Sebastian Mejias said he had a discipline issue when his family moved to the United States in 1999. His father had just died, his family emigrated from Chile and he knew no one in this country.

What helped Mejias during this transition was martial arts.

“There was a martial arts school close to the home in Plano where we came to,” he said. “I started training there and making friends. Ever since then, I never stopped. It became a journey that I felt very passionate about.”

Mejias studied and mastered many forms of martial arts, including Brazilian jiujitsu, taekwondo, karate and kung fu. One of his trainers was Freddie Poole, founder of Freddie Poole Martial Arts in Dallas.

Mejias became an instructor for Freddie Poole Martial Arts and opened a second studio location. Eventually, with Poole’s blessing, Mejias converted the second location into his own martial arts studio. His mother helped fund launching the business by selling the family’s house in Chile.

What became known as Samurai Inti Martial Arts offers classes for children and adults. Mejias said he has a passion for building enthusiasm in children.

Mejias said the children’s classes build more than skills; they build self-esteem. While children are learning various aspects of martial arts, they are also learning how to respect authority, pay attention and listen to instructions during classes while having fun.

For adults, Samurai Inti offers Brazilian jiujitsu, combat wing chun and a kickboxing class.

At the core of Samurai Inti’s programs is the mission to teach people to follow “the way of the heart,” or in other words, to build courage from the heart.

“The way of the heart is the way of courage, and courage is the most important virtue of any person,” Mejias said. “… You have to be courageous to be truthful. You have to be courageous to have honor. You have to be courageous to be humble, to be compassionate, to be forgiving, to have patience, to have joy.”

Mejias said Samurai Inti is for anyone looking to improve oneself.

“What’s the best thing I can tell you about Samurai Inti Martial Arts? You come in here, you spend time in here making yourself better,” Mejias said. “In what ways? In all ways: physically, emotionally, spiritually.”



7410 Preston Road, Ste. 105, Frisco
214-705-9676
www.samurai-inti.com
Hours: vary based on classes