A WORLD OF RESILIENCE

My martial arts journey began at the age of 9, training in Boston under the guidance of Grand Master Pina. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful that it was him—a Cape Verdean, just like me—who introduced me to this beautiful world. GM Pina was a well-respected figure in our community and even coached the Cape Verdean Olympic team. His influence on me was profound, and I never missed a class. No matter what, I always found a way to be there, hungry to learn.

After years of dedicated training, life took me in a different direction, and I took a long break from martial arts. When I moved to Georgia in my 20s, the pull to return to training became undeniable. It was then that I found another exceptional teacher, Grand Master Kim. GM Kim, who I always describe as the last of the Mohicans, had trained in South Korea, his homeland, where martial arts was deeply ingrained in his life. I trained under GM Kim until his retirement, and his teachings left a lasting mark on my journey.

After his retirement, I tried various gyms, searching for that same connection and intensity. Eventually, I found Coach Manu, my current Muay Thai instructor. Hailing from Cameroon, with experience competing in Thailand, Coach Manu’s dedication and spirit remind me so much of GM Kim, making the transition seamless. Through these incredible teachers—each from different corners of the world—I’ve learned that martial arts is more than just physical training. It’s about discipline, growth, and the connections we forge along the way.