If you walk into the Judo class taught by Ms. Driulus Gonzalez for the first time, you’ll witness students on the mat practicing various moves. Respect and hard work can be felt in every move. Ms. Gonzalez knows this feeling well, as she started her own journey in Judo when she was 13, after her father noticed her potential and convinced coaches to give her a chance.

Ms. Gonzalez grew up in Cuba where judo is a very popular sport. Her father decided to introduce his daughter to the sport believing she could be a champion, even though she had never practiced Judo before. Over time, Ms. Gonzalez developed a love for the sport and started winning competitions. Judo taught her more than just fighting techniques.

The main reason she kept going was the opportunity to compete and improve.

“Watching other Judokas, especially women, achieve great things inspired her to set bigger goals. Judo was challenging, both physically and mentally, and that’s what kept me excited about training,” she explained.

As the years went by, a few things kept her motivated. The chance to compete at an international level was a big push, making her take Judo even more seriously. She also loved the community that developed in the dojo, where her teammates became close friends. And, as she improved, teaching Judo to others became a rewarding experience. Seeing her students grow in skill and confidence made her proud. “When I started judo I never expected to learn and grow so much in such a small amount of time” said anonymous senior.

For Ms. Gonzalez, teaching Judo isn’t just about showing techniques it’s about sharing the values and lessons the sport has taught her. “Judo is helping me not just in class but in my day to day life” said senior Samuel Munera.  She believes judo gives people the strength and determination to face challenges in life, and she is proud to help others learn those lessons, too.