Building a Thriving Jiu-Jitsu School from the Ground Up | The NEO Martial Arts Story
In this episode of Gymdesk Originals, we visit NEO Martial Arts in Brampton, Ontario, co-founded by Patrick Teruel and Coach Solana Be, to explore how their unique approach to jiu-jitsu, leadership, and empowerment is shaping the next generation of martial artists.
Starring
Coach P has spent the last two decades living and breathing Jiu-Jitsu. He’s a 2x Masters World Champion (2018, 2023), a medalist at IBJJF Pans and Europeans, and a multiple-time Open champion — but his proudest role is developing athletes from white belt to world-class.
At NEO, Solana has played a pivotal role in developing the women’s program, creating an inclusive and supportive space for female students and jiu-jitsu moms. She’s passionate about building community and empowering women.
About Fit & Fight Gym
NEO Martial Arts Jiu Jitsu in Brampton, Canada is a vibrant, community-driven academy dedicated to building confident leaders and passionate martial artists from the ground up. Founded on the principles of discipline, teamwork, and continual growth, NEO offers a range of programs for all ages—including youth classes, women’s-only Jiu Jitsu, and competitive training—taught by experienced coaches and supported by an engaged staff.
What sets NEO apart is its welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere, focus on leadership development, and a teaching philosophy that blends technical skills with mindset-building and entrepreneurial values. Whether you're seeking personal development, a supportive community, or high-level training, NEO is a place where both kids and adults can thrive, grow, and genuinely enjoy learning Jiu Jitsu.
📍12 Fisherman Dr #3, Brampton, ON L7A 1B6, Canada
📞 +1 647-915-8228
Summary
In this episode, Gymdesk CEO Alex Cuevas visits NEO Martial Arts in Brampton, Canada, accompanied by his son. The team is warmly welcomed by Solana and Patrick , who give an in-depth tour of the thriving jiu-jitsu school, showcasing its bustling classes, unique culture, and the strong sense of community built from humble beginnings in Patrick ’s basement.
In this episode, you'll learn how NEO Martial Arts builds discipline, leadership, and empowerment in its students, especially among youth and women. Patrick and Solana reveal how their approach differs from traditional schools by encouraging authentic leadership at every age level, championing female empowerment on the mats, and structuring programs that foster both competition and personal growth. Their philosophy is rooted in the idea of treating the academy as an extension of their home, leading by example, and instilling values that help students become better martial artists and humans.
This episode also highlights how NEO Martial Arts uses Gymdesk to streamline operations and support their growth. Solana and Patrick describe the transition from manual, time-consuming processes to a scalable, user-friendly platform that helps them manage memberships, class check-ins, announcements, belt rankings, lead generation, and administrative workflow. Gymdesk enables the team to focus more on the quality of instruction and community building, while supporting their ambitious vision for expansion and leadership development.
