Ep 031. Self-Defense for Solo Adventurers with Nicole Snell from Girls Fight Back

What if the thing holding you back from solo adventuring isn’t lack of skills—but the feeling of safety?In this powerful episode, Allison sits down with Nicole Snell—international speaker, TEDx presenter, and CEO of Girls Fight Back—to talk about self-defense, solo travel, and how we can stop letting fear define our choices.Nicole is a globally recognized self-defense educator and the founder of Outdoor Defense, a YouTube series dedicated to equipping solo hikers and travelers with tools and confidence to explore the outdoors boldly. She’s worked with military groups, universities, and outdoor communities around the world—and today, she’s bringing that wisdom to the show.Together, we dive into:Why most self-defense is mental, not physical—and how mindset is your most powerful toolHow to break free from fear-based narratives about solo hiking and being alone in the outdoorsWhat people get wrong about stranger danger—and what the data actually saysNicole’s personal story of growing up in the desert, reclaiming the outdoors, and hiking Mount WhitneyHow her now-famous “Yes, I’m Hiking Solo” workshop got started—and why it resonates with so many womenThe behind-the-scenes story of Nicole’s TEDx Talk: “What Would You Do If You Felt Safe?”Whether you're prepping for your first solo hike or want to feel more empowered moving through the world, this episode will leave you feeling stronger, more prepared, and deeply inspired.If you're interested in getting some of the references and stats that Nicole Mentioned on today's episode, send us an email at [email protected]🗓️ PS—Don’t forget to save the date for our annual Solo Adventure Summit! It’s happening June 5–6, 2025, and Nicole is one of our featured speakers. You’ll get practical tools, inspiration, and community support to help you take your solo adventure dreams to the next level. Details coming soon. Join our newsletter here to be FIRST to know when registration opens for the Solo Adventure Summit.🔗 Connect with Nicole:Outdoor Self-Defense CourseNicoleSnell.comGirlsFightBack.comIG: @adventuresofnik | @girlsfightbackOutdoor Defense on YouTubeLearn more about your host, Allison (aka She Dreams of Alpine):She Dreams of Alpine BlogInstagram @shedreamsofalpine🎁 FREE GIFT: Grab the Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for FREE here to get started on your journey with backpacking.🥾 BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST: This is our signature program where we teach you how to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient backpacker. It's an online course, coaching program, and community to support you in your journey to becoming a confident backpacker and step into your adventurous identity.