EGA Fishkill
Did you know Evolution Grappling Academy can be found in TWO locations? We don’t just claim Beacon as home, but also Fishkill! Just 6 miles from Beacon, you’ll find us in the Dutchess Park Shopping Center (Ocean State Job Lot, Nature’s Pantry) at 1545 NY-52. Did you know that your BJJ membership includes classes in both locations? That’s right! Maybe you’d like to change up your routine or perhaps need a different class time to fit your schedule. Find Coach Matt teaching an evening Gi class on Monday and Thursday with Coach Mike teaching No Gi on Tuesdays. Our kids program is there as well! Catch Coach Al and the crew on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for an incredible Gi class for kids (ages 6-11). If you’ve yet to check out a class in that location, now is the time! For the complete Fishkill schedule, head HERE.
Link to map —> EGA Fishkill – 1545 NY-52, Fishkill, NY 12524
The Women of EGA!
In just a few short years, the number of women training jiu jitsu here at EGA has taken off like wildfire! From young women that have grown up in the program, to those that dip their toe in for self defense, moms and partners that decide they want to give it a whirl, and those that are in it for the sport and competition, each woman has her own story of landing at EGA. The welcoming and safe culture of this school, fantastic training partners, incredible instruction, and built in support and camaraderie are what keeps us here. We now have a women’s only class, taught by our female upper belts, that meets every Saturday in Beacon at 8:30 AM! If you are a woman that trains and would like the opportunity to work with other women, are looking for competition prep, or perhaps you’ve been toying with the idea of giving jiu jitsu a try, we would LOVE to have you! Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions you may have.
Student Spotlight
Nyla C., age 12, came to EGA about a year ago having some jiu jitsu training already under her belt. Now a Yellow Belt, Nyla is a leader in our teens program and is also training in our adult classes, giving everyone a run for their money! Coach Mike says, “Nyla is an incredibly talented young lady. She’s an asset to our team of young up and coming grapplers. Since joining EGA, Nyla has quickly become one of our fierce competitors. She’s a very respectful and hardworking young lady who takes her training seriously.” Outside of jiu jitsu Nyla loves working out, swimming, and playing with her family. On the mats you’ll find her working in her favorite position, closed guard, and quickly jumping to her favorite submission, the triangle choke. Shooting for single leg takedowns was hard at first, but the more she intentionally worked them with her coaches, the easier they became. Nyla says, “Some moves will be harder than others, but you have to be consistent. I love jiu jitsu. It is an amazing sport and I hope to keep learning and progressing.”
Isaac F., age 7, is one of our mighty Lil’ Ninjas wearing a Grey/White Belt. Coach Matt says, “Isaac is an all around pleasure to have in class. He is always locked in when instruction is happening and is ready to give it a try. Isaac brings great energy to the room with his big smile and hard work ethic. He gives everything he has in each class and is a great young leader.” Having only trained jiu jitsu for about a year, Isaac adds it to his list of favorite sports that also includes soccer and basketball. Isaac says that his favorite position to work is high guard and he is always looking to snag an arm bar. His favorite part about coming to class? “Playing tag!” We asked Isaac what advice he’d like to offer others about training jiu jitsu and he said, “Just keep working at it until they (coaches) say stop or time.” Excellent advice! Just keep working.
Hanami Robles – “I have been training for almost a year now and it has been one of the best! I started BJJ because a friend suggested it to me as a form of self defense. I had experienced some unpleasant moments and was feeling unsafe, so I decided to step out of my comfort zone and learn something new. With no prior martial arts or athletic experience, I jumped into BJJ without knowing what to expect or know anyone at the gym. I can say that it was one of the best decisions I’ve made and I cannot imagine my life without jiu jitsu now. Not only do I feel more confident being out by myself but I am also a lot more active than I used to be. Outside of the gym, I am a full time mechanical engineer and a mentor to young college students pursuing careers in STEM. EGA has quickly become my second home, I always look forward to the next time I’ll be on the mats. I have made some really great friends there and the coaches have significantly helped me improve my game.”
Dan Caputo – “So I am 49 years old and I’ve been training at EGA BJJ for about 5 months. I took interest when I observed my daughter doing a kids class. I never really tried anything combat sport related in the past but I’m completely hooked at this point and I try to take as many classes as I can. Outside the gym I work as a Physician Assistant in Orthopedic Surgery. I’ve been doing it for about the last 16 years. At work I mainly concentrate on Sports Medicine Injuries. I get to operate and help fix mostly knee and shoulder injuries with the occasional fracture and joint replacement. I also travel to various clinics across the country who are interested in expanding their practice and teach Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine topics. My prior athletic experience involved playing football as a kid up until my first year of college. After that, athletics took a backseat to academics. I worked out at the gym occasionally. I dabbled in cross fit and did the occasional Spartan Race. Being at Evolution and starting BJJ has been nothing but a positive. It has been the best form of exercise, self care, education, therapy, mood enhancement and any other positive tool anyone can utilize. It’s a multivitamin for the soul. Even better is getting to do it with Christina and our daughter while showing my other kids some really cool moves.”
Ken Crusie – “At a young age I participated in various Sports including football baseball and basketball until I transitioned over to a regiment of weight lifting, running , and various exercises that I still continue to this day. At the age of 40 I attempted a lifelong dream of becoming black belt. After 17 years at a Taekwondo school I reached the third degree black belt. When the school closed I contacted EGA where they welcomed me with open arms. Taking classes at EGA has been a pleasure . All the instructors have varying methods of teaching which have made classes interesting and challenging. The students as well as the instructors are very welcoming to everyone. The class times in the morning and the evening have made attending class easy for everyone’s schedule. EGA has given me the confidence necessary to accomplish varying challenges in life. Since attending my strength, flexibility, and endurance have continued to improve. After 32 years as a drinking water treatment plant operator for the village Wappingers I retired at the end of December of 2022. I remain busy working around my house and those of friends and family.”
We Need Some Help
Are you new? Have you ever noticed that when you sign in you don’t see your face beside your name? Maybe you’re signing in your kiddo that has had the same profile picture for 4 years and they no longer look like that sweet little cherub smiling back at you from the iPad! That means we need a picture for your profile! Simply take a quick selfie and send it to [email protected] along with your full name. Thanks!
Meet Coach Christian
If the lights are on, Christian can be found at EGA putting in the work and also coaching our kids and teens! If you’ve yet to take the opportunity to get to know Coach Christian, here’s what he had to share:
“I have been training jiu jitsu for a year and 8 months. In fact, I started my jiu jitsu journey right here at EGA back in December of 2021. Though I came into EGA with a brief knowledge of jiu jitsu, my background is in wrestling. I started wrestling in 2016 when I was in high school, and I started coaching the team in 2018 after I graduated. I coached wrestling until 2021 and I continue to wrestle now.
In August of 2022 I had the opportunity to begin coaching in the kids program and have been coaching since. My favorite part about coaching is watching everyone grow and get better all-around: skill, discipline, self-improvement, character and becoming humble. Watching the kids step out of their comfort zone, as well as helping other students\partners, is amazing!
Currently in my own training, my favorite techniques I’ve been working are saddle, leg locks, and butterfly guard, which has since become my favorite guard to use in jiu jitsu. An interesting fact about me is that I like to write and freestyle rap. I currently work at the EGA and freelance. For fun I like to write music, hike, spend time with my friends, study jiu jitsu and other martial arts, and spend time with my pets. Another thing about me, other than being an anime nerd(!), is that I train a lot and am currently trying to pursue a career in MMA.
July Highlights
We had such a great time at the picnic we forgot to take pictures! Thank you to all that came out on a super hot and muggy July afternoon. Around 150 of you and your family chowed down on some BBQ, enjoyed the park, and played a pretty epic game of kickball. We’re grateful for each and every one of you and are thrilled for EGA to be your home.
If you weren’t at the seminar with Matt Larsen, you missed a fun afternoon! Larsen, best known as a hand-to-hand combat expert and the father of the U.S. Army’s Modern Army Combatives Program, emphasized the importance of BJJ when establishing and maintaining control during an altercation, including maintaining control of a firearm.
