Thrive Empowerment Center supports the safety and resilience of all people—especially women, children, and marginalized groups—and believes that significant strength and healing can be achieved when given the knowledge, tools, and space to do so. We work for a safer world free from violence, oppression, and fear.

Co-Founders

Lindsey Falcon (she/her)

Lindsey is a multiple martial artist with a black belt in taekwondo from the World Taekwondo Federation and a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She is also a rabid hockey fan. She is a passionate advocate of sex positivity and de-stigmatizing sex education and is a sex coach, certified by the American Board of Sexology. Assertive communication is her superpower. She’s also hilarious.

“For too long, women have been told to stay in the be-nice-act-like-a-lady box. No one told us to use our power.”

Lauren Bailey (she/her)

Lauren spent two decades in the commercial book publishing industry before realizing her passion for women’s empowerment was actually her vocation. As a martial artist, she has earned a black belt in Combat Hapkido through the International Combat Hapkido Federation, is a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and holds rank in Filipino kali. She is studying for her master’s in social work with a concentration in trauma-informed care at Northern Kentucky University. Lindsey constantly teases her for eating protein bars, but they do solve a lot of problems.

“I believe everyone has the right to move through life with confidence rather than fear, and I’m passionate about sharing the knowledge I’ve been given to help them do so.”

Together …

Their Empowerment Self-Defense teaching has been certified by the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation, Empowerment Self-Defense Global, and ASSERT Empowerment & Self-Defense. They are approved safety trainers for the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program (OCWTP) and the Ohio Human Services Training System (OHSTS). At Thrive, they are the lead ESD instructors and head Storm coaches.

Coaching Staff

Rebecca Dixon (she/her) * Assistant Instructor

Rebecca is a lover of books, baking, and relaxing with her 4 dogs. As a martial artist, she earned her black belt in Taekwondo at a young age and refound her love for combat sports as an adult through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when she began training at Club MMA with Lauren and Lindsey. Rebecca has been working as a Nutrition Educator and Health Coach for the past 5 years and is board certified through the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC).

Therapeutic Practitioners

Erin DeSantis * Yoga, Meditation, Reiki

I began my journey on the mat 7 years ago; after my first class I knew yoga was a practice I would hold dear for the rest of my life. Having felt such a healing quality through yoga, I became a yoga teacher to pass on that peace to others. Always teaching with an open mind and heart, my classes center on the breath, finding ease within and appreciating where you’re at in the present moment.

I am a 500-hour registered trauma conscious yoga instructor, a reiki master teacher trainer, and a meditation guide. My dharma is serving those in recovery and people with post-traumatic stress disorder. I use pranayama and other wellness practices everyday with the people I serve as a librarian. Currently I am working on an iRest Meditation certification.

Through yoga a person has every opportunity to come home to themselves, to truly arrive within. As a yoga teacher, it’s my greatest accomplishment to help others on their journey, making it all the more possible to realize the power of yoga and the fact that we have everything already inside that we could ever possibly need. One of my main desires for my students is to “Be free and freely breathe”—on and off the mat.