Feeling worried? Five tips to transform worry into peace.

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There is a lot of research now about mental health, especially as it affects our daughters. The dawn of social media opened a pandora’s box on our daughters. Research reveals that girls are more negatively impacted by social media. I was just telling my daughter (now in college) that she represents the first generation “guinea pigs” experimented on by the big media giants. The results are devastating. But there is hope.

Understanding the mental health of your daughter is important to evaluate. But offering real remedies to worry, anxiety and fear are key to empowering her to manage her own mental health.

God’s word gives us tangle tips to battle worry and anxiety. I wrote this devotion for True Girl, a ministry of Dannah Gresh and it offers five tips to transform worry into peace. Share this devotion and these five tips with your daughter.

What is the “Therefore” there for?

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” 

{Philippians 4:6-8}

Easy for you to say! “Don’t worry.” Sometimes it’s so hard to pray and be thankful when I’m filled with so much worry. Help!

This Bible verse can serve as either a word of despair or a word of comfort. How do you receive these words when you first read them?

Interestingly enough, before Paul wrote these words, he began chapter four with this weird word; “Therefore.” When I see “Therefore,” I want to know what’s it “there for?”

If you go back to chapter three, you’ll find the answer. Paul reminds himself, his church and you to focus on knowing Jesus. He says that “everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord.” Philippians 3:8.

Knowing Jesus will give you the power to battle worry. 

Paul does not sugar-coat life. He reminds us that no matter how hard life gets (and it will be hard), you have a peace that exceeds your understanding. When you focus on Jesus, he will guard your heart and mind. 

When worry knocks at your door, God gives you a battle plan! Therefore:

  1. Pray;
  2. Tell God what you need;
  3. Thank Him;
  4. Experience God’s peace; and
  5. Know that His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

ACTION POINT: Next time you feel worried or anxious, grab your Bible, read a favorite Bible verse to remember God’s unconditional love for you. My favorite is Psalm 121. Read it together.

How can you incorporate these five tips to transform worry into peace into your habits this week?

And next time you see a “Therefore” try and figure out what it’s there for.

Anxiety Remedy Tip – Limit Social Media.

And speaking of social media, if your daughter is experiencing anxiety or depression, help her to identify the cause of her worry. Is she stressed about school? Her grades? Peer pressure? Sports performance? Girls are negatively impacted by “comparison” than boys, especially on social media.

Limit her time on social media. This can be difficult because the big tech companies have designed social media to be addictive just like drugs. I encourage parents to watch “The Social Dilemma” a PG-13 Netflix documentary on how social media’s design nurtures an addiction, manipulates people’s views, emotions, and behavior, and spreads conspiracy theories and disinformation, to maximize profit. Set limits! You can find apps and tools to limit the time your daughter is on social media.

 

Welcome to The Great Flip, online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment resources for your daughter age six and up. Request a free self-defense video and lesson plan here.

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance!

 

homeschool martial arts

five tips to transform worry into peace

five tips to transform worry into peace

American Heritage Girls flex leadership muscles with The Great Flip

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Callie’s story

Callie, a Pioneer in an American Heritage Girls (AHG) Troop in Oregon, wanted to share her love for martial arts with her troop and earn the Harriet Tubman Level Award. When she heard about an AHG program alliance called The Great Flip, she found a way to flex her leadership muscles (and her self-defense skills too)! 💪🏼🇺🇸❤️

The Great Flip is online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment resource designed to give girls a fun, playful and empowering introduction to the martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Girls can also earn the AHG Martial Arts Sports Pin using The Great Flip online videos and lesson plans.

Callie’s AHG troop leader, Karrie said about Callie’s leadership;

“I was very impressed by her ability to keep the girls focused, encouraging them to show her the skill, and willingness to show them, individually, how to perform some of the moves.  It was a fun day and very informative.  It was great to see our girls stepping into leadership and mentoring roles.  What a great example to the younger girls in the Troop.”

Callie took a few moments with Coach Jody, creator of The Great Flip to answer these questions:

What is your name, charter and troop number? (I have deleted personal information for her protection ❤️)

Her name is Callie. Her “charter” is the church that sponsors her AHG troop. Her “troop number” includes her home state of Oregon and her troop number). To learn more about starting an AHG troop click here. 

What is your AHG troop rank?

“I am a Pioneer, which is the second oldest unit.”

How did you use The Great Flip online self-defense program with your AHG troop?

“I used it for my Harriet Tubman level award.”

Why did you decide to use The Great Flip for your leadership project?

“It sounded really fun when I first heard about it. My troop had already been planning to do it but none of the leaders knew anything about Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ). I did. I have been training in BJJ for almost a year. When I taught The Great Flip, I was a white belt with four stripes. Since then I have been promoted to a first-degree gray belt.”

What did you do to prepare for your project?

“I watched the videos and practiced them with my mom until I felt comfortable enough to teach them.”

Who participated?

“Almost all of the girls in the troop (and a few of the leaders, who paired up with the girls who didn’t have a partner) participated.”

What did you like the most about teaching self-defense to your troop?

“It was really fun. The girls did really great. They came ready to learn and were open to advise and correction.”

What was most challenging about teaching self-defense to your troop?

“None of the girls knew anything about BJJ, so I had to start with the basics.”

What would you say to a girl who is afraid or nervous about learning self-defense?

“The more self-defense you know the less likely it is that you ever have to use it. However, if you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation, you will be prepared.”

How would The Great Flip make the learning experience better or easier until they are ready to go to a martial arts academy?

“It familiarizes BJJ and teaches some techniques that are used during live matches at an academy.”

 

Thank you, Callie! I’m so proud of you! – Coach Jody

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance.

American Heritage Girls values alliances with like-minded organizations and works to establish relationships in order to offer additional resources and benefits to its members. The Great Flip is an AHG program alliance focused on teaching girls life skills. The Great Flip offers online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment resources. AHG Troops and families subscribe to The Great Flip, gain access to simple self-defense videos inspired by the martial art Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Creator and Coach, Jody Token is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor and Christian girl influencer. She teaches girls to seek God’s Power instead of girl power. To learn more about The Great flip and request a free self-defense video at www.thegreatflip.com

Want to use The Great Flip in your next AHG troop meeting? Click here to get started.

Click here to learn more about The Great Flip and request a free self-defense video.

online self-defense for girls

 

More shots from AHG troops across the country training with The Great Flip!

Share your action shots with me on social media @thegreatflip on Instagram or Facebook #thegreatflip

See you on the mat!

 

online self-defense for girls

Why your daughter should learn Brazilian jiu-jitsu for self-defense and train at home.

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If you want your daughter to have self-defense skills, I recommend beginning your journey when she is young (age six and older) with the martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I will tell you why your daughter should learn Brazilian jiu-jitsu for self-defense and train at home! The Great Flip offers everything you need to create a martial arts experience at home.

What is Brazilian jiu-jitsu(Bjj)?

Bjj is a grappling-based martial art where the main objective is to control a resisting opponent. Since gaining control over an opponent has been proven to be easier on the ground than in a standing position, much of the techniques of BJJ is centered around the skill of taking an opponent down to the ground and wrestling for dominant control positions. 

Bjj promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique. Students of the sport gain a deep understanding of the workings and limits of the human body. 

The Gentle Art.

“Jiu-jitsu” translates from the Japanese as “the gentle art.” The idea here is that practitioners can execute moves realistically and at full speed without having to worry they will injure their partner. If caught in a submission, practitioners are taught to “tap” their partner to signify discomfort, and the submitter will release the submission. Jiu-jitsu doesn’t rely, necessarily, on strength; it relies on technique. It uses leverage to overcome muscle and weight. Jiu-jitsu practitioners know that if they can’t be stronger, they can always be smarter. 

Request a free video and give it a try!

online self defense for girls

A brief history.

In the last days of the 19th century, some jiu-jitsu masters emigrated from Japan to other continents. Mitsuyo Maeda was one such master. Maeda arrived in Brazil in 1915, and settled in Belem do Para, where he met a man named Gastao Gracie.

The father of eight children, among them five boys and three girls, Gastao became a jiu-jitsu enthusiast and brought his oldest son, Carlos, to learn from the Japanese master.

For a naturally frail fifteen-year old Carlos Gracie, jiu-jitsu became a method not simply for fighting, but for personal improvement. At nineteen, he moved to Rio de Janeiro with his family and began teaching and fighting. In his travels, Carlos would teach classes, and also proved the efficiency of the art by beating opponents who were physically stronger. In 1925, he returned to Rio and opened the first school, known as the “Academia Gracie de Jiu-Jitsu.” 

Why learn a martial art?

There are many benefits to learning a martial art. Training in martial arts produces confidence and courage. It offers an effective way to be physically fit, mentally tough while learning valuable life skills such as self-defense. Bjj is considered one of the best martial arts as it applies to self-defense situations. It is a worldwide sport with the opportunity to join teams and compete at an individual and team level.

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is best for children’s first exposure to self-defense, because:

  • Bjj allows students to live drill techniques with success.
  • BJJ empowers smaller-framed people to use techniques and leveraging versus force to overcome a larger opponent.
  • Bjj introduces children to physical contact in a safe environment.
  • Bjj is a “grappling sport” introducing children to movements on the ground which is realistic to real self-defense situations.
  • Most self-defense altercations (more than 80 percent) end up on the ground. No other martial art addresses ground situations like Bjj.
  • Bjj empowers, builds confidence, and increases mental and physical strength.
  • Bjj is referred to as the “gentle martial art” giving children a positive martial arts experience.

Benefits of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

  • Self Confidence
  • Bully Prevention
  • Positive Body Image
  • Teamwork
  • Trust & Respect
  • Strength & Flexibility
  • Fitness & Conditioning
  • Life Skill
  • Character Development

Great Time to join The Great Flip

I created The Great Flip, online self-defense videos, lesson plans and curriculum to introduce girls, ages six and older, to the martial art Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I will walk you through the steps to recreate a martial arts experience at home using my online program.

Follow these steps to create a martial arts experience at home:

Now you and your daughter can learn simple self-defense skills in a controlled environment where you control the message, the mindset, and motivation. Feel free to contact me if you have questions. Be sure to request a free video. You can also download a free sample of My Anti-Bully Ebook here. 

Don’t let fear or germs stop your pursuit to try something new!

Create a martial arts experience at home with The Great Flip. I’ll coach you and give you a successful experience and your daughters will be stronger for it (and you too!)

Choose a plan. Enroll. Train! 

See you on the mat!

online self-defense for girls

 

family style theology

Fitness, faith and family-style theology at The Great Flip

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Can fitness, faith and family-style theology go together? According to Cindy Koch, a home-school mother of four, Master of Arts in exegetical theology, cross-fit instructor and jiu-jitsu practioner, these attributes are a natural part of her family life. 

In this podcast at The Great Flip, Coach Jody and Cindy share fun activities you and your family can do now during the COVID19 home quarantine. These activities include a fitness scavenger hunt and online self-defense/jiu-jitsu training. Listen here:

Faith

Talking to your children about faith can be challenging. They can ask the craziest things and you may not have all the answers. And that’s okay. Cindy has great advice about seeking answers to tough questions.

  • She says it’s okay to not know all the answers. Praise your child’s curiosity and determine to research and discover God’s truth together.
  • Surround yourself with wise mentors, pastors and resources to help guide your journey. Facilitating a home that is safe for discussion and even disagreements is better than shutting a child down.

family style theology

Family-Style Theology. Cindy and her husband encourage lively discussions with their children. Nothing is off limits. Her podcast, Family-Style Theology is a glimpse of the interaction with her children, who are featured in the podcast. The podcast explores theological topics through family conversation. Her podcast is one of many resources at 1517.org which includes a podcast network, daily articles, speakers, a publishing house, annual conferences, and an online academy. Most of which are free resources ground in Biblical truth.

Easter

And just in time for Holy Week and Easter, tune into Family-Style Theology to learn more about the passion of Christ and the grand story of God’s great love for you.

Fitness

A fitness scavenger hunt

  • Gather up the kiddos into one designated place, such as the family room, etc.
  • Call out a specific exercise everyone must do. (Five Burpees, jumping jacks, etc.)
  • Next call out instructions to go find something in the house and return to the designated area as fast as possible. (Bring a hair brush and a book, etc.)
  • The first one back wins! Make up rules best for your family. Have fun and get some exercise!
  • Add chores to the mix to get jobs done (Go make your bed. Go brush your teeth, etc.) 😍

Online self-defense. Cindy has watched her children blossom by learning jiu-jitsu and self-defense skills. Their confidence increased and their relationship with each other improved. And jiu-jitsu is a martial art well-suited for children. The techniques are simple and facilitates success.

Shop The Great Flip’s resources of online self-defense videos and curriculum designed for ages six and up.

 

More about Faith

If you are seeking to explore the Christian worldview for the first time or are a total Bible nerd, you will find amazing resources at 1517.org. I’m somewhere in-between first-timer and nerd. But their mission is what caught my attention:

To declare and defend the Good News that we are forgiven and free on account of Christ alone.

The inspiration for The Great Flip is a reflection of this “Christ alone” concept.

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 

Christ alone, became all you sin and shame. He gave you all his goodness and you stand right before God, who loves you. And Christ alone did this work … for you. ❤️

Join me at The Great Flip to increase confidence and courage learning fun self-defense and life skills! See you on the mat. – Coach Jody

Shop The Great Flip resources here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

online self-defense for girls

“Will my students be karate-chopping each other?” and five Q&A about the self-defense curriculum

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In a recent radio interview, I was asked five questions about The Great Flip self-defense curriculum (the second question is definitely my favorite):

  • Can children really defend themselves?
  • After learning the techniques, will students be karate-chopping each other all the time?
  • How can a school implement the curriculum?
  • Does the teacher need to have martial arts experience to offer The Great Flip curriculum?
  • What age is the program intended for?

#1. Can children really defend themselves?

When we think of self-defense we tend to think of hitting back. However, I believe learning self-defense is more than a physical action or reaction. Self-defense training begins long before something physical happens. It begins with learning to be aware of your surroundings. It means understanding your personal space. Self-defense is learning how to use your voice to establish boundaries and communicate intentions. And self-defense training means learning physical movements and techniques that prepare children to defend themselves. Children can definitely learn to defend themselves.

#2. After learning the techniques, will my students be karate-chopping each other all the time?

This is my favorite question, because it addresses the personality of a child’s and teacher’s perception of a self-defense class. The last thing teachers want in their PE class is a bunch of wild ninja’s running around. But in all honesty, when students come to class be prepared for the inner ninjas to emerge! However, you will have the opportunity to share The Great Flip approach! Students will be introduced to the martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu (Bjj) … where there is no striking or hitting allowed. Bjj addresses situations and strategies on the ground, which is where 80 percent of fights land. And Bjj empowers smaller framed people to defend themselves using leveraging and technique not force and aggression.

The Great Flip Approach. The Great Flip self-defense curriculum is a non-combative approach to self defense. The student will not be taught to strike, kick or use aggression or force. They will learn distance management, situational awareness, punch protection and techniques to de-escalate and escape situations. They will learn discipline, teamwork and trust. Jiu-jitsu is a grappling sport which means many movements are happening on the ground. Students will be challenged mentally and physically while learning foundational Bjj movements to build confidence and courage while the teacher maintains control of a safe experience.

Request a sample curriculum to learn more about Brazilian jiu-jitsu

#3. How can a school implement The Great Flip self-defense curriculum?

The primary use of the self-defense curriculum is in PE class. The techniques are progressive in nature. The curriculum is designed to grow with your students from first-grader through 12th grade. The self-defense curriculum includes everything you need:

  • A total of 32 videos 
  • Online Curriculum PDF 
  • Eight Lesson Plans PDF 
  • Eight Talking Points PDF 
  • Class Structure Video 
  • Warm-up Exercises Video 
  • Stretches Video 
  • Animal-inspired Conditioning Drills Video 
  • Jiu-jitsu-inspired Games Video 
  • 20 Self-Defense Technique Videos 
  • Seven Bonus Self-Defense Technique Videos 
  • A total of 27 Self-Defense Technique Videos 

And something fun is happening! Now after-school programmers and youth directors are taking advantage of the self-defense curriculum. Anyone who wants to build confidence and courage in children is using the curriculum, including:

  • Students, parents, administrators, educators and programmers 
  • Private and parochial school athletic directors and physical education instructors 
  • After-school programmers 
  • Self-defense and martial arts program directors, coaches & instructors 
  • Homeschool educators 
  • Youth & children’s program directors and instructors 
  • Retreat and team-building programmers 
  • Director of Christian Educators (DCE) and church youth leaders 
  • Older students may use curriculum (with adult supervision) for leadership development 

#4. Does the teacher need to have martial arts experience to offer The Great Flip curriculum?

online self defense for girls

No experience necessary! Every segment of the self-defense curriculum is broken down into easy to understand parts including videos, lesson plans, and talking points. Anyone can teach this curriculum. And I, Coach Jody, offer professional support along the way! Simply call, Skype or Zoom and/or I’ll come to visit your location to help, based on location and availability. 

Request your sample curriculum, lesson plan, and free video.

#5. What age is the program intended for?

The Great Flip self-defense curriculum is for 1st – 12th grade … and mom and dad too! I love challenging the students to go home and teach their parents these valuable life skills (and no karate-chopping!) 😍

Let’s get started. Learn more and enroll.

 

Testimonial from St. John Lutheran School, Ellisville:

St. John School in Ellisville 6th graders warming up for self-defense PE class.

My sixth graders look forward to P.E. class during the self-defense unit. The videos are easy to follow and the students quickly picked up on the techniques. They definitely grew in confidence learning these skills.” 

– Bob Duebberke, Athletic Director/P.E. Teacher, St. John Lutheran School, Ellisville, Missouri

 

Testimonial from Immanuel Lutheran St. Charles:

 

What is The Great Flip?

Martin Luther, the great reformer, referred to the gospel as The Great Exchange. I call it The Great Flip.

“For our sake he made him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Through my instructional videos and online resources, you will experience great flips engaging your body, mind, and spirit!

See you on the mat! – Coach Jody

Shop Three Curriculum Plans Here

 

 

 

online self defense for girls

Online Self-Defense for Girls

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It’s a tough world out there. Girls face the threat of violence, assault, kidnapping and sex trafficking. They face encounters every day with bullying, cliques, cyber-bullying and more. No wonder self-confidence is low and anxiety is at an all-time high. And we haven’t even hit on mental health and the negative effects of the internet and social media. It’s time for online self-defense from The Great Flip online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment for girls age six and up.

online self defense for girls

I believe martial arts can play a positive role in a girl’s life. It is a  valuable life skill available to our daughters. And I believe Brazilian jiu-jitsu can play a role to improve the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of girls. But sometimes going to a gym is unavailable or the teaching style is not geared toward girls.

And when I say “girl” I mean girls as young as six years old and up. Most parents wait until high school or college to expose their daughter to self-defense skills. But the time to begin teaching self-defense is when they are young.

I wish I had exposed my two daughters to martial arts and self-defense training at a younger age. When we finally went to a martial arts gym, we were overwhelmed by the physical location, the physical touch, physical fitness challenge. We pushed through these fear factors, but my daughters did not enjoy the experience. They were teenagers and did not appreciate the physical touch.  Imagine the anxiety a girl might feel who has already experienced physical abuse or worse. I decided there had to be a better way to introduce girls to self-defense. So I did.

The Solution. The Great Flip.

The Great Flip offers girls a safe place, safe touch and a safe training approach to self-defense training. The Great Flip is an introduction to self-defense inspired by the martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu. My training features real-life safety tips and faith-filled empowerment.

Hi friends, I’m Coach Jody and am here to equip you to empower your daughter to overcome her fear and anxiety with my online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment resources. You can accomplish my online program at home, at school practically anywhere. (Click here to head to my homepage and request a free self-defense video and lesson plans.)

What keeps your daughter awake at night (and you too)? bullying-fear-germs

  • Bullies and bad guys.
  • Germs
  • Fear and anxiety.

Parents say the videos are fun, playful and empowering. They see confidence and courage increase, while they maintain a safe and controlled environment.

Girls should train Jiu-jitsu for self-defense. Here’s why:

Many traditional martial arts such as karate and taekwondo have nice qualities but fall short in real-life self-defense situations. Katas are taught in these martial arts which are prescribed movements and coordination but do not address dynamic situations such as when a girl is pushed to the ground. More than 80 percent of all altercations are situations when a girl is forced to the ground.

online self defense for girls

Jiu-jitsu is a grappling sport which means its training focuses on gripping the opponent to seize control (vs. striking and kicking methods). Grappling focuses on taking the person to the ground for control and submissions. Jiu-jitsu looks a lot like wrestling. Jiu-jitsu relies on leveraging and techniques vs. strength and force.

BJJ empowers the weaker, smaller person to dominate larger opponents. This is why jiu-jitsu is good for girls who might find themselves up against someone bigger and stronger. If a girl can’t be stronger is a self-defense situation, then jiu-jitsu will make her smarter!

In comparison, a popular women’s self-defense method is Krav-Maga, where women are trained to strike and kick for the groin-kick or eye-gouge. Granted, there are times and places for exerting force on an opponent. But this martial art is for older women who are already strong and physically fit. But even the fittest female may not be able to go up against someone twice her size and strength. Training jiu-jitsu is a better, smarter approach to self-defense for girls and women.

I recommend beginning with jiu-jitsu training then add other martial arts depending on your comfort level and abilities. And highly recommend training at a reputable jiu-jitsu academy.  When shopping for a jiu-jitsu academy pay close attention to hygiene habits, teaching style and their attitude toward teaching girls.

Jiu-jitsu for Girls 

online self defense for girls

A girl will love her body for what it can do

Jiu-jitsu erases insecurities by showing girls the amazing things her body can do. When she steps onto the mat, she can leave behind the “image wars” she is battling. She will discover her body for its ingenuity and beauty. Every ounce of her body is beautifully designed to move. Simple jiu-jitsu techniques will allow her to use her body in powerful and amazing ways. She will begin to see herself for who she is … “wonderfully made.” (See Psalm 139:13-14)

Jiu-jitsu gets you in shape

Instead of running on a treadmill and pumping weights, girls can get fit in a small amount of time and space. I didn’t learn self-defense to lose weight, but while training, I lost twenty pounds and gained amazing muscle mass. My health is better than ever. I got in shape and learned new life skills.

online self defense for girls

The Great Flip instructional videos are a great way to begin your fitness journey and supplement your current routine. If you are wondering what you will need to create a training space at home, read my blog and watch my video called “Let’s get Equipped.” 

Jiu-jitsu forms friendship

There’s nothing like wrestling, rolling and sparring with friends and family. Physical touch is healing to the body, mind and spirit in the context of healthy relationships. And Jiu-jitsu requires trust. Girls will need to hug, touch and roll around on the ground to learn. They will need to know that when they practice a technique they have a safe place to train, then trust no one will hurt them. Jiu-jitsu re-establishes trust and healthy relationships.

The combination of physical touch, trusting relationships and playful interaction create an environment for lasting friendships. Girls who train together become lasting friends who can rely on each other, encourage one another, and have each other’s back for far more than self-defense skills.

Jiu-jitsu is a positive role model

online self defense for girls

Okay, I’ll just say it … My daughters think I’m cool… sometimes. I’m humbled to say this and slightly amazed. I hope they think I’m awesome because I’m their mom, but they have been my best cheerleaders and encouragers throughout my jiu-jitsu journey. They tell their friends about me. Crazy, right?! Girls who learn jiu-jitsu and value self-defense become role models for other girls. Try my instructional videos at The Great Flip and see if you and your girls walk a little taller and radiate confidence that other girls desire.

Faith-filled Empowerment

Coach Jody equips girls and their parents with unique faith-filled empowerment resources to connect physical activities to social, emotional and spiritual growth. Girls will discover their true source of power comes

Life Skills for Girls

from God’s power (not girl power).

Download a free excerpt of My Anti-Bully Ebook.

Request a free lesson plan.

Read blogs to enrich your experience.

Listen to podcasts to connect you to like-minded Christian leaders.

 

See you on the mat!

The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girl program partner!

online self-defense for girls

no-contact safety tip your body

online self-defense for girls

 

Countering the Bully Culture with The Beauty Mentor

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Kristiauna Lattimer is The Beauty Mentor. She shares her Christian worldview about true beauty and countering the bully culture in a conversation with Coach Jody at The Great Flip Podcast.

 

And if your daughter would like the free devotion called “A Girl’s Guide to Self Defense,” click here and request your free copy. Kristiauna and Jody created this resource to connect your daughters’ body, mind and spirit with practical tips and biblical encouragement.

In the podcast, mothers and daughters learn eight Biblical principles about the definition of beauty. Girls learn how to counter the bully culture with practical tools to be empowered physically, emotionally and mentally. And stick around to the very end of this blog to try fun self-defense techniques from Coach Jody at The Great Flip. (You don’t want to miss this!)

 

About the Beauty Mentor

But before you click on the podcast, let me tell you a little bit about Kristiauna. She is an amazing young lady. At a young age, she worked in the beauty industry and saw first hand the distortion of beauty toward girls. It’s no wonder our daughters struggle with self-esteem and parents shy away from beauty products for their daughters. Kristiauna decided to counter the culture and reclaim beauty for our girls! And now with a young daughter of her own, she takes her role seriously by God’s amazing grace. Check out the Eight Biblical Principles below!

Kristiauna started the The Beauty Mentor, a faith-based company that provides beauty and mentoring products and services for girls and women of all ages. Her mission is to Reveal, Redirect and Restore the Truth about Beauty. And might I add, she has Reclaimed beauty too! Visit her website and do a little shopping when we are done here. But let’s look at the definition of true beauty.

True Beauty is …

According to Kristiauna, true beauty embraces these eight Biblical principles:

  1. patience
  2. kindness
  3. modesty
  4. decency
  5. gentleness
  6. joy
  7. a loving character, and
  8. God’s creative ability flowing through you

And these beauty principles are available to every girls through God’s word. Kristiauna offers Bible verses for each principle to encourage girls. Beauty is freely given by God’s grace through faith.

“And something amazing happens when true beauty is revealed, redirected and restored. Suddenly, girls have the strength and dignity to stand up and counter the bullying culture.” -Coach Jody

Anti-Bullying Resources from The Beauty Mentor

Some say that girls tend to get in trouble because of their mouth, according to Kristiauna. One of her beauty products is a lip balm kit which inspires girls to use their mouth for kindness. This beauty product is inspired by this Bible verse;

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26

And if a girl is a victim of a bully, The Beauty Mentor shares activities to help girls re-focus her thoughts upon herself and off of the bully. Teaching girls to be introspective and practice self-evaluation is a valuable life skill. For example, The Beauty Mentor recommends the Heart Dump activity. Girls are encouraged to draw a big heart on a sheet of paper. Next girls literally dump her emotions onto the paper. Kristiauna says that once the negative emotions are uprooted from her heart, God’s word can be replanted. And God’s word is more than positive affirmation; She knows that God’s word will Reveal, Redirect and Restore our girls!

Request the Free Girl’s Guide to Self Defense here

The Great Flip

While Kristiauna is restoring beauty for our daughters. Coach Jody is empowering girls with simple self-defense skills. The Great Flip is online self defense and life skills for girls ages six and older. The Great Flip was inspired by Jody’s daughters who wanted to learn self-defense skills without going to the stinky co-ed gym. They wanted to learn self defense in a safe place with safe friends. So Jody developed a series of online self-defense videos that are simple, practical and empowering.

And self defense is much more than a physical reaction at The Great Flip. Self defense is a life skill that embraces a girls whole being. Girls learn to use her voice, her body language and distance management as part of a self-defense strategy.

Anti-Bullying @ The Great Flip

The Great Flip offers an Anti-Bullying Activity to guide girls through mental, emotional and physical activities. The Anti-Bullying Activity features a bully inventory, self-awareness activities, role playing, encouraging Bible verses and two empowering self-defense techniques to try at home, at church or any where you have internet access.

Try Anti-Bullying Activity. 

The Beauty Mentor and The Great Flip together!

Imagine a retreat or workshop where girls can spend time learning about Biblical beauty, experiencing God’s creative ability flowing through them, then engaging in positive empowering physical activities from The Great Flip.  You can make that happen!

Get your girls together and contact The Beauty Mentor and The Great Flip!

First, shop The Beauty Mentor website for programs to fit your ministry needs. Next subscribe to The Great Flip and gain access to a library of online self-defense techniques and/or curriculum.

Enjoy the podcast and I’ll see you on the mat!

-Coach Jody

Here’s a showcase of videos from The Great Flip. Give one a try!

 

the power of prayer

The Power of Prayer

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Yes, I believe in the power of prayer. I direct my prayers to the one true God. The God of the Bible who is revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The entire Bible, Old and New Testament, reveal Jesus as the Son of God. The perfect prophet, priest and king. The King of kings and Lord of lords. He answers prayers. Always.

It is important to clarify, because, seriously, there’s some bizarre stuff out there. I personally know well-intended people who seek things like channels and spirits in hope of answered prayer. There is one God who answers prayers for your good. Again, seek the Bible and you’ll discover the true God who loves you and reveals himself to you through Jesus.

(If you don’t believe me, that’s okay. Don’t take my word for it. Read the Bible. Find a Bible-believing church and seek out truth. My daughter is reading a book right now called “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist” by Frank Turek and Norman Geisler. I’m listening to it on Audible. Highly recommend it.)

Back to School and Prayer

With this in mind, I want to share the power of prayer with you. Especially, if you are sending your precious children back to school. And even if you home-school, you may send your children away to extracurricular activities.

And most important, someday we will release our children into adulthood. The wonderful privilege of prayer is that through all the seasons of life, we have a precious gift of prayer that remains steadfast. And HE is faithful.

I have one daughter in high school and one in college, so I’m in a new season of life learning to “let go and let God” in a whole new way. Prayer has always been important to me, but wow, prayer has taken on a whole new level of meaning.

Moms in Prayer

I was a praying mom when my girls were little. I found an amazing ministry that taught me how to pray. It’s called Moms in Prayer.

Their mission is simple: Moms in Prayer International impacts children and schools worldwide for Christ by gathering mothers to pray. Check it out. There might be a group of moms praying at your child’s school right now!

Girls in Prayer … is NEW!

And I’m extremely excited about their new ministry called “Girls in Prayer.” Now girls are being equipped to pray with amazing resources from Moms in Prayer.

the power of prayer

This program was originally developed in partnership with American Heritage Girls (AHG), a Christian character development program whose mission is to build women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.

The resources answer the questions, “Why should we pray?” and “How do I pray?” at age appropriate levels. The activities and study guides point to Scripture as the handbook to prayer and are meant to be engaging and to spark conversation between adults and kids.

Moms in Prayer welcome you to tailor the activities to work with the kids in your life. All they ask is that if you make copies, that you leave the copyright intact and if posted online that you point back to the Moms in Prayer webpage.

the power of prayer

The patches AHG rewards at the completion of the program are available in our Moms in Prayer store. We invite you to purchase and enjoy them with the girls in your life as well.

We are praying that God would bless you as you train the next generation of prayer warriors.

The Prayer Mat

This particular devotion and activity is near and dear to my heart. I hope it changes the way you hear me say “see you on the mat” when we train. Please know that when I say “see you on the mat” I am praying for you!

the power of prayer

the power of prayer

the power of prayer

the power of prayer

For more resources and the complete Girls in Prayer program visit https://momsinprayer.org/girlsinprayerprogram/

If this is your first visit to The Great Flip … Welcome!

Be sure to click around and learn self defense with my online videos. My friends at American Heritage Girls have endorsed The Great Flip as a national program partner.

Here … read this blog called “Why girls should learn jiu-jitsu for self defense.”

See you on the mat!

Coach Jody