For over 40 years, Lisa Davis — a U.S. Marine veteran, former police officer, and experienced martial artist & self-defense instructor — has helped thousands of individuals and organizations build awareness, confidence, and everyday safety skills. As the founder of Power Up with Lisa, she’s expanding that mission to empower even more people.
Veteran-Owned • Woman-Owned • Purpose-Driven
Life can shift in an instant — from comfortable to uncertain.
Most people don’t realize how fast that moment can come… until it does.
Self-defense isn’t just about learning to fight. It’s about learning to see clearly, think calmly, and act with confidence when it matters most.
Power Up with Lisa teaches you to Recognize Assess Take-Action™
— so you can move through life aware, prepared, and in control.
You’ll learn to:
Participants finish each session feeling stronger, safer, and more in control, both in everyday life and in unexpected situations.
Our Recognize Assess Take-Action™ model is the foundation of every Power Up program. This simple yet powerful 3-step framework was developed by Lisa through years of teaching self-defense and awareness.
It was designed to help you stay aware, trust your gut, and take confident action — because true safety starts long before danger ever appears.
Online Course
Learn real-world self-defense and awareness skills at your own pace — anytime, anywhere.
In-Person Classes
If you're in the Twin Cities, Minnesota area, train with Lisa and certified instructors through hands-on self-defense classes.
School & Campus Programs
Bring proactive safety training to your school — helping students build confidence and real-world awareness.
Corporate Programs
Empower your employees to stay composed under pressure, strengthen workplace culture, and contribute to higher morale & performance.
Power Up with Lisa began as a dream between two sisters who wanted people to feel safer in everyday life.
That dream grew into the Recognize Assess Take-Action™ model — a simple way to help people trust their instincts and take confident action when it matters most.
The name Power Up™ reflects a belief inspired by the saying, “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”
Real understanding comes from doing — and doing is what powers you up.
What began as a sketch of an eye labeled AWARE has grown into a movement helping people everywhere move with confidence and live with power.
Close-Range Strike - What Is It? When you find yourself in close quarters with an attacker, the elbow strike is one of the most powerful techniques you can use. It’s...
Close-Range Strike - What Is It? When you find yourself in close quarters with an attacker, the elbow strike is one of the most powerful techniques you can use. It’s...
Common Self-Defense Mistakes Even the most well-intentioned people sometimes make missteps when practicing self-defense. Avoid these common mistakes to get the most out of your training...
Common Self-Defense Mistakes Even the most well-intentioned people sometimes make missteps when practicing self-defense. Avoid these common mistakes to get the most out of your training...
Building Confidence Confidence is part of the foundation of effective self-defense. Here are a few tips to start building your confidence when handling self-defense situations.
Building Confidence Confidence is part of the foundation of effective self-defense. Here are a few tips to start building your confidence when handling self-defense situations.
