S01E02 Mersina’s Story: She Built the School She Always Needed.
I went into this conversation knowing Mersina's work — my kids have been to her camp. But I didn't know her story. Not the real one.
Mersina started training at three years old. Walked away at thirteen after a falling out that she now says was probably a good thing. Graduated two college programs — police foundations, then community and justice — and then looked at everything she'd built toward and said no. Not because she didn't care about helping youth. Because she realized there was another way to do it. One that didn't require navigating systems and policies that weren't actually built for the kids they were supposed to serve.
So she opened a martial arts school at 21 with no business background and no financial cushion. A year later, COVID hit. She ran Zoom classes, didn't charge anyone, and then used whatever income she could generate to buy gift cards from local businesses and raffle them off in class. She didn't just survive — she showed her community exactly who she was under pressure.
What I wanted to get into with Mersina — and what I think every small business owner listening is going to take from this — is how she has held the line for seven years. Every school around her has shifted. Changed names, changed focus, chased whatever was trending. Mersina hasn't moved. And she explains exactly why, and exactly what protecting that has cost her and given her.
We also talk about the parent who called expecting a no. Her daughter is deaf. She'd been turned away everywhere. Mersina said yes. That family drives 30-40 minutes each way for one class.
When I asked Mersina what she wants to be remembered for in her community, she said she'd rather be known for the space they created — for being the school where every kid, from every walk of life, gets to show up — than for producing the most technically perfect black belts.
I believe her. Go listen.
Find Mersina at @lions.heart.fma on Instagram, Lion’s Heart Family Martial Arts on Facebook, Lion’s Den Podcast on Spotify and in person at 1412 Sandhill Drive, Ancaster, Ontario.
Because your story matters. 🎙️