Today we’d like to introduce you to Sebastian Mejias.
Hi Sebastian, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a Chilean immigrant who came to the United States in 1999, when I was 17 years old. Two years earlier, my father had passed away, and my mom made the brave decision to bring me and my two younger brothers here to start over. America welcomed us with open arms — the community, the church, and this beautiful country gave us a new beginning.
At that time, I was searching for discipline, focus, strength, and positive role models. That search led me to a small dojo near our home in Plano, Texas. I walked in and started training Taekwondo. That was the beginning of my lifelong martial arts journey. From there, I discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and eventually the internal arts like Tai Chi, Bagua, and Qigong.
Along the way, I was blessed with incredible mentors. Freddie Poole, a world-class kickboxing champion and stunt coordinator for Sylvester Stallone, became a teacher, friend, and role model. Carlos Machado, a true Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend and one of the pioneers who brought Jiu-Jitsu to Texas, became my master, and I’m honored to still be his student after 18 years. Later, I met Sifu Jia, a master of the Chinese internal arts, who opened my eyes to Tai Chi, Qigong, and traditional weaponry. These men became father figures and part of the circle that shaped me.
With their guidance, I literally kicked and punched my way through the American dream. I worked, I trained, I learned martial arts, but also business and leadership. Eventually, I was able to open my own school — Samurai Inti Martial Arts in Frisco. It wasn’t easy. When my family sold our last asset back in Chile, our home, those resources helped us build the dojo. So this school carries my family’s story, our sacrifices, and our hopes. Today, it has become a luminous space filled with energy, joy, and accomplishment — not a franchise, but a true community home where people transform.
Years later, my journey expanded beyond the dojo. Through my brother Tapu, I was introduced to the NokeKoi people of the Amazon rainforest. We went to visit them, bringing small donations from a fundraiser we did at the dojo. What I experienced there was like stepping into the world of *Avatar*: breathtaking nature, deep wisdom, and at the same time, heartbreaking poverty. They shared their sacred traditions, their songs, their prayers, and their hearts with us. I felt a calling — God’s voice telling me this connection was no accident.
Out of that moment, the Kana Samurai Foundation was born. For over a decade, we have worked alongside the NokeKoi and other Indigenous communities, building clean water wells,building cultural centers, supporting food security, and helping to preserve their wisdom and culture.
Looking back, I see a red thread through my whole life — from losing my father, to finding mentors in martial arts, to building a family dojo, to standing beside Indigenous leaders in the Amazon. My story is about resilience, community, and listening to the call of the heart.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No — absolutely not. Not even close.
My journey has been filled with obstacles, but each one shaped me. Losing my father at 15 and moving to the United States as a teenager with very little was a huge challenge. We didn’t know the language, had limited resources, and my mom carried the weight of raising three boys on her own. From her I learned resilience, perseverance, and the spirit of hard work. She never complained — she just did what needed to be done.
Martial arts became my anchor. In Jiu-Jitsu, you learn to breathe under pressure and stay calm when someone is on top of you — that lesson carried me through life. In the beginning, it was tough. You have to leave your ego at the door, get humbled, get knocked down, and still come back. That process shaped my character and taught me humility, focus, and inner confidence.
Starting my school in 2011 was a dream realized, but it came with its own battles. I had to learn not only to be a martial artist but also a businessman — setting goals, building a vision, and leading a community. In 2016, we changed the name to *Samurai Inti Martial Arts* to reflect our deeper mission: creating luminous warriors who are strong, disciplined, and guided by the light of respect, joy, and service.
One of the hardest moments came in 2020 with COVID. We had just expanded our dojo when the shutdowns hit. Overnight, we couldn’t gather, couldn’t train together — and many schools went under. But martial arts teaches you to adapt. With the guidance of mentors, we shifted online and transitioned more than 150 students to virtual classes. Those were dark times for many families, and we made it our mission to speak nothing but light, positivity, and encouragement into the lives of our students. That spirit carried us through, and the City of Frisco even recognized us with an award for service during COVID.
Through every challenge, from immigration to business setbacks to global crises, I’ve learned the same truth: obstacles are here to forge your character. Like my teachers have always told me — harmonize with life, breathe under pressure, and stay luminous like the spirit of the jungle. That’s “The way of the heart” .
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Samurai Inti Martial Arts, what we’ve created is something unique — a philosophy we call *The Way of the Heart*. It combines the highest level of martial arts training with wisdom drawn from both Japanese traditions and Native American teachings. Our goal has always been to use martial arts not only for combat or physical training, but as a tool to teach people the lessons they need to live fuller, stronger, more meaningful lives.
Most families who come to us are looking for strength and confidence. Parents want their children to be self-motivated, disciplined, and courageous. Martial arts is different from other sports — it’s not about a ball or a game. It’s a journey of self-discovery. From the very beginning, we teach our students to focus, to breathe, and to be present. Through breathing, movement, stretching, Qigong, even games, students learn to connect with their bodies and their energy.
As they advance, they learn self-defense not only physically — kicks, punches, grappling — but also mentally and emotionally. We talk about protecting your spirit, controlling your emotions, and learning to speak up with confidence. Our training empowers students to become stronger, more centered, and more confident, while also nurturing compassion, respect, and self-awareness.
What sets us apart is our belt system, which is trademarked and rooted in virtues represented by animals: courage from the lion, wisdom from the turtle, vision from the eagle, strength from the horse. Each rank teaches a deeper lesson about character, spirit, and living with integrity. Students don’t just earn belts for technique — they grow in values that shape who they are outside the dojo.
I’m most proud of the community we’ve built. Our dojo is a luminous place where families train hard, children grow in confidence, and people find balance. It’s not just a martial arts school — it’s a place of joy, discipline, and inspiration, where we aim to be a blessing to everyone who walks through our doors.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned on this journey is to trust myself and to trust the path. Dreams can be made real if you have the courage to walk them — even when doubts, questions, and obstacles stand in the way. Perseverance and an indomitable spirit make the impossible possible.
I feel incredibly blessed — with my wife, my children, my dojo, my friends, and the mission I’ve been given to help the NokeKoi people in the Amazon. All of this reminds me to stay humble and grateful. Martial arts taught me to listen to my heart, to breathe deeply, and to quiet the noise of the mind so I can choose the luminous path.
One of the greatest truths I’ve discovered is that most of the things holding us back can be changed with a decision. By shifting our mindset, revising our beliefs, and choosing a new agreement with life, we transform our reality. But that requires presence — taking time to breathe, to reflect, and to live with awareness. That’s the warrior’s way.
Confia en ti, confia en la vida…
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.samurai-inti.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimesebastianmejias/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Samurai.inti
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SamuraiIntiMartialArts
- Other: https://www.kanasamurai.org
