Testimonials

"Je crois que la qualité la plus motivante du club est sa dynamique sociale. L'ambiance créée par les entraîneurs et les employés encourage les respect de tous et chacun et forme un aire où tout le monde peut s'épanouir socialement, mentalement, et physiquement. Je me suis fait de bon amis tout en découvrant le sport de Muay Thai, que j'apprécie maintenant énormément.

The club's ambiance is one of the greatest qualities found at SBJJ. Great people train there because great people work there. They help you grow as a person and as an athlete. It is a club run on respect, which creates an area where each and every one of us can grow socially, mentally, and physically. I met some good friends at the club and I also discovered myself a new passion for Muay Thai. I will never forget this experience."

Andrée-M. D'Aoust-Messier

"As a wellness practitioner I am continuously impressed with the focus of Sudbury BJJ and Muay Thai Academy. They are not only teaching their students self defense principles and how to compete in martial arts, but also the benefits of staying active and living well. Everyone, from children and teenagers to adults can benefit physically and mentally from training at the club. I train at the club regularly and recommend it to my patients"

Dr. Janna-Marie Doni, Barrydowne Family Chiropractic

"Hi, my name is Jay and I am 28 years of age. I am married and have three children ages 9, 7 and 3. I also work full time. When I was 22 I started working out at the gym and pumped iron. My average weight was about 220lbs and I would load myself with protein shakes and eat anything I wanted. My cardio was horrible; I couldn’t even run for 5 minutes. My body did not react well to this type of lifestyle and I had terrible mood swings and a short temper which then started to affect my home and work life. I wasn’t able to go out socially without getting into some sort of fight, whether it be physical or verbal. I had zero self-discipline and just couldn’t control myself. With my negative attitude and how repetitive my life was, I needed a healthy change. I decided to try a Muay Thai class at Sudbury BJJ and Muay Thai Academy. The first class I went to I was embarrassed that I couldn’t even skip. I weighed 228lbs and was a muscle head with a lot of body fat and no cardio. Being so heavy I felt really out of place. But because the instructors where so nice and didn't judge me, I kept coming. I made sure to go at least 3 classes per week and by March of 2010 I had my first Muay Thai fight and weighed in at 184lbs. I felt so much better and so did my body. I perfected my diet with the help of the instructors and was able to eat meals that helped me train and feel more active all day, every day. This also helped me at work giving me more energy and more patients with my children.

Since then I have competed in 4 Muay Thai competitions including at the CASK K1 Provincial Tournament in October. In August I started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and found another new love. I recently competed at the Ontario BJJ Open and came home with a medal and lots of experience. I competed in this tournament at 176lbs. Yeah that's right - that means that with one year of training at Sudbury BJJ and Muay Thai I have lost 52 pounds!!!!

My life has changed all around and I feel better about myself. I have so much self control now and my friends and family have noticed a huge change in me! I can proudly say that I have not gotten in to any fights since joining and know that I can take any aggression out in a safe, controlled environment!

I have since enrolled my children in the BJJ program. They love it and I know they will be taught by the best!!

Thanks to everyone at Sudbury BJJ and Muay Thai."

Jay Bertin

"I moved to Sudbury in 2008 which is when I started training at Sudbury BJJ and Muay Thai Academy and I've been training and competing ever since. I started out with Muay Thai for the first year and I've trained with top level instructors including UFC fighter Kru Mark Holst, Coban Lookchaomaesaitong, Ajahn Burklerk Pinsinchai, Kru Chris Kew, Kru Jeff Harrison,Kru Nick Castiglia and Kru Mel Bellissimo. Since training Muay Thai I have lost 70lbs. Steve and Jenn really focused on helping me with my diet. It was an easy, healthy diet that never left me hungry and I was able to have enough energy to train also which helped a lot with my weight loss. I was always the bigger kid in high school (235lbs) and now I am a more average, healthy size and it makes me feel great. I've also had four amateur fights (3-1), two in New York City, one at Friday Night Fights, the other at the MMA expo in a four-man tournament for Take On Productions - winner won a trip for two to Thailand. I also fought other tournaments such as the Muay Thai classics where I won the 2010 Muay Thai Classic Cruiserweight Championship belt in the Juniors Division and the CASK provincials in Burlington where I won the Men’s -81kg CASK Provincial Championship. I am now training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Wrestling. I recently won gold at the 2010 Ontario Open BJJ tournament and now I look forward to a professional career in Muay Thai and MMA."

Jessie Cronier, Muay Thai Instructor, Kids BJJ Instructor

"When I first came to the club I knew very little about martial arts, so the first class was pretty intimidating. But the more time I spent there, the more I saw that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was not just about how big or strong you are. BJJ has built up my confidence, developed my problem solving skills as well as strengthened me physically and mentally. Through the encouragement and support of my instructors and my team, I feel more confident and better able to defend myself. I come back each day knowing I can train in a positive atmosphere that keeps me focused on healthy living for the body and mind."

Krista Gooderham

"My two sons have grown so much in the last year under the teachings of Steve Joncas, head instructor at Sudbury Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai Academy. I've been so impressed with the whole organization of the school. They care about the development of our kids as a complete unit - mentally, physically and emotionally. The positive aspects of this program are numerous! I've noticed increased self-confidence, social awareness and respect toward others. I love the mat chats and the lessons learnt are beneficial. I simply have to remind them what the "word of the month" is and they instantly correct their own disruptive behaviour. That sort of self-discipline is the foundation to being a compassionate, strong and well-rounded individual capable of succeeding in our society. Thank you to all those who've had a hand in "molding" my sons: Steve, Jenn, Mike, Tom, Jessie and Guy."

Roxanne Charette, mother of Noël (6) and Benoit (4)

"After much searching I have found my second home! This statement becomes more and more accurate every time I go for a class at Sudbury BJJ and Muay Thai Academy.

I was born with a rare limb growth deficiency called Fibular Hemimilia which means the fibula (a main bone in the leg) in my left leg never grew so I actually am absent of that bone. This seldom has been something that has limited me in the past when it comes to recreational activity. But when it comes to Muay Thai the fact that I have the prosthesis could have potentially become a concern. So I held off on looking into it for a while until fate brought me into Sudbury BJJ and Muay Thai Academy. All it took was one conversation and I was in love with the place and the people. Right away Jenn and Andre were so accommodating in getting me in for a free trial and even a private session before hand to see if I could handle the movement required to participate in the classes. They were so helpful and encouraging and they have truly become new friends.

Since joining I have started to become in much better shape which is still a work in progress, my agility is up, my cardio has improved vastly, and my overall attitude towards life and exercise is completely different. I truly believe that joining this club has turned my life around significantly, and at a time when I needed it most.

I cannot advocate joining and participating in their programs enough. It is honestly the best thing I have ever done, and I have made some amazing friends that I wouldn't trade for the world.

Come to a class and see for yourself."

Shawn Bailey

"A passion for MMA found me searching for a way to get involved with the sport. In August of 2009, I joined Sudbury BJJ and my life hasn`t been the same since. Being a part of Team Renzo Gracie has afforded me the opportunity to travel and train with the likes of Shawn Williams in Los Angeles, Bruno Fernandes in Montreal as well as members of jiu jitsu`s first family, Rolles, Igor and the man himself, Renzo Gracie. Never in my wildest dreams did I think a martial arts club in my hometown of Sudbury, Ontario could connect me so closely to the elite in the sport of BJJ and mixed martial arts. Follow my story at www.thebjjdiaries.blogspot.com."

Yves Charette