The Warrior Forged Project is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation that specializes in educating the public on violence prevention and self-defense by giving free seminars & community workshops. We also train and certify instructors to provide our programs in their own regions by giving them the opportunity to learn defensive tactics, martial arts, and the psychology of criminal behavior. We continue to provide new community programs throughout our supported areas with private workshops, school programs, as well as presentations for colleges, businesses, law enforcement and more.
Stacey Councilman has a background in Marketing and Advertising, and has an extensive resume, with experience in publishing, writing, editing, accounting, business management, human relations, public relations, communications, media relations, social media marketing, graphic design, web development, marketing consulting, new business management, restructuring, and along with many other talents, is a wife to her husband John Councilman, and a mother of two sons, Nathan Bachand and Trae Bachand, and daughter Annabelle Bachand. She has served on two non-profit board of directors for over 18 years of experience.
Stacey started her martial arts journey in 2012, when her daughter, Annabelle was having some social issues as a side effect of ADHD. Annabelle’s psychologist recommended that Annabelle participate and train in martial arts, so Stacey decided to jump in and train with her. Stacey stepped on the mat July 11, 2012 and never left. Her passion for martial arts exceeded to another level, when she decided to train in several martial arts instead of just one. By 2014, Stacey was training in Kung Fu San Soo, Boxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. By 2015 she would add in Eskrima and Krav Maga and dabbling in Judo. Today she studies as many arts as possible, focusing mostly on Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and Kung Fu San Soo. She is a certified Krav Maga instructor, active Brazilian Jiu-jitsu competitor and a brown belt in Kung Fu San Soo.
In 2015, Stacey moved from her hometown of Redding, California to Roseville, California. At the time she was in the beginning stages of creating what would become The Warrior Forged Project. She had a concept that she wanted to spread awareness and education on Women’s Self Defense, but needed a team to accomplish most of what was in her head at the time.
In July of 2015, Stacey met the Director of the Integrated Combat Systems University (ICSU), Ryan Spink, at the ICSU Krav Maga Certification Seminar, which would lead to the further development of WFP. After spending the seminar in discussions with Director Spink, he recognized her passion for teaching women and teens and asked her if she’d be interested in being part of the ICSU Team Kadima program. Of course Stacey was interested, so after earning her Krav Maga Certification, she went on to take the ICSU Women’s Defense Tactics Course (WDTC). After completing both certifications, Director Spink asked Stacey if she would take a bigger role in his Team Kadima program, and promoted her to Director. The constant evolvement of the WFP since that promotion, has been astonishing to say the least.
In the beginning of 2016 Stacey began giving Women’s Self Defense classes to the women in her academy, which quickly became the basis of the WFP’s FREE Community Classes. Stacey continued the development of the WFP by deciding that the organization would be non-profit, and decided they would soon be doing FREE Women’s Self Defense Seminars. Since the moment Stacey decided the WFP would be non-profit, it has been non-stop excitement and growth of what would now be a full-blown adventure and inspiration to change the world. Her team has come together with amazing talents and personality that fits and adds perfect chemistry and balance. Its onward and upward for this team, and Stacey is proud to stand beside this insanely brave group of superheroes.
Esther Ong, Marketing Director, President
Esther Ong, Marketing Director, President
Esther Ong has been in the artistic/creative environment her whole life. A native of Sacramento, Esther grew up participating in dance (Jazz, modern and ballet) and played the violin as part of the youth symphony. She found her love for fine arts in high school after winning visual art awards with her school district. Esther continued her education at CSU, Chico and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from the School of Communication. Esther has built her career working for companies like The Sacramento Bee, BloodSource, and CustomerLink. She has explored her talents in marketing, social media marketing, art directing, web design, SEO and managed a creative department. She currently lives with her son Alexander 16, a high school junior who hopes to study green technology and math after high school.
Esther has been an avid runner all of her adult life. Being a huge sports fan, especially UFC, Esther started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The martial art allows her to be creative and that started her journey. At the same school, Esther met Stacey Councilman and Rebecca Bazemore. They encouraged her to come to their Krav Maga class, and that started another journey into Krav Maga. She realized how important the message and product is and wants to be part of the team. Esther currently trains in both martial arts while working on marketing for the WFP. She is excited to be a superhero and help other superheroes.
Becca Baze Vice President
Becca Baze Vice President
Becca has 16 years of experience in Customer Service, Sales, Gym Sales, & Management. She recalls always having a heart & passion for helping others. Becca feels strongly that you'll have more long term success in sales and business when you take your time to build lasting relationships with open communication and honesty. Her honest approach to sales has served her well over the years, even if at times it meant less money in her own pocket. She is a firm believer that if you sow into others’ lives you will always have what you need!
Born to a victimizer and a victim, Becca found herself searching for safety, love and validation for most of her life. The problem was that trauma and dysfunction were her normality. She was born a victim, (or so she had been told literally since she was born). As a survivor of sexual, mental/emotional, and physical abuse at the hands of multiple abusers (both men & a women) she then became a survivor of rape & domestic violence as a teen/adult. After she left an abusive marriage she continued her search for protection, love, & validation. The only problem was, she was searching everywhere except for within.
As a single mom she was determined to protect her children at all costs and was committed to breaking the cycle of abuse. September of 2011 enrolled her two children, then 7yrs and 5yrs, old at Infinite Jiu-Jitsu & MMA in Rocklin Ca under Professor Gustavo Enriquez. Watching their journey and seeing their confidence and strength inspired Becca, and sparked her interest in training BJJ.
It wasn't until August 23, 2015 that Becca stepped onto the mat to train for the first time. That decision would change her life forever. After her first class she was in love with BJJ and jumped in with both feet. One month later her life changed again when a new student enrolled at Infinite Jiu-Jitsu! That new student was, now Executive Director & CEO of The Warrior Forged Project, Stacey Councilman. After a partnering in class, Stacey invited Becca to train at her house, in what would become Wonder Woman Wednesdays, where they trained in Krav Maga, Kung Fu San Soo, and disarms. During their training sessions they always had long talks, where Stacey would encourage Becca to find strength and validation from within. She helped Becca realize that she could be her own hero. That summer Stacey helped Becca through her Krav
Maga basic certification through I.C.S.U (integrated combat systems university) under Ryan Spink at Cobra Kai in Victorville Ca.
Once again Becca's life was changed for the better as she found the safety, love, & validation she'd been looking for her whole life. Only this time she found it within herself. By the grace of God, the amazing relationship she found through her training, and through her hard work and dedication to martial arts & helping other women, Becca will never again be a victim. She is not simply a survivor. She is her own hero. She is Warrior Forged.
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Nicole Foster, Treasurer
Nicole Foster, Treasurer
Nicole Foster has always been in the interested in sports and outdoor activities. A native of Orange County, she grew up playing basketball, running track and spending time camping with her family. She met her husband in 2005 and still continues to love spending her time hiking, camping and being outdoors. She currently lives with her husband Ryan, and their two children.
Professionally, Nicole worked in Commercial Property Management and Marketing. She was responsible for the management of large scale shopping centers with Donahue Schriber and Inter-Cal Real Estate. Here primary duties included leasing, advertising, website and marketing material design.
Nicole became interested in martial arts, after her husband and children started taking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes. At Infinite Jiu-Jitsu in Rocklin California, Nicole learned about the free Sunday Women's self-defense classes taught by Stacey Councilman and Rebecca Bazemore. After her first class she was inspired, motivated and encouraged to learn more from her very talented instructors. Nicole continued to go to Sunday’s free classes and got to know both Rebecca and Stacey on a personal level. At that point, she knew she wanted to do more for other women, what Rebecca and Stacey were doing for her. Her new passion (along with her family) is to help spread the Warrior Forged message and empower women by teaching them self-defense and to be their own hero
Hope Hollister, Secretary
Hope Hollister, Secretary
Hope was homeschooled for most of her education. Her hobbies during that time included painting, playing the piano and mandolin, also spent hours training horses. She got married six months after graduating high school to her husband Zach Hollister. She always wanted to be a stay at home mom, and is the mother of three wonderful boys, Wyatt, Beau and Jase. Hope loves and spends much of her time hunting, fishing and hiking.
Almost six years ago, right after her second son was born, Hope's dad convinced her to start training in Kung Fu San Soo. She has always been interested in training in martial arts, and this was her first opportunity. In 2016, she talked with Stacey Councilman and was introduced to the art of Krav Maga, and soon after, trained to be tested for certification through ICSU, becoming an instructor in Krav Maga. More recently, she has become a student in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Hope loves what martial arts has brought into her life, confidence, motivation, physical exercise, stress relief and so much more! She feels it is very important for women to feel confident, as well as emotionally and physically able to defend themselves, with the support of other strong women helping them along the way! Which is why she in now on the Warrior Forged Project team.
Hope decided in 2016 that the Warrior Forged Project was a great place to use her talents in martial arts. She wants to help women learn to use martial arts to benefit themselves mentally, emotionally and physically. She is now the instructor for the Redding, CA Warrior Forged self defense classes. Hope loves what her friend Stacey Councilman has started, and she is very proud to be on this journey with a team of strong, loving and hard working women! Wherever this Project takes her, Hope is sure it will be exciting, and she is thankful for every woman on the team.
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