By Jessica Williams
Santa Fe, New Mexico — Gloria Marcott, CEO of Soul Punch Self-Defense, is reshaping the global conversation around women’s safety through a distinctive, trauma-informed methodology that blends advanced technology with practical training. Recognized as the Best Women’s Self-Defense Program in the U.S. of 2025, Soul Punch Self-Defense is leading a nationwide movement to empower women with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to protect themselves effectively and decisively.
Her journey to becoming a leading voice in women’s safety started with a personal story of survival and transformation. At the age of 12, Marcott was abducted from her bus stop, a traumatic experience that would shape the trajectory of her life. Despite overcoming many obstacles and becoming an elite athlete, a successful corporate sales leader, and eventually a law enforcement officer, she discovered a critical gap in her own safety education: she had no tools or training to prevent or respond to dangerous situations effectively.
This realization drove her to make a dramatic career change. She left her high-paying corporate job to join law enforcement, dedicating 18 years to serving in nearly every high-risk law enforcement role. From teaching defensive tactics to leading SWAT entry school, Marcott’s experience included stints in DEA narcotics, hostage negotiation, human trafficking, and internet crimes against children. It was during this time that she began quietly training women and girls in self-defense on nights and weekends. The lessons she imparted to them were born from her own lived experiences — lessons grounded in practicality and real-world application, not theory.
Marcott’s deep commitment to addressing the pervasive safety gaps for women led her to found Soul Punch Self-Defense. Today, her company serves as a global safety provider offering a comprehensive, trauma-informed approach to self-defense. Soul Punch’s signature product, the Soul DefendHER™, is a discreet, military-grade pepper spray that integrates GPS and Bluetooth technology to instantly connect women to a live network of responders when they need it most. But Marcott knows that technology alone cannot solve the problem of women’s safety — which is why her curriculum also incorporates critical training to teach women how to recognize and respond to threats, whether through physical action or activating tech-based defenses.
Unlike traditional martial arts training, which can be intimidating or triggering for trauma survivors, Soul Punch’s approach is rooted in science and focuses on practical, layered threat recognition and effective responses. The training takes just two hours and equips women with vital skills to de-escalate dangerous situations, escape threats, and utilize the latest safety technology. Soul Punch’s unique philosophy is designed to empower women to command their space and walk through the world confidently, regardless of their previous experience or physical strength.
“I wanted to create a space where women didn’t have to spend years in a dojo or fight like men to feel safe,” Marcott says. “The reality is that many women simply need to know how to recognize and respond to threats quickly. Soul Punch isn’t about teaching women to fight; it’s about teaching them to protect themselves, to shift from awareness to action, and to walk boldly in the world without fear.”
Soul Punch’s success has grown exponentially, with over 292,000 followers and 278 million impressions across platforms. Marcott’s innovative approach has resonated with leading organizations, including Hyatt, Keller Williams, Girl Scouts, YWCA, and Edward Jones, all of whom have partnered with Soul Punch to host workshops, keynote speeches, and training events. Her influence has been recognized by major media outlets such as Fox News, ABC, NBC, CBS, InStyle, Glamour, and Elite Daily.
The company’s network of Certified Soul Punch Trainers and Safety Advocates is expanding rapidly. These women, who are trained in Marcott’s proprietary curriculum, are not only spreading the message of safety but also creating paid opportunities for others to join the movement. Each Soul Punch Trainer is an empowered leader in their community, offering self-defense training while contributing to the growth of a global safety movement.
“We’re not just teaching women to survive; we’re teaching them how to thrive and empower others,” Marcott states. “The mission is clear — I want to train one million women, who will go on to train five million more. Together, we will change the way the world sees women’s safety.”
Soul Punch Self-Defense continues to pave the way in revolutionizing safety for women with its trauma-informed approach, innovative use of technology, and science-backed training methods. Gloria Marcott’s story is one of transformation, from survivor to law enforcement officer to CEO of a global movement — and she is just getting started.
For more information about Soul Punch Self-Defense or to get involved with the #1millionwomen movement, visit Soul Punch Self-Defense.
About Gloria Marcott & Soul Punch Self-Defense: Gloria Marcott is a leading expert in women’s safety and the founder of Soul Punch Self-Defense. With a background in law enforcement and over two decades of experience in women’s self-defense, she is committed to empowering women to take control of their safety through a combination of trauma-informed training and cutting-edge technology. Soul Punch is dedicated to training one million women and has been recognized as the Best Women’s Self-Defense Program in the U.S. of 2025.
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