About

At Team Take Flight, we believe martial arts should be accessible to everyone — no matter their background or financial situation. That’s why we are a 100% nonprofit gym in Salinas, California, offering all classes completely free of charge.
Our gym was founded by Coach Berto, who serves as our head coach and the driving force behind the program. He started Team Take Flight with the vision of creating a place where the community could come together, train hard, and grow without the burden of costly memberships. To this day, he continues to run and lead the entire program.

This gym would not be possible without the grace and generosity of New Life Church, who make it possible for us to exist and serve the community.
All of our instructors are 100% volunteer-based, and no one makes a penny from teaching. The gym operates entirely on community support and donations, ensuring that training remains free for all.

We specialize in MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, while placing strong emphasis on wrestling, judo, Muay Thai, boxing, and kickboxing techniques. As a team, we regularly participate in BJJ and MMA tournaments, and for those interested in competing, we often provide scholarships to help with registration and expenses.
At Team Take Flight, we’re more than just a gym — we’re a community built on respect, service, and opportunity.