Martial Arts Inspiring Story - Max Madorsky - Easton Training Centers

It all goes back to when I was 8 years old. That was the first year I would be bullied and made fun of for being overweight.

I was always a chunky child, but from the ages of 8-14 is when I REALLY grew into the sad, bullied version of myself who I despised. By the time I hit 14 years of age, I weighed 295 pounds and hated my life.

I was bullied everyday at school. Called fat, got in small ''fights'' (Where I just got beat a little by some kid who was stronger than me), and was in the darkest place I had ever been. I started smoking weed a lot, and experimenting with a few other drugs. This was the lowest point of my life.

Luckily, Devin was there. Devin had been like a big brother to me all through my childhood. He was a part-owner of the comic book store I hung out at. Devin was in the military and about to be deployed to Iraq. This made me really scared. On the night of his going away party, while I was enjoying a family-sized bag of BBQ potato chips, Devin made a deal with me. He looked me right in the eyes and said, ''Max, if you lose weight and get in shape, I won't die.'' And I took that deal in a heart beat. Who wouldn't?! It was the best decision I had ever made.

The next day I started working out and eating better to lose weight and be healthy. After I had already lost a few pounds, (I was down to 250 and still the largest kid at my Jr. High) I got beat up really bad at school. Me and another kid had a disagreement, and we both said some things. His solution involved his fist in my face, and it wasn't pretty. I had a huge black eye. I was super embarrassed, and I had no idea what to do. I was just scared.

This is when I found martial arts.

I went to a few gyms and tried some classes, and then I finally found a really great place that offered Muay Thai AND Jiu-Jitsu. I fell in love with the sports immediately. Soon after, my family moved to Colorado. I was 15 now, and right away found the greatest academy here, Easton Training Centers!

I never took a break. Right away, I was back on the mats and eventually competed in a lot of Jiu-Jitsu tournaments. I took gold in a lot of my divisions, and moved on to some kickboxing and Muay Thai fights - all while I was 15-17 years old. I loved it all so much, I couldn't stop.

I even started teaching kids Jiu-Jitsu classes at the academy. I couldn't be happier. Now I am 20 years old, I am an amateur MMA fighter, a part-time college student, and the head Muay Thai and Kickboxing instructor for our Easton location. Life couldn't be happier.

Martial arts changed my life and made me a better person with much more confidence. I am so excited to be giving back to my community and help other people lose weight, get in shape, and even step in the ring! I walk around at about 165 pounds and my fight weight is 145 pounds (featherweight). So every time I step on the scale at 145 pounds, I have officially lost more weight than what I currently weigh. It's an amazing feeling.

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Max Madorsky

Easton Training Centers

Centennial CO 80122