Hello all,
TL;DR - I do martial arts, good for me, good for you. Let’s chat!!
I just wanted to post a quick introduction. My name is Nick Cimmarusti and I’ll be one of the Fight Club Captains. I joined the USMC in 2000 and deployed with 2/24 in Sept 2004.
I dabbled in Karate as a young kid but nothing I was ever serious about. I was born in 1979, so Bruce Lee was a big influence in my younger years. But, I’m from Chicago...and we had the 90’s Bulls...MJ, need I say more. In high school I actually played basketball the first five weeks of the season (A story for another time I suppose). Then I saw my first wrestling match and that was it, love at first sight, I couldn’t quit basketball fast enough.
I started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with New Breed Training Center (Mark Vives) as soon as I returned from deployment in 2005. I received my black belt in BJJ in 2012. I fought/competed in BJJ, MMA and Muay Thai. I’ve really fallen in love with Muay Thai the last 5 years or so. I am the owner and head instructor at Chicago School of Grappling.
I also Ref MMA and Muay Thai/Kickboxing. I am C.O.M.M.A.N.D certified (2015), that’s Big John McCarthy’s certification course.
Anyway, that’s me in a nutshell. I plan to be more active here and hopefully have some good discussions on fighting, training or anything combat sports related. I intend to post some instructional videos. If there’s any you’d like to see or if you have any questions on anything fight/training related feel free to reach out.
FB @nickcimm
IG @chicagograppler
I’m not super active on social media, so if you reach out, send me a message and let me know your from PB Abbate otherwise you may hang in limbo.
Before I go, I want you (if you’re still reading) to know that I feel training (BJJ)/exercising played the biggest part in helping me successfully transition back to civilian life after deployment. I definitely had my fair share of struggles and was just making poor decisions. But training really kept me grounded, it was (and is still) a healthy environment where I could go to get my mind off of life and all of its struggles (even if for a few hours). In 2007 my mother was killed by a drunk driver. I’m not sure where I would be now had I not been training during that time. I’m not looking for pity, I just want to express the importance BJJ played in keeping me sober, sane and alive. I’m not a BJJ pusher either, whether you do BJJ or another martial art, totally cool with me, but I think having a healthy activity is key for those of us who have trouble transitioning back to civilian life.
All I have for now.
Semper Fi!
Leaders,
Brian Woodall and I will also be A Club Captain and I look forward to learning more about all of you! I have over 20yrs of martial Arts from Civilian to MCMAP ran the MACE school for 5yrs at MCBQ. I do not do any social media other then Linkedin for work and Slack.
My whole purpose of this is to provide Marines/ Vets a place to come train, learn, talk and live! I have honestly found, the quickest way to a mans soul is with sweat and shared sacrifice, we all need assistance on the path, and if I can take a rock out of your ruck to help lighten the load! I am there!
PS I forgot to add I live Virginia anyone close, let me know, and I still go the MACE at TBS often!
Hey all, I realize this thread hasn't been touched in a while, however, I am new to PB Abbate and want to make my presence known in this club... so better late than never. Chris Barr here- I was an 0311 with 3/1 from 2013-2017 and deployed twice during that time on MEU's and UDP's. I began training martial arts through a childhood friend whose family has a long tradition of JKD. I quickly switched to a boxing gym because I was interested in the tradition and timelessness of the sport and I continued to train through high school. While at college, I fell into a serious love affair with Muay Thai, and this continues to be my favorite style to train. I have a few stripes on my BJJ white belt but and self-admittingly poor on the ground, so I would love using this club as an opportunity to improve. While I don't train much JKD anymore, I enjoy the philosophy it brings as well as the techniques that apply to real-life situations.
I currently live in Chicago, IL and am long overdue to get back in a gym and start training again. Seems like Nick Cimmarusti is a man I need to reach out to.
Great meeting you all, and I hope we get to punch each other in the face at some point in the future.
Christopher,
Welcome!!! Where in Chicago are located? I’m willing to be of assistance in anyway possible.
Nick
@ncimmarusti I’m in Logan Square, about a 5 min walk from Carlson Gracie’s gym… so I’m really lacking on excuses for not training lol!
I‘m still trying to figure out my availability to train in regards to time, commitment, budget, etc. so just wanted to throw out an intro to get myself plugged in. all the support is much appreciated, many thanks.
@Christopher Barr Don’t just limit yourself to carlsons. If their schedule doesn’t work for you, find the closest gym that does. In my opinion, early on the training location needs to be convenient. Once you really have the itch and are willing to make sacrifices, then you can find a gym you really want to train at.
Chris,
Glad to have you join in!