I AM XENA: Featuring Cassandra Joffs

Being a General Surgeon has been an empowering journey intellectually and professionally. However, when I was blessed to become a mother, it wasn't enough. I had dependents; I was in a new and vulnerable position. At the park, the grocery store, even the mailbox, I saw myself and my children as targets for a predator. I sought self defense training, ultimately finding the reality based system Commando Krav Maga. Armed with new emotional and physical empowerment, I knew that I had a skill set to protect myself and my children, that we would not be victims. I walked with a sense of purpose, head up and back straight, making eye contact, situationally aware. It felt amazing.

One night I received a phone call from a friend's daughter. She was 19, had just started college and was home for the weekend. She was sobbing, telling me she had been raped by a boy she was dating. Two things were immediately clear. First, because I was a physician, she was able to talk to me and ask questions about her body and what she should do, knowing I could help her and wouldn't judge or be offended. Second, I had focused solely on my own empowerment and missed the opportunity to lift the women around me. I could share my knowledge and work to empower and prevent.

Since that night, I have continued my training adding Smart Safe, a program specifically designed for the unique threats women face. I work to share empowerment with every woman in my sphere. I was recently able to teach at a young women's camp planting the seed of empowerment with 200 young women age 12+ & 100 adult leaders, helping these precious young women realize they do not have to be victims. I am actively working to provide more empowerment opportunities here in Las Vegas and anywhere I can.

You can connect with Cassandra by email: cassandrajoffs@gmail.com