Pulido said she has experienced firsthand students who , after learning martial arts and building their self-esteem , aren ’ t bullied anymore or whose grades start improving .
“ I know it works because I ’ ve had a lot of success with teens ,” Pulido said .
She encourages her students not to give up when the going gets tough – a practice she embraces in her own life .
In the male-dominated world of martial arts , Pulido said she has always had to overcome people telling her she couldn ’ t do “ it ” – whether that be opening her own gym , training a student for competition or earning world championship titles in martial arts .
Pulido is schooled in Tae Kwan Do , Muay Thai , and Filipino martial arts . In 2006 , she spent six weeks in the Philippines studying with martial arts masters learning how to spar with 20-inch rattan sticks that become an extension of the competitor ’ s arms and legs .
Pulido holds 11 world championship titles and in July will bring her American team “ Chicks with Sticks ” to Mexico to compete in single stick , double stick and single stick team competitions . Two years ago , 27 countries were represented in the international competition .
In the future , Pulido said she hopes to expand her gym and give , children and adults even more opportunities and access to martial arts and other fitness regimes . She hopes to one day open a bigger gym with a full-size boxing ring , rock-climbing wall , rope climbing , and an obstacle course where youths could enjoy fitness and nutrition camps as well as birthday parties .
Most of all , Pulido said she wants to continue to achieve not just for herself but to continue to help her students become martial arts instructors as well .
Kids Discover Arts
More than 400 children attended “ Kids Discover Arts , “ a free , hands-on arts event , held March 27th at Wheeler Community Center .
The event , sponsored by the city and a host of local businesses and service groups , is in its 21st year . Children ages 5 to 11 visited booths staffed by 25 artists and 75 volunteers . “ We couldn ’ t do this without our artists ’ support and the business community ,” said Cathy Mirelez , Gilroy Recreation Supervisor . Each year , the city of Gilroy provides in-kind services for the event , including the facility , coordination , staffing and artisan volunteers .
Event sponsors include the City of Gilroy Community Services Department , the Gilroy Rotary Club , the Dennis Daniels Company and Exchange Club of Gilroy . Additional support comes from : Black Bear Diner West , Inc .; Dr . Martin M . & Rhoda J . Bress ; Christopher Ranch ; Excel Auto Body & Paint ; Richard Gallagher , D . D . S .; Gilroy J . A . C . L .; Gilroy Senior Craft Store ; Gilroy Veterinary Hospital ; Goldsmith / Syngenta Flowers ; Habing Family Funeral Home ; Laureate Kappa Zeta ; Michael E . McKeever , D . D . S .; Gary Nishimura , D . D . S .; Recology South Valley ; Gilroy South County Sunrise Rotary Club ; Theater Angels Art League / Gilroy Arts Alliance ; Michael & Katherine Tsujimoto ; Bas W . Wafelbakker , D . M . D .
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