Who We Are
Lauren Bailey (left) and Lindsey Falcon are longtime martial arts training partners and the cofounders of Thrive Empowerment Center.
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.
“Consent is a completely mindful, willing, and uncoerced choice to say yes and the ability to revoke that yes at any time without fear of repercussions. Accept nothing less.”
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. She holds an MSW and is a CSW in the state of Kentucky, focusing on trauma recovery for adults and children. 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. 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.
Our Team
Maria Mangione (she/her) * Muay Thai Instructor
Maria is a licensed clinical mental health professional specializing in DBT and EMDR. She holds a black sash in Muay Thai and a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, training under Jeff Robison of Club MMA. She is also a ninja with a Cricut machine.
Emily Schubert (she/her) * Therapist, Writing Group Facilitator, Assistant ESD Instructor
Emily is a licensed clinical social worker in both Kentucky and Ohio, who specializes in counseling people struggling with anxiety, relationships, mood disorders, personality disorders, and trauma. She also has a degree in creative writing, which she uses to create thought-provoking prompts for our Thursday-night therapeutic writing circle.
Meghan D. Klein (she/her) * Assistant BJJ & ESD Instructor, Race Director
Meghan (known on our mats as Rage) spent 10 years as a stage manager wrangling actors, designers, crowds, and everything in between and then moved on to managing lawyers as a paralegal for the last 15 years. Meghan has trained nogi with Thrive’s Storm BJJ team for two years and also trains in the gi at Club MMA. She brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to her coaching, as well as to special events like our annual Thrive 5K, which celebrates community and raises awareness for domestic violence survivors.
Rebecca Dixon (she/her) * Assistant BJJ Instructor,
Nutrition & Wellness Coach
Becca 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. Becca 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). In addition to coaching the Storm BJJ Team, she leads our Nourish to Flourish wellness group.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Trish Riley (she/her) * Nia Instructor
I discovered the Nia Technique at a really low point in my life—physically, emotionally, and mentally. I had a cathartic cry in my first Nia class; sometimes healing occurs not through traditional therapy but through movement and music that profoundly knocks something loose. I was a student of Nia for about a year, then took the white belt teacher training, with no intent to teach, but for my own personal development. Shortly after that, my Nia teacher needed to step away from the practice, and the other students in the class encouraged me to teach . . . so perfect for me! I would never have had the courage to take that step on my own. With their continued support and encouragement, I grew as a teacher. I am now a certified black belt Nia instructor, and I have been teaching for over 20 years. I teach regular Nia classes, as well as classes for special populations (individuals with developmental disabilities and cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers). Movement and music are magical in their ability to help heal us, body, mind and spirit!
Afton Palmer (she/her) * Yoga Instructor
Afton Gabrielle Palmer is a highly accomplished practitioner in wellness and personal development. As the Owner and Founder of The Reflective Lotus, she transforms lives through creative wellness coaching and trauma-informed yoga instruction. Afton is a Registered Yoga Instructor through the Yoga Alliance and a Certified Holistic Coach through the International Coaching Federation, blending mental, emotional, and physical well-being in her practice.
Afton holds a Master’s Degree in Health and Wellness Management and a Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Cincinnati, where she also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Mindfulness. Additionally, she is a co-author of Radiant Living, where she shares her wisdom on living vibrantly. Her deep commitment to helping others achieve holistic well-being makes her a transformative force in the wellness industry.
Shari Olson (she/her) * Assistant ESD Instructor, Community Outreach Director
Shari has a deep-rooted resilience that drives her unwavering commitment to supporting the healing journey of women and teens who have faced trauma. Her passion for empowering individuals to overcome their struggles is at the core of everything she does. She draws upon her diverse professional background that includes domestic violence advocacy and at-risk youth mentorship to make a meaningful impact on those in need. Through her experiences and expertise, she strives to create safe spaces where individuals can heal, grow, and thrive, fostering a sense of hope and empowerment in the face of adversity.
“Though she be but little, she is fierce.” —Shakespeare
Steve Nixon (he/him) * Nourish to Flourish Group Facilitator
Steve is a lover of all things Cincinnati. With our Saturday morning group Nourish to Flourish, Steve strives to create a supportive and empowering space where everyone can explore health and wellness beyond the confines of weight and diet culture. Steve's focus is to shift away from external influences and instead toward a deeper connection with your mind, body and overall well-being. Steve lives on the west side of Cincinnati with his lovely wife, Carol, and their cat, Grace.
Zariah Swartz (she/her) and Jessica Knochelmann (she/her) * Instructors
Noraa Hill (she/her) * Assistant ESD Instructor
Mandy Mazor (she/her) * Assistant BJJ Instructor
Mandy (known on the mats as Mazor’s Edge) has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2021. She found her love for the sport while watching her kids train. She met Lauren and Lindsey at Club MMA and started to also train no-gi BJJ at Thrive Empowerment Center in 2022. Mandy found herself again on the mat and loves to help others do the same. Off the mat, she enjoys spending time with her two sons, baking, watching anime, reading, and playing video games.
Cherie Dawn Haas (she/her) * Thai Yoga Massage
Cherie Dawn Haas has practiced yoga since around 1994, but her spiritual yoga journey began in 2018. To deepen her understanding of this incredible healing modality, she began official training and became a Certified Yoga Teacher through East Cincy Yoga in 2021. She later earned certification in Thai Yoga Massage and Elemental Yoga Therapy through the Cincinnati Yoga School in 2023, with continuing studies.
She says, “My goal in life is to be ‘a lamp, a bridge, or healing medicine,’ by sharing my knowledge, experience, and wisdom with those who are also seeking to live better with themselves and others.”
In addition to studying and teaching yoga, Cherie Dawn is the author of two novels, two collections of poetry and short stories, and a co-author of the Meditation to Creation series (available through Kindle). She teaches a variety of yoga classes and workshops and leads retreats throughout Greater Cincinnati. You can find her online at CherieDawn.com, where she writes about yoga, creativity, and more.
Listen to Our Story
ESD Global, one of the organizations that trains and mentors Thrive's instructors, created this video featuring Thrive co-founder Lauren Bailey. In it, she talks abo...