From Goodreads
Common Sense Safety for Women: Using Common Sense for Self-Defense
This book touched me in ways I didn’t expect. As a teacher for over 25 years, I’ve watched girls grow into women without ever being taught how to protect themselves physically or emotionally. Joanne’s honesty about her childhood trauma and how she turned fear into power gave me chills. It’s not just about self-defense; it’s about self-respect. I finished the last chapter feeling like I’d just had a long, healing conversation with a friend who’s been through the fire and came out stronger.
I’ve read plenty of “safety guides,” but this one hit different. Joanne doesn’t use fear to teach; she uses truth. I’ve seen too many cases where women ignored their instincts because they didn’t want to seem rude or paranoid. Her story surviving assault and still finding strength to educate others is what real courage looks like. I’d recommend this to every man, too. It reminds us that awareness and empathy go hand in hand when it comes to keeping others safe.
Working night shifts for years taught me to watch my surroundings, but Joanne’s book added something deeper awareness isn’t just a skill; it’s an attitude. Her story about being assaulted and later drugged on a business trip stayed with me. I admired how she didn’t let those moments define her. Instead, she built a path for other women to walk safely. I cried, I nodded, and I finished it feeling stronger.
Reading Joanne’s reflections as a fellow black belt made me respect her even more. Self-defense isn’t just about physical strength; it’s about mindset. She captures that perfectly. Her blend of practical awareness and emotional recovery is something I wish more instructors taught. This book reminded me that courage doesn’t always come from the dojo sometimes, it’s built in the quiet after trauma.
I’ve seen every kind of traveler the overconfident, the cautious, and the ones who think “it won’t happen to me.” Joanne’s advice is real and applicable. From how to move with purpose to how to trust your intuition, it’s spot-on. What sets her apart is her vulnerability; she shares her worst moments without shame. That honesty is what makes this book powerful. It made me rethink my own habits, even after 30 years in the skies.
I work with women who’ve faced violence and trauma, and I wish every one of them could read this. Joanne’s words are healing because they’re not polished, they’re raw and real. She reminds readers that fear is normal, but staying in fear isn’t necessary. Her blend of professional insight and lived experience makes her voice unique. This isn’t a book you read once; it’s one you keep close and return to whenever you need strength.
I work with women who’ve faced violence and trauma, and I wish every one of them could read this. Joanne’s words are healing because they’re not polished, they’re raw and real. She reminds readers that fear is normal, but staying in fear isn’t necessary. Her blend of professional insight and lived experience makes her voice unique. This isn’t a book you read once; it’s one you keep close and return to whenever you need strength.
In the military, we’re trained to see threats before they happen, but Joanne’s book taught me something new, how to apply that mindset to everyday life as a woman. I admired her strength and clarity. She doesn’t preach; she teaches through experience. The way she turned moments of fear into lessons of empowerment is something I deeply respect. This is the kind of book that stays with you, not because it scares you, but because it changes the way you think.
As a man, reading this made me think about the women in my life my wife, my daughter, my coworkers. Joanne’s story opened my eyes to the everyday fears women carry that most men never even notice. Her honesty made me angry at how often society tells women to “be careful” instead of teaching men to be aware. This book isn’t just for women; it’s for anyone who wants to understand what true safety and respect mean
Joanne’s courage jumps off the page. I was raised in a time when women were told to be “nice,” not “safe.” Reading about her experiences made me reflect on all the moments I stayed quiet or ignored a bad feeling just to keep the peace. She writes with such grace that even the hardest parts feel empowering. I finished this book feeling proud of her and of myself for surviving my own moments of silence.
I’ve spent years helping young women find their confidence, but Joanne’s book reminded me how often we forget to protect ourselves first. Her story is heart-wrenching, especially the parts about her childhood and college trauma. Yet she never sounds bitter, just wise. Her focus on trusting intuition and setting boundaries made me realize how many times I’ve dismissed my own instincts. This isn’t a “how-to” book; it’s a wake-up call, and it’s one every woman needs.
I picked this book up because my wife recommended it, and I’m glad I did. Joanne’s openness hit me hard. I’ve seen people face danger in many forms, but the kind of everyday danger she describes, the ones women face walking home or traveling for work, we men often overlook. Her honesty made me more aware of how I can help create safer spaces. She’s a hero, not for fighting back, but for teaching others how to avoid needing to.
I picked this book up because my wife recommended it, and I’m glad I did. Joanne’s openness hit me hard. I’ve seen people face danger in many forms, but the kind of everyday danger she describes, the ones women face walking home or traveling for work, we men often overlook. Her honesty made me more aware of how I can help create safer spaces. She’s a hero, not for fighting back, but for teaching others how to avoid needing to.
I was struck by Joanne’s ability to balance vulnerability and authority. She’s been through the unimaginable, yet she writes with the calm of someone who has truly healed. Her travel stories reminded me of my own risky moments in unfamiliar places. I’ve always believed safety begins with awareness, and she reinforces that perfectly. This book should be handed out in every workplace orientation and college orientation.
Joanne’s book hit me harder than I expected. I’ve faced danger in combat, but reading about the dangers women face in everyday life at school, work, or just walking alone, was sobering. Her story is raw, powerful, and humbling. She’s not teaching fear; she’s teaching awareness and dignity. I bought a copy for my daughter and told her, “This is one of the few books that could actually save your life.”
This book came into my life at the right time. Since losing my husband, I’ve had to relearn independence, driving at night, handling my own travel, walking alone again. Joanne’s story reminded me that fear doesn’t have to control me. Her lessons about preparation, confidence, and trusting yourself gave me my footing back. I keep this book on my nightstand, not out of fear, but as a reminder that I’m capable.
Joanne’s voice is rare, strong but gentle. She never blames; she explains. The stories of her childhood and adulthood experiences were painful to read, but her strength shines through every page. She reminds women that we are not powerless. We are observant, intuitive, and capable of protecting ourselves without losing compassion. I admire her deeply for turning her pain into something so purposeful.
What stood out to me most was how Joanne used common sense as the foundation of her teachings. She doesn’t try to make women into fighters; she teaches them to think smart and stay aware. I grew up in an era where women were told “don’t make a scene.” This book tells us to make a scene if we have to, because our safety matters. I wish every young woman could read this before stepping out into the world.
I related to Joanne more than I expected. I, too, stayed silent about an assault for years because “we didn’t talk about those things back then.” Her words reminded me that silence only protects the wrong person. Her honesty gave me permission to finally talk about my own past, and that’s a gift I can’t measure. She turned her pain into power, and now, she’s giving that power away.
I’ve spent most of my adult life in airports and hotel rooms, so Joanne’s travel stories hit close to home. When she described being attacked abroad and still managing to think her way out, I felt her fear, but also her incredible clarity. This book isn’t about being scared of the world; it’s about learning to move through it smartly. Every woman who travels alone should read this.
What an eye-opener. I’ve taught sociology for years, yet Joanne’s perspective added a layer I hadn’t fully grasped, how societal silence shapes victims. Her narrative is both educational and deeply human. I found myself rethinking how I talk about gender safety and trust in my lectures. She’s brave, brilliant, and deeply compassionate. I’ll be recommending this book to my students for sure.
"My friends and I were so impressed and grateful for all that we learned in our weekend class!"
- Family Doctor
"I recommend your self-defense course to women of all ages. I found your teaching style very easy to follow. You adjusted to meet the needs of the various ages in the class."
- Registered Nurse
"Joanne and her son Jonathan provided us with priceless information and skills that could one day save our lives!"
- Fitness Instructor
"I know that a huge part of my trip's success was because I trained with you!"
- AIDS Clinic Volunteer, South Africa