We had the good fortune of connecting with Austin Dempers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Austin, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Warrior Womxn began as I saw a need for trauma informed spaces where Womxn can show up in their authenticity. Navigating the world as a Womxn and as a survivor can be challenging, to say the least. And if we are being real, it can really suck. Which is why my bestie and I combined our creative genius to offer Self Defense and Yoga to Womxn in a Womxn only environment and through a trauma informed lens. We combine mindfulness with groin strikes, body awareness with weapon defense. breath work with ground defense and so much more. In our experience, Yoga can sometimes be an after thought in the martial arts world and martial arts can sometimes be a bit intimidating to the average Yoga practitioner; both movements ask a lot of our mind, body and spirit and together we have developed our curriculum to support every Womxn on their journey. Once COVID hit and businesses were forced to pivot I began writing a business plan for Warrior Womxn Collective: A Womxn’s Wellness Center where Womxn go to get their needs met and thrive. Warrior Womxn Collective unexpectedly launched as a virtual platform in January 2021. The ever evolving thought process behind the virtual platform was simpler than I was originally making it out to be; a place where Womxn go to get their needs met and thrive…virtually. We can’t wait to see all of our Warriors in person at our first brick and mortar location coming to Denver in 2022 and we will continue to grow and reach as many Womxn as possible in the virtual world in the meantime through our wide variety of offerings brought to you by the badass Womxn of the world.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The vision for Warrior Womxn is to be the new standard in Womxn’s Wellness. The new standard is, Trauma Informed spaces. Trauma informed means we as a team are educated in how trauma interacts with our bodies and minds so that we can show up as professionals to create a safe space. We are all surviving something and it is time we show up for that. I am so proud of creating a community where Womxn get to interact with themselves and other Womxn in such a raw, real and empowered way. This means building anti racism into the foundation of this business. Diving into and following appropriate action steps toward what it means to be an inclusive community and create equitable professional opportunities. Challenging the status quo in regards to Womxn owned and led businesses, gender and identity. Creating a brand that gives back and breaths resources back into our communities. We will never stop evolving and shattering glass ceilings. None of this has been easy but as a business, it is the least we can do. I have learned many lessons, maybe the most valuable for my (former) perfectionist ways is that I am going to F*** it up but what makes me a good leader and entrepreneur is doing it better the next time. I want the world to know that Warrior Womxn is hear for them. We hold space for all Womxn and create a ripple effect of empowerment back into their communities.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was in town for a week here are the rad things we would do with my doggo Miles : Also, I am a virgo and am LOVING this question. Sunday- Breakfast at Sputnik followed grabbing some goodies at Awakening, Femme Fatale, Nooch Vegan Market and LA Lovely Vintage then heading further south on broadway for lunch at Adelita’s and finding antique treasures. We would end the day with tea and a fire in my backyard. Monday- Wednesday Breakfast burritos from Weathervane on our way up to Steamboat for a few nights. Hiking. Strawberry hot springs, paddle boarding or snowboarding, dinner at Salt & Lime and Mambo Italian, drinks at Sunpies, dancing at Schmiggity’s and Yoga at Yoga Center of Steamboat. Thursday- Acupuncture at Meeting Point Acupuncture. Lunch at Blue Pan. Yoga at Urban Sanctuary. And chillin’ in one of the amazing parks Denver has to offer until Dinner and a show at Ophelias. Friday- Morning hike in CO springs so we can eat way too much food at Santana’s Vegan Grill. Like, WAY too much. And support local in Manitou Springs. Saturday- Yoga at Courageous Yoga. Breakfast at City O’ City (vegan chickn & waffles obvi) then Lizzo, Cardi B, Meg Thee Stallion and Doja Cat at Red Rocks…..a girl can dream.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have built the foundation of this business with the support, love and guidance of so many amazing humans. It has truly been this unconscious journey of connecting will all of the right people at the right times. Which I suppose is when you know you are on the right path. My mom for being my biggest cheerleader and always supporting herself. The fearless leaders that have led me in trainings, classrooms, Yoga studios and beyond; Tonia Crosby of bhavanaKIDS for leading me into a leadership role and giving me so many tools, The Business Success team at MiCasa Resource Center (Seriously, these humans are the real deal for ANY entrepreneur) and my incredible Empowerment coach, Marsha Jean of GrowThySoul for giving me the tools necessary to kick my limiting beliefs to the curb. The Womxn that have believed in this vision from day one and continue to invest their energy, time, money and existence into Warrior Womxn. My ride or die friends that listen to me talk about Warrior Womxn all day, everyday and also hold space for outlets to take my business hat on. And Mother Nature for existing when I need to put my oxygen mask on first. And let’s not forget Michelle Obama, Brené Brown, Elaine Welteroth, Chanel Miller, Glennon Doyle, Cleo Wade, Jen Sincero and all of the other Womxn that are fearless leaders and total boss babes.

Website: Warriorwomxn.com
Instagram: @Warrior.Womxn @austindempers
Linkedin: Austin Dempers
Facebook: Warrior Womxn Collective

Image Credits
Preston Slaughter

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