By Jessica Williams
With a distinguished background in law enforcement and as the CEO of Soul Punch Self-Defence, Gloria Marcott is redefining self-defense for women across the USA. Gloria Marcott, is leading a transformative movement to redefine safety for women globally. With a combination of scientific training, innovative safety technology, and a mission to empower women, Marcott’s vision is to equip one million women with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to protect themselves.
Her journey to becoming a safety advocate and thought leader began with a life-altering experience. At the age of 12, Marcott was abducted from her bus stop. She began training in athletics as a measure to physically start protecting herself. Despite becoming an elite athlete and achieving success in the corporate world, another safety “defeat” as she terms it, shook Marcott when she froze in a moment of danger. Although she survived both events, it sparked a lifelong quest to understand why physical strength alone wasn’t enough to prevent and respond to danger. This pivotal moment led her to leave her high-paying job and immerse herself in the world of law enforcement, becoming an expert in threat science and real-world safety.
Over her 18-year career in law enforcement, Marcott worked in nearly every high-risk, high-liability role, from firearms instructor to hostage negotiator. Along the way, she began teaching women and girls self-defense in her spare time. This dual career experience, combining law enforcement and personal safety education, laid the foundation for Soul Punch Self-Defense. Today, her company blends foundational skills incorporating neuroscience, threat science, real-world pattern recognition, and hands-on self-defense training with cutting-edge safety technology to provide women with the tools to protect themselves and thrive.
Soul Punch’s flagship product, the Soul DefendHER™, is a discreet, military-grade pepper spray that integrates GPS and Bluetooth technology, connecting women to a live network of responders when they need help. While technology plays a key role in Soul Punch’s approach Marcott emphasizes that self-defense is not about just relying on technology alone, it’s about providing women with the foundational knowledge, skills, and tools to respond effectively to danger.
“Our approach is different from traditional martial arts,” says Marcott. “We don’t train women to fight, we train them to command their space, recognize threats early, and respond decisively. It’s a layered approach, combining awareness, physical techniques, and technology, to give women the confidence to walk through the world commanding their power and safety.”
What sets Soul Punch apart from other self-defense programs is its trauma-informed approach. Many women, especially survivors of violence, find traditional martial arts or combat-style training intimidating or triggering. Soul Punch creates a supportive, safe environment where women can learn without fear or pressure. The program integrates science, including neuroscience and force science, to teach women how to react effectively in high-stress situations.
In just two hours, Soul Punch students are equipped with the skills to recognize danger, break free from physical threats, and activate their tech-based defenses like the Soul DefendHER™. This streamlined approach is designed to empower women with the confidence to protect themselves without needing years of training.
“Our mission is simple: to train one million women, who will go on to train five million more,” Marcott shares. “We’re building a nationwide community of trainers and safety advocates who are not only spreading this message but also earning income by teaching others. Soul Punch isn’t just about self-defense, it’s about building leaders who will lead this movement forward.”
This commitment to accessibility and impact has earned Soul Punch Self-Defense national acclaim. In 2025, the organization was recognized with the Best Women’s Self-Defense Program in the U.S. of 2025 by Evergreen Awards, an accolade that underscores its effectiveness, reach, and commitment to women’s empowerment through practical safety education.
With over 292,000 followers and 278 million impressions across platforms, Marcott’s message is resonating. She’s worked with major organizations like Hyatt, Keller Williams, Girl Scouts, and Edward Jones, training employees and empowering women in corporate and community settings. Her work has been featured by prominent media outlets such as Fox News, ABC, NBC, CBS, InStyle, Glamour, and Elite Daily, further cementing her place as a leader in the women’s safety space.
Today, Marcott’s mission is clear: to break down barriers that prevent women from accessing life-saving tools and knowledge. Soul Punch Self-Defense has created a movement that is not only empowering women with self-defense skills but also redefining what it means to ‘walk the planet differently’ as a woman..
For more information about Soul Punch Self-Defense or to get involved in 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 dedicated to empowering women to take control of their safety through a combination of trauma-informed training and cutting-edge technology. Soul Punch is committed to training one million women in self-defense, creating a safer world for women everywhere.
Media Contact:
Gloria Marcott, CEO
Phone: 844-768-5786
Email: gl*@*******ch.us
Website: https://www.soulpunch.info
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