Silence Hurts. Speaking Heals.
www.posiv.cz ǀ 35
THE ŽENY
Where do you find inspiration
and strength for your work—and are you
able to find space for yourself, for calm
and rest, amidst it all?
When someone writes to tell me that,
thanks to my course or book, they found
the courage to stand up for themselves
or to leave a bad job, I know immediately
that my work matters—and it gives me a real
boost. But I also had to learn how to rest.
I used to run at full throttle and came
close to burning out. Now I know that
helps no one, so I sometimes switch off
my phone, head into the woods, or just lie
down with a book. Rest is a weapon, too—
it’s what recharges my batteries.
What are you most looking forward
to now? Another book, a project,
or something completely new?
My second book has just been published,
and both sales and the response to it
have been excellent. I already have
ideas for another book, so there’s
definitely something to look forward
to. In September, I secured a significant
investment for my company, Moderní
sebeobrana (Modern Self-Defence) from
the entrepreneur and investor Matěj Turek.
If you thought we were going flat out
before, just wait to see what comes next.
Thank you for the interview.
Self-defence starts with words
and with stance, not with
a punch.
Jasmína Houdek is the founder and instructor
of Moderní sebeobrana. Together with her husband she
has built a programme that teaches women and men
to set boundaries and prevent violence. At the age
of fourteen she was the target of sexual violence. She
transformed that trauma into a determinaon to help
others. She is the co-author of the bestseller Moderní
sebeobrana and of the book To byl jen vp. For her
work she received the highest Senate honour.