The Women’s Self-Defense and Empowerment Group was founded by Retired State Police Officer Jodie King. Her fifteen years of Law Enforcement experience exposed her to many different disciplines and self-defense techniques. From this she was able to create a program applicable to women and children's everyday lives.

She began teaching Women’s Self-Defense in 2002, while working as a State Police Officer. During this time she realized how empowered her students became after being shown their true potential as a strong woman through discussion and physical training.

Due to a violent incident she sustained injuries which resulted in her early retirement.  When she retired in 2006 she still felt a strong bond with the women of her community and wanted to help them to be safe and strong. She founded The Women’s Self-Defense and Empowerment Group to continue her teachings of self-defense and empowerment. She also teaches children’s self-defense with the “strong mind, strong body” concept.