former MMA fighter and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt with over 15 years of experience training and competing in martial arts. I earned a 5–1 MMA record, won gold at the IBJJF Pan Championships, and was ranked the top female fighter in Ontario. In 2017, I retired from competition. Walking away from my dream wasn’t easy—but I left with something even more powerful: the unshakable belief that I could do anything.
Martial arts gave me everything—confidence, strength, community, purpose, and the mindset to fight for what I believe in. It made me wonder: why aren’t more women getting this life-changing experience? The answer was clear—most martial arts schools are built for men who want to compete, not women who want to protect themselves and love the journey.
If you're like me—and like the women in our program—you don’t want a watered-down “empowerment” class or a one-time workshop. You want the best: a real, effective, high-level program that’s 100% focused on women’s self-defense.
That’s why I created Girls Who Fight. Since 2017, I’ve dedicated everything to building this program from the ground up—for women, by women. I hope to share it with you!
A FRIENDLY, PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S SELF DEFENSE PROGRAM
Why Should Girls Who Fight be The Place You Finally Learn Self Defense?
Beginner Women at Girls Who Fight:
✅ Learn From a Structured Curriculum
✅ Learn Techniques To Defend Common Attacks
✅ Learn How To Never Become A Target in The GWF Strategy Sessions
✅ Start With Other Beginners
✅ Female Only Classes
✅ Beginner-Friendly, Fun, Empowering Atmosphere
✅ Learn From A Professional, Experienced Female Instructor
✅ The Objective of Our Training is SELF DEFENSE
Beginner Women at Average Gym:
❌ Learn Random Techniques
❌ Learn Unrealistic Moves Designed For Martial Arts Competitions
❌ Zero Prevention Training
❌ Get Thrown Into Sparring and Become a Punching-Bag For Advanced Students
❌ Only Female In Class
❌ Hierarchy, Clicks, Competitive and Intimidating Atmosphere
❌ Unprofessional Male Instructors
❌ Says It's Self Defense, Tricks You Into Joining A Martial Arts Class
GET 2 WEEKS FREE
"Since I started last year, I have gained more self-confidence, feel more empowered to use my voice, learned new martial arts techniques, and provided a physical hobby that has helped me lose 20 lbs"
Latest Features & Awards
Women's Self Defense Articles by Girls Who Fight
Next Trial Class Is This Saturday!
To get started, reserve a spot in our beginner self defense training session where you'll learn the basics with other beginners and get an introduction to our program. No experience necessary.
-
Saturday's 3-4:15pm
-
Age 13+ (Teens Training on Mat 1, Women's Training on Mat 2)
-
10 spots only