Rising Stars: Meet Nelita Villezon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nelita Villezon.

Hi Nelita, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Inglewood, California learning martial arts from my father. He taught many different styles from his training under Guru Dan Inosanto.  He would then send me to learn different styles from other great teachers. Martial arts has always meant so much because it is a part of my culture, but it was truly a gift my father gave me. He once told me that he was teaching me martial arts not only so I would know how to defend myself, but as a way for me to provide for myself if I needed a job or money. He said I could always teach others. I always kept that with me. Growing up I taught in my parent’s martial arts schools. This was my life until the day my dad got sick when I was 20. We were told that he wasn’t going to survive. In order to help my family I left school and got a couple of jobs. It was hard to make ends meet and we eventually lost everything.

After about a year in the hospital and physical therapy rehab, my father survived but was left physically disabled, with brain trauma and short-term memory loss. He would never be the same and would never be able to teach me or anyone else in his full capacity as he once did. I wanted to help inspire my dad in his recovery and hoping to have a miracle of him recovering, so I went back to what my dad taught me. I began teaching at any gym that would allow me to. I would bring him around just to watch me teach and let him give any input he had. It was also my way of continuing my lifelong bond with my dad.

There are many other parts of the story along the way; however, going back to the gift my dad gave me eventually took me through being a celebrity trainer, managing/ training at some of the top gyms around the world, owning my own company, acting in national commercials, and shows. I now work as a full-time actress, owner of my own company selling martial arts tools (www.shopnelitav.com), and have my own training app (www.nelitav.app). The precious gift my father gave me has brought me a world of opportunity and experiences to me. My goal is to be able to share that same gift with others.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. One of my biggest challenges was not knowing if my dad would survive or not. At the same time having to now take on the responsibility of taking care of your family at a young age. Another big challenge for me was navigating a career in a male-dominated sport at the time as well as being a woman of color doing so. I’ve had to learn to carve and create my own lane when opportunities were not given to me.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an actress, martial artist, and simply love sharing. I recently starred in my first show called Breakwater and shot my first feature. A lot of people know me as the “Sensei Bae”. This is a name I was coined online. When the pandemic started, I began sharing more of my martial arts skills online and it quickly spread online because I broke the traditional mold of what people thought a martial artist should look and dress like. I express being feminine while showing strength and skills in martial arts. I am also proud to have brought more light to my cultural art of the Philippines called Kali / Arnis. I noticed that martial arts was very niched to a certain group and I wanted to make it accessible to the average person. I wanted to show that it can be for everyone. My primary focus is to grow my community through my app www.nelitav.app where I teach others martial arts and overall well-being.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My advice is very similar to that of Bruce Lee. I make sure that I am an empty cup. Meaning that as much as I have learned in life I still am an empty vessel open to learning. I believe that there are lessons and knowledge to be gained from everyone in this world. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in your field or even for gain. I encourage others to just be open. Meet as many people as you can and be open to what they may have to share. A lot of my success has come from connections I would have never expected to bring me to my goal. I was open to listening and sharing.

Pricing:

• 7 Day Free Trail then $14.99/monthly (discounts annually)

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nelitav.app
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nelita_v/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/follownelitav
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/nelita_v
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nelita_v

Image Credits
Caleb Josh @cjsteelphotography Dametreus Ward @meech213 Paul Aiken @paulaikenphotography X @xshotya JQ @camerahead.films