Pretty Deadly Podcast

Episode Length: ~12 minutesEpisode Summary:In this episode of the Pretty Deadly Podcast, founder and martial artist Susie Kahlich breaks down the violent attack that changed her life—and launched a global self-defense movement.Rather than sharing a typical survivor story, Susie walks listeners through the assault as a tactical case study, examining how her instincts kicked in at the time—and how she would respond now, with 25 years of martial arts training behind her.Stage by stage, she reflects on the positions, the physics, the fear, and the missed opportunities—offering insight into how small, practical movements can be the key to surviving and escaping violence.This episode is both a personal narrative and a valuable educational resource for survivors, self-defense instructors, and anyone curious about real-world applications of martial arts in high-stress environments.Highlights & Key Moments:[00:02:22] Beginning of the assault: shoved and pinned against a wall and "scratch your back" defense[00:03:30] Pushed to the ground: using push-pull and momentum philosophy from martial arts to turn a fall into a throw[00:05:32] Hair grab and punch: wrist manipulation and how to absorb a punch[00:06:38] Crawling toward the kitchen and why "grab a knife" is a dangerous myth without training[00:07:43] Introduction of shrimping (from martial arts like BJJ and Kung Fu) to turn around leg grabs[00:08:54] Vulnerability of attackers in moments of distraction—and how to exploit balance points like knees and ankles[00:11:25] Final thoughts on learning to use space, momentum, and balance in self-defense situationsKey Takeaways:You don’t need brute strength to defend yourself—just leverage, awareness, and a few basic tools.Survival is not a clean, choreographed fight—it’s messy, instinctual, and often improvised.Martial arts can reframe fear into focus, giving you usable strategies in real-world scenarios.The body remembers, even when the mind doesn’t—and that memory can be retrained to protect you.Learn the Techniques: Explore Pretty Deadly’s trauma-informed, body-aware approach to self-defense at PrettyDeadlySelfDefense.com, or join the conversation on Instagram @teamprettydeadlyKeywords: self defense for women, martial arts case study, personal safety, trauma-informed training, Pretty Deadly Self Defense, shrimping technique, hair grab defense, wall pin escape, real-world martial arts, violence prevention for women, survivor strategy, how to escape an attacker

“Don’t You Remember Who You Are?” – Surviving and Interrupting Date RapeIn this raw and unflinching episode of the Pretty Deadly Podcast, host Susie Kahlich, founder of Pretty Deadly Self-Defense and violent crime survivor, shares three personal stories of surviving and interrupting date rape — spanning decades, cities, and stages of life. With clarity, strength, and a no-BS lens, she breaks down the manipulative patterns of coercive assault, the complexity of survivor reactions, and how martial arts and muscle memory saved her when words failed.🔔 Trigger Warning: This episode contains detailed personal accounts of sexual assault.🎯 Key points in this episode:Date rape survivor storiesHow to stop sexual assaultSelf-defense for womenReal stories of coercion and consentMartial arts for self-defensePersonal safety for solo womenFeminist self defense podcastSurviving date rapeConsent and coercion explained🕒 Episode Highlights & Timecodes00:00:18 – Why We Need to Talk About Date RapeSusie introduces the episode and issues a clear content warning. She shares her intent: to name the unnamed and help others understand what happened to them, just as she once needed.00:01:30 – New York, 90s: "The Nice Guy" SetupThe first assault: a guy plays the role of rescuer after a painful breakup—only to assault her in her sleep. She reflects on how the term “date rape” didn’t even exist in common vocabulary then, and how publishing her story helped others come forward.00:05:49 – Paris, 20 Years Later: “I Couldn’t Help Myself”Jet lagged, wine-drunk, and unconscious, Susie wakes up to a confession from a toxic partner. She explores the confusion of betrayal in relationships, and how social conditioning warps our perception of rape as flattery.00:07:54 – Paris Again: The One She InterruptedA consensual hookup turns threatening when the man ignores her firm “no” and pushes for non-consensual anal sex. In a split second of panic and clarity, her martial arts training kicks in. She fends him off with a tactical strike—later integrated into Pretty Deadly training as a move called The Frenchman.00:10:42 – How Pretty Deadly Teaches This RealitySusie shares how the real-life moves that protected her are taught in Level 3 of Pretty Deadly. It’s not just theory. It’s not just talk. It’s lived. And it’s trainable.👊 Key TakeawaysDate rape isn’t always violent—it’s often manipulative and confusing.Consent can’t exist without the option to say “no” and be heard.You can interrupt assault—even mid-act—with proper training and presence of mind.Recognizing manipulation is the first step to preventing assault.Survivors don’t owe a perfect reaction—they owe themselves healing and truth.✨ Learn More→ Find classes, become a trainer, or explore Pretty Deadly’s programs: PrettyDeadlySelfDefense.com→ Follow on IG: @TeamPrettyDeadly→ TikTok rants, real talk, and rebellion: @PrettyDeadlyBoss🎵 Music: Icarus Wish by Dead Centuries (Berlin)

In this raw and insightful episode, Pretty Deadly Self-Defense founder Susie Kahlich explores how seemingly random pieces of media—true crime podcasts, a childhood “Stranger Danger” assembly, even a high school driver’s ed video—can become life-saving tools in dangerous situations. Drawing from her personal experience as a violent crime survivor, and her work in trauma-informed self-defense, Susie unpacks how our brains absorb and store survival instincts through everyday content.This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about how we prepare ourselves for danger—often without realizing it.🎯 What You’ll Learn:Why true crime podcasts are actually self-defense toolsHow women’s social conditioning can interfere with instinct—and how to push past itReal-life examples of how stored information surfaces in moments of dangerWhy self-defense education can (and should) go beyond the dojo⏱️ Episode Highlights & Time Codes:(00:46) – Why True Crime Podcasts Are Secretly Self-Defense Lessons True crime’s popularity among women isn't about gore—it's subconscious training.(01:23) – How Your Brain Stores Survival Tools Without You Knowing From conversations to news stories, everything you consume becomes part of your defensive toolkit.(02:39) – Real Story: A Woman Attacked in Berlin A woman uses a piece of news she once read to instinctively try to protect herself during an assault—and how her survival instinct was dismissed even by herself.(04:44) – The Cost of Being “Polite” Susie discusses how immigrant women often suppress their instincts to avoid “being a bother,” and how dangerous that can be.(06:07) – The Logic Behind Facing an Attacker A moment of insight changes Susie’s perception of how self-defense instinct really works.(07:20) – Susie’s Own Story: Stranger Danger at 32 A childhood PSA resurfaces 24 years later, helping Susie survive a brutal attack in her own home.(08:26) – Driver’s Ed Saved My Life A decades-old memory from a video on drunk drivers helped her body survive physical trauma.(09:56) – You’re Probably Learning Self-Defense Without Realizing It Everything from movies to songs to podcasts can train your brain to respond in danger—even if you’ve never taken a self-defense class.(10:42) – No Class? No Problem. Susie shares why even if you can’t access a class, listening to podcasts like this is still valid—and valuable—self-defense education.🔗 Links & Resources:💻 Visit: prettydeadlyselfdefense.com – Classes, workshops & certifications📸 Follow: @teamprettydeadly on Instagram🎥 Watch: @prettydeadlyboss on TikTok for rants on politics, capitalism, and feminist survival🎶 Music: “Icarus Wish” by Dead Centuries (Berlin)#selfdefense #womensafety #survivorstories #traumainformed #prettydeadly #truecrimepodcast #intuitiveinstincts #situationalawareness #selfdefensepodcast

Pretty Deadly Podcast: Finding Agency in Self-Defense🔴 Episode 132 – How I Fought Back (Without Even Knowing It)After a violent attack in her home, Pretty Deadly Self-Defense founder Susie Kahlich set out to understand what really happens in moments of crisis. In this episode, she shares how her body's natural self-defense instincts helped her survive—long before she ever trained in martial arts.We break down why self-defense is more than just fighting techniques, how trauma shapes our perception of survival, and the hidden ways we defend ourselves without even realizing it.💡 Key Takeaways:✔ Why self-defense isn’t just about fighting—it’s about using what you already do naturally.✔ How women are conditioned to think they "failed" at self-defense, even when they survive.✔ The biological survival mechanisms that kick in during an attack—and how to trust them.✔ How understanding your own agency can help break free from long-term trauma.🎧 Listen now & reclaim your power!⏱️ Timecoded Highlights🕒 00:00:02 – Welcome Back to the Pretty Deadly Podcast🔹 Why talking about the attack that led to Pretty Deadly has become… boring (and why that’s a good thing).🕒 00:01:31 – Can Trauma Have an End?🔹 The journey from reliving an attack to reclaiming personal agency.🕒 00:02:55 – What Actually Happens When We Fight for Our Lives?🔹 Self-defense isn’t just about throwing punches—it’s about survival in any form.🕒 00:03:37 – Why Most Women Don’t Learn Self-Defense (Until It’s Too Late)🔹 The social conditioning that keeps women from claiming their right to fight back.🕒 00:04:25 – The Only Rule of Self-Defense🔹 If you survived, you defended yourself—100%.🕒 00:07:52 – The Moment My Body Took Over🔹 How relaxing at the right moment saved Susie from a knockout punch.🕒 00:13:06 – Where Do We Really Learn Self-Defense?🔹 It’s not just in a class—it’s from everything we’ve ever seen, heard, or experienced.📍 Perfect for: Anyone who has ever wondered if they could really fight back—and how to harness their own natural self-defense instincts.🔗 Links & Resources🗞 A Stranger Tried to Kill Me in My Own Home https://medium.com/@susiekahlich/the-end-of-trauma-5a4b8b477d07👓 The End of Trauma: https://medium.com/@susiekahlich/the-end-of-trauma-5a4b8b477d07🌐 Learn More: prettydeadlyselfdefense.com📲 Follow on Instagram: @teamprettydeadly📢 Follow on TikTok: @prettydeadlyboss🎶 Music Credit: Icarus Wish by Berlin-based band Dead Centuries👉 Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform! 🚀

🎙 New Episode: The Pretty Deadly Podcast Returns!After a long break, Pretty Deadly Podcast is back! In this relaunch, Susie Kahlich, founder of Pretty Deadly Self Defense, shares her survival story, martial arts journey, and the evolution of Pretty Deadly—from a workshop for her mother to an international program. Now, she’s bringing it to the U.S.!🔹 Topics Covered:✔ Surviving homelessness, 1980s NYC, solo travel, and a violent attack. ✔ Why traditional self-defense fails most women. ✔ How Pretty Deadly makes self-defense fun, natural, and effective. ✔ Moving from Berlin to San Francisco—what’s next? ✔ How everyday movements—like handing over a cup of coffee—become powerful self-defense techniques.📍 Perfect for: Women interested in self-defense, personal safety, and confidence-building.👉 Learn more: prettydeadlyselfdefense.com 📲 Follow: @teamprettydeadly (Instagram) | @prettydeadlyboss (TikTok)⏳ Key Moments & Time Stamps:🕒 00:00:02 – Welcome Back! The Pretty Deadly Podcast returns. 🕒 00:00:26 – Survival & Strength: From homelessness to ninjutsu. 🕒 00:01:42 – Moving Pretty Deadly to San Francisco: What’s next? 🕒 00:02:37 – Why Most Self-Defense Fails Women (and how to fix it). 🕒 00:03:40 – Finding the Right Martial Arts Teacher: Susie’s story. 🕒 00:09:27 – The Birth of Pretty Deadly: How a lesson for her mom became a movement. 🕒 00:12:03 – Self-Defense Should Be Fun: Breaking free from fear-based training. 🕒 00:13:01 – Everyday Moves as Self-Defense: The power of natural motion. 🕒 00:14:18 – Bigger Mission: Gender equality, empowerment & self-defense. 🕒 00:15:03 – Where to Learn More: Classes, certifications & resources.🎧 How to Listen:📡 Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify & more! ⭐ Leave a review to help others find the show. 📢 Share this episode with someone who should hear it!

of violence against women in New YorkThere has been a spate of violent men sucker punching random women in New York City recently. How do you defend against a sucker punch?This episode talks about:• The definition of a sucker punch• The role of the random attack in the history of GBV• How to identify someone targeting you• Can you even defend against a sucker punch?• Why is this happening and what should we do about itListen at the link in our bio or here: https://t.ly/HhL5t*****You can find the Pretty Deadly Podcast on iTunes , Spotify and Audible , or your favorite pod player -- just search for "Pretty Deadly Podcast" and give us a follow!This podcast is produced by SINGE Network for Pretty Deadly. Our theme song is a track called Icarus Wish by Berlin-based punk band, @deadsentries , and is used with permission of the artists.

In 2005, Pretty Deadly founder decided to run a marathon. In this episode, Susie shares her experiences training for, and running, a marathon, and how that relates to self defense.This episode talks about:Expectations and supportStereotyping body typesIn what ways softer training is harmful to women in self defenseThe value of learning how to take a punchHow these stereotypes contribute to targeting women for violenceYou have been listening to the Pretty Deadly Podcast. You can learn more about who we are and what we do and how to find a Pretty Deadly course near you by visiting our website at prettydeadlyselfdefense.com. And if you’re a fitness or martial arts pro and you’d like enhance your instructor skills, our certification programs are open for enrollment, and you can find them on our website at prettydeadlypro.com.This podcast is produced by Singe Network for Pretty Deadly, recorded in Berlin,and our original music is the track Icarus Wish by Berlin band Dead Sentries, used with permission from the artists.

Women should feel safe while working out and here's how to feel safer. This episode explores important safety concerns for women in gyms, women's safety while running, why health and safety are important in a fitness environment, including why women won't ask for help at the gym. Hosted by safety fitness gear founders Faith C., of FittSafe and Susie K. of Pretty Deadly, they discuss what it means to be mission-aligned and their shared vision for a world where there is nothing holding women back from living the lives they choose.===============================Recommended safety gear for women runners & women in fitness===============================FittSafe: https://fittsafe.comPretty Deadly Self Defense mobile app for iOS: https://t.ly/wuQdH for Android: https://t.ly/zjNQVGet Running Mate app: https://getrunningmate.com/Go_Guarded: https://goguarded.com/Motherhood Running: https://instagram.com/motherhood_running===============================Article mentioned in this episode:===============================Not All Women: Women's voices, race, and media coveragehttps://medium.com/@susiekahlich/not-all-women-5893984b0200********You have been listening to the Pretty Deadly Podcast. You can learn more about who we are and what we do and how to find a Pretty Deadly course near you by visiting our website at prettydeadlyselfdefense.com. And if you’re a fitness or martial arts pro and you’d like enhance your instructor skills, our certification programs are open for enrollment, and you can find them on our website at https://prettydeadlypro.com.This podcast is produced by Singe Network for Pretty Deadly, recorded in Berlin,and our original music is the track Icarus Wish by Berlin band Dead Sentries, used with permission from the artists.

This episode talk about how to handle trauma when it’s triggered in a client. Trauma triggers can be scary and upsetting for everyone. Do you know what to do when a client experiences a trigger? This episode talks about:Recognize the signsSpotlight & shameGiving permissionBuddy systemProtect yourself ****You have been listening to the Pretty Deadly Podcast. You can learn more about who we are and what we do and how to find a Pretty Deadly course near you by visiting our website at https://prettydeadlyselfdefense.com. And if you’re a fitness or martial arts pro and you’d like enhance your instructor skills, our certification programs are open for enrollment, and you can find them on our website at https://prettydeadlypro.com.This podcast is produced by Singe Network for Pretty Deadly, recorded in Berlin,and our original music is the track Icarus Wish by Berlin band Dead Sentries, used with permission from the artists.