Real-life Confidence.
Real-world Readiness.

Ellen Claire teaches young women how to trust their instincts, recognize risk, and respond with clarity—at school, online, and in life.

Your instincts are right.

You’ve just been taught not to trust them.

Awareness matters. But knowing what to watch for doesn’t prepare you for the moment something feels off.

Young women are navigating more independence, pressure, and uncertainty
than ever before.

They’re told to listen to their gutbut then trained to override it.

They’re encouraged to stand up for themselvesbut not make a scene.

They’re taught what to look out forbut not how to respond.

So when something feels off—a stranger gets too close, a text gets too personal, a situation just doesn’t feel right—they hesitate.

Not because they lack good sense—but because they’ve been taught to question it.

This is where

confidence

changes everything.

FEEL PREPARED, NOT JUST PROTECTED.

The difference between staying safe—and playing it safe.

White silhouette of a seven-petaled flower on black background.
White silhouette of a seven-petaled flower on black background.

Ellen Claire helps young women move from hesitation to action—through greater awareness, self-trust, and the confidence to respond.

Because the goal isn’t to avoid every difficult situation.

It’s to know what to do when you’re in one.

That same hesitation doesn’t just affect personal safety—it affects how young women step forward, use their voices, and take action when it matters most.

Ellen Claire teaches young women practical tools to sharpen their awareness, harness their instincts, and respond with clarity under pressure—skills they can use in real-world moments, starting now.

Discover how she brings this work to life through tailored keynotes, workshops, and her upcoming Real-Life Ready course

Silhouette of a flower with eight petals
  • “Self-defense isn’t just about physical protection. It’s about the thought process, confidence, and knowing what to do before it happens.”

    —CHELSEA, COLLEGE STUDENT

  • “Ellen Claire taught me that fear is information to be used in a scary situation, and that has changed my mindset for the better.”

    —SAMANTHA, COLLEGE STUDENT

  • “Incredible and impactful! Ellen’s knowledge is the difference between vulnerability and safety — an absolute must-have in today’s world.”

    —ALEX RAMOS, LIEUTENANT COLONEL (RET.), FOUNDER OF ‘LEAD WITHOUT FEAR’

  • “Ellen combines powerful storytelling with practical tools that leave a lasting impact on young women and the adults who care about them.”

    —MARY WILCOX SMITH, AUTHOR OF THE MICROSTEP METHOD

Trusted by Schools, Universities, & Organizations

INCLUDING

Athleta Florida Atlantic University Nova Southeastern University Women of Tomorrow WeWork Place of Hope Donna Klein Jewish Academy Saint Andrews School Boca High School Deerfield Beach High School Forest Hills High School Olympic Heights High School Spanish River High School Practical Parenting for Teens

See How This Could Work at Your School

“Too many young women second-guess themselves when they could trust themselves—not because they lack strength or intelligence, but because they’ve been taught to question how they feel.

Real confidence changes that.

It shapes how we respond under pressure, what we refuse to tolerate, and how we move through the world. When you feel confident, capable, and steady, safety is never far behind.”

—ELLEN CLAIRE VAN OLDEN
Speaker, Educator, Advocate
Founder of Empower the Girls

Ellen Claire is a speaker and educator empowering young women how to recognize risk and respond with clarity—in school, online, and in life.
Ellen Claire is a speaker and educator empowering young women how to recognize risk and respond with clarity—in school, online, and in life.

Preparing for What’s Next

Ellen Claire helps young women build real-life confidence they can rely on—in high school, college, and beyond. Here’s how.

Recognize
the Signals

Spot subtle warning signs and recognize patterns before situations escalate.

Navigate
Pressure

Move through social and emotional pressure without overriding what feels off.

Activate
Instincts

Build the confidence to rely on your instincts and decide what to do next.

Act
with Clarity

Know when—and how—to speak up, step away, ask for help, or take action.