Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Gaete.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
We are the owners of Gracie Barra Lindale, a family-owned and operated martial arts school built on our passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, personal growth, and serving our community. Although our individual journeys in martial arts began in Brazil around 2008 and 2009, our family’s Jiu-Jitsu journey truly started in Texas in 2020. What began as a way to learn self-defense, stay active, and spend quality time together quickly became a life-changing experience for our entire family.
As the years went by, we realized that Jiu-Jitsu had become much more than a sport for us. It became a lifestyle, a source of confidence, discipline, and connection. The positive impact it had on our family inspired us to take a leap of faith and open our own Gracie Barra school. This August, we will celebrate our third anniversary, and we are incredibly grateful for the growth and support we have experienced from the Lindale community.
Today, our children’s and adults’ Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu programs are the heart of our school and among the areas we are most passionate about. Watching our students develop confidence, resilience, respect, and leadership skills is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. We also offer self-defense seminars, anti-bullying programs for children, and fitness classes designed specifically for women, allowing us to serve people of all ages and backgrounds.
As we look toward the future, our goal is to continue growing not only as a school but as a positive force in our community. We are excited to expand our competition training programs for both children and adults while continuing to provide a welcoming environment where individuals and families can learn, grow, and challenge themselves. At the end of the day, our mission is simple: to help people become stronger, more confident versions of themselves through the values and lessons of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not been a smooth road, but every challenge has helped shape who we are today. Like many small business owners, we faced obstacles from the very beginning. Finding the right location, renovating the building, and preparing the school for opening required a tremendous amount of time, effort, and investment. Being located in a small town also presented a unique challenge, as many people were not familiar with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We had to spend time educating the community about what Jiu-Jitsu is and, more importantly, how it can positively impact people’s lives both on and off the mats.
We also experienced the financial challenges that come with building a business from the ground up. There were moments that required faith, perseverance, and a willingness to keep moving forward even when the outcome was uncertain. Looking back, those challenges taught us valuable lessons and strengthened our commitment to our mission.
Today, we are incredibly grateful for everything God has done in our lives, our school, and our community. One of the things that makes us most proud is seeing entire families train together. Many families started by enrolling their children, then brought siblings, and eventually the parents joined as well. Over time, our school has become much more than a martial arts school, it has become a second home for many people and a place where lasting friendships and strong family bonds are built.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Gracie Barra Lindale, we specialize in helping people of all ages build confidence, discipline, and resilience through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. While we teach martial arts, our focus goes far beyond techniques, we use Jiu-Jitsu as a tool to help students grow both physically and mentally.
What we are most proud of is the community we have built. Over the years, we have seen many families join our school together. Often a child starts training first, then siblings join, and eventually the parents step onto the mats as well. Seeing families grow stronger together has been one of the most rewarding parts of our journey.
What sets us apart is our family-centered approach. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and challenged to become the best version of themselves.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Any success we have achieved is the result of the incredible people who have supported us along the way. We are grateful to every instructor, coach, assistant, staff member, and volunteer who has contributed to our school, whether on the mats, at the front desk, or behind the scenes. We are also thankful for the parents who trust us with their children and for the students and families who make our school such a special place.
Most importantly, we thank God for His guidance and blessings throughout this journey. We are honored to be part of a community that has embraced us and helped turn Gracie Barra Lindale into more than a martial arts school, it has become a family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gblindale.com
- Instagram: @gblindale
- Facebook: @gblindale
