Empowerment through self-defense: How to feel safe and confident in the outdoors with Nicole Snell

Wow, words fail me today. I still can't quite believe that I got to do this. In this episode of Outdoorsy, I had the immense privilege of interviewing someone who has been integral in my own outdoor education: Nicole Snell.

Nicole is the CEO of Girls Fight Back, a self-defense expert, and an outdoor enthusiast whose mission is to empower women and marginalized individuals to confidently explore the outdoors. Nicole is also the creator of Outdoor Defense, a video series she developed to help educate women, femmes, and other marginalized people arm themselves with concrete strategies to proactively and defensively stay safe in the outdoors. This series has been essential to my personal education as I started to explore the outdoors on my own years ago.

I cannot emphasize enough how deeply empowering and necessary her work is for anyone who feels excluded from outdoor spaces.

In our episode, we touched on several vital topics—each one intricately connected to the broader conversation about safety, inclusivity, belonging, and empowerment.

Watch the video episode below or listen to the audio episode on all major podcast platforms.

https://youtu.be/6hS4fuESg-o

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Belonging in Outdoor Spaces

One of the first things Nicole shared was her experience of carving out her own space in the outdoors. Growing up without outdoor role models who looked like her, she chose to claim her belonging anyway. As she put it, "Your existence in the outdoors means you belong—no one can take that away from you." Nicole's words hit home for me, as Outdoorsy itself was built on the mission to redefine who gets to call themselves 'outdoorsy.'

Too often, outdoor spaces feel like they belong to a select few—the rugged, hyper-fit, white, able-bodied explorers who have always been the face of adventure media. But that’s not the reality for most. Nicole reminds us that nature doesn’t discriminate; it’s open to anyone willing to embrace it, and no one should feel they have to conform to someone else’s version of "outdoorsy."

Challenging Stereotypes

The barriers Nicole faced didn’t come from nature itself but from people’s perceptions. She spoke candidly about the stereotypes that often try to dictate who can and cannot belong in the outdoors: “You can’t do this because you’re a girl. You can’t do this because you’re Black.” These messages can be subtle, but they leave a lasting impact, especially when they go unchallenged.

Nicole’s response to these barriers is simple: defiance.

“If you tell me I can’t do it, I’m just going to do it more,” she said.

It’s this spirit of defying stereotypes that drives her work, empowering others to break out of the limiting boxes society often places on them. For those of us who don’t fit the stereotypical mold, this is a reminder to claim our right to outdoor spaces and reject anyone who tells us we don’t belong.

Self-Defense as Empowerment

A major theme of the episode was the concept of self-defense—not just as a physical skill but as a tool for empowerment. Nicole explained that self-defense is about much more than knowing how to fight: it’s about mindset, boundary-setting, and knowing that your safety is worth protecting.

Nicole shared her journey of discovering the importance of self-defense. She began learning how to defend herself, not only physically but mentally and emotionally, developing the tools to navigate the world with confidence. Her message was clear: “We carry our self-defense skills with us in every part of our lives. It’s not just about facing a dangerous situation—it’s about standing in your power daily.”

For many of us, especially women and marginalized individuals, the outdoors can sometimes feel unsafe, and that fear can stop us from pursuing activities we love. But Nicole’s approach to self-defense is all about giving people the tools to reclaim their confidence and independence, whether they’re hiking a remote trail or walking down the street or standing up to that bully at work.

Safety and Tools for Confidence

Nicole's Outdoor Defense series on YouTube addresses these fears directly. While many people believe that solo hiking or traveling is inherently dangerous, Nicole challenges this narrative. She emphasizes that most self-defense is not about physical altercations but about mindset and verbal skills. It’s about setting boundaries, trusting your intuition, and using your voice to de-escalate situations before they become dangerous.

Nicole spoke about the fear many of us have—that stepping into nature alone will make us targets for violence. However, as she pointed out, the majority of violence against women and marginalized individuals happens in familiar environments, often from people they know. She explained that knowing how to set boundaries, assert yourself, and recognize potential risks can help you feel more secure in the outdoors. It’s about learning strategies that make you feel in control and capable.

She also addressed the pervasive pressure to be “nice” in situations where our safety is on the line.

“We’re socialized to be nice all the time, but protecting your safety is more important than being polite,” Nicole said.

Her words were a powerful reminder that it’s okay—and necessary—to prioritize your safety over social expectations.

Creating Inclusive Outdoor Communities

One of the most impactful parts of our conversation was Nicole’s work with Girls Fight Back and her role as a leader for Black Girls Trekking. Through these organizations, she has been able to foster communities where people who don’t traditionally see themselves represented in the outdoors can come together, find support, and build confidence. “Helping others find belonging is a big part of how I find my own belonging,” she shared.

For many of us, finding community in the outdoors can be a transformative experience. It’s easier to push past fears and challenges when you know you’re not alone. Nicole’s leadership has helped create safe spaces for women and people of color to explore nature together, empowering them to step into roles as outdoor adventurers, hikers, and solo travelers.

This is why community is such a central part of the Outdoorsy mission, too. The more we share our experiences, the more we can break down barriers and create an inclusive, welcoming space for everyone who loves the outdoors, no matter their background, body type, or level of experience. Representation is everything.

Up Next for Nicole

Before we wrapped up, Nicole shared an exciting piece of news: she has been selected to speak at TEDx Jacksonville, where she will talk about how self-defense can help open up access to the outdoors. How amazing is that? Nicole’s work has already helped countless people feel more confident and empowered in nature, and now she’ll have a chance to share her expertise on a global stage.

Her work is a critical reminder that the outdoors is for everyone. We don’t need permission to explore and enjoy nature—we belong there simply by existing.

Nicole’s message has stayed with me long after our conversation ended. It’s a reminder that empowerment comes from within, that belonging is something we can create for ourselves, and that the outdoors is for all of us—if we are willing to claim our space.

If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong in outdoor spaces, or if you’ve let fear keep you from venturing out solo, I highly encourage you to check out Nicole’s work.

Connect with Nicole:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventuresofnik/ 

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicolesnell_selfdefense 

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NicoleSnellOutdoorDefense 

• Other links: https://linktr.ee/adventuresofnik

• Girls Fight Back: https://www.girlsfightback.com/

Together, we can redefine what it means to be outdoorsy—one empowered step at a time.