The Thomaz Family: Paved with Passion and Purpose

This month, we are pleased to introduce you to The Thomaz Family: Thiago, Heather and Zion. Their story of their journey to Newtown Square and how they live a life full of purpose and passion is admirable and inspirational.

Thiago was born and raised in Fortaleza, Brazil, with his mother and three younger sisters. Fortaleza is the capital of the northeastern Brazilian state of Ceará. Known for its beaches, red cliffs, palm trees, dunes and lagoons, Fortaleza is where Thiago discovered a love for the surf and the sea. Fortaleza is also where he discovered Brazilian Jiu Jitsu which would later become his life’s work.

Thiago moved to the United States in 2001. His first taste of life in the US happened when he visited his sister, who had entered an exchange student program in Wisconsin. “I fell in love with America, but at the time, moving there seemed out of reach,” he said. Thiago found work in Brazil in the modeling industry. He was scheduled to do some work in New York City in 2001, but unfortunately, the terrorist attacks on September 11th brought it all to a halt.

Through it all, Thiago had always dreamed of owning a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu studio. A few months later, with just $30 in his pocket, but a huge amount of determination, Thiago packed up his belongings and flew to the United States. Thiago said that when he first arrived in the U.S., he worked many odd jobs to make ends meet. “My first job in America was picking up trash in a movie theater parking lot,” he explained. “I stocked grocery store shelves, worked in fast-food restaurants and helped at construction sites.”

Thiago managed to save enough money to purchase a car for $200, which he lived out of for a while. He made his way to Philadelphia and began coaching at a Jiu Jitsu studio in Springfield. His hard work, persistence and dedication to his dream gave him the confidence to open House of Arts Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy (HOA) in 2017, where Thiago is the primary instructor and head of this SAS-affiliated academy located in Media. For Thiago, personal and professional growth go hand in hand. “I continued to dedicate my time to the art and reconnected with my childhood friend and mentor, Professor Daniel Tavares, who was the 2018 International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Masters World Champion,” he said. “I joined his SAS Team and ranked as the number one IBJJF competitor in the world and was a Fight to Win Pro-Title contender.” Then in 2019, Thiago won first place in the Pan-American Championship, where he was promoted to black belt on the winner’s podium by Professor Tavares. Today, HOA offers multiple Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) classes for adults interested in self-defense, competition or simply to get a workout. They also teach Judo to kids and adults and their Little Warriors class is for kids ages 5-12. Those classes are designed to teach the basic techniques of BJJ with exercises and games to improve listening and motor skills, fitness levels and self-discipline. “Every day, I get the priceless feeling of bringing something positive into this world,” he remarked. “Helping my students become more confident and live their best lives is incredibly rewarding.”

Heather is Thiago’s wife and his number-one supporter. She grew up in Wilkes-Barre, where she went to Coughlin High School, where she was active in gymnastics and cheerleading. After high school, she began training in ariel and circus arts. Heather then went to Wilkes University to earn her degree in nursing. “I have always had an interest in health and helping others,” she said. “Nursing was the perfect way to combine the things I am passionate about.” Heather currently works as an emergency room Registered Nurse at Jefferson Hospital. “I can say that my job in the ER is never boring,” she explained. “I never know what my day has in store for me.”

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Heather said that her career as a front-line worker was even more challenging through the pandemic. “Over the last few years, I have seen an alarming increase in the need for psychiatric services,” she explained. “This mental health crisis led me to want to pursue my master’s degree as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.” Heather will graduate from Wilkes University next year and hopes to work with pediatric and adolescent patients with psychiatric disorders.

Both Thiago and Heather share a passion for helping others and living healthy, active lifestyles. This common thread is what ultimately brought the two of them together. “We met through a mutual friend,” Heather said. “She knew we both enjoyed exercise, health and good food!” Heather said that after hearing a little more about Thiago, she agreed to meet him for dinner. They connected immediately and have been inseparable ever since. Heather said, “We truly complement each other. Thiago is more reserved, shy and serious, and I am more outgoing and sociable.”

The happy couple married in 2020, moved from Philadelphia to Newtown Square and began building their future together, though it wasn’t quite the fairy tale they’d imagined because COVID had

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Reservations Accepted other plans. “While we were experiencing these happy times, it was also very challenging,” Thiago said. “I had to shut down HOA for some time and Heather was working around the clock at the hospital.” To add to their nervousness, a few months into the pandemic, Heather and Thiago found out they were expecting a baby. “We were excited to become parents but anxious at the same time.”

Later that year, Thiago and Heather welcomed their son Zion to their family. Heather said that Zion is an active two-year-old boy who loves being outdoors, reading books, swimming and hanging out with his dad at HOA. Thiago said that Zion visits him all the time at the gym and tries his best to keep up with the older kids in his BJJ classes. “Zion is very outgoing and enjoys making new friends,” Heather laughed. “Anyone who lives in our development and uses the pool knows Zion!”

Heather and Thiago have lived in Greene Countrie for over two years now and are very happy with their decision to call Newtown Square their home. They said their neighbors have welcomed them with open arms, and Zion has made many friends. Thiago’s family has enjoyed visiting from Brazil, and Heather’s family is just a short drive away.

Thiago, Heather and Zion, thank you for sharing your inspirational story of turning your passion and purpose into your life’s work. Your story will certainly inspire many of your Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors to follow their dreams.

“Our lives aren’t defined by whom we have beaten or defeated or the amount of titles we won. Our legacy lives in those lives we change.” – Thiago Thomaz

Do you know a Newtown Square family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com. N S

by Sarah Forti Forti Homes with Keller Williams Realty