G I L R O Y ’ S G O T P R OS
Linda Pulido
By Kelly Barbazette
Just as martial arts helped Pulido find her footing – and eventually her calling in life , the 41-year-old martial arts instructor hopes to challenge youths to push themselves to be the best person they can be . “ I think martial arts kind of saved my life ,” Pulido said . Born and raised in Gilroy , Pulido remembers as a teen running with the wrong crowd and wanting to find a way to “ fight better .”
What she found in a Gilroy martial arts studio instead was discipline and guidance . A competitive athlete , she said she was instantly hooked .
“ It made me feel good what I was accomplishing ,” Pulido recalls . “ It was a natural high .”
Pulido owns Pulido Pro Fitness on Third Street in east Gilroy . In its third incarnation – from her garage to this spacious window and mirror-filled building – the studio boasts 360 members . Nearly 100 members are teens and preteens . A personal trainer and kickboxing instructor , Pulido also teaches self-defense workshops , gives talks to school-age children and teaches martial arts to girls from Rebekah Children ’ s Center .
She said there are many youths who feel badly because of their weight and don ’ t feel like they fit in . Martial arts gives youths the self-confidence to not follow the crowd , to stand up for themselves and be a leader , she said .
“ Confident kids equal success . They ’ re a lot stronger to put down peer pressure ,” Pulido said .
For Linda Pulido , martial arts isn ’ t just about kicking and punching or how many stripes adorn her black belt . It ’ s about the lives she helps change each time she teaches a young person the discipline of the sport and the satisfaction of not giving up when it gets hard .
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