MELISSA SOALT AKA DR. RUTHLESS®
Melissa Soalt aka Dr. Ruthless® is a veteran women's self defense
trainer, former psychotherapist, and Black Belt Hall of Famer — named
Woman of the Year, 2002. Trainer, writer,
and video co-producer, since 1986 she has
taught thousands of women how to protect
themselves from danger and summon their primal instincts to fight
back and survive. Melissa also fended off her own attacks: while on
her maiden voyage into the world she was assaulted numerous times.
A decade later, after years of training in Aikido, she foiled a would-be
attack in a terrifying encounter with a stalker / rapist.
The founder and former owner of Model
Mugging of Boston, Inc., in 1987, Melissa
brought Model Mugging's scenario-based,
adrenaline-state training method (which
employs the use of fully armored mock
attackers) to the East Coast. Under her
dynamic and professional leadership it
emerged as one of the most successful
self defense schools nationwide with
specialized trainings for women, teens
and men. Melissa's on-site seminars have
been conducted at such notable institutions
as Harvard, Polaroid, Hewlett Packard,
Reebok, UPS, Procter and Gamble and the
Miami Herald. Her no-nonsense methods
draw from full-force and “applied
self defense” systems, close quarters
combat and a host of dirty tricks.
Melissa's media credits include: THE
VIEW, NBC Nightly News, Access Hollywood, "To
Tell The Truth", TNN, National Public
Radio and city wide newscasts. She has
been cited and featured in over two dozen
publications, including SELF, Woman's
Day, The Wall Street Journal, CosmoGirl,
Black Belt, BUST, Germany's Stern Magazine
and Newsweek Japan. A popular guest on
radio shows, Melissa has also co-hosted
FROM FEAR TO POWER- a weekly radio show
dedicated to personal safety and self
defense which aired in two media markets.
A former columnist for Self Defense
for Women Magazine, and currently a consultant
for CosmoGIRL! Magazine, Melissa has
written numerous articles and penned
a popular "personal safety" newspaper
column. Her essay Fierce Love was published
in Warriors: On Living with Courage,
Discipline and Honor (Paladin Press,
2004) where she was one of the only females
asked to contribute. Currently at work
on a book, Melissa's Fierce and Female
videos have been hailed by law enforcement,
seasoned fighters, and feminists alike.
A compelling voice in women's self defense– and
why women must reclaim the Warrior Spirit
and capacity for dangerousness as their
own– she is available to write,
consult and speak on matters pertaining
to women's safety and self defense. A
dynamic presenter she also "gives
great TV!"
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