Top 5 Things I Have Learned About Opening an MMA Gym

1. Pride

Ever since we first opened the doors to the Adrenaline Training Center there has been a certain sense of pride that I have felt in the facility. The gym embodies everything I have ever wanted in a MMA: Great trainers, nice facility layout and proper equipment, positive atmosphere but still a feeling that you know champions are born within the walls. Having trained in every facility imaginable, from basements of Churches, to huge multi million dollar Goodlife Fitness esq. gyms, I am so proud to help create something that I am honoured to be a part of. I look forward to training, training others of all levels and having a successful gym along the way.

2. Delegation

I know part of the this feeling is due to my controlling nature, but I have learned to delegate some of the responsibilities of the gym. When we first opened I tried to handle every aspect and every issue with the gym, which was beginning to run me down. I have have learned to believe in the strong team around and understand that they are as, or more capable of running various aspects of the gym. I am sure part of the problems stems that I am so proud of Adrenaline and passionate about all aspects that I wanted to handle everything but now understand that a business is run with the team as opposed to one person.

3. Goals

Since opening the gym I have forced to deal with what my goals are right now in my life, personal of business. I am so excited about the gym and I am trying to ensure it’s success but I also have to realize what my focus really is, which is becoming a World Champion in MMA. It is nice that in between training I can focus on the gym and the issues related to it, but in the big picture have to focus on the success of my career as a MMA fighter.

4. Time Management

With training for upcoming fights and day to day operations with the gym, I have learned to make my schedule very strict and not stray too far from the ensure both training and business do not overwhelm me. It has made me focus on each day and make sure everything gets covered in a timely and efficient manner.

5. General Public View of MMA

Since opening the doors I learned that there is so much more to be understood about MMA by the general public. Sometimes being around individuals in and around the sport 24 hours a day makes you forget that the average fan, or individual interested in training may not know all aspects of the sport. I have had people come in and think that when you sign up for training that we put on the gloves and jump in the cage in the first class, or learn that physical fitness is one of the largest parts of the training involved. Over the years anyone in the sport has seen guys come in and think they already know it all about MMA, or want to fight in a week, but there are a number of people just looking to train for the fun of it have no idea that training doesn’t always mean putting on the gloves and punching at each other, but rather learning technique, getting a great workout without any contact at all. I really like changing peoples perspective on the sport in a positive manner and I am happy when that happens.