Hi y’all. I’m Gigi Simmons—co-founder, Director of Operations and Instructor at Urban Defense Academy, in Liberty Hill, Texas.
Every October, I watch the domestic violence awareness posts roll through my feed. The purple ribbons. The statistics. And every year, I sit with the same thought: I’m not posting about domestic violence. I’m someone who lived through it.
So this is my story—not the version you’ll find in statistics, but the one I lived.
I Wasn’t Looking for a Hobby
In 2007, I was escaping a nine-year domestic abuse marriage with two children depending on me. I wasn’t looking for a pastime or a new interest. I was looking for a way to stop being a victim.
A friend—whose husband was a concealed carry instructor—saw what I needed before I could name it. She paid for my first concealed carry class and lent me her pistol for the day. I walked into that classroom terrified, wondering if I could handle the responsibility, let alone a life-or-death situation.
I qualified for my permit. But I didn’t feel confident.
Here’s what nobody tells you: a piece of paper doesn’t mean you can use a firearm when it counts. That uncertainty could have ended my journey right there. Instead, it drove me to find real training—the kind that builds both skill and mindset.
Skills Are Only Half the Answer
That search led me to Brian Simmons, who taught me that firearms proficiency isn’t just about mechanics—it’s about mindset. Under his guidance, I spent years developing real technical skill in pistol and tactical rifle, alongside 18 years of continuous study in traditional Japanese martial arts.
Mindset matters because of a hard truth I’ve learned through both personal experience and industry research: violent transgressors typically cannot be reasoned with—they must be decisively stopped.
Freedom means being prepared with the mindset and skills to make that choice if you ever have to. Not paranoia. Not fear. Readiness.
Why Women Hesitate—And Why You Don’t Have To
Today, I run Urban Defense Academy alongside Brian Simmons, my husband of 17 years. And when I stand in front of a class, I sometimes see the woman I was in 2007—someone carrying weight she shouldn’t have to bear, wondering if she’s capable of protecting herself and the people she loves.
Too many women hesitate to take that first step because they feel out of place in male-dominated environments. They end up with a handgun that doesn’t fit them, or they’re given well-meaning but ill-informed advice. I’ve been there—which is exactly why I teach differently.
At Urban Defense Academy, there’s no intimidation, no ego, no judgment. I’ve carried concealed in professional suits, casual clothes, and formal attire. I know what it’s like to figure out holster placement under a blazer, choose a firearm that fits a smaller frame, and carry in a way that works for your life—not someone else’s idea of it.
These aren’t theoretical questions for me. They’re challenges I’ve navigated myself.
What I Want Every Woman to Know
My mission is simple: make sure no woman ever has to feel helpless again.
Not every student who walks through our doors is a survivor—and that’s totally okay. Some come for sport, some for personal protection, some simply because they’ve been curious for years and finally decided to act. Whatever brought you here, what matters is this:
You belong here. This is for you.
You don’t need to own a firearm to start. You don’t need to know anything about guns. You just need to show up willing to learn—and we’ll take care of the rest.
Take the First Step
If you’ve read this far, something in this story may have resonated. Maybe it’s your own story, or someone you love’s.
Start with a free consultation. It’s a relaxed, one-on-one conversation where we’ll talk about your goals, review any equipment you have (no pressure if you have none), and build a training plan that fits your life. No sales pitch—just a clear path forward.
Schedule Your Free Consultation at Urban Defense Academy. Because readiness isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build.
Be Ready.
If You Need Help Right Now
Getting out is the hardest part—and you don’t have to figure it out alone. These resources serve our neighbors here in Central Texas.
In an emergency, call 911.
Hope Alliance — Emergency shelter and crisis services for Williamson County 24-hour hotline: 1-800-460-7233
Safe Alliance — Crisis hotline: 512-267-7233
National Domestic Violence Hotline — 24/7 support, all 50 states Call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or visit thehotline.org
Yesterday’s Gone — A local 501(c)(3) nonprofit right here in Liberty Hill, providing transitional housing, life coaching, and counseling for women who have experienced abuse or trauma, along with their dependent children and pets. Their tiny-home community gives women a safe place to heal and rebuild toward independence. Learn more at yesterdaysgone.org.
Please note: Yesterday’s Gone is not an emergency shelter. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or the Hope Alliance hotline above.
