BIO Originally from Michigan, Matt is a black belt in Tang Soo Do, and he competed in the MI Karate circuit in 1989 1991, where he was ranked # 1 in the state in fighting and forms. He has been teaching and training Fit to Fight® Krav Maga almost ten years, and he is a black belt. He has also earned his brown belt in BJJ. Matt is a carpenter and licensed builder, and he enjoys hunting, fishing, and gardneing. Fun facts: Funny ears; cauliflower on right and broccoli […]
BIO Daniel started training at Fit to Fight® in 2016. He had previously trained in Japanese Shotokan, American Kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu, Kenpo, etc., and achieved a second degree black belt (Nidan). Since joining Fit to Fight® he has: achieved a black belt in Fit to Fight® Krav Maga and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. gained lifelong friendships (and family), peace of mind, and self confidence had the honor to meet and train with people from all walks of life acquired the knowledge that there are evil people in the […]
BIO Brooke started training with Fit to Fight right at the beginning of the new year in 2019. Over the years, she has evolved into a Level 3 Krav Maga student and certified instructor. She primarily teaches beginner level Krav Maga courses and kickboxing classes. She also has been known to bust the occasional dance move while teaching.
BIO Riley is a Sparology™ and Jiu-Jitsu coach at Fit to Fight® Charlotte and Gastonia. She has 5 years of experience in combat sports including Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, Self-Defense, and Wrestling. She is currently a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu under Anthony Quartapella and a certified Sparology™ and Krav Maga coach.
BIO Ryan Hoover is the owner of FTF® Gastonia and FTF® Charlotte. He is also the founder of the Fit to Fight® affiliate organizaton. He holds a 2nd degree black belt in Krav Maga and is co-author of three books on Krav Maga: Black Belt KM, KM for Women and KM for Beginners. Helping people healthier, safer lives is Ryan’s driving force. He has trained professional athletes, military and law enforcement officers, actors, stay-at-home moms and dads, and busy professionals all around the world. (including James Anderson (NFL) and Tracy […]
BIO Eli has 20 years experience in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and various other martial arts. He teaches, trains and competes in jiu-jitsu, with careful attention to both sport and self-defense aspects of the art. Eli also has years of experience training in Muay Thai, Filipino martial arts, Jeet Kune Do, boxing, wrestling and judo.
BIO Ali Huston’s full bio is coming soon!
BIO Nick Madere is 37 years old, and he is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is a black belt in Fit to Fight® Krav Maga, a blue belt in BJJ, and a purple belt in Tang Soo Do. He regularly teaches levels 1 & 2 Krav Maga. Nick lives with his wife and daughter in Gastonia, and he enjoys kayaking, wakeboarding, and the occasional rugby tournament.
BIO Joe is a rare native Charlottean. He is a technology recruiter by day. Joe started training in martial arts his senior year of high school (2011). He is certified to teach Fit to Fight® Krav Maga Level 2 and FireArmed® Level 1. He has a background in Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Kempo Karate. In addition to the physical and mental health benefits, Joe cherishes the great friends and a wonderful community he’s discovered at Fit to Fight®. Fun fact: Joe is writing and illustrating […]
BIO Originally from Newport News, Virginia, E started working 3 months after graduating high school, where he met his boss, love of his life, eventual wife, and fellow Fit to Fight® coach, Tanja. He moved to Charlotte in 2003 and started coaching Women’s AAU basketball in 2004. In 2018, He earned his B.S. of Electronic Engineering. Now, he spends his time traveling, training, and studying Krav Maga, and entrepreneurship. Coaching AAU Women’s Basketball (2003 – 2012) Sports Performance Trainer (2012 – 2016) Fitness Coach (2012 -2016) Fit to Fight® […]
BIO Started training at Fit to Fight® Charlotte in February 2018, at 46 yrs old. She chose Krav Maga because she believes it is extremely important to train self defense not only for herself, but for those she loves. As a person with no sports or martial arts background, she loves the focus that Fit to Fight® Krav Maga puts on making its program digestible for the average person. Because of this, she has enjoyed teaching these concepts to others, since 2020. In her day job, Tanja is a […]
BIO Anthony was born in Philadelphia, PA. He moved with his family to Houston, TX as a teenager and spent the next 30 years there before moving to Charlotte in 2003. A former Houston Firefighter/EMT and restaurant owner with a passion for good health and fitness. After years of marathoning, triathlons and ultra-marathons, Anthony obtained a certification in Advanced Human Performance from Baylor College of Medicine. Anthonythen found Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai, and began working with others as a fitness trainer. He studied Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai for […]
BIO Adolfo has his martial arts experience rooted in Wrestling. He has experience in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Adolfo has been an active practitioner in Krav Maga since 2008 and teaching since 2009. He is a black belt in Fit to Fight® Krav Maga. He enjoys researching, integrating, and improving different skill sets in his training. A holistic approach to self defense drives this research and sharing those lessons, so students can handle dynamic situations more effectively. Fun fact: Adolfo is a fiend for bbq and traveled to Spain […]
BIO Morgan started training Krav Maga in 2009. After 1 year of training, she became certified to teach Krav Maga Level 1, quit her job and started teaching and training full-time. Since then, Morgan has continued to train in Boxing, Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, SPARology™, and FireARMED®. She is a Fit to Fight® Krav Maga black belt. Her passion for teaching shows in her class fun and intensity.
BIO Amber is the manager and program director of FTF® Gastonia. She is also the affiliate director for Fit to Fight®. With over a decade of experience in fitness programs, multiple martial arts, and kids education, Amber builds classes that keep you motivated and wanting more! Amber has been studying martial arts since age 6 and began Tae Kwon Do after moving to Florida at age 9 and earned her 3rd degree black belt. She started Krav Maga, Kickboxing and BJJ at age 14. She went to Appalachian State University […]
BIO Anya started with Fit to Fight® in 2016. She has since earned her Fit to Fight® Krav Maga black belt. She has taught on both the martial arts and fitness side. More recently, she has been focusing more on jiu jitsu, and is currently a purple belt under Eli Knight. Outside of the gym, Anya is a PA (physician assistant) specializing in primary care and functional medicine, with a focus in exercise/nutrition/and hormones. Otherwise, you can find her at home snuggling with her three rescue pups.