Miguel Perla, Director The Gateway Project
Miguel Perla is the Co-Founder and Director of The Gateway Project, a community initiative focused on healing and empowerment for youth and families impacted by violence. With over 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, he is dedicated to creating safe spaces for growth and transformation.
Grapple and Grow was created based on his own journey and deep belief in the power of wrestling to teach discipline, resilience, and self-worth. Above all, he is a proud husband and father to a son and daughter, and his commitment to family drives his passion for building strong, supportive communities.
Christina Luna, Co-Founder & Case Manager, The Gateway Project
Christina Luna is the Co-Founder of The Gateway Project and a deeply committed member of the Southeast Los Angeles community, where she has lived and served for over 15 years. A proud Angeleno, Christina was born and raised in Los Angeles and began her career in case management at just 19 years old.
Her personal experiences growing up with childhood trauma have fueled a lifelong passion to support others facing similar challenges. Christina’s work is rooted in empathy, resilience, and a profound understanding of the lasting effects of adversity. She holds a certification in gang intervention from Cal State LA and has served as a dedicated case manager, advocating for youth with compassion and purpose.
With 11 years of experience as a paralegal in the family law court system and her own journey as a justice-impacted individual, Christina brings a unique and powerful perspective to her work. She uses her lived experience to build trust, foster healing, and empower youth to navigate life’s obstacles with strength and hope.
A mother of three, Christina finds joy in watching documentaries and exploring music across genres in her free time. Her life and work reflect a deep, selfless commitment to building brighter futures for the next generation.
Hector Ramirez, Coach Owner, Dog Pound MMA
Coach Hector Ramirez is a respected leader in combat sports and youth development. As the owner of Dog Pound MMA in Norwalk, California, he has created a space where young people—especially those from underserved communities—develop discipline, confidence, and resilience. A former professional MMA fighter with a 10-6 record in top-tier organizations like the UFC and Bellator, Coach Hector brings elite-level experience and an unwavering commitment to mentoring the next generation.
A proud alumnus of John Glenn High School, Hector was a CIF Champion and State Qualifier from 1990–1994 before becoming a two-time JC All-American and state runner-up at East L.A. College. He led John Glenn’s boys’ wrestling team to an undefeated CIF title season in 2004 before stepping away to compete professionally. In 2016, he returned to launch the school’s first-ever girls’ varsity wrestling team, which quickly grew into a championship-winning program with multiple state qualifiers and a reputation for excellence.
Coach Hector’s impact extends beyond the mat. Known for his calm and encouraging approach, he fosters a family-like atmosphere where young athletes—many of them new to wrestling—find empowerment, purpose, and belonging. His gym, affectionately known as “The Dog Pound,” serves not only as a training ground but as a safe haven for youth navigating the challenges of community violence, gang presence, and limited opportunity.
A devoted father of two young wrestlers, Hector Jr. and Mia, Coach Hector is passionate about using sports as a vehicle for social change. He has partnered with organizations like The Coalition for Engaged Education to provide boxing lessons to youth from Norwalk and Hawaiian Gardens in the past and remains committed to helping young people unlock their potential—on the mat and in life.
Christian Gudiel, Case Manager, C/HOPE Program
Christian Gudiel is a dedicated case manager and emerging social worker with over a decade of experience supporting youth impacted by systemic inequities. Since joining the C/HOPE program in 2011, Christian has been deeply committed to working with young people and their counselors to help change lives and open pathways to opportunity.
He began his journey as a youth navigator, driven by a desire to support justice-involved youth, and has since grown into his current role as a full-time case manager. In this position, Christian guides youth and young adults through challenging life transitions, helping them set and achieve personal and professional goals with compassion, mentorship, and practical resources.
Currently pursuing his master’s degree in social work, Christian brings both personal and professional experience to his work, fostering a deep understanding of the unique barriers faced by underserved communities, especially those involved in the juvenile justice and foster care systems. His long-term goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and continue advocating for youth across Los Angeles County.
Christian believes in the power of relationships, education, and community engagement as essential tools for resilience and transformation. His unwavering commitment to uplifting others remains the driving force behind his work.
Rhain Aranjo, Coach Grapple and Grow
Rhain Aranjo has been training at Dogg Pound MMA and Fitness for the past five years, where wrestling quickly became a central part of her life. As a passionate coach, Rhain brings both competitive experience and a heart for mentorship to her role in the Grapple and Grow program.
She has been coaching for two years and has earned notable accomplishments during her wrestling career, including becoming a two-time 605 League Champion, a two-time CIF Qualifier, a CIF Placer, and a Masters Qualifier. With five years of wrestling experience, Rhain is committed to using her knowledge and journey to inspire the next generation.
She especially enjoys working with youth, helping them develop confidence, discipline, and a love for the sport. Outside of wrestling, She enjoys listening to music and staying connected to her community. Rhain is proud to be part of a program that fosters a positive, empowering environment for young athletes to grow both on and off the mat.
Andrea Rodriguez, Coach Grapple and Grow
Andrea Rodriguez has been a dedicated wrestler for nearly a decade, with the sport playing a transformative role in her life. She currently serves as an assistant coach for the youth wrestling program at Dogg Pound MMA & Fitness and supports the girls’ wrestling team at John Glenn High School.
Over the past two years, Andrea has helped coach athletes to remarkable achievements, including League Championships, CIF and Masters qualifications, and most recently, a CIF Champion and State Qualifier. Under her guidance, the Dogg Pound youth team also secured the Small Team League Title in the CAGWA organization in February.
Andrea is deeply committed to giving back to the wrestling community that has shaped her. Her goal is to build champions not only on the mat but in life, by empowering young athletes to grow, thrive, and become the best versions of themselves.
Jacob Rodriguez, Coach Grapple and Grow
Jacob Rodriguez has been training at Dog Pound MMA and Fitness for over 10 years, developing a strong foundation in wrestling and mixed martial arts. His passion for coaching stems from a deep commitment to giving back to the wrestling community that helped shape him.
He previously coached the wrestling team at Alondra Middle School, where he led the team to two successful league championships. That experience reinforced his dedication to mentoring young athletes and supporting their growth both on and off the mat.
Jacob is pursuing this coaching opportunity because he is passionate about helping others unlock their full potential. He believes in the power of wrestling to teach discipline, resilience, and confidence, and he is excited to pass those lessons on to the next generation