Mahta Gharaei
Youth & Women’s Advocate | National Team Karate Athlete | Motivational Speaker
Youth & Women’s Advocate | National Team Karate Athlete | Motivational Speaker
Canadian National Champion. Karateka since age 5. Dean Scholar Law & Society undergrad at York University. 600+ volunteer hours with global/grassroots campaigns and charities. Member of Team Canada since 2017.
Mahta Gharaei is a Canadian National Champion and National Team athlete with Karate Canada since 2017, holding a First-Degree Black Belt earned through 16 years of dedication. She has represented Canada at the WKF World Youth Cup (Silver – Croatia), five Junior Pan American Championships (Bronze – Brazil), and the 2024 Karate Junior World Championships in Italy. With 8 National medals, 34 Provincial Champion titles, and multiple accolades, Mahta was named Athlete of the Year by the Ontario Karate Federation in 2018 and 2020, and held Ontario’s Ministry of Sport Carded Athlete status from 2018 to 2024.
Currently pursuing a B.A. (Hons) in Law and Society at York University, Mahta is a Dean’s Scholar aspiring to become an international lawyer — a path well grounded in her years of advocacy. Since 2018, Mahta has participated and/or contributed over 600 volunteer hours supporting youth and women’s initiatives through organizations like 360°kids, Operation Smile Canada, UN Women’s HeForShe, and Canadian Women & Sport (Game On Pilot Project).
In 2018, she led bilingual advocacy efforts through the HeForShe global gender-equity campaign, including self-defence education proposals to York Region School Boards — an initiative she hopes to see implemented. As Co-President of the 360°kids’ Youth Ambassador Program and formerly an Ambassador, she mentored peers, participated in workshops, and supported a dozen fundraisers, awareness campaigns, and community service drives for homeless and at-risk youth in York Region — including the 360°Experience, a simulation of youth homelessness in -20°C weather, alongside civic leaders.
This experience was deeply eye-opening, revealing the scale of challenges facing youth in Canada — particularly the mental health crisis, social isolation, and lack of direction many young people silently face. It was through this work that she recognized the urgent need for early intervention, goal-setting, and positive role models — what inspired her to create the “Beyond the Classroom” motivational seminars.
Mahta’s advocacy extends to the pageantry stage, from Paraguay to Mexico, where she amplifies her platform of empowerment and service. Notably she placed First Runner-Up at Miss World Canada 2024 and was crowned Miss Teen Globe in 2020, representing Canada internationally. Over the years, Mahta’s athleticism, seminars, and outreach have earned her over 10 recognitions from mayors, MPs, MPPs, and school boards. Her message has reached dojos, schools, and shelters across Ontario where she’s seen firsthand how inspiration can change a young life’s direction.
With over a decade of karate experience under her belt, and 8 years of charity work, Mahta now uses her platform to empower youth and women to rise above their limits through education, healthy life habits, and self-defence training. Her long-term goal is to build a national youth empowerment and self-defence curriculum for schools, connecting sport, service, and lived experience to promote inclusion, equity, and mental well-being — especially for girls, newcomers, and marginalized youth.
“Beyond the Classroom” is a voluntary, interactive, motivational 25-minute seminar for youth (ages 8–14) designed to empower students through animated storytelling, goal-setting, and the 10 Golden Rules of Champion Minds. Launched in 2024, in schools and sport facilities, BTC is going nationwide!
Mahta founded “Beyond the Classroom,” a 25–30 minute motivational seminar intended for students and athletes in grades 2 to 8 (ages 8–14), equipping them with the mindset and tools to achieve excellence in school, extracurriculars, and leadership. The seminar includes a Doodly-style animated storytelling presentation based on her personal journey — with live narration, interactive audience engagement, and a structured follow-up Q&A.
Students are introduced to the 10 Golden Rules of Champion Minds — a blueprint Mahta has developed to help kids build confidence, focus, and a growth mindset. Each rule supports a proactive approach to overcoming stress, staying in school, and staying engaged in sport or extracurriculars. Throughout the session, she asks students to share their goals and challenges aloud — from becoming NBA stars to astronauts — and guide them in breaking down those dreams into real steps forward.
The seminar was first delivered in martial arts dojos (Ontario & Quebec) and has now been approved for launch in York Region Schools in September 2025. Thirteen bilingual seminars have been delivered, with feedback from parents, coaches, and students calling the session “life-changing,” “inspiring,” and “exactly what schools need.”
Mahta has also created anonymous survey forms for students in grades 6–8, which will be distributed across schools in 2025–26. The goal is to survey 500+ students, gathering data on interest in school-based self-defence and mental wellness education. She contacted over 20 elementary schools, submitted proposals to education leaders, and met with Ontario’s Minister of Children & Social Services to promote this initiative.
In 2021, Mahta participated in the Game On Pilot Project, a leadership-based initiative by Canadian Women & Sport, learning how to engage youth in sport, improve access for girls, and advance long-term gender equity in sport. This experience deepened her understanding of intersectionality and fueled her advocacy for girls’ participation in athletics. She now incorporates those lessons — equity, inclusion, and the power of sport to build confidence and purpose — into her seminar’s messaging and school proposals. The seminar also reinforces findings from the CWS Rally Reports, which highlight the urgent need to keep girls in sport, especially during adolescence, when participation drops by up to 22%.
“Personally, I’ve seen firsthand how sport, story, and mentorship help kids believe in themselves and break cycles of self-doubt. That’s why I continue building this program into a nationwide initiative, designed to reach every child — and especially girls, newcomers, and racialized youth — who need a champion mindset.”
“Mahta is a brilliant student and dedicated athlete. The students were delighted to attend her presentation and they were all inspired and in awe of her accomplishments and relentless determination. The presentation was organized, well delivered and engaging for the audience of young aspiring athletes. Mahta’s message regarding all elements of being a high performer in multiple fields were very clear, consistent and well received. We are truly lucky to have such a multi-talented competitor at our dojo, she truly is the best role model for all of our athletes.”
– Nassim Varasteh, Former National Team Head Coach Olympic Program
“I just want to tell you, you did not participate in the last 10 years in conferences here [in Montreal]. We’ve had Olympians, Olympic medalists; athletes in swimming, fencing, karate, wrestling, weightlifting… We’ve had so many performers; they were amazing. But in my point of view, you are the best speaker so far. Good job!”
– Alexandru Sorin, Former Head Coach Jr National Team Karate Canada
“This was a TED Talk!”
– Student
“Our athletes truly appreciated your stories and valued the life lessons you shared. We later discussed your lecture in class and the young ones remember most of your 10 tips. Please continue this journey. Ichigo Ichie. Thank you.”
– Sensei Sean Wong, Ontario Team Coach
“Your seminar “Beyond the Classroom” was very inspirational. It helped me realize the value of remaining dedicated, even when the going gets tough. For me, your seminar allowed many athletes such as myself to really value the process of training.”
– Jada Barrett, SKIF Dojo Athlete
“Mahta’s seminar “Beyond the Classroom” represents the dedication and effort athletes put into their craft. Mahta spoke and highlighted her real life examples that shines upon her passion for martial arts. I found her seminar very interesting and relative.”
– Roya Khaligh, KanZenKai Dojo Athlete
“Your seminar was excellent. My students, especially the young ones not competing, loved it, they found it extremely inspirational. Also for the Elite Athletes it was extremely important to know that the journey is made of setbacks and successes. It was a great hands-on seminar with true inspirational facts!”
– Sensei Antonio Terra, Ontario Team Coach
“I have been inspired by Mahta’s work ethic and morals since the first time we met. She always looks for the positive in any situation, and I can see her working hard to improve herself and her teammates during each training session. She inspires me to be a better version of myself even outside of the dojo. I knew she was someone I wanted to be like the moment I met her and trained with her.”
– Misuzu Tamaki, National Team Athlete
“Best presentation I’ve ever listened to! I will never forget this!”
– Student
“I want to become an NBA Star, and this really changed my view on life. You made me feel like it’s really possible!”
– Student
“Thank you for inspiring my daughter, she was really struggling in school, finding friends, and staying motivated. You made her feel seen!”
– Parent
“On our way to the Dojo today, I was telling my son the importance of having passion for these classes. You brought the message home. Thank you!”
– Parent
“I thought your presentation was quite inspiring. I’m hoping that the younger students got your message that success is not an accident. The harder you work, the luckier you become. I liked your visuals that accompanied your presentation. Very nice touch. Keep up the good work and the positive attitude. I look forward to hearing about the next steps on your journey.”
– Sensei Brad Jones, Former OKF President
“Super Job Mahta! A great example to the younger generation not just in your excellent Karate Skills but also your wonderful manners! I hope after you are done with your competition time that you will become an Ontario/National Team Coach!”
– Sensei Ed Docherty, Ontario Team Coach
Voluntarily delivered group self-defence sessions for women and girls, offered through victim services and dojos. Certified, trauma-informed, and grounded in empowerment — designed for vulnerable women and DV/SV survivors. Book a session today!
Self-defence seminars are completely free of charge and focus on prevention, communication, escape, and defence — including weapon defence. Sessions are 1 hour long and designed for vulnerable women and survivors of DV/SV and human trafficking, ages 14+. Bookings are made exclusively through recognized victim support centers or approved dojos. These group sessions are trauma-informed and delivered as voluntary community service.
As a certified self-defence instructor, Mahta partners with victim services to teach survivors of gender-based violence essential life-saving skills. Her focus is on empowering vulnerable women — survivors of domestic and sexual violence (DV/SV) and human trafficking — beginning in her local community through the 360°kids HOPE Program. While she is confirmed to begin teaching seminars through HOPE, they have not yet officially started.
“I believe self-defence is a vital skill, especially for survivors. By partnering with support networks and grassroots organizations, we can equip women and girls with real tools to recognize danger, respond decisively, and regain control. According to UN Women via HeForShe, 640 million women globally have experienced intimate partner violence. The WHO reports that 1 in 3 women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. This must change — and offering self-defence through survivor-centered programs is one step forward.”
Trained in Karate for 16 years, earned her Shodan, and having experience volunteering as an instructor at KanZenKai dojo, Mahta has been certified by the Coaching Association of Canada (NCCP) in multiple disciplines, including coaching and sport ethics. To further qualify as a self-defence instructor, she trained under Sensei Pirooz Varasteh, a 6th-degree black belt and National & European champion in Karate and Body-building. He certified her in self-defence after intensive cross-training in Jiu-jitsu, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and weapon defence.
She now uses this certification to legally teach self-defence in Canada — and in the future, internationally. Her long-term vision is to expand access to self-defence education in shelters, youth housing programs, schools, and community centers — wherever women and girls need to feel safe and strong again.
Mahta’s career spans championship athletics, community leadership, advocacy, and public speaking. From the global stage to grassroots initiatives, she merges sport, service, and scholarship.
Mahta Gharaei has been featured in 17+ multilingual media outlets, including national & international TV, radio, magazines, and podcasts. View her full media appearances, interviews, and IMDb credits.
Mahta has been featured in over 17 media outlets across television, radio, print, and digital platforms. Her appearances highlight her advocacy work, athletic and pageantry accomplishments, public speaking, and youth leadership.
Her interviews across English and Persian language media, further amplify her reach as a national voice for equity, inclusion, and youth empowerment. Having been featured on some of the most viewed Persian Language satellite TV channels, such as Manoto Network, she has come to introduce herself to millions of audiences worldwide.
▶ Watch Full Roqe Media EpisodeHer screen experience also extends to IMDb-listed projects, including Amazon-hosted content. In 2018, Mahta co-hosted an episode of DIY Layover – Toronto, a cultural travel series featured on Amazon Prime Video, where she guided viewers through the vibrant highlights of the city’s tourism and heritage. A year later, she appeared as a model in Runway Dreams, filmed in Toronto and New York, later aired on TVO and Amazon Prime Video.
Coming Soon — First in a planned line of fantasy books, Gharaei sisters debut Cats of Purcia, a poetic story exploring identity, courage, and legacy through whimsical verse and prophecy.
Logline: A whimsical tale, a prophecy etched in time, and a kingdom in peril. Leave it to the Pawsome Five to light the torch, awaken the lion, and rise beneath the scorching sun.
When the hands of time striketh eleven,
Mid hour of frost, fireth in heaven.
To come hither, a stranger from strange land,
Shall turn the tides of fate, hourglass of sand.
A thousand stars aflow, in waters deep,
Fill thy cup thrice, alas, put thee to sleep.
Lions’ heir, beware! Tis a presage call...
In the eye of storm, hence the kingdom fall.
To conquer evil, treasure the sun’s truth,
Seek the last clue, in the Fountain of Youth.
Hark! What thou didst once, thou shall repeat thrice;
Closed eyes Mayst open, when thou roll twain dice.
Author's Backstory: Cats of Purcia is not your typical children’s book. Composed in a lyrical AABBCC rhyme scheme and brought to life through enchanting illustrations, it tells the story of a mythical feline kingdom shaped by prophecy, courage, and quiet rebellion. At once whimsical and profound, it blends the charm of a poetic fable with allegorical themes about exile, belonging, and collective hope.
Beneath its playful exterior lies a deeper commentary on nostalgia and destiny. From anthropomorphized cats to lost royal emblems, Cats of Purcia speaks not only to young readers, but to adults who carry generational memories and experienced cultural loss, especially those in the diaspora.
The book was deeply shaped by the historic death of Mahsa Amini, a moment that stirred the hearts of youth and storytellers alike. What began in 2022 as a light-hearted, imaginative project was paused as the world shifted. When the tale resumed, its voice had changed — still poetic, but sharpened in purpose. A fantasy rooted in truth, it became a mirror of resilience and a tribute to a generation yearning for change.
The authors, sisters Ava and Mahta Gharaei, draw from their creativity and cultural roots. Ava — a wordsmith poet since childhood and former children’s radio host — infuses the story with archaic depth and cadence. Mahta brings a well-rounded prowess to the collaboration as a nationally recognized public speaker, advocate, and visionary. Together, they blend storytelling and advocacy in a work that is heartfelt and hauntingly relevant.
