Bryan Maher, Slim and Trim

Hey everyone! Big news today, or should I say slim news? I'm not sure, but either way, Bryan Maher is back on the site with a new weigh-in! You might remeber the last post about Bryan, where we detailed his journey from pizza to punching bags. Well, the story didn't end there. Bryan continued his journey of physical improvement, and has achieved a level of success that should inspire us all.

As we said before, Bryan came in to KnuckleUp in early March weighing in at 350 pounds. Bryan worked hard in the kickboxing class, and had numerous privates with super-coach Matt Costa. Bryan has worked hard for the weight he lost.

The last time we talked about Bryan, he had gone from 350 to 261 in ten weeks. And his target weight at the time was 220.

Well, he met his goal of 220 and flew right by it, because now he's at an amazing 175! That's right, Bryan has dropped an incredible 175 pounds during his time at KnuckleUp. We really are the best fitness gym on the Outer Banks!

It took a lot of effort, and a lot of determination, but Bryan has proved what we all know. Time and effort always prevail in the end. And it wasn't even a lot of time, if you think about it. Ten months to lose 175 pounds is pretty damn quick. It probably took a lot longer to put it on.

And how do you keep losing so much weight, when you work at Cosmo's, and not just any Cosmo's, but the Cosmo's in Corolla, which, with out a doubt, makes the best pizza on the Outer Banks? I can barely stay away from a frozen pizza from Foodlion, much less the best pizza near Corolla luxury homes.

So hey Bryan, congratulations! You did an outstanding job, and we're sorry if you're embarrassed to be in the blog again. But yours really is a success story, and you should be proud. Great job!

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Almost looks like Matt's about to take one on the chin!

Everyone's favorite kickboxing instructor, Matt Costa, spent some time in the ring with him and says that Church is really talented. When Matt was wearing the pads, Chance knew where to hit without it being called. Matt moved the pad, and Chance hit it.  He also says to stay away from his left. As you can see in the video, Chance is pretty fast!

In 2009, Chance won the East Coast 60 lb. tournament. He also won the VA State 65lb. Silver Gloves Championship the same year. This year, he has already won the State 65 lb. Junior Olympic Championship. At this point he has had 8 fights in four different states. And Chance only turned 9 years old in May! He’s been boxing since he was six!

Hands up, chin down! Nice form!

Chance liked to watch boxing and UFC on TV, and surprised his father, Ronnie, by asking for boxing gloves on his sixth birthday. Ronnie got in touch with the Staunton Boxing Club, and Coach Bruce Frank saw potential in Chance and let him train there. Chance works out four times a week, two hours each time.  He is the youngest at the gym, and has to spar with the older kids and some of the older competitive boxers in the gym.

Chance does all his fighting in the ring, and doesn’t even talk about boxing at school. He gets along with all his classmates and teachers, and is a straight “A” student.

Chance also plays football and basketball, and now after working out at KnuckleUp, is looking to get into Kickboxing and BJJ as well. Good luck finding time for all that!

Chance has an amazing talent and a lot of potential. His dad’s really proud of him, and it’s easy to see why. If Chance keeps this up, there is no doubt you’ll be watching ESPN someday and hear the name Chance Church again!

How many 9 year-olds have six-pack abs?

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Matt Costa and Bryan Maher

If you could pick one job that had to be bad for your figure, what would it be? How about running a pizza shop? Bryan Maher works at Cosmo's Pizza in Corolla, and it's taken it's toll on his waist line. But Bryan got tired of it, and came to the best place for fitness on the Outer Banks to get back in shape.

Bryan came in to KnuckleUp in early March weighing in at 350 pounds. In his younger days, Bryan wrestled at 180, so working out hard is nothing new to him. He just had to get back in the rhythm.

And did he ever! Bryan has been working hard in the kickboxing class, and has had a few privates with super-coach Matt Costa. Bryan has worked hard for the weight he lost.

And just how much has he lost? In the past ten weeks, Bryan has gone from 350 pounds down to an amazing 261 pounds. That is phenomenal!  He has lost over 90 pounds in 10 weeks! That is a level of determination that doesn't come around too often. Bryan should be an inspiration for people everywhere.

Great job Bryan! Working like that, you'll see your goal of 220 in no time!

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Devon and his bike outside KnucklUp OBX

That's right, KnuckleUp isn't just about fighting and fitness on the Outer Banks anymore. Our newest member is bringing a little motorcycle mayhem our way.  Devon Pilkington is a professional Arenacross racer! How awesome is that?

Devon is a Virginia native who has just started coming to the gym recently.  For those not in the loop, Arenacross is held in an arena (obviously), has a dirt track, and a lot of jumps. Try holding on to your bike when your flying through the air at 50 mph. It takes a lot of strength, and Devon picked KnuckleUp as his place to get conditioned, working with Matt in the kickboxing class.

Devon flying off a jump!

This is Devon's first full season as a professional racer.  He's got a sweet new bike and is confident he can make something happen this season. Pilkington has quietly become a role player in the AMA Arenacross Lites Eastern Regional championship. Through four races, he has finished inside the top 10 each time, including three top fives highlighted by a podium finish of third. He is also a 5-time State Champion.  So this native son certainly has the credentials.

Good luck with the rest of the season Devon! If anyone will get you in the shape you want, it's KnuckleUp!

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Eileen working out!

While most of us aren't too worried about our appearance in the gym, the same could not be said of Eileen Alexanian. Eileen is the co-owner of Diamonds ‘n Dunes, with her jeweler husband Ken. Eileen knows the importance of fitness on the Outer Banks, and has been a member of KnuckleUp Outer Banks for some time now.

Eileen loves jewelry and wears plenty of it, and even retains a few pieces during her workouts. She works out constantly with Matt Costa as part of his kickboxing class, and the results speak for themself. Eileen’s diamonds aren’t the only thing about her that are brilliantly cut!

Remember, it's important to stay hydrated

Eileen’s store, Diamonds ‘n Dunes, is the number one destination for unique jewelry on the Outer Banks. And the inside of the store is as different from the gym as you can get. Sweeping high ceilings, statues of mermaids and wild horses, and beautiful Italian chandeliers all give a sense of class and sophistication as befits the high quality of Eileen’s and Ken’s superior design.

While they offer almost any type of jewelry you could ask for, they have an amazing collection of engagement/wedding rings. They are also the largest provider of Pandora Jewelry on the Outer Banks.

It’s hard to miss Eileen in the gym, as she is probably the only member that sparkles with every punch. If you’re looking for a gift for a special someone (or yourself!) chat her up about her store. If she can’t help you, no one can!

Eileen can take care of your wedding rings, but for any other wedding needs in the Williamsburg area take a look at Williamsburg Wedding Guide.

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Dr. Craig McGiffin, one of the premier Outer Banks Chiropractic care-givers, shows the proper way to stretch a hamstring. Stretching should be a part of every workout. It increases flexibility, which gives the muscle longer fibers and the joints a larger range of movement, thereby reducing soreness and sports related injuries. It is just as important to stretch after a workout, as it is during.

As a member of the Outer Banks fitness club KnuckleUp, Dr. Craig knows first hand the importance of stretching during a workout.  He has been working out  at KnuckleUp for the past few years, and enjoys the challenge. He participates in both Boxing and Kickboxing. Dr. Craig has maintained a healthy body weight since he joined and is a frequent regular at the gym.

Dr. Craig knows the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Good nutrition and regular exercise are paths to leading a healthy and pain free life. However, as the video demonstrates,  improper practice can lead to sports related injuries.

Thankfully, Dr. Craig's chiropractic clinic in Southern Shores is ready to help with any physical pains, numbness or soreness.  Chiropractics disdains the unnecessary use of drugs and invasive surgery to treat chronic pain, and instead encourages lifestyle changes and better habits to lead to a naturally pain free existence.

So if you worked out a little too hard and are feeling a bit sore, ask Dr. Craig about making an appointment. He'll work the pain out of your body in no time.

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Angie getting ready

When you’re as serious about fashion as Angie is, staying fit and in shape isn’t even a question. So when KnuckleUp first opened, Angie was right on board. She enjoys all the classes at KnuckleUp, and loves to come workout.

When she isn’t getting fit in the gym, Angie and her partner, Brandi Midgett Morris, run the top online designer fashion boutique MidgettGray.com. Originally Angie ran a local boutique on the beach. But with her passion for fashion and years of experience, it was only a matter of time before she went into business for herself.

MidgettGray.com is online only, and features contemporary, high-end designer clothing for formal and casual wear. A lot of the clothes Angie has to offer are the same makers you read about in magazines, the “What’s Hot in Hollywood” type of fashion. Angie jokingly refers to some of her clothing choices as designer denim.

MidgettGray.com is also sponsoring the Biggest Loser Challenge with KnuckleUp. For the lady who loses the most

Nice punch, Angie!

weight, Angie is offering a $200 gift card to her site, along with a free personal consultation. Angie has quite the eye for fashion, and she will personally help the winner pick clothing that looks the best for them. Angie is sponsoring the event because she feels that encouraging people to get in shape is a great cause. Not to mention, once the winner gets a new designer outfit, it’s an excellent incentive to stay in shape.

So make sure you sign up for the Biggest Loser Challenge for your chance to win this opportunity to dress like a celebrity. And check out MidgettGray.com, so you can look as good out of the ring as you do in it.

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Warner Dashiell

Warner Dashiell has been good friends with Morrison since high school. So when Warner was looking for a place to get in shape, what better place than his friends gym, KnuckleUp?

Warner and his wife, Dusty, both joined up to get a little more fit. Warner is in the Kickboxing class, and Dusty started the Fitness Boot Camp. Warner was surprised at the intensity of the class. He was expecting something easier, but he enjoyed meeting the challenge. Warner usually attends two or three times a week, but wants to get it up to four times a week. Warner really enjoys going, but his long hours at work means sometimes he misses class.

You would think that Warner’s job with one of the premiere Outer Banks pool builders, GulfStream Pools and Spas, would be hard enough. Warner has over 12 years of experience servicing and installing swimming pools and hot tubs.

Warner Dashiell getting ready for class

He also has a degree in Horticulture/Landscape Design from NC State, which ensures that when his company puts in a swimming pool, you’re not left with an ugly yard all around it. And he didn’t just stop his education there either; Warner also has his Certified Pool Operators license and is a CPC certified installer. Those are not easy licenses to get; they require a lot of knowledge in the field and involve extensive testing.

Warner at the bag

Warner says he has no plans to compete, though when pressed, he says “Maybe someday.” He is pleased with the weight he’s lost, though he thinks he has a long way to go. At the very least, Warner has made a step in the right direction by involving himself in a healthy exercise regimen.

So if you see Warner around, make sure you encourage him to get out there and compete. And just think, if you got a pool from his company, you’d have somewhere cool and refreshing to go after getting hot and sweaty in the ring!

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Chef Wes Stepp, KnuckleUp's official Caterer

Chef Wes started out at KnuckleUp as one of Matt Costa's first fitness bootcamp participants - he finished those tough 5 weeks over 25 LBS lighter, and has been coming to classes consistently ever since.

Wes Stepp is the owner of the popular Red Sky Cafe restaurant in Duck, NC. He's been a chef in the Outer Banks for over 25 years, and his cuisine reflects the best of what the beach offers: fresh, succulent, mouth-watering dishes that have become an OBX attraction by itself.

But what most people dont know is that despite running one of the most successful Outer Banks Catering services, Wes always finds time to keep himself in shape - and we're not talking about hours on the treadmill.

Far from it, actually:

wes stepp brazilian jiu jitsu armbar

Chef Wes has been taking almost daily Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes, and according to Leo Saraceni, his sparring partner:

Wes is really tough on the mat - he moves way too quick for such a strong guy, and keep in mind he had no previous grappling experience whatsoever!

When he's not on the mat, Wes is on the ring - his boxing skills have greatly improved under the supervision of Matt Costa. Morrison Butler, KnuckleUp's General Manager, sees a potentially dangerous MMA fighter in Wes.

He's got the strength, the speed, and the intelligence to put everything together in a devastating way.

For now, Wes hasnt shown any competition desires, but we'll see.

One thing is certain, however - Wes' healthy habits reflect on his food, as you can see on this video where he uses fresh Outer Banks seafood to make the most delicious rockfish:

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Billy Frezza Will Be Debuting In The First MMA Cage Fight In The Outer Banks

KnuckleUp's own Billy Frezza will make his debut during the first ever MMA Cage Fights in the Outer Banks, to take place July 18th, at the old SeaMark Store in Nags Head.

The Outer Banks club is proud to support Billy and he's been receiving a well-rounded training, worth of a large amateur show.

Billy has been training with all of our highly-qualified instructors, each teaching him their specific areas of expertise, ranging from cardio training to jiu jitsu submissions.

I had the honor to help him with his submission training, and I was flabbergasted by his agility, speed, and technique. Given the approximate 70lbs difference between us, Billy's ground game is effective and sharp.

A very dedicated fighter, he's commited to the training, respects his intructors, and spends an unsurmountable amount of time at the gym. If Morrison had not told me this was his first fight, I'd have taken him for a skilled veteran.

During his debut in the Fight To The Finish VI bouts, Billy plans for a stand-up fight, and according to Morrison, "He's a heck of a puncher".  Over the past month, Billy has improved every aspect of his game, and all of his instructors are impressed with how much he's been able to master in such short notice.

KnuckleUp Wants You There!

KnuckleUp is the main sponsor for the event, and we're counting on you to make Billy's fight, and the entire event, a MAJOR success.  Be sure to schedule your nights off!

The fights start at 7:00pm on Saturday, July 18th.  Tickets are on sale online at www.aflmma.com, but you can get TWO FREE TICKETS when you sign up here

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