Last Updated on October 24, 2013.
I first started training at TSMMA back in January 2010. At the time, I weighed 216 pounds, lacked confidence and was very unhappy with my appearance. This caused me to frequently battle with feelings of anger and depression. Realizing I needed to do something for myself, I joined TSMMA Syosset because I always enjoyed watching UFC and wanted to try something different than just another gym.
I joined TSMMA Syosset because I always enjoyed watching UFC and wanted to try something different than just another gym.
What I found there while training under Sensei Nick Gravina was far more than just a workout; it was an experience that positively changed the entire way I lived my life. By that spring I had lost 30 pounds and began to really perfect my technique. More importantly, my feelings of anger and depression began to disappear just as fast as the inches off my waste and my confidence grew with each drop of sweat left on the mat.
By that spring I had lost 30 pounds and began to really perfect my technique.
Unfortunately, a combination of school and work forced me to stop training toward the end of 2010. From then until September 2012, I gradually regained the 30 pounds I had lost as well as an additional 25. Once again I found myself often feeling angry and depressed and lacking confidence. By my 29th Birthday in August 2012, I realized that I could no longer continue living in such an unhealthy way both physically and mentally. I would turn 30 a year later and knew my family had a history of obesity, heart disease and diabetes. I promised myself then that by the time I turned 30 I would be in the best shape of my life to avoid similar health problems and also rebuild my mental strength and discipline.
Unfortunately, a combination of school and work forced me to stop training toward the end of 2010. From then until September 2012, I gradually regained the 30 pounds
I knew exactly where to go. I joined TSMMA Seaford and never looked back. Training under Sensei Joe Belluomo for over a year now I have seen myself lose 85 pounds, transform my body into the greatest shape its ever been throughout my entire life, and find the focus, confidence and discipline I was sorely lacking. Initially my goal was a simple one; lose weight. As I lost weight, however, my goals changed. I didn’t just want to be skinny. I wanted to be as toned as possible. I didn’t want to just hit a bag, I wanted to have perfect technique and challenge myself in advanced grappling and sparring classes. I didn’t just want to ‘survive’ a class, I wanted to ‘attack’ a class with every ounce of energy I had and set an example for others. I now hope to continue advancing toward my Black Belt and maybe to even teach TSMMA classes.
I knew exactly where to go. I joined TSMMA Seaford and never looked back. Training under Sensei Joe Belluomo for over a year now I have seen myself lose 85 pounds, transform my body into the greatest shape its ever been throughout my entire life
Thanks to Sensei Belluomo and TSMMA I was able to keep the promise I made to myself on my 29th Birthday of being in the best shape of my life when I turned 30. Thanks to Sensei Belluomo and TSMMA I am also a better, stronger, more successful person than I’ve ever been before. I owe much to Sensei Belluomo and TSMMA, but the most important thing I’ve learned is to never give up on myself. It was that simple concept that allowed me to achieve what I have in the past year and one I share with every new student who walks into our school. The results I achieved are attainable for everyone so long as they just never give up on themselves. In fact, after seeing my results, my 51 year old mother even joined TSMMA Seaford and has now lost 40 pounds of her own. TSMMA Seaford has become our extended family and will always be an essential part of our lives moving forward.
In fact, after seeing my results, my 51 year old mother even joined TSMMA Seaford and has now lost 40 pounds of her own.
Osu,
Will Murphy
