Excelsior Springs, MO – The martial arts community in Excelsior Springs is about to receive a significant boost with the grand opening of Stride Martial Arts and Fitness on Sunday, October 15, at 2 p.m. The club is located at 2365 Vintage Dr and promises a unique blend of discipline, fitness, and community spirit.
The grand opening isn’t just about martial arts. In a bid to engage the community and create a festive atmosphere, Stride has arranged for special appearances by KC Wolf. Attendees can also indulge in treats from Meltbox Ice Cream, and there will be live demonstrations showcasing the intricate art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Matt Waters, a familiar name in the local martial arts community, is at the helm of this endeavor. Waters, who holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under James Krause, has been deeply involved in Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2009. Before establishing Stride, Waters owned a successful MMA gym in Gladstone. Now, he’s shifting closer to his Orrick roots.
Matt recalled his long relationship with martial arts, “I started training when I was 15. It’s been a journey of nearly 14 years with the same group, driving to the city three to four times a week. After being an owner at the Glory MMA Northland location, I felt the need to move closer to home and serve my community.”
Matt has built Stride from scratch based on his years of experience and passion. He is joined by his wife, Amber, who takes on the role of business manager and promotions. Matt explained, “Stride is about taking decisive steps in a specific direction. Martial arts, especially Jiu-Jitsu, is all about pursuing goals. You need to take firm steps, be it chasing a belt or another personal achievement.”
With the grand opening just around the corner, Stride is currently offering a pre-enrollment special at $100 per month, which will increase to $149 post-launch. The event promises many activities, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony, giveaways, and a chance for attendees to get hands-on with live rolling sessions. (Check out their Facebook Event Page here.)
For those unfamiliar with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Matt simplifies it as “wrestling with submissions”. He elaborates, “It’s designed for a smaller person to leverage technique against a bigger opponent. It’s wrestling integrated with chokes and joint locks.”
As the opening date nears, Matt said he’s excited about the opportunity to bring his passion closer to home and provide more than just a martial arts club. He wants it to be a community hub where personal goals are set, pursued, and achieved.
For more information, visit the Stride website or give them a call at 816-629-8514
The grand opening isn’t just about martial arts. In a bid to engage the community and create a festive atmosphere, Stride has arranged for special appearances by KC Wolf. Attendees can also indulge in treats from Meltbox Ice Cream, and there will be live demonstrations showcasing the intricate art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Matt Waters, a familiar name in the local martial arts community, is at the helm of this endeavor. Waters, who holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under James Krause, has been deeply involved in Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2009. Before establishing Stride, Waters owned a successful MMA gym in Gladstone. Now, he’s shifting closer to his Orrick roots.
Matt recalled his long relationship with martial arts, “I started training when I was 15. It’s been a journey of nearly 14 years with the same group, driving to the city three to four times a week. After being an owner at the Glory MMA Northland location, I felt the need to move closer to home and serve my community.”
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