Broken. Rebuilt. Unstoppable.

She didn't just survive — she came back swinging. In this episode of Deep Naked Thoughts, I sit down with Elicia Ybarra — 4th Dan black belt in Taekwondo, 1st Dan in Hapkido, women's self-defense expert, and founder of Pretty Hands Hard Punches. Elicia has spent over 20 years in martial arts, and what she experienced inside that world could have destroyed her. Instead, it defined her mission. We go deep on the love of the art, the betrayal that happened within it, the long road to healing, and how Elicia turned her pain into a movement to protect and empower women everywhere. This conversation is raw, real, and necessary. If you have daughters, students, or women you love — this episode is for them too. About Pretty Hands, Hard Punches: Pretty Hands, Hard Punches is a women's self-defense program dedicated to empowering women to take control of their safety and their voices. The mission goes far beyond physical technique — it's about building confidence, resilience, and mental preparedness to handle any situation life throws your way. Through practical training, physical conditioning, powerful public speaking, and community workshops, Elicia helps women recognize red flags before danger strikes, set firm boundaries, and move through the world with awareness and courage. Whether she's on the mat or on a stage, she creates space where women grow stronger, become more alert, and step fully into their own power. This is more than self-defense. This is a movement. 🔗 Find Elicia Ybarra: 🥋 Website: https://www.prettyhandshardpunches.com 📱 Instagram: @prettyhandshardpunches 📚 Books Elicia mentioned: — The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk — The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker — Duck Duck Groom — an unflinching look at how predators identify and groom victims 🎙️ Podcast Elicia mentioned: — A Little Bit Culty hosted by Sarah Edmondson — and Sarah's memoir connected to her experience leaving a high-control group Follow Deep Naked Thoughts: 📱 @deepnakedthoughts across all platforms