Strength Through Grace, Safety Through Knowledge
Fortress of Grace is a private, faith-based business dedicated to empowering women through educational self-defense programs. Our mission is to equip women with the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves, grounded in biblical principles of strength, grace, and wisdom. We offer comprehensive education focused on personal safety, awareness, and spiritual resilience, all within a supportive and faith-driven environment.
These classes are strictly educational, focusing solely on mental and spiritual preparedness. While many physical self-defense classes are available for those interested, we believe that understanding the mental aspects of self-defense is crucial—90% of effective self-defense is mental, and only 10% is physical. By focusing on awareness, confidence, and mental readiness, we empower participants to avoid or de-escalate threats before any physical response is needed. This approach keeps our sessions informative, safe, and accessible to everyone, without any physical or hands-on training.
Our Services
Fortress of Grace offers a variety of tailored services to meet individual and group safety needs:
Personal Coaching: Fortress of Grace provides personalized one-on-one safety coaching for women, focusing on practical strategies, self-defense guidance, and confidence-building to enhance everyday security and inner resilience.Group Classes: In-person training for diverse groups—serving everyone from college students to healthcare professionals and more.Public Speaking: Engaging, impactful presentations on personal safety and empowerment for events and organizations.Each service is rooted in empowering women with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate life confidently and securely.
Serving all of Northwest Arkansas
Meet Your Safety Coach
Stormy Smyth is a dedicated professional with seven years of law enforcement experience, serving as a dispatcher, evidence and crime scene technician, and sex offender registrant. She has taught women’s self-defense classes at the Bentonville Police Department, Bentonville High School, Bentonville West High School, and various local small groups. Additionally, Stormy served as a substitute instructor for the self-defense class at Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) and presented safety training for Tyson Foods.With a minor in forensic science and extensive training in cybersecurity, Stormy possesses strong expertise in crime scene management, evidence collection, and safety protocols. Her diverse background informs her work at Fortress of Grace, a private, faith-based business dedicated to empowering women through educational self-defense programs. The mission of Fortress of Grace is to equip women with the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves, grounded in biblical principles of strength, grace, and wisdom. Through comprehensive education focused on personal safety, awareness, and spiritual resilience, Stormy creates a supportive and faith-driven environment for women seeking empowerment.As a survivor of both childhood and adult trauma, she is deeply committed to fostering healing and growth in others. Stormy's passion for women's safety drives her mission to inspire confidence and resilience, ensuring that every woman feels equipped to navigate the challenges they may face.
Information and Resources
Grace and Grit
Grace and Grit is your space for empowering insights, practical wisdom, and reflections on faith. Here, you’ll find posts organized by topics to help you easily explore areas of interest. Each section brings together themes central to Fortress of Grace's mission: empowering women through strength, safety, and faith.
Testimonials
Contact Us
Classes, personal safety coaching sessions, and public speaking engagements at Fortress of Grace are available on demand. To learn more about pricing and to schedule a group class, one-on-one personal coaching, or a public speaking event, please contact us directly. We look forward to equipping you with the confidence and knowledge to protect yourself in every area of life!