July 2010

Name: Justin Apperson
Age: 35
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV (And trust me, what happens in Vegas, never, ever, stays in Vegas.)
Occupation: Former U.S. Paratrooper turned full-time student.
Years as Member: Over 2 years.

Favorite Class: I love all the Muay Thai classes and enjoy taking advantage of the different teaching styles and qualities that all the trainers offer. If I had to chose just one, it would be the 12pm Muay Thai classes with Arjan Simon on Thursday & Friday.  These classes are normally smaller and you get more corrections and personal attention to go along with the usual sound technical instruction and advice.

Inspiring Moment: There have been a few, mostly involving hearing the sounds the pads make after finally 'loosening up' and landing flush combos. However, I think the most inspiring moment I had was after I began doing basic clinch work with Arjan Simon and being tossed around like a hapless rag doll for a few weeks. For awhile, I was literally being thrown to the ground ten times per round and was not able to do anything even vaguely useful from the clinch.  It was pathetic, but we kept at it and with time and effort I improved and we progressed to full sparring with an emphasis on incorporating clinch work. Then one day after a long training session with Arjan Simon involving a lot of grueling clinch work, I realized I had not been thrown the entire time. While I was considering this, Kru Emyr approached me and gave an unsolicited complement; he commented on how well I had done in the ring. Apparently he'd been watching! I was very pleased since I knew this sort of compliment was rare from him. And as if that was not enough while he was walking away he turned back a second time and out of nowhere said that my clinch work looked good. I was ecstatic. (We miss you Kru Emyr.)