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  • Mark McMinn is Straight Blast Gym Buford’s Martial Arts Student of the Month for December 2021

    Mark and his son Judah both train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Straight Blast Gym Buford.

    Mark walked into SBG Buford this past March in search of a new activity and way of staying in shape. He had been working out in his home gym and was in search of something more engaging, more hands-on, and with a sense of community. Mark enrolled in SBG’s Foundations Jiu Jitsu program and never looked back.

    Mark began regularly attending classes, and soon after graduated from our Foundations program. Upon gaining access to SBG’s Jiu Jitsu classes Mark went to 18 classes in his very first month!

    Shortly after Mark began training at Straight Blast Gym he enrolled his 9-year-old son Judah in the Growing Gorilas Jiu Jitsu program.

    Together, the men of the McMinn family began making major strides in their Jiu Jitsu, with both Mark and Judah earning stripes on their Jiu Jitsu belts. Before too long, Mark was wanting to test his skills against other Jiu Jitsu students.

    Straight Blast Gym Jiu Jitsu Coach Sean Coleman told us about Mark and his recent Jiu Jitsu competition:

    The McMinn family is all-in with the tribe, and it was never more apparent than watching the father/son duo compete together for the first time at NewBreed. Mark has gone all in on his Jiu Jitsu progression and has been doing private lessons with me for the past month. He’s already registered for the IBFFJ Atlanta Open next February and we’re continuing to work one-on-one for that event.”

    Mark and Judah both looked fantastic at the recent NewBreed Jiu Jitsu tournament, and watching them bond and compete together was AWESOME!

    “Mark is very receptive during class and during our private lessons. I can point out a hole in his Jiu Jitsu game and he asks how he can fix it rather than getting bent or defensive. Being that coachable makes it not only a pleasure to work with him but it speeds his progression WAY up.”

    It’s been an honor and a privilege to have Mark and his son training with us and we’re incredibly grateful for his all-in, tribe-first attitude.

    Congratulations on being December’s Martial Arts Student of the Month, Mark. Keep up the great work!!

    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.