MISSION & TEAM
LEGACY MARTIAL
ARTS TEAM
OUR MISSION
THE TEAM
Nick Castiglia
Founder & CEO
Mentor
Nick has over 21 years’ experience and has become a standout name in the martial arts industry, guiding over 100 gyms to flourish financially. His journey has seen him everywhere from the front desk to the owner’s office, proving there’s no role in martial arts he hasn’t mastered. But where Nick truly shines is business coaching, specifically for Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools. He uses his business savvy and deep-rooted love for martial arts to equip others with the skills to succeed and live the life they deserve. Whether he’s out on the mats teaching, creating an instructional series or coaching a martial arts academy, Nick’s passion and industry expertise is second to none.
Mandy Keller
Jake Charette
• Streamlined intake and follow-up processes
• Structured BJJ program growth
• Operational and staffing systems
• Community partnership and contract development
• Financial clarity and forecasting
• Culture and leadership development
Steve Poulin
LMA Coach – Owner, Submission Academy
A distinguished second-degree black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, has been immersing himself in the martial art world for over 20 years. Trained under the legendary Renzo Gracie and Pat Cooligan, his wealth of experience led to the establishment of The Submission Academy in 2010. Starting modestly by subletting space from another martial arts institution, the academy has grown exponentially since then. As the success of the gym continued to soar, Steve started exploring diversified avenues to generate additional income. Alongside his wife, Jane, they utilized capital from the academy to invest in the real estate sector, now proud owners of two investment properties in addition to their residence.
Omar Kadi
Mentor
Introducing Omar Kadi, a true embodiment of resilience, who embarked on an inspiring journey from Syria to the United States during childhood. Coming from a modest background, he quickly imbibed the importance of hard work and determination. Omar’s path to success began as a dish washer at his uncle’s restaurant, where he cultivated a strong work ethic and a profound sense of responsibility.
Notably, Omar’s journey includes running two successful gyms that have become NYC staples, boasting over 600 members in 2.5 years. As a highly accomplished and respected Jiu Jitsu black belt, Omar received his black belt from the legendary Marcelo Garcia, earned after winning the World Master Championship three years in a row. Not only does he continue to compete in Jiu Jitsu, but Omar also nurtures up-and-coming talent, including his 16-year-old son, who recently had an exceptional performance submitting all his opponents in two of the biggest BJJ tournaments, Worlds and Pans.
Melhem Wehbe
Mentor
Guided by balance and a pursuit of efficiency over busyness, Melhem strives to live-and teach-with intention. Moving to Canada at 17, he discovered Jiu-Jitsu, the spark that set him on a lifelong journey in martial arts. With over 20 years of training and experience running his own school since 2008, he leads programs in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and kickboxing.
Melhem is also one of Legacy’s most successful clients to date-an example of what’s possible when dedication, openness to growth, and disciplined execution come together. His journey continues to inspire not only his students, but also our broader Legacy community.
Yuki Yamanaka
Mentor
Yuki “Boss” Yamanaka is the Owner and Head Coach of Boss Thai Boxing & Fitness. Yuki is a former Muay Thai Champion and has since trained his own athletes into Champions. He’s represented Team Canada in multiple World Championships and more recently was a Team Canada Coach for the Youth World Championships.
Shortly after his competitive Muay Thai career, Yuki and his wife opened Boss Thai Boxing. Throughout their seven years in business, they’ve overcome numerous adversities, including buying out a business partner, challenges developing and constructing their ‘forever’ gym, and purchasing their current commercial location.
Yuki’s unique combination of high-level coaching, business ownership, engineering, project management, and real estate experience gives him a practical, systems-based perspective that few academy owners possess. He understands what it takes to build champions on the mats while also building a sustainable, profitable business off them.
Adio Edwards
Mentor
Adio Edwards is the Owner and Head Instructor of Four-Eleven Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Whitby, Ontario. Passionate about helping people transform their lives through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Adio has built an academy known for its welcoming culture, high-quality instruction, and commitment to developing students of all ages and experience levels. Under his leadership, Four-Eleven has become a thriving community where families, hobbyists, and competitors alike can learn, grow, and achieve their goals.
As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and active competitor, Adio combines technical expertise with a patient, supportive coaching style that has earned him consistent praise from his students. His philosophy extends beyond the mats, emphasizing discipline, confidence, resilience, and personal growth while creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, regardless of their background or skill level.
Through the challenges of launching and growing his own academy, Adio has gained firsthand experience in building a strong culture, developing sustainable systems, and creating an exceptional member experience. His practical approach to leadership, combined with his passion for coaching and community building, makes him a valuable mentor for martial arts school owners looking to grow both their businesses and their impact.
David Nguyen
Mentor
David is a business consultant, sales strategist, and martial arts operator specializing in helping academy owners build scalable, high-performing businesses through proven systems, leadership, and operational excellence. His career spans over a decade across the automotive, software, and martial arts industries.
After working alongside Nick Castiglia during the early development of the Legacy systems, David spent more than six years in automotive sales and management, progressing from top-performing salesperson to Finance and Sales Manager before transitioning into software sales.
Today, David oversees every aspect of operating a successful martial arts academy—from sales and marketing to staff development, member experience, retention, operations, and strategic growth. His hands-on approach allows him to coach academy owners with practical, battle-tested systems that produce measurable results.
A lifelong martial artist with over 15 years of experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, MMA, and boxing, David combines real-world business expertise with a deep understanding of martial arts culture to help academy owners build stronger businesses without losing what makes their schools unique.
