Welcome! To connect or become a client visit catiaholm.com or call/text 956-249-7930. In today's episode, Building A Gym That Feels Like Family with Gleidson and Anna Carolina Cutis, we pick up Poney’s journey from Brazil to Texas and hear how a jiu-jitsu gym becomes a faith-driven home for people who need real connection. Spur of the moment I asked Anna Carolina ( Carol), Poney's wife, to join us! The audio isn't perfect, but the story and heart and amazing, so don't let the audio deter you. Carol joins us to share what it takes to build marriage, community, and meaning through immigration delays, leadership lessons, and heartbreaking loss. • meeting Carol at a San Antonio dance hall and navigating cross-cultural dating • learning how to “do a real date” for the first time • moving to Wimberley without knowing how renting works in the US • a last-chance apartment moment that feels like a miracle • finding the courage to share faith and the role mentors play • Greg’s support and the leap from a small startup gym to a long-term home • years of long-distance marriage and the green card process • building a jiu-jitsu community that serves like a family • the Fighteria Way and a 12-month character development plan for kids • creating books for toddlers, kids, and parents to reinforce values at home • grieving the loss of Zoe and leaning on God and community to heal Show Guests Gleidson Moraes Cutis ("Poney") is the Founder, Head Coach, and Professor whose life story is a testament to the transformative power of faith, discipline, and martial arts. Born in Belford Roxo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—one of the country's most challenging communities—he overcame a childhood surrounded by violence, bullying, and limited opportunities by dedicating himself to martial arts from an early age. A graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education, Gleidson combines academic knowledge with decades of elite competitive and coaching experience. He is also a Certified Life Coach through Febracis, holds certifications in Emotional Intelligence and Business High Performance, and is an accomplished public speaker. His passion for personal growth and faith is reflected in his books, On the Mat With Christ and A Verdadeira Luta, where he shares the lessons that have shaped his life and purpose. A devoted Christian, husband, and father, Gleidson believes that true strength is built through character, perseverance, and service to others. His coaching philosophy extends far beyond competition, focusing on helping students develop confidence, resilience, discipline, and integrity both on and off the mat. Gleidson began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2002 and Kickboxing in 2006. He has been teaching martial arts since 2008 and holds the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and 1st Dan Black Belt in Kickboxing. He has also served as a multiple-time IBJJF referee, contributing to the sport at the highest levels. Throughout his competitive career, Gleidson has earned numerous prestigious titles, including World Champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, NAGA World Champion, Brazilian Cup No-Gi Champion, two-time Brazilian Champion, two-time Rio de Janeiro Champion, three-time Fight 2 Win Pro Champion, three-time Submission Hunter Champion, multiple-time AJP Champion, and multiple-time IBJJF Champion. In mixed martial arts, he compiled an amateur record of 2-0 before achieving a professional record of 7-4, competing internationally across Brazil, the United States, Canada, and Italy for respected organizations including WOCS, GSF, WebFight, Hero FC, RFA, LFA, ACB, and the UFC. Today, Gleidson's greatest passion is helping others discover the same life-changing benefits that martial arts gave him. Having experienced firsthand how training can provide purpose, confidence, and hope, he is committed to empowering students of all ages and skill levels to become stronger physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. He lives by two guiding principles: "We are what we allow ourselves to be; we make our choices, and our choices make us," and "You are not special—you are unique." Through every class, seminar, and mentorship opportunity, Gleidson strives to help others realize their unique potential and begin their own journey of transformation. Carol Cutis Born in Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil, Carol Cutis is a life coach, speaker, entrepreneur, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner whose passion is helping others discover their purpose, build resilience, and live with authenticity. Married to Professor Gleidson "PoneY" Cutis, Carol serves alongside her husband as they continue building Fighteria—a community dedicated to developing stronger people on and off the mats. Carol's journey began in sales at just 16 years old, where she discovered a natural ability to connect with people. Although she grew up shy and insecure, she always believed she was meant for something greater. That desire for growth led her to continually invest in her personal and professional development through an ESL Exchange Program in the United States, Emotional Intelligence training, advanced sales education, certification as a Power of Action Speaker, and certification as a Life Coach, completing more than 50 hours of coaching training. In 2017, Carol made the life-changing decision to participate in an exchange program in the United States. The experience expanded her perspective and ignited a lifelong commitment to personal transformation. One year later, she stepped onto the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu mats for the first time and immediately fell in love with the art. Through Jiu-Jitsu, she found much more than a sport—she discovered confidence, discipline, resilience, and a deeper belief in herself. Her life took another remarkable turn when she met Professor Gleidson "PoneY" Cutis. Their shared faith, values, and passion for serving others brought them together, and in January 2019 they opened Fighteria. Today, she is grateful to work alongside him in growing Fighteria while encouraging others to embrace perseverance, trust God's timing, and become the strongest version of themselves—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. You can connect with Poney and Carol at: Fighteria, On Instagram, and on Facebook. You can also find his books, The Fighteria Way Collection, on Amazon. Support the show Couch Time with Cat isn’t therapy—it’s real conversation designed to support your journey alongside any personal or professional help you're receiving. If you're in emotional crisis or need immediate support, please get in touch with a professional or reach out to a 24/7 helpline like: US: 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)UK: Samaritans at 116 123Australia: Lifeline at 13 11 14Or find local resources through findahelpline.com You’re not alone. Let’s take this one honest conversation at a time. Follow the show and share it with someone who’s ready for healing, hope, and a more empowered way forward. Show hosted by: Catia Hernandez Holm, LMFT-A Supervised by Susan Gonzales, LMFT-S, LPC-S You can connect with Catia at couchtimewithcat.com and To become a client visit- catiaholm.com
