We’re looking forward to introducing you to Victoria Teodoro. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Victoria, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What battle are you avoiding?
The battle I’ve been avoiding is putting myself out there whether it’s public speaking, sharing deeper parts of myself, or being vulnerable with my life experiences. I’ve struggled with anxiety my whole life and fear of judgment which caused me to hide behind a curated version of myself. I’m slowly learning to face these fears through therapy, self work and embracing authenticity in both my personal life and my business. I know I can’t grow or expand if I keep hiding so I’m taking steps to show up as my true self even when it’s uncomfortable
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Victoria, a 26 year old San Diego native. My dad enrolled me in karate at 13 along with my little brother and I’ve been practicing ever since. After earning my black belt, I started my own martial arts business, teaching Kajukenbo, a style that blends self defense techniques from multiple disciplines. Martial arts and self defense have been life changing for me where it taught me confidence, discipline, and the ability to stand strong in challenging situations.
In high school, I was the only girl on the boys’ wrestling team and excelled, which shaped my mindset and leadership skills. I currently teach classes in Kearny Mesa, including monthly women’s self defense workshops. You can follow my journey on Instagram @victoryinme and see more about my martial arts work @teodojo
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed being quiet and different meant something was wrong with me. I didn’t always articulate my feelings well so others thought I was weird. That caused me to “put a mask on” and find a love of performing. I performed in competitive dance which consisted of tap, hula, and hip hop. I loved it but now, I understand that my personality is unique and being “weird” isn’t bad it’s just me. Everyone is different, and life is too short to worry about what other people think.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time I almost gave up. Between ages 19 and 21, I struggled with extreme depression and felt like I didn’t want to be here anymore. In high school, I was talented being the only girl on the boys’ wrestling team and could have pursued college athletics, but the passing of my coach deeply affected me. I often felt lonely on top of that, I faced ongoing health challenges, including PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a severe form of premenstrual syndrome causing intense mood swings, irritability, and depression) and suspected endometriosis (a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing pain and other symptoms).
No one around me helped, no matter how much I asked so I turned to self harm in desperation. My last option was therapy. At first, it was incredibly difficult because I had been conditioned to put others first, but I had to unlearn those beliefs and prioritize myself. Today, I have a supportive network, better coping skills, and medication for my depression and I continue to grow as a person.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
A belief I used to hold tightly but now see is wrong was thinking I had to always say yes and sacrifice my own time and energy for others. I often bent over backwards for people who wouldn’t do the same for me, letting them walk over me, and it left me drained. Now, I set boundaries and prioritize myself, and it feels so much better.
Another belief I held surround the topic of weight/body image. In wrestling, I was conditioned to believe gaining weight was bad I even shared tips on social media about losing weight and being skinny. Looking back, I cringe at that because I’ve learned that gaining weight is normal and healthy. The media constantly pressures people about body image, but I now focus on helping people feel happy, healthy, and comfortable in their own bodies.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, which I have no plans to do! My students and clients would probably miss the consistency and dedication I bring to every class. They’d miss having someone who truly shows up for them, pushes them to grow, and creates a safe space where they can learn self defense, build confidence, and challenge themselves. It’s not just about the techniques; it’s about showing up, being consistent, and helping people realize what they’re capable of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.teodojo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoryinme/
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/teodojo-san-diego
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/teodojo/
