09/14/2026
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: MAX STRATTON 🥋
Max is 34 and a lifelong Hudson Valley local. He owns a construction company, coaches wrestling, and is a purple belt at Gambit.
Max wrestled nearly his entire life, competing in high school and college before spending the past 10 years coaching at Rondout. He also holds a black belt in Tang Soo Do and has trained Jiu Jitsu at Gambit for nearly four years.
Max found BJJ while looking for an outlet during a difficult time. He credits training with making him more humble, confident, and improving his overall quality of life. Gambit also introduced him to his (lovingly) “psychotic” girlfriend and, by extension, their equally psychotic pitbull, Boone.
One of his proudest moments was his first competition at white belt, going 12–1, winning a 32-man No Gi bracket and taking second in Gi—despite never wearing a Gi before.
Favorite class: Friday at 6 AM
Favorite part of training: “When me and Tyler get to kill each other.”
And one thing everyone he wants everyone to know: He almost head-and-arm choked Eric one time… almost
