Taught By The Best

Matt is a Modern Army Combatives instructor, IFBJJ World CHAMPION SILVER MEDALIST currently training to win the Worlds this year. He will be training at Knuckle Up for the Worlds from Thursday, May 10th through Saturday, May 12th. He is also an MMA veteran and instructor at UFC training school Easton BJJ in Colorado.

Matt will also be teaching a women’s intro to self-defense and JUDO which is invitation only. Please see signup sheet for more details.

Morrison says Matt “is the toughest, smartest submission grappling competitor I have ever trained with!”

Matt's Accomplishes

Matt has many, many credentials to his name, and has competed, and won, more competitions than most. Here is a short list of accomplishments:

• 2nd place IBJJF No Gi Worlds Brown Belt Adult-Heavy-(pesado) – 2011
• 1st place Advanced No-gi Division Colorado Open 2011
• 1st place Advanced No-gi Division Fight to Win Tournament of champions 7 – 2011
• 3rd place Brown/Black belt Fight to Win Tournament of Champions 7-2011
• 1st place, Purple belt Fight to Win Colorado State Championships- 2010
• 1st place, Purple/brown belt Fight to Win Tournament of Champions 6 -2010
• 1st place, No-gi advanced division Fight to Win Tournament of Champions 6-2010
• 1st place, Absolute division Fight to Win Tournament of Champions 6-2010

Sign UP ASAP!

Please sign up ASAP as this event WIILL sell out. Any one Seminar $30. Seminar and semi-private $65. This is a great opportunity to expand your training, and learn some ne moves. Only at KnuckleUp, you’re home for fitness on the Outer Banks!

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Having lived on the Outer Banks for two and a half years, the only regret I have from my time here is not joining Knuckle Up sooner.  I have had such an amazing experience as a member of Knuckle Up and I cannot thank them enough. 

When I first learned about Knuckle Up through the 2010 Get Pumped for Pink 10k, I was a little fearful to join.  I figured it was a place where super fit people worked out...what the heck would an overweight woman, with the main goal of losing weight, do there?  

Finally, a year later, I decided to quit talking about it and just do it.  I have type 1 Diabetes and finally enough was enough - the time had come to get healthy, no matter how uncomfortable it would make me feel.  On a Monday evening in September, I tried one of Frankie’s classes.  I was hooked.  

Not only did Frankie and subsequently the rest of the staff make me feel right at home, but I also found an environment where support, encouragement, and respect were never lacking.  I was never made to feel silly because I couldn’t do something; instead I was offered proper instruction and guidance.  Victories, no matter how minimal, were celebrated with a high five, “good job”, or pat on the back.

Almost every time I saw Morrison at Knuckle Up over the duration of my membership he asked me how things are going and if I’m still having fun.  Well, the level of fun did not decline from day one.  I looked forward to going to my classes every day because every instructor has their own unique style and every class is different.  

I didn’t have an opportunity to get bored or not feel challenged.  I can honestly say that Knuckle Up is the only fitness gym on the Outer Banks I have been a member of where I didn’t feel like I had to drag myself to the gym to get my workout in.  Zumba with Jordyn threw a fun class into the mix and I enjoyed how Amanda would incorporate strength exercises into her classes.  

Amy Eaton taught me some great self defense moves as well.  On any given day, I looked forward to my workouts and wondered what we would do in class and what new challenges I would encounter and skills I would learn.  Receiving words of praise and encouragement from the instructors and constantly being challenged to be better and work harder lead to me never simply “phone it in”.

I feel that it is only appropriate to express my gratitude towards Frankie.  He has been a wonderful trainer over the past 6 months and I greatly appreciate his patience, humor, and dedication.  I enjoyed our training sessions because not only were they hard work, but they were also fun.  Frankie’s belief in me never waned and because of that, I have lost twenty-five pounds, my blood sugars are in much better control, and I am well on my way to a healthier me.  So thank you, Frankie.  You rock.

Also, special thanks to Matt for encouraging me to join Outer Banks Bootcamp.  It was a fulfilling experience and had my work schedule allowed, I am sure I would have turned into a Bootcamp junkie.  Thank you for pushing me beyond my comfort zone.

I will miss Knuckle Up as I move on to the next adventure in my life.  Because of my experience at Knuckle Up, I am a stronger, healthier, more confident woman.  Words cannot express my sincerest of thanks.

Fondly,

Laura Konwinski

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Kicking Ass and Taking Names

Chris is the person who founded KnuckleUp with Morrison in Atlanta, and helped kick start the wave of gyms from the Huntington Beach MMA fitness gym to others that spread across the country, an action that earned him a place in the MMA Hall of Fame in Atlanta. He's been studying BJJ since 1994, when he started training in Orange, CA  under Allan Goez.

While running KnuckleUp, Chris employed the services of Kazeka Muniz as the head of jiu jitsu instruction on the Outer Banks, for KnuckleUp. In 2005, he started training primarily under Kazeka, and throughout Chris's many travels across the country, always considered Kazeka to be his primary instructor.

Chris In Action

Lifetime Achievement!

So it was a great honor when , on December 5th, Chris took and passed his black belt examination at Kazeka's MMA gym in California! After years of dedication, hard work and determination, Chris has finally been officially recognized as a master of jiu jitsu. Of the countless numbers who initially wear the gi and dream of attaining a black belt, only a handful are committed enough to see it through to this end. Chris can now proudly display his self discipline and mastery of this martial art every time he ties on his belt.

To be fair, Chris was already a world class Muay Thai and Kickboxing champ. And of course, his achievements in national grappling tournaments show a clear tendency toward excellence.  However, there's no doubt that receiving his black belt stands as one of the proudest moments of his life.

And to that end we say, Congratulations, Chris!  You've worked hard for it, so stand proud!

Now, if we could only convince another trainer at KnuckleUp to try for his black belt....

Remember, KnuckleUp is the home of fitness on the Outer Banks! 

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New Year Resolved

Every year people make New Year's resolutions to get fit and eat healthy, and probably more than a few of you reading this now did the same thing. But making a resolution is the easy part. Trying to actually live by it is a lot harder! So Amanda and Jordyn have decided to put together various activities to help you learn to live a healthier lifestyle.

Amanda and Jordyn will be hosting the event, and there's more than a few things to get into. Amanda has been doing a great job teaching the cardio kickboxing classes, and Jordyn has finally brought Zumba to our humble gym. Between the two of them, there isn't a much faster way to get in shape. 

Whole Host of Activities

And while the festivities do begin with a kickboxing class, followed by Zumba, there's oh so much more! In all, Amanda and Jordyn will be hosting:

• Cardio Kickboxing
• Zumba
• Strength and Training
• Healthy Cooking Demo by Mike Mazza
• Health and Wellness Seminar
• Refreshments
• Prizes and Giveaways!

Oh, yeah, the prizes and giveaways. Nearly every salon and spa on the Outer Banks, plus a few others, has donated something for the drawings, and you'll have chances to win things throughout the day. We'll have gifts from Hairoics, Reflections, Planet Pleasing Goods, Style Divita, Diamonds & Dunes, Lotus Spa, and more! And all donations will go to support the Outer Banks Mommy & Me! 

So what are you waiting for? It's all happening this Saturday, January 21, from 12-5.  So get your tickets now! They're only $20, but get them quick because space is limited and quite a few people have already signed up!

Don't miss your chance to start the new year right with the best place for fitness on the Outer Banks! 

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Jiu Jitsu Traveler

Connection Rio is basically a travel agency that caters to the BJJ crowd. They have locations in several different areas, and they'll schedule your training at whichever academy you want. Or if you're not sure where to go, they'll help you with that too. They make going to Brazil as easy as possible.

You'll have a pretty nice place to stay too. They have three different options sleeping arrangements: dorm style, private rooms, and actual homes throughout the city of you want to train at some other location. So if you want to bring a group and save on sleeping accommodations, you can. Or if you want some privacy, you can do that too. All the places seem to have gardens, pools and BBQ areas, so it's pretty hard to beat.

Founder Dennis Asche says :

 "Connection Rio provides training and accommodation services to BJJ practitioners. If you want to come to Rio and train BJJ, come and stay with us! We'll make your stay as easy and enjoyable as possible. We offer the choice of staying in multiple properties, we have connections to all the top academies, and we’ve got years of experience to draw upon. The hardest part of planning a trip to Brazil is committing to going. Once you’ve made the decision, thanks to Connection Rio the rest is easy. Live your dreams with Connection Rio!"

Great Vacation Plan

If you've been thinking about taking a vacation, why not try Brazil? It's a beautiful country, and you'll get some high quality training in. And Connection Rio seems to be the easiest way to train jiu jitsu in Rio. Pretty much everything is included in the price except for food, and they have numerous ways to accommodate any budget.  And best part yet, mention KnuckleUp or Morisson when signing up for exclusive discounts! Check out their site for more information, including videos from people who have already gone.

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The Angel Tree is a charity held annually by the Outer Banks Woman's Club. It endeavors to help underprivileged children on the Outer Banks have a Merry Christmas too. It's a great cause, and one that all the stores in the strip fully support.

We have a whole day of festivities planned, including:

• 12:30 - 1:15pm: Nutrition Seminar by our own Diane Fisher R.N.
• 1:00 - 3:00 Suzanne Tate will be presenting her new book, Teena Tortoise.
  
• 1:15 - 2:00pm: Healthy cooking Demo with Mike and Matt's kitchen Adventures 
• 1:30 - 2:30pm: CHAIN saw art with Rev.  Jay Bowman of obxBrides.com and Outer Banks Bootcamps
• 2:30 - 3:30pm: Rape Prevention with Dare County K-9 Deputy Charles Craddock and our resident fighting guru, Morrison Butler
• 4:00 - 6:00pm: Legendary Blues Artist Mojo Collins performs!

All Day festivities include:

• Ring giveaway at Miss Lizzies as well as 20% off.
• 2 for 1 Paninin and salads at the Good Life Gourmet and 25% off everything else.
• Wine and beer with donation under the tent.
• And the big, jolly fat man himself will be there, so bring your kids down to see Santa!
• Various other sales, drawing and surprises!
• Island Book Store  is giving away advanced reader copy books w/ purchase
• OBXNightlife.com will be covering the entire event!

Get With The Program!

This is going to be a great time at a great event for a great cause! So come down and see the festivities, and make sure you bring a friend! All right in front of the home for fitness on the Outer Banks, KnuckleUp!

Special thanks to:

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While none of these should replace your daily workout, some of these have benefits that extend to your current training. And no matter what your goals are, these are some great outdoor activities for you to participate in during the summer months.

1) Surfing

Surfing is a common activity on the beach, and it's an awesome supplement for your training. It helps with your balance and core strength. And what's Matt always tell us? Keep your core tight! Which you have no choice but to do while surfing. Plus, it's a great way to get a great workout while keeping cool.

2) Paddle Boarding

We've already done a post about why paddle boarding is a great workout.  Much like surfing, it improves your balance and core strength, and also works your arms pretty hard. And since we now offer the Outer Banks Paddle Boarding School, learning how to do it has never been easier!

3) Roller Blading

Strapping a pair of roller blades to your feet is a great way to work out. Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills and Duck all have bike paths you can use for roller blading. Its a great way to work on your balance as well as cardio endurance.

4) Swimming

While we don't have a pool at KnuckleUp, we do live next to the second largest body of water in the world. And taking a dip in the mighty Atlantic is a great full body workout. Swimming makes you work just about every muscle in your body. It's a great workout for improving your cardio and muscular endurance.

5) Cornhole

Wait, cornhole? Yes, cornhole. For one, it improves hand-eye coordination, which comes in handy when you're trying to hit a moving target. And two, you need some way to relax after a full day of surfing, swimming, and rollerblading, right? So grab a custom cornhole board, and wind down in style.

Fit and Fun

As you can see, there are plenty of activities that are both fun and help contribute to your overall well being. While they may not be enough to rely on as your primary workout, they are all a great supplement to your current training regimen. Give it a try and see how your results improve!

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So Leo packed up the wifey and rolled out to the beach with Devin for his first ever experience with Stand Up Paddling on the Outer Banks. It was a beautiful day on the beach, and Leo was looking forward to this new workout. And as anyone who has already taken the class can tell you, it was a fun, yet physically challenging experience. Leo came home and jotted down some notes on his aquatic adventure.

Why This is Working Out:

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Hey everyone, this weekend is shaping up to be a busy one! junior Assuncao, former UFC star and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blackbelt will be coming back into to town this week! If you remember his visit from last time, you'll know this isn't something you'll want to miss!

Belt Testing

And if you've been on the mat, make sure you come to Thursday's class (May 26) at 6PM. Junior will be belt testing everyone, so if you think you're ready to get a stripe or go up a color, come down and find out. You'll be testing with a master though, so you better have your A+ game ready!

Plus Seminars

Also, Saturday, May 30th, Junior will be teaching a self defense seminar at 10:30 AM followed by a BJJ seminar from 1 to 3 PM. If you were at Junior's last BJJ seminar, you know he taught us a lot of very handy techniques. Most of which I still see in use up at the club. If you missed it last time, or you're new to KnuckleUp since then, make sure you get in there. And you don't have to be a member to get in; they're totally open to the public!

Junior is from Northeastern Brazil originally, but now lives in the Atlanta area. He is a patriotic fighter: he has black belts in Jiu Jitsu AND capoeira, both native Brazilian martial arts. Unlike most MMA fighters who use May Thai or kickboxing as the base for their fighting style, Junior’s style is based in Capoeira. Junior has been undefeated since 2008, and he's about ready to get back in the UFC.

Don't miss what will definitely be a seminar to remember. It's not often we have them, but when we do, they're pretty awesome! Only at KnuckleUp, the best gym on the Outer Banks!

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Gary competed in the No-Gi competition and went through several opponents, before finally coming in second. Morrison said Gary's first opponent came of the mat muttering he "picked a fight with a warlock." Congratulations, Gary!

Different How? Tiger Blood!

But the big victory Saturday came from Morrison himself. Morison came in first for both his division and the absolute! Not only did he beat everyone in his weight class and skill level, he also beat everyone else in the absolute! When asked how he achieved such a remarkable victory, Morrison says, "I’m different. I have a different constitution, I have a different brain, I have a different heart. I got tiger blood, man."

I Win Here and I Win There.

This is two more medals in a recent string of victories for Morrison. “I probably took more than anybody could survive. Because that’s how I roll. I have one speed. I have one gear: Go."

Morrison and the rest of Team KnuckleUp are eagerly awaiting the next tournament. Morrison assures us they'll do even better at the next one. "I’m not fair game. I’m not a soft target. It’s over. There’s a new sheriff in town. And he has an army of assassins."

When asked about the secret to his impressive skills on the mat, Morrison says he has "magic and poetry" in his fingertips, and that jiu jitsu is almost entirely mental.“If you borrowed my brain for five seconds, you’d be like, ‘Dude! Can’t handle it, unplug this bastard!’ It fires in a way that’s maybe not from, uh… this terrestrial realm.”

Good Job, Team KnuckleUp!

So congratulations to Team KnuckleUp! You guys did an awesome job, and we're all proud of you. We can't wait to see how everyone does at the next tournament!

And remember, if you, too, want to live "the life of a rockstar vatican assassin", "partyin' in my oceanfront home in Duck", call someone else. But if you want to be part of one of the best grappling teams in NC, or you're looking for the best place for fitness on the Outer Banks, then KnuckleUp is your only choice!

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