Prevention and post-incident

Survival and self-defence skills for women, created by women

Fierce Females is a female-led charity on the Gold Coast. We teach women and girls practical survival and self-defence skills: how to recognise danger earlier, interrupt fear and respond, before, during and after violence.

We give women across the Gold Coast, regional Queensland and Australia the psychological and physical tools to recognise danger, interrupt fear, and reclaim agency.

Training for you
Training for organisations

You already have instincts.

We help you trust and use them.

Find the right training

Our training meets violence before, during and after an incident. Many women come to us to build skills before they ever need them. Others come after something has happened to rebuild confidence and a sense of control. The foundations are the same, but how we teach them depends on where you are.

For you

Whether you are preparing for a risk you sense or recovering from one you have faced

1-on-1 training

Private sessions at our Helensvale studio, tailored to your goals, your body and your pace. A good place to start.

Explore 1-on-1 training →

Group classes

Small group courses for women, teens, girls and seniors, run when funding allows. Join the waitlist to hear about the next course.

See group classes →

Online course

Learn the foundations at home, at your own pace, wherever you live in Australia.

View the online course →

For organisations

For team-building, occupational violence prevention training and post-incident education

Schools and Universities

Workshops that help students understand fear, recognise danger and set boundaries. Delivered in schools across Australia.

School programs →

Workplaces

Occupational violence prevention and personal safety training for teams who deal with the public and work or commute in high-risk environments.

Workplace training →

Communities

Workshops for refuges, councils, community groups and regional towns at risk of violence or that have experienced violence.

Community workshops →

What makes Fierce Females different

Built for survival

Survival becomes possible when instinct meets skill. We teach responses you can use in real situations, built around the violence women actually face.

Grounded in science

Every response to fear can be understood, and every response can be trained. You'll learn why your body reacts the way it does under threat, including the freeze response, and how to work with it.

Created by women, for women

Female-founded and female-run, with female trainers. Our training is shaped by the women it serves.

Reaching women where they are

We train in schools, workplaces, refuges and regional towns across Australia, including rural and regional Queensland.

You may have seen us on

We’re a female-led PBI Charity certified by the ACNC, operating from the Gold Coast. By teaching women and girls practical survival and self-defence skills, we’re supporting women before, during and after violence.

Media coverage and support from our local councils, community organisations and national foundations have helped us reach women who might not otherwise know we exist, and help make our training possible.

firefly initiative logo

Thanks to the ongoing support from partners, including:

What participants are saying

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“…gained so much valuable knowledge…“

The space is so calming and the reception ladies were super nice and helpful. Amanda was the most amazing teacher, she was very patient, kind and helpful and I gained so much valuable knowledge on boxing. I felt so included and comfortable during this class and can’t wait to come back.

Sophie H - Google Review →

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“…can be applied to real life situations“

Had a wonderful 10 fun weeks with a wonderful small group practicing basic self defence skills that can be applied to real life situations. Thank you Mylan!

Fiona - Google Review →

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“…life changing“

Seriously ladies, this is life changing. They meet you where you are. The classes are casual and non judgmental. There genuine passion for the program shines. If you don't know where to start. Don't know how, this is the place. Empower yourself.

A L - Google Review →

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Easy and considerate learning“

Great class. Expert instructors. Easy and considerate learning. Beneficial for all age women. Instructors happy to work with suggestions. I found I preferred more practical and Instructors happy to accommodate request.

Adriana C - Google Review →

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“…taught me some practical skills that I hope I never have to use“

I was referred to Fierce Females when I sought out self defence classes after a traumatic event. I didn't know what to expect but from my first meeting I was put at ease. I could pick a session time that suited my work schedule which helped me commit to booking. I leant things about myself that I didnt even know i did when i feel uncomfortable. Amanda helped me to push myself out of my comfort zone and taught me some practical skills that I hope I never have to use. I was made to feel welcome, heard and safe (and the exercise helped too).

Adine W - Google Review →

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“…should be mandatory at schools“

Extremely empowering, educational and life changing! Much more than expected, especially for such a small investment. Amanda is absolutely awesome, instructing us with kindness, respect while teaching us bad ass defense moves! Most important, was learning how to respect ourselves, by using our brain, body and voice to protect ourselves! Recommend to all females of any age, should be mandatory at schools. Super grateful for all that Amanda and her Fierce Females are doing for our community 🙏🥰🤩

Imelda W - Google Review →

Support our work

Every paid session and workshop helps fund training for women who couldn't otherwise access it. As a PBI charity registered with the ACNC, we rely on donations, grants and partners to reach the women who need us most.

Sponsor →

Sponsor a program, fund regional workshops or bring training into your workplace.

Volunteer →

Help as a trainer, at events or behind the scenes.

Donate →

Fund training for women and girls, in person and in regional communities.

Survival becomes possible when instinct meets skill

Our training is built around the situations women actually face, not choreographed moves for a perfect scenario. Skills build with practice, and we'll be honest with you about that. Whether you're preparing for something that may never happen or rebuilding after something that has, we'll meet you where you are.