I’ve struggled with my weight for the majority of my adult life as well as when I was a child and teen. As a sales professional, I became comfortable living a sedentary lifestyle. I was a drinker and a smoker. Part of my job was to entertain clients which had me eating out a few times a week. At one point I was tipping the scales at just north of 240 lbs. As a result, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Even though I was doing a decent job managing my disease, I still suffered a heart attack at the ripe old age of 43. I rushed to the hospital (thank God I live a few blocks away) and long story short I received 5 stents. This is where Master Tony Garcia and Garcia Muay Thai come into the picture. The day I left the hospital I drove to the gym and joined. I was always intrigued and wanted to learn a martial art in addition to needing a cardio-centric workout that would get me in shape. Master Garcia took the time to talk about my condition as well as my goals and we put together a plan. Through conditioning classes my overall fitness improved dramatically. But as stated before I wasn’t only interested in getting in shape; I wanted to learn the art of Muay Thai. Through private sessions and Master Garcia’s Fighter Course I’ve learned a ton and participate in sparring sessions weekly. At our gym, sparring sessions aren’t intimidating; everyone at every level helps in each others development. Egos are checked at the door. We are a true team.

Master Garcia’s genuine interest in the health, well being and specific goals of each of his students is second to none. He has created a learning environment that can be tailored to fit each individual. He is one of a handful non-Thai Masters teaching this ancient art in the US right in our backyard. As a result of studying with Arjan Garcia and adopting a low carbohydrate diet, I currently weight 175 lbs. In fact, my Endocrinologist has reduced medications to 25% of what I was taking to manage my diabetes while hospitalized. Master Garcia and the Gym as well as the learning environment he created is a major factor I attribute to being in the best shape of my life.