Ryan Quinn and his son. {courtesy}
By Ryan Quinn
Special to Coral Springs Talk
With the growing popularity of UFC and MMA, martial arts has become a more common hobby and fitness routine than ever before in the last 30 years.
Did you know that Coral Springs has more than 30 academies in a wide variety of disciplines? Our city offers several avenues for promoting physical health, mental well-being, and social interaction.
No better activity embodies all of the above than training martial arts in the ultimate pursuit of getting your black belt and giving back by training those under you in the style of your choosing.
My personal experience stems from being a professional mixed martial artist. As a Coral Springs resident, I trained at the world-renowned American Top Team in Coconut Creek and competed worldwide.
After retirement, I continued my martial arts journey at Alliance BJJ and American Top Team All Striking in Coral Springs to further my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai disciplines.
Starting as a wrestler, martial arts has given me an established sense of discipline, responsibility, resilience, and encouragement to live a healthy life. I have also met some of the most amazing people in the academies I have trained at over the years, who have forged friendships that will last a lifetime. As a 2nd-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), nothing gives me greater pleasure than teaching the art to our community students, ages 4 to 80.
Dr. Jeffrey Mandelkorn, a Psychiatrist training at Coral Springs Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, is a perfect example of what martial arts training does for people and why getting started is all you need to see the life-changing results you desire. “I was initially interested in Brazilin Jiu-Jitsu to get fit and feel stronger and more confident. After almost a year of training, I have exceeded my expectations. I have lost 30 pounds and am noticeably stronger and fitter. I’ve also found a supporting community which helps keep me motivated.”
Martial Arts training differs from the common method of fitness with gyms and fitness classes because of the great camaraderie you build. Not only gaining motivation from the instructors but also your classmates sharing the mats, locking arms, trying to better themselves right along with you. Students of all ages turn classmates into friends from all walks of life. Encouraging one another to better their art and support their growth as people.
This endorsement is from another martial arts student at American Top Team All Striking, who is extremely grateful Muay Thai came into his life.
American Top Team All Striking is an unbelievable find right here in Coral Springs. The owner, Katel Kubis, is not only a world-class fighter but also the head striking coach for many World Champions and MMA athletes across the UFC and every other fighting organization. He personally spends time every day with students of all skill levels, making them just a little better- both Muay Thai practitioners and people! Katel and his handpicked team of highly skilled, positive, and caring coaches made choosing to be a student at American Top Team All Striking amazingly rewarding I would recommend to anyone!” –Mike Gelfano, American Top Team All Striking student.
Martial Arts professors are second to none when it comes to business owners truly caring about their service to their customers and members. Your personal growth, both physically and mentally, is their priority, and they take it as a personal responsibility to make sure the dozens (and sometimes hundreds) can take what they learn in training and benefit their lives both in and outside of the academy through confidence, discipline, and accountability.
Ryan Quinn as a competitor. {Courtesy}
This is why, most of all, involving martial arts in children’s lives is highly encouraged. The overwhelming majority of kids participating have improved self-discipline, confidence, and higher self-esteem. I have been an instructor to hundreds of children over the years where their parents have personally vouched for this, as well as even stated that their child now has a greater ability to deal with adversity when things aren’t going their way, which leads to an edge not only in competition but in their professional lives as they get older.
Many children join to learn how to deal with bullying. We, as instructors, have also found that training teaches youngsters when NOT to get involved with physical interaction. Training encourages physical activity needed for a youngster’s fitness and exercise, often assisting with a release of energy for the perfect after-school activity. And most importantly, it’s fun. Kids make friends within their team that will last a lifetime and participate in this positive journey with them.
Detective Tim Coker of the Coral Springs Police Department has nothing but praise and gratitude for his time training Brazilin Jiu at Alliance BJJ Coral Springs.
“The single best decision I’ve ever made for myself as an officer was training BJJ. The best part of BJJ is that it is non-violent and teaches officers how to gain control using the least amount of force possible. It has given me so much confidence to de-escalate situations and do my job safely.”
A large amount of our city’s police officers study jiu-jitsu at various local academies. Alliance BJJ off of Coral Ridge and Wiles has a class dedicated to law enforcement that the department takes advantage of to handle situations in the orderly fashion that Detective Coker is referring to for the betterment of our community.
With the many growing academies, Coral Springs has an excellent foundation for martial arts training, and with good reason. It is a wonderful hobby and has had ample positive influence on the lives of millions. There is no better way to discover self and situational awareness while building a network within our community.
As someone who has participated in the culture for most of my life, I can vouch that you and your loved ones will benefit greatly from it. The city has a wide variety to choose from to start your journey.
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