Today we’d like to introduce you to Clara E Minor.
Hi Clara E, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My voice was silenced many times as a child, by adults and other children. Being laughed at, seen as irrelevant, told my comment was stupid, being interrupted, talked over, condescended to, patronized, excluded, and called racial slurs was very common. I wanted to fit in, and I didn’t. These were all forms of rejection on one level or another. As an adult, I chose to keep my voice silent many times for all the same reasons, and for fear of not being enough for others. All of this underlied the fact that I’m outgoing, love being with people (very social), became a cheerleader in high school, and loved acting in 7th grade. I’m always willing to do things that are new, exciting, exhilarating, and generally always being the one that did things ‘differently.’
When I started martial arts training, I had no idea what a powerful force it would play in my life. This is where I developed my power (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual). I honed my love of teaching, which then allowed me to connect with others on a level their bodies could understand, and assist them in finding their own inner power and physical power. I had to train hard, and it was worth it!
During covid, I pivoted to focus on women and teen girls. I’ve created a safe environment for women and teen girls to find the power in themselves thru ’empowered body fitness steeped in badasscourage.’ When women feel fit, toned, and stronger, continuing to develop their bodies becomes a priority. As their bodies get stronger (and more fit), their voices begin to develop a power they’ve never experienced. This, in turn, gives them freedom—using their voices to make their own choices. They take control of their own lives. And they no longer care what others think about them.
We ditched the uniforms of traditional martial arts training, and kept the gloves to punch and kick our way to power. I let go of all the ‘traditions’ of always being seen as ‘the Master who demanded respect’ to a Master-Trainer who chooses to respect every person the moment they walk thru our doors. This fantastic community of Women, Teen Girls (and a few brave Men) feeds who I am at my very Soul, and allows me to continue choosing to develop our space for the betterment and empowerment of Women & Teen Girls.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Hahahaha! Smooth road? Not quite. Being in a male-dominated discipline was the foundation of what I built today. I had to build a house on that foundation as I studied different styles & systems with different Instructors. Over time, I chose to dismantle the house, broke the foundation apart and built a brand new one—a foundation that honored and respected women from the get-go. Not a discipline that relied on ‘proving’ your worth first (to mostly men), before you could earn respect from those very men.
Before I even disrupted the foundation, I had to dissolve my relationship with a partner. Once I got thru that, I had to find myself because, clearly, I wasn’t sure where I was, moving forward and going solo. That took another 5 or 6 years. That’s when I realized the foundation had to go, as it was built on a paradigm dominated by the male martial arts mindset. I graduated my final Black Belt student to Jr Black Belt rank on May 4, 2022 (and The Fourth was with her). It was then my total focus shifted to Fitness Self-Defense for Women and Teen Girls. Why Teens? Because they’re the most vulnerable group in our society (parents are usually not around for their ‘socializing’), and many of them haven’t found their true power. I modernized my business model.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I teach self-defense fitness classes, and have have a crew of trained Instructors to assist in teaching classes. I hold weekend workshops for all populations: LGBTQ, non-profits, private businesses, the older population, mom’s groups, families, private schools, sororities, girls sports teams, and anyone who wants to bring a group together.
My specialty is working with women & teen girls, although my weekend workshops are open to all groups and all ages.
I’m known for creating a safe and respectful space for women to empower themselves and hone in on their own badasscourage thru empowered body fitness. And for being generous in providing complimentary training over the years (for many different reasons).
Of all the work I’ve done over the years, I’m super pumped that I’ve been able to touch so many lives along the way. I was in a local store a couple weeks ago and a woman walked up to me (in her 40’s), as she recognized me. She had taken a semester of training with me when she was in 7th grade, and had to use the skills she learned in a horrible situation (that still brought her tears). She thanked me so much (and yes, we hugged). Stories like that fill my heart.
Forty years in business is not for everyone, as it takes so much determination to stay the course. This is my lifework and my mission is to get women and girls around the world trained in one way or another so they can stand up to adversaries, bullies, and perpetrators. Think about this scenario: if every woman and girl on this planet knew how to fight, wouldn’t the world look different?
All of the above sets me apart from others—and I’ve, over the years, been generous in providing my services for free (for one reason or another). Plus the fact that I’ve been doing this for four decades, and I now have an understanding of how people learn in so many differet ways. I can teach kids, teens, adults (women & men), and anyone on the spectrum. I know how to present to people so they ‘get it’ (whatever I’m getting across to them).
I study people’s energy and their learning style, And that teaches me how to teach better. Every day.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My Mom and Dad get first credit—both immigrants and both entrepreneurs. They worked from the very little they had and built a life they wanted for the Family. That’s where I get most of my determination, grit, perseverance, resiliency and tenacity from. I credit my Sister for loaning us the funds to open the first studio in 1985. (Big celebration with her and her Family when we paid it off!)
Much credit to my Kids for always hanging out in the studio, eventually receiving their Black Belts, and in spite of putting so much time into the business, they became wonderful, loving, and respectful human beings, living their best lives.
I give huge thanks to my final Instructor Mr Tino, as he was referred to in the martial arts world—’Pop” to me and my colleagues. (I had several different ‘teachers’ throughout my studies). He’s the one who gave me the ‘gold’ standard in martial arts training. He was challenging to say the least, and I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything! He built the foundation of movement that allows me to this day to create and teach to the person in front of me. To modify and adapt so they can learn the best that their body can produce. And most importantly, to find the power in my body that no other instructor was able to help me do—that was the ‘magic dust.’
Lastly, I’m grateful for all my supporters: family, friends, staff, students, members, teachers, coaches, mentors, counselors, associates, landlords, collaborators, and my ever-loving cheerleaders. You all know who you are. If I had the time, I would name them all—hundreds of family & friends and thousands of students and members. I have such a deep appreciation for all of them. I stand because of all of them.
Pricing:
- First Level: $103/$123 mo
- Second Level: $133/$153 mo
- Third Level: $153/$173 mo
- Fourth Level: $193/$213 mo
- Punch Kards: $185/$297/$399
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.minorsan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fighterfitcoach.clara/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/minorsan
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clara-e-minor-8679872b/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/minorsan-self-defense-and-fitness-santa-cruz-2?dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yelp.com%2Fwriteareview%2Fbiz%2FoDrP_V35sGQ-_VuUEfZ6Yg%3Freview_origin%3Dwriteareview-search
