Joel Toledo didn’t open a gym to win awards; he opened one to make a difference. But in just its second year, American Killer Bees Fitness — and Joel himself — have earned top honors in multiple categories in Discovering Bulloch's annual Readers’ Choice Awards: Best Personal Trainer, Best Health and Fitness Club, Best Yoga Studio and Best Event (“Yoga, Samosas & Mimosas”). 

For Joel, a U.S. veteran, martial artist and certified personal trainer, the recognition is less about accolades and more about the community behind them.

“Winning four Readers' Choice Awards this year was a truly humbling experience, reaffirming that our efforts are making a difference,” he said. “These awards belong to our dedicated members and supporters, and we are incredibly grateful for their recognition.”

Joel’s foundation in discipline and service runs deep. A self-described “military brat,” he grew up in a family that included members of the Air Force, Navy and Army. Eventually, he served in the Air Force himself, learning the values that still shape his life today. Following a return to civilian life, Joel began working in protective services, including military, law enforcement and executive protection

But martial arts and fitness had always been central to his life, a passion ignited more than 30 years ago after earning his Black Belt in Taekwondo at age 11. With an especially strong penchant for striking, he went on to train in competitive boxing, kickboxing and wrestling, followed by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai during his time in the military. 

“It was the dynamic and effective nature of Muay Thai that truly captivated me,” he said.

In 2002, he became a certified personal trainer and began shifting his focus to fitness and coaching full time. After leaving a director of security position in Atlanta, Joel took a job at one of the city’s premier mixed martial arts and sports performance gyms. There, he trained in Muay Thai under Israel Gomes de Oliveria, the same coach who would later help inspire the launch of his own gym. 

By 2020, Joel had relocated to Statesboro, where he was surprised to find a shortage of training options for fitness kickboxing and Muay Thai. Soon he set out to fill that void with the opening of his own facility — and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With those plans on pause, Joel took the opportunity to work at the Statesboro Family YMCA, where he introduced the city’s first Muay Thai program and offered fitness kickboxing classes that quickly gained popularity.

His work at the Y earned him recognition in the community and paved the way for his next step, and in January 2024, Joel officially opened American Killer Bees Fitness in Statesboro. The name is a nod to the original “Killer Bees” Muay Thai team formed in 2003 in Curitiba, Brazil, by his coach, Israel Gomes de Oliveria, UFC Hall of Famer Anderson “The Spider” Silva and Rodrigo Vidal. When Silva and Gomes brought the team to the U.S. a year later, they added “American” to the name. While there are affiliate gyms around the world, referred to as “hives,” each one is independently owned and operated.

“What truly distinguishes AKB, in my opinion, is our welcoming atmosphere and genuine dedication to our members,” Joel said. “My coaching philosophy centers on listening to each individual's goals and focusing on both mental and physical well-being through martial arts and fitness. I encourage people to leave their daily stresses on our 150-pound heavy bags and walk out feeling refreshed and empowered.”

The gym currently offers two distinct group classes as well as one-on-one training. Fitness kickboxing provides a high-energy workout suitable for all levels, while Muay Thai classes focus on technique, self-defense and competition. Personal training programs are customized to each client and may include boxing, Muay Thai, self-defense, sports performance, strength and conditioning and general fitness.

Joel emphasizes that AKB Fitness is for everyone, no matter their level of expertise. 

“We strive to cultivate a welcoming environment for everyone, regardless of their fitness background, and offer a free introductory class to experience our facility and atmosphere,” he said. “I firmly believe that the supportive community and coaching style are key to long-term engagement.”

Supporting local businesses and fostering connection are also part of that mission, and Joel actively looks for ways to collaborate with fellow local business owners. One such partnership helped produce “Yoga, Samosas & Mimosas,” now among the gym’s most popular offerings. The idea came from Joel’s wife, Dr. Courtney Toledo, who works as the special education coordinator for Langston Chapel Elementary School. She is also a certified 200-hour yoga teacher and trained social-emotional learning facilitator.

“Recognizing the growing interest in yoga and wanting to create a unique experience in Statesboro, we partnered with AJ Jetwani of Tandoor & Tap,” Joel said. “Combining yoga with the delicious samosas from Tandoor & Tap was a natural fit, and mimosas were added to enhance the experience. Our aim was to introduce something new and appealing to the community, and the positive response has been fantastic, bringing together different segments of the community.” 

As for the future, Joel said the focus remains on maintaining a high standard, deepening community ties, and continuing to support his members through their fitness journeys.

“While there are ideas for new programs and events, our priority is to maintain the welcoming and effective training environment we've created,” he said. 

And for those looking to star their own journey, his advice is simple: Don’t wait.

“I encourage you to explore different training methods and find what you truly enjoy and what motivates you,” he said. “The right environment and supportive coaches can make all the difference.”

Built on a foundation of service, discipline and community, American Killer Bees Fitness has quickly secured its place in Statesboro’s wellness scene, with one simple mission — help people become stronger, in every sense of the word.