Autumn Ryan Talks Personal Safety on Today in Nashville WSMV4

When Autumn Ryan appeared on Today in Nashville on WSMV4, the conversation wasn’t framed around fear tactics or sensational headlines. It was about reality—and what it looks like to take personal safety seriously in everyday life.

Autumn, the founder and CEO of SoRite, shared the moment that set everything in motion: two separate incidents where she was nearly abducted. One happened while hiking. The other while running. Experiences like that don’t just rattle you—they fundamentally change how you move through the world.

That’s where SoRite was born.

During the segment, Autumn explained that she didn’t set out to create something flashy or decorative. She wanted protection that actually works when you need it. The result is a military-grade pepper gel designed to adhere to the face without aerosolizing, which reduces the risk of blowback—a major concern for many people carrying traditional sprays.

Just as important as performance is usability. The products are intentionally compact—small enough to sit comfortably in your palm or clip onto a keychain. As Autumn put it, women don’t need bedazzled safety tools. They need tools that work.

The conversation also moved into what happens after defensive spray is deployed—something rarely talked about. Pepper spray is supposed to burn. The problem is that many aftercare options leave people incapacitated for 20 to 30 minutes. Autumn discussed SoRite’s patented Defense Cleanse, designed to drastically shorten recovery time so users can get out of a threat and back to safety faster. In direct exposure scenarios, relief can come in minutes. In cases of blowback, even faster.

What stood out most during Today in Nashville was how broadly applicable this discussion was. College students. Realtors hosting open houses alone. Runners, joggers, hikers. Anyone navigating daily life where vulnerability can show up without warning.

And for Nashville viewers, there was another key takeaway—SoRite is a local company. Built here. Led here. Rooted in the belief that preparedness doesn’t have to feel intimidating, and safety doesn’t have to be bulky or impractical to be effective.

You can watch Autumn Ryan’s full segment on Today in Nashville below.

SoRite's defensive sprays, Defense Cleanse products, and the Fire & Ice pack are available directly through our website.

This wasn’t just a product feature. It was a reminder that innovation often comes from lived experience—and from refusing to accept “that’s just how it is” as an answer.