Today we’d like to introduce you to Edir Terry
Hi Edir, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The Story of Edir “Belico” Terry: A Journey of Resilience, Determination, and Triumph
My journey begins at the age of 10, during a pivotal moment that would shape the course of my life. It was then that my parents made the difficult decision to leave Venezuela and stay in the United States, seeking better opportunities amidst the challenges back home. At such a young age, I was faced with a life-altering choice: either return to Venezuela to live with relatives or stay in the U.S. and start a new chapter with my family. Despite barely understanding English, I chose to stay and rebuild with them—a decision that would define my path.
Adapting to life in a new country was no easy feat. I attended middle and high school in Miami, where I encountered significant challenges. Being an immigrant, I faced bullying not only because of my limited English but also due to my skin color. The adversity didn’t break me—it shaped me. I refused to let anyone push me around, even if that meant standing up for myself through physical altercations. Unfortunately, I was expelled from high school due to frequent fights and absenteeism, but it was during these tough years that my passion for martial arts began to take root.
Athletics were always a significant part of my life. I started playing baseball at age three and even became a champion in Venezuela. However, by the time I was a teenager, I lost interest in the sport. I dabbled in skateboarding and BMX, enjoying the thrill and challenge they provided, but something deeper was calling me. My fascination with martial arts, which had been present since childhood, grew stronger, and I sought out a gym where I could train. Though I initially joined a karate dojo in Miami, it was a transformative experience. Karate taught me discipline, resilience, and how to channel my energy constructively.
At the same time, I kept my martial arts journey a secret from my parents, knowing they disapproved. But when they discovered my achievements—medals hidden in my closet—their mindset shifted. They agreed to support me, urging me to focus on my studies and my training.
My entrepreneurial spirit emerged early, even before I knew what it meant to be an entrepreneur. At 17, I was already running my own business, working in construction and flooring to support myself while pursuing martial arts. This was a period of immense growth, both physically and mentally. I became a regional, state, and world champion in karate, yet I wanted more. My passion for martial arts extended beyond the traditional boundaries of karate, leading me to explore other disciplines. It was a difficult decision, but I chose to leave karate behind before earning my black belt to explore the world of mixed martial arts (MMA).
Training in MMA opened new doors. I immersed myself in boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, all while continuing my karate training on the side. During this time, I also grew as a coach, instructor, and mentor, helping others discover their potential through martial arts. As my knowledge expanded, so did my desire to succeed not only as an athlete but also as an entrepreneur. I built my own LLC in fitness and martial arts, and I took on multiple roles: coaching, managing fighters, handling marketing, and even working as a cutman and commentator for MMA shows.
My career as an athlete thrived, and I became a professional MMA fighter. Yet, despite my success, there were moments of doubt and hardship. I chose to leave the first gym where I had spent over a decade of my life, as I felt my growth had plateaued. It was one of the toughest decisions I ever made, but it allowed me to refocus on my dreams and ambitions. At my new gym, I achieved remarkable milestones, becoming undefeated in multiple fights and ranking in the top five in my division on the East Coast of USA.
Then came the biggest challenge of my life. In early 2023, I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. It was devastating news, delivered after emergency surgery to remove a tumor. The doctors gave me a 30% chance of survival, but I wasn’t one to back down from a fight. The warrior mindset that had carried me through my athletic career now became my greatest weapon in my battle with cancer. Even as I underwent chemotherapy, I continued to work, train, and build my business. I leaned on my faith, my family, my coaches, and my community for strength, and today, I am proud to say I am 90-95% cured.
The road has been long and full of trials, but each challenge has shaped me into the person I am today. From a young immigrant struggling to find his place, to a successful athlete and entrepreneur, I have learned that resilience, hard work, and an unwavering belief in oneself are the keys to overcoming any obstacle. My journey is far from over, and I remain committed to building my legacy in the world of martial arts, business, and beyond.
My name is Edir “Belico” Terry, and I will continue to make an impact in this world—through my story, my fight, and my dedication to helping others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Start on a new country
Learn a new language
Work hard jobs that I dislike
Been a ghost in a new country
Been ilegal for over 2 decades
Getting married and sadly divorce
Going through therapy
Becoming a professional mma fighter
Recovering and still going through colon cancer stage 4
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Fitness instructor, Strength & conditioning coach, MMA coach, Striker coach, Grappler coach, Wrestling coach. Kids coach. Mentor, Life Coach, Logo designer , Apparel designer , Accessories designer, Cutman, Commentor / analyst , Sponsor. Manager. Investor, Future book autor, Future real state.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Very hyper, Humble, Playful . Little child with a grown up brain.
Daredevil , Explore, Sport, Martial arts. Entrepreneur , Tv host, Show. Commentator. Inversion, Real state.
Pricing:
- My new book coming up $15-25
- My online show www.edirterry.com Any apparel or accessories starting $5 and up and % goes directly to a non-profit organization
- Mentorship packages start from $100 per hour
- If you are locate in miami, fl all personal trainer program start from $120 and up
- Any fight show for commentator / analyst $150 per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.edirterry.com
- Instagram: Belicomma
- Facebook: Belicomma
- Twitter: Belicomma
- Youtube: Belicomma or ctwproject
Image Credits
Combate global
And Myself
