Hey there,

My name is Joelle Nañawa, and my journey has been about navigating extremes, finding balance, and helping others do the same.

I am a certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, self defense instructor, long-time martial arts student, and proud founder of Warrior Healing Arts — an online and in-person platform dedicated to harmonizing the world and its citizens through martial arts, inclusive fitness, and holistic lifestyle choices.

A Little More About My Path So Far…

Like many drawn to the healing arts, my journey began with inner turmoil and mental anguish. For much of my life, I have felt pulled between extremes — the disciplined student who pushed herself to follow every rule, and the innate rebel who resisted authority, questioned expectations, and sought her own way. I swung between overeating and strict restriction, binge-watching TV for hours while promising myself I’d “start fresh” tomorrow, then throwing myself into grueling workouts. I craved approval yet resisted it, longed for structure yet pushed against it. These contradictions left me constantly asking: what does balance really mean, and is it even attainable?

Through self-observation, therapy, mentorship, martial arts, and learning to hold space for complexity and nuance, I discovered the power of creating my own dynamic balance. I’ve come to understand that the antidotes to self-criticism and perfectionism are compassion and curiosity. These qualities now guide me as I help others find their own paths to wellness and harmony. For me, balance isn't about eliminating extremes — it's about embracing them, understanding their place, and discovering the ever-shifting middle ground where true well-being resides.

My Journey Into Martial Arts

In my early twenties, martial arts and mindfulness became anchor points in a life that often felt chaotic. What started as curiosity gradually evolved into a practice that helped me break cycles of addiction, disordered eating, and a fraught relationship with my body. Martial arts rekindled my love for purposeful movement, discipline, and inner strength, while mindfulness offered tools for introspection, self-acceptance, and self-compassion. Together, they became a foundation for resilience, self-discovery, and a deeper sense of balance.

Over the years, my pursuit of embodied knowledge has taken me across the globe — from Kung Fu, Capoeira, and T’ai Chi, to Kali, Pencak Silat, and Kempo. Across these diverse arts, I’ve discovered a common thread: strength, balance, and wisdom. While martial arts certainly build physical fitness and self-defense skills, I’ve come to value their deeper lessons — cultivating character, refining one’s nature, and connecting with a lineage of knowledge passed from teacher to student.

For me, the warrior spirit is more than personal growth; it’s a force for positive action in the world. The principles I’ve learned through martial arts guide not only my own path, but the ways I support others in finding their strength and resilience.

The Warrior Spirit and Restorative Justice

As a biracial, first-generation immigrant on my father’s side (Philippines, represent!), I’ve navigated the intersections of privilege and marginalization throughout my life. I’ve witnessed how systems of oppression shape communities, families, and individual opportunity — including my own. These experiences have taught me that wellness and personal growth do not exist in isolation; they are inseparable from the social, cultural, and historical context in which we live.

Through continuous learning and unlearning, I’ve come to recognize that my lived experience offers a perspective often missing in the world of wellness. I aim to open doors and make health, fitness, and martial arts accessible to everyone — not just on an individual level, but through community connection and systemic change.

The warrior spirit, as I’ve come to understand it, is about more than physical strength or self-defense. It’s about courage, discipline, and clarity — qualities that can be applied to both personal growth and social impact. When cultivated consciously, it becomes a tool to stand up for what matters, support those who are vulnerable, and pursue justice with integrity, even when guidance or support is scarce.

My Vision

I believe that every human body holds innate wisdom, and that true wellness comes from strengthening the foundations of health while honoring our unique journeys. I envision a world where nourishing food and clean water are accessible to everyone, where movement is inclusive and celebrated in all bodies, and where healing, creativity, and self-expression are available to all.

I also dream of a time when self-defense and advocacy aren’t necessary — a world where safety and justice are the norm. Until then, I’m committed to connecting with and training as many people as I can, helping them reclaim their strength, clarity, and confidence.

My Martial Lineage and Training Journey

Martial arts have always been more than physical movement for me. They are a living lineage of knowledge passed down from teacher to student, and they represent a sacred story. I honor the mentors and traditions that have shaped my path, each offering lessons in discipline, humility, and harmony. The following lineages have shaped the ecosystem that is Warrior Healing Arts today:

Foundational Training

• 2012–2013 — Arnis and Wing Chun
  Teacher: Roberto Gell

• 2013–2014 — Capoeira
  Group: Grupo Capoeira Brasil
  Teacher: Professora Pavão

• 2015–2023 — Shaolin Chang Quan Kung Fu, T’ai Chi Chuan, Xin Yi, Bagua
  Influences: Pencak Silat and Arnis
  School: Shaolin Martial Arts Center
  Teacher: Mark Wright
  Rank: Black Belt

Ongoing Training

• 2021–Present — Karaho Kempo
  Teacher: Ka’imipono Kuoha
  Rank: Blue Belt