Michelle and Jessica, a personal training client, competed in an IKF muay Thai competition.

Michelle was still recovering from a bad flu. Jessica was returning from two knee surgeries. Neither had the advantage of youth, time, or the kind of resource-rich training environment we were up against. But both won their matches—against seasoned competitors from large commercial muay Thai gyms.

Our tiny team also placed first on the gym leaderboard, ahead of gyms with four to six competitors.

We don't have rows of punching bags—nor a punching bag, period. We don't have pads. We don't have a massive student body and the large sparring pool that comes along with it. Our competitors are our trainers and personal training clients who lack the privilege of a daily training grind. They learn everything during their personal training sessions. Michelle did not know how to kickbox a year ago. She learned by teaching the clients through our innovative play-based and self-directed teaching approach.

Our approach is why our little team has been able to do big things in a short time. Even going from: I've never trained, I have injuries, I'm too old, I'm scared, I have fears about hitting or being hit, I just want to try this and nothing more—to not only sparring but competing—is a feat in itself. Since we added martial arts to our personal training program less than two years ago, we've competed in four events. So proud of the team.

– Sam