5 /5 Aidan Thompson: Ive been involved sports and martial arts most of my life ranging from Karate, Judo, Boxing, Kickboxing, noGi grappling and a range of other team sports training at well over 15+ clubs for both extended periods of time and short visits. Granite is where I have settled and a place I will undoubtedly come to for the rest of my life, for the teaching, fighting and strong friendships that I have built with my time there.
Fighting gyms all have their own nuisances from the fake master to the corporate, the pushy and intense to the laissez faire and everything in between.
Finding the sport and club that is right for you is important and to summarise Granite Id pin the focus on Authenticy. You have the opportunity to take on as much or as little as you like, to diversify with world-leading coaches in different disciplines, and mix with people from a world of different backgrounds but one thing you cannot avoid is being yourself.
In a gym where you can giggle like a child or kick someones head of like a killer, egos must be left at the door, you therefore build a strong character to compliment the physical and technical improvements you will inevitably pick up. Learning to accept who you are, speak honestly and freely, have an enormous amount of fun and reflect when you are humbled.
Granite suits my lifestyle, I can train hard when I want (pushed to the boundaries I set!) and I am not penalised or overly pressured to be anyone more than I am.
My Nogi has come on an enormous amount since training at Granite, The little time I have engaged with stand up here too has help me calm my style, control my breath and control some of my tells. Ive had the chance to engage in other sports as support staff and my fight iq and understanding has deepend overall with time taken to discuss technique and strategy alongside the standard burpee!
Thank you Chris & co, Mentors & Friends.
Big up!
