For Lisa Gilmurray, empowerment begins with awareness.
As the founder of EPOC Fitness and a retired detective lieutenant, Gilmurray has spent years teaching women how to recognize threats, trust their instincts and protect themselves with confidence. Over the past year, however, her work has expanded well beyond traditional self-defense seminars, growing into corporate training programs, community partnerships and even global opportunities.
What began as a local empowerment initiative is quickly becoming something much larger.
“I always hear people say, ‘I’ve always wanted to take a self-defense class,’” Gilmurray says. “But many of them never do because they feel intimidated. The truth is anyone can learn these skills.”
Her philosophy is simple: self-defense is not about strength. It is about understanding how situations unfold and knowing how to respond.
A Growing Demand for Safety Training
Over the past year, Gilmurray has seen a noticeable shift in who is seeking out her programs.
While community seminars remain a cornerstone of her work, companies across multiple industries are now requesting training for employees. Pharmaceutical firms, real estate organizations, construction groups and government agencies have all invited her to lead workshops focused on personal safety and workplace awareness.
These sessions often include team-building exercises, lunch-and-learn discussions and specialized training on workplace violence prevention.
Drawing from her background in law enforcement, Gilmurray teaches participants how to recognize escalating situations and respond safely.
“In many environments, it’s not about fighting someone,” she explains. “It’s about de-escalation, awareness and protecting yourself without making the situation worse.”
The approach resonates with organizations looking to prioritize employee safety while also investing in wellness and professional development.
Empowerment Through Community
Beyond corporate partnerships, Gilmurray continues to work closely with local organizations throughout New Jersey.
Girl Scout groups, youth organizations and parent-led initiatives frequently invite her to lead seminars for teenagers preparing for college or independent living. In many cases, communities themselves organize the events, bringing together groups of women and teens eager to learn the fundamentals of situational awareness.
That grassroots momentum is exactly what Gilmurray hopes to see more of.
“When a community says, ‘This is something we need,’ that’s incredibly meaningful,” she shares. “Everyone benefits from it.”
Her training focuses on practical skills that anyone can apply, including reading body language, recognizing potential threats and using leverage rather than brute force in dangerous situations.
“There’s no minimum level of fitness required,” she notes. “It’s about knowledge and confidence.”
A Global Opportunity
Earlier this year, a personal trip to India unexpectedly opened the door to a new chapter in Gilmurray’s work.
While visiting the nonprofit cooperative Dhonk Craft—an organization that helps women in rural villages develop skills and financial independence—Gilmurray shared details about her self-defense training programs.
The response was immediate.
Leaders of the organization asked whether she would consider returning to teach empowerment and safety training to women and teenage girls in their villages.
The experience revealed how universal the need for these programs truly is.
“It made me realize this isn’t just a local issue,” Gilmurray emphasizes. “Women everywhere deserve access to knowledge that helps them protect themselves.”
Since returning home, she has begun exploring partnerships with corporations that operate internationally, hoping to secure sponsorships that would allow her to bring training programs to communities abroad.
The Power of Women Supporting Women
At the heart of Gilmurray’s work is a belief that empowerment grows through connection.
More than ever, she sees women encouraging one another to learn new skills, step outside their comfort zones and invest in their own safety.
“It’s beautiful to see women supporting women,” she says. “The goal isn’t to make people feel afraid. It’s to help them feel capable.”
That mindset continues to drive her work as her programs expand.
Whether she is teaching a group of teenagers, leading a corporate seminar or exploring opportunities overseas, Gilmurray’s message remains the same: empowerment begins with knowledge.
And sometimes, the most powerful step someone can take is simply deciding to start.
For more information, visit epocfitnessnj.com.