Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Rangel-Ribeiro.
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?
After graduating from Hunter College- City University of New York, I worked for Philip Morris/ Altria/Philip Morris International from 1986 to 2016 primarily as an International Logistics Manager. After relocating to Richmond, Virginia I also started assisting and teaching Martial Arts Classes at Gentle East Martial Arts, a local Taekwondo school on a volunteer basis, In 2014 a young man with Friedrich’s Ataxia a genetic disease that causes difficulty walking, loss of sensation in arms and legs, and impacts the cardiovascular system. He indicated that he wanted to learn martial arts, but was frustrated as every other school he had approached was unwilling to train him because of his disability. I told him I would work with him for a few weeks to see if we could teach to fall properly so he wouldn’t injure himself and that I’d start modifying curriculum to tailor it to what his physical abilities allowed him to do. It was a chance meeting that changed my life forever and in many ways revealed my purpose in life, which to provide people of all abilities the opportunity to participate in martial arts classes. My philosophy is we have preconcieved notions of what people can or can’t do. We tend to judge without taking the time to understand. Too often we assume a physically disabled or neurodiverse individual is not going to be able to do this. The reality is, they are not all that different from you or me. If they want to succeed they will, If they want to excel, they will. They just have to go about it differently, and we have to figure out how to help them achieve their goals. In 2017 I partnered with another student and we became the owners of Gentle East Martial Arts.
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?
Well the biggest challenge was transitioning from a corporate career to becoming a small business owner. I was no longer able to run to HR for advice, or run ideas up the management chain. Having said that the diverse positions I held at Philip Morris and the training I received prepared me for my new role.
We also took over a family business that had been in the area for 30 years, and out of respect to our Grand Masters we had to implement business and curriculum changes slowly.
We also wanted to operate differently from other schools in the industry, we changed from yearly contracts to month to month agreements. We eliminated testing fees for lower belt levels, we didn’t offer upgrade programs as we wanted every student to receive the same quality training, number of weekly training classes, and opportunity to become the best Black Belt, without having to pay for a program upgrade.
We also added new class options for 3-4-year-olds as well as classes for Neuro-Diverse students.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Resilient Martial Arts?
We do not train for trophies alone.
We train for life.
We believe strength is earned — not gifted.
Confidence is built — not given.
Respect is practiced — not demanded.
On these mats, pressure is a teacher.
Failure is feedback.
Discomfort is growth.
We reject shortcuts.
We reject excuses.
We reject the idea that talent matters more than discipline.
Resilience is not just our name — it is our standard.
We train bodies to move with precision.
We train minds to stay calm in chaos.
We train character to stand firm when life hits hard.
We believe:
A child who learns discipline becomes an adult with direction.
An adult who faces fear becomes a leader in their family and community.
A student who learns control becomes powerful in the right way.
Every drill builds focus.
Every round builds composure.
Every setback builds strength.
We are not building fighters.
We are building people who can fight through adversity.
Because life will test you.
And when it does —
Resilience wins.
I am most proud that our members have become a community that helps each other and feel like family.
We have a Mommy/Daddy and Me Class for 2-year-olds
We have Classes for 3-4 year-olds that uses martial arts techniques in game based activities to help students build focus, discipline and confidence.
We have a Woman’s Only Class that takes place 2 times a week that is led by one of our Women Masters
We offer classes for students ages 2 to 70+
We offer classes for Neuro Diverse students
In 2020 we were recognized by the Autism Society of Richmond as their Mission Exemplifier.
In 2024 USA Taekwondo recognized us with as their Club of Excellence Award for Diversity and Inclusion:
Resilient Martial Arts works with the neuro-diverse community and has established powerful partnerships. We joined hands with the Autism Society of Central Virginia, providing them with spring break and summer camp sessions for their members. They collaborated with soar365, a non-profit that provides opportunities for people with disabilities, and The Faison School, a private school for Autistic Students. During the pandemic, they provided virtual sessions to the public schools and Autism Society members. In 2021, Resilient Martial Arts became a Brand Ambassador for SKILLZ Worldwide and incorporates components of Spectrum SKILLZ program with martial arts activities to help neuro-diverse students develop their Awareness, Communication, Determination, Listening, Detailing, Durability, Observing, and Retention skills in classes in our academy and external programs. As a result, schools in New Jersey, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Kentucky now provide programs to neuro-diverse students.
In 2021, they rebranded their business from Gentle East Martial Arts to Resilient Martial Arts, as it more clearly reflected their mission to create opportunities for students to overcome challenges and thrive. In 2022 and 2023, they increased their neuro-diverse class offerings to include private lessons for low-functioning students and a unique family Spectrum class where parents and children work together and earn their black belts.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
The first risk was becoming a business owner with no guaranteed income or of success. I believe that risk is inherent in every aspect of our lives. Getting out of bed has risk, taking a shower has risk, driving car, crossing a street, getting on a plane, taking a job, getting married, getting divorced, having kids, they all come with risk, I choose not let risk control how I feel or what I do for the most part. Where does this approach originate? It starts with my parents who arrived from India in the 50’s with no jobs and a 3 year-old daughter, they had visions of what they would do for a living but the plan constantly changed so they adapted and ultimately had successful lives. The other part is the discipline that Martial Arts training develops in it students that any obstacle you face can be overcome and you have the ability to figure out the solution.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.resilientmartialarts.com
- Instagram: @resilient_martialarts
- Facebook: ResilientMA
- Youtube: @resilientmartialarts7081
- Other: comekickstuff@gmail.com
