• Call Us
  • Kevin Kang is Straight Blast Gym Atlanta’s Martial Arts Student of the Month for May 2023

    Through regular training in SBG Buford’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes, Kevin Kang has undergone a remarkable physical transformation.

    Towards the end of 2022, Kevin Kang decided that he was ready for a major life change. At 270 pounds, he was the heaviest he’d ever been and he didn’t like it.

    “I had become the heaviest I been, I had high blood pressure, my clothes weren’t fitting right, I was smoking cigarettes, and I was drinking almost daily. I knew this was not sustaibable and needed to make a change.”

    Like a lot of people, he wanted to try something different, knowing that the “usual” gym routine wasn’t going to get things done. That is when he discovered Straight Blast Gym.

    Kevin’s friend Hyo Jeong was a student at Straight Blast Gym Buford and recommended that he try his hand at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Kevin took Hyo’s suggestion and booked a First Day Experience to see what SBG and their Jiu Jitsu program were all about. After visiting the gym and getting a feel for what Straight Blast Gym’s atmosphere and vibe were all about, Kevin enrolled in our Foundations program.

    “The first time I attended SBG everyone was so nice and welcoming. I met Coach Woo and he made me feel very comfortable. I enrolled that evening.”

    Straight Blast Gym’s Foundations classes are designed for new students entering our Muay Thai and/or Jiu Jitsu programs. Being the new guy/girl can fill one with anxiety, so having a class where everybody is new allows students like Kevin to feel at ease with their lack of experience, conditioning, or athleticism.

    Week by week and class by class, Kevin began to get better at Jiu Jitsu. While his technique was improving Coach Woo noticed another change in Kevin.

    “After about a month I noticed Kevin’s gi was starting to look a little looser, and he was moving much easier. After two months you could tell a major difference in the way Kevin looked. Fast foward to now and he looks like a different person. “

    After less than six months of Jiu Jitsu training at Straight Blast Gym Buford, Kevin has lost 45 pounds!!

    “Training Jiu Jitsu has been a game changer for me. 2 to 3 times per week I am able to put my phone down and disconnect from my work. At first, it was something I had to put on my schedule so that I’d go to practice, but now it has become a part of my normal weekly routine. It has been an incredibly humbling but awesome experience and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.”

    Kevin’s progress on the mats has been awesome, as has his dedication to living a healthier and more active lifestyle. Kevin is still looking to lose another 25 pounds, as he feels most comfortable walking around at 200 pounds.

    When Kevin is not practicing Jiu Jitsu with his teammates at Straight Blast Gym Buford he enjoys painting miniatures. He works at a law firm; a job that keeps him plenty busy.

    Kevin wanted to give a special shout-out to Coaches Sean Coleman and Woo Ko for all of their guidance and support during his first 5 months of Jiu Jitsu training. He also wanted to give praise to his teammate Jon Macioce, who he said has been incredibly helpful in helping him to relax and understand the most efficient way to grapple.

    Congratulations to Straight Blast Gym’s Martial Arts

    Jim Sheppard

    is one of the co-owners of Straight Blast Gym Buford and Straight Blast Gym Atlanta. He has been training / coaching / competing in Muay Thai since 2013 and holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.