In this week's episode, Deanna sits down with Stephanie Cyr, an attorney, educator, and personal safety expert. During their conversation, Deanna and Stephanie explore how concerns about personal safety can leave women feeling stuck—and how empowerment-based self-defense can help them feel more confident and in control. From workplace dynamics to social situations, Stephanie shares practical insights on recognizing red flags, trusting your intuition, and taking actionable steps to protect yourself in any environment.

Tune in to learn about:

• What self-defense really means—and why it's about so much more than physical protection
• How to recognize red flags in different environments—and how to address them
• The critical role of intuition in personal safety (and why you should always trust it)
• Ways to document and address safety concerns in professional settings
• How taking small, sustainable steps can help you feel more empowered and less stuck

Thoughts from the episode:

• "Self-defense is anything you say, think, do or believe to be safe."
• "Listen to your intuition. It's never wrong...sometimes we have to give ourselves permission to [listen to it]."
• "It's better to offend someone than it is to put yourself in a situation that's potentially unsafe."

About the guest: 

Stephanie Cyr (NBC-HWC) is the founder of PowerUp Moves, a personal development program focused on establishing and improving healthy safety habits. As Faculty Lecturer of Personal Defense at San Francisco State University, she developed the first University Accredited Minor Degree in Empowerment Self Defense. She is also the author of The PowerUp Moves Notebook, an interactive empowerment self-defense higher education textbook. With her background as both an attorney and educator, Stephanie brings a unique perspective to personal safety education, emphasizing both physical and emotional aspects of self-defense.

Connect with Stephanie:

On the web:

PowerUp Moves

On social media:

Instagram: @powerupmoves

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****DISCLAIMER****

Season of Stuck is for general information only and should not be considered health, financial, or any other type of professional advice. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on Season of Stuck is not an endorsement. We do not verify the accuracy of the information that guests present. Adult language may be present. Our producer and host disclaim any liability arising out of your reliance on Season of Stuck.

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