“Education can transform self‑esteem into self‑success, while also cultivating core values.”
SPEAKER, AUTHOR & Martial artist
“If asked to describe Marie P. Anderson's public speaking ability in one word: DYNAMIC! A recognized expert and leader in the world of fashion, Marie offers some of the strongest interpersonal communication skills I've ever seen! I enjoy watching her build a solid rapport with her audience, while bringing a level of quality and relevant information with great clarity. Always courteous, polite, respectful, and concise with her message … CLASS ACT!”
Sensei Marie has two happy places: teaching women self-defense, and equipping models to lead safe, healthy, and successful careers. Marie found a safe space at Chicago Fitness Center in 1995. Recovering from the trauma of her own experiences with violence, she discovered the women’s self-defense program in their Shidokan dojo, along with a community committed to women’s empowerment. There, she found the support she needed to change her psyche from victim to warrior.
Marie’s athleticism and martial artisanship has not come without grit. She’s never been called a natural; rather, she is acclaimed for her heart and fighter’s spirit. Undeterred by the challenges and struggles in her fitness journey, she learned to trust that each day and each class would result in incremental improvement. This perseverance led her to Tokorozawa, Japan, where she earned her Shidokan Karate Shodan (first-degree black belt) in 2003 and her Nidan (second-degree black belt) in Chicago, Illinois, in 2021.
When she’s not taking classes or teaching women’s self-defense, Marie is either managing a small group of fashion models or participating in global activism through public speaking and writing to create safer work environments for models—both through her company, Boss Babe Models. By combining martial arts and her extensive model industry expertise, she has the best of both worlds.
Marie is the author of three internationally sold-out books, printed and audio CD:
MODEL, The Complete Guide To Becoming A Professional Model
MODEL, The Complete Guide For Men and Women
The Wizard of Editorial, How To Really Become A Successful Model
