THE RED CORNER
NEWS AND UPDATES FROM THE NORTH STAR ACADEMY OF MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
WEEK OF JUNE 01st, 2026
Monday Mindset, Membership Updates, and Facility FAQ Links all available at the bottom!
Happy Monday team!
Hard to believe it’s already June but, well, here we are. We’re nearing on one full year at the new place. How time flies!
Not much “extra-curricularly” (I know that’s not a real word, but I like it) happening a the gym this week, but we do have some cool stuff in store in the coming weeks.
First, our next BJJ Team Sparring night is Tuesday, June 9th, at 7:30pm! This is gi, nogi, whatever. Just rounds on rounds of rolling and good vibes! Open to all BJJ students — come through and have a good time.
Second, we have a BJJ promotions night on Monday, June 15th. This is normally a nogi class on the schedule, but bring your gi! We’ll do our best to get through the promotions in a way that both keeps it moving along, but gives everyone their moment. Open mat is to follow.
Third, catch Makhi Anthony and Xavier Taylor at Gut Check Championships in Delaware on June 20th! Makhi and Xavier are fresh off medaling performances at the ISKA National Tournament a few weeks ago, with Makhi taking gold and Xavier taking silver in their respective divisions. They step back into the ring against more tough competition in just three weeks time! Tickets will be available shortly.
Also, don’t forget that we have a “Monday Mindset” article written every week. To keep the newsletters short, I usually just post these on the blog and link them below the signature. Time in this community doesn’t mean much for skill — there are plenty of people twice as good as I am with half the experience, some training here at the academy! But time in the community has given me a lot of experience in sustainability, consistency, and discipline, and I’ve literally worked coached thousands of martial artists over the years. Certain things are just, generally, true.. and I do my best to share a perspective and approach to training that will help you stay in the moment, dialed in, and moving forward.
There are so many temptations, pitfalls, and “shortcuts” (which lead nowhere or, worse, backwards) to avoid. And, most often, the most insidious traps are the ones we lay for ourselves.
What we do here is not easy. But it’s worth it. 22 years “in the game” and that still rings as true today as it did on my first day in 2004.
See you on the mats!
–Coach Jackson
You can find this week’s Monday Mindset HERE