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What made you get into martial arts?
The main reason I first started training was because growing up I didn’t learn how to defend myself properly. I did wrestling for a couple years and I took a few taekwondo classes (all in elementary school) but we couldn’t afford to keep me in anything for more than a month or two.

Tell us about your journey/background/accomplishments?
In 2022 I found myself in Colorado with no car but I had a job nearby and something told me it was time to look into jiu-jitsu. I found a gym between work and home and I signed up for a trail class. I had no idea I was about to train at a professional-level MMA gym, looking back I was extremely lucky that HAMA was the first place I walked into. I continue to train for different reasons, as an adult I remember learning wrestling moves and striking drills and I use to love those classes. Now I’m chasing that feeling, enjoying the camaraderie with my peers, and trying to hone my own skills and be the best that I can be.

What is your goal as a coach?
Right now my goal as a coach is to get better, to assist newer students or anyone who feels like they’re struggling, and to always be raising the caliber of my own coaching skills. My long term goal is to understand an approach to self defense and be able to teach it to people who really need it. Since I was once a kid who felt defenseless I want to help people struggling with that same feeling. People who need it for actual self defense or who just want to feel comfortable going for a walk at night or for those who have their own internal battles that they want to work through with sweat and skill development.

What makes High Altitude Martial Arts special?
I think High Attitude Martial Arts is special for a few reasons. There’s the high-level curriculum they teach largely geared towards competition yet we have plenty of people who train casually for a fun, engaging work out. Every instructor is patient and attentive with new students while offering that little bit extra to the competitors in the room. I’ve found HAMA to be an extremely supportive gym regardless of your skill level, background, or goals. We just want you to have a great time with us while we all smile, sweat, and learn together.