About Us

Sensei Janet owns and operates her own martial arts school, Stronger You Martial Arts and Self Defense, which opened in August 2004. She was certified as a Self Defense Instructor by the NWMAF in July of 2005 at Shepherdstown, West Virginia and has been teaching self defense to women ever since. Sensei Janet teaches Self Defense courses to girls and women in the community for Girl Guides, Sea Scouts, various government departments and in elementary and secondary schools across the region. Her programs encompass both violence prevention training such as verbal assertiveness and de-escalation skills and physical self defense skills practical for women of all ages, sizes and abilities.

Sensei Sally, a head instructor at Stronger You, is also certified as a self defense instructor (2011) by the NWMAF. She has assisted Janet in several courses and teaches her own martial arts classes at the dojo.

Both Janet and Sally have been students of Sensei Terry Kingsbury, the creator of the Sammy Stick, for many years. Terry developed the self defense program taught at Stronger You and now teaches CUFS, Immediate Recall High Stress Combatives at the school.The Sammy Stick was developed to provide the means for an individual to defend oneself quickly and efficiently. With quickly learnt techniques that can provide an instant sympathetic reaction, anyone can use the Sammy Stick to exit a dangerous situation quickly.

We developed our courses with awareness and assertiveness as key factors in keeping you safe in any environment. Physical tools are always a last resort. But physical skills will build your confidence and make you a less likely victim. Our courses will help you develop both your mental and physical defenses.

Anything within your reach can enhance your ability to defend yourself. The Sammy Stick was designed to hold your keys, hence it is something you will always have with you. We'll show you how to use it as an improvised weapon.

Contact us to get information about a course for you or your group.