It all started in Chicago in 1982! I was once cool like you all…
In fact, probably cooler (srs)
PROOF:
Future ninja!
Fast forward 22 years, and I began my MMA training in 2004 after graduating college with an English Degree (side note: don’t get an English Degree if you want to make $$)
Winning a white belt tournament in 2005
I didn’t have a lot of career opportunities at the time — I was helping my family make ends meet with our landscaping business, which left me super unfulfilled. MMA was an escape from that and one place where I could just invest in myself and grow as a person, not defined by my family, my responsibilities, or my past. These were challenging but fun years.
Performing the “Wai Kru” before a fight in 2007
Fighting professionally in Suriname in 2009
Winning after my final fight in 2012 in Atlantic City
I spent the next 5 years daydreaming about running my own school. Injuries and life had taken me out of competition but I felt I still had a lot to offer.
So, in 2017 I started a gym! I had only a few thousand dollars to my name and we made it work. But it wasn’t easy!
2017 – Our first location in a fitness center in Chestnut Hill
2018 – Our first dedicated space
2019 – We added this room to the “Garden Room” and grew into a massive 5000 square foot facility.
2025 – We moved to Mt Airy into a super cool church!
So, what’s running a gym like?
It’s amazing!
ISKA World Championships 2024 in Vienna, Austria!
Shellshocked coach (12 hour days!)
Future leaders of the world (god help us)
Just another Monday night!
Collecting straps!
Ok, but it’s not all “aura farming” and mogging the opps..
QUESTIONS????