GrindStone Athletics

GRINDSTONE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT!!!

Say hi to Kevin Hernandez. Aka "THE MEXICUTIONER"!He’s 16 years old, from Virginia Beach, and has been training with us at GrindStone Athletics for a year now. Kevin’s a high school student who knows how to put in the work, both in the classroom and in the gym. His favorite part about training? The people. He loves the community here and the energy everyone brings to each session.

Outside the gym, Kevin’s got a creative side. He’s bilingual, loves listening to music, and even enjoys singing when he’s not training. His favorite quote is, “Don’t give a man a fish, rather teach him how,” which totally fits his mindset of learning and growing.

We’re stoked to have Kevin as part of the GrindStone crew. Make sure to say what’s up next time you see him killing it on the mats!

Meet Edgar Cruz-Senga, a valued member of GrindStone Athletics for the past 6 years. At 39 years old, Edgar brings a unique blend of skills and perspectives to the gym. By day, he's an IT professional from Virginia Beach, but when he’s at GrindStone, his focus is all about elevating his martial arts knowledge. Edgar’s dedication to improvement and passion for learning is an inspiration to everyone who trains with him.

Outside of training, Edgar has a fascinating hobby—stand-up comedy! He also enjoys video games and working with computers. His favorite quote, by Alan Watts, is "You are not obligated to be the same person you were five minutes ago," which reflects his approach to growth both inside and outside the gym. We're lucky to have someone like Edgar as part of the GrindStone family, contributing not only his skills but also his incredible sense of humor!

Tonight's office!
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# # # GRINDSTONE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Vincent Packer

Meet Vincent, a dedicated member of GrindStone Athletics for the past 10 months. At just 20 years old, Vincent hails from Virginia Beach and works as a welder. His favorite thing about training with us is getting to learn something new every time he steps into the gym.

Outside of the gym, Vincent has an interesting array of accomplishments. He boasts that he once ran a half marathon at 2am after a grueling 10-hour workday!
In his downtime, Vincent enjoys being an avid video game player. His favorite quote is
"Sometimes ya gotta look dumb before ya look cool,"
by Chase "The Weapon" Walden reflects his positive attitude and willingness to embrace a challenge.

We’re proud to have Vincent as part of the GrindStone Athletics family and look forward to seeing him continue to grow and succeed both in and out of the gym.

Photo credit: .0

The art vs The artist.

**GRINDSTONE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT**

Meet Patrick Martin, an 18-year-old recent high school graduate from Virginia Beach. Patrick has been a dedicated member of GrindStone Athletics for the past four years. His next big adventure takes him to Marymount University, where he plans to join the Navy as an officer. Beyond the gym, Patrick is a three-time NAGA Jiu Jitsu champion, showcasing his dedication and skill in martial arts.

Pat's favorite part of training at GrindStone Athletics is the camaraderie and humor shared amongst training partners. When he's not honing his skills on the mat, he enjoys working on his truck, making personal modifications. Pat's favorite quote, "It's better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing than a long life spent in a miserable way," truly reflects his passionate approach to life. We’re proud to have Patrick as part of our GrindStone family and look forward to seeing him achieve great things both in and out of the gym!

**GRINDSTONE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT**

Meet Darian Hagar, a dedicated member of our GrindStone Athletics family! At just 22 years old, Darian hails from Springfield, Missouri, bringing his vibrant energy to every training session. 💪🏻 As a naval information systems technician, he embodies discipline and commitment both in and out of the gym.

For the past 8 months, Darian has been honing his skills with us, always eager to absorb new techniques. 📈 But there's more to Darian than meets the eye. Did you know he's traveled to 5 different countries? 🌍 Outside the gym, he spends his time in nature doing activities like floating, hiking, and camping.

Darian's favorite quote,
"It's not about how hard you can hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward"
from Rocky Balboa, perfectly encapsulates his spirit💥
Be sure to cheer on Darian as he continues his martial arts journey with us at GrindStone Athletics!

Grindatones' very own is now the #2 ranked 18 year old in the world. After a hard fought battle with spain, Nick lost on points. Even after sustaining a ln injury to his right foot, Nick never took his head out of the game and adapted his style in order to keep fighting. This tournament was the official kick-off to his adult career. Although we didn't get the outcome we wanted, we got the experience that we needed. It's a hard thing to put into words however, I think this quote does the trick.

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it.”
-Maya Angelou

We are beyond proud of you, Nick. The sky is limit and we can't wait to see just how high you fly!🙏🏼

GRINDSTONE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Meet Chris DeWitt, one of our dedicated members here at GrindStone Athletics! 🥊 At 50 years young, Chris brings a wealth of experience to our gym. Hailing from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, he's not just a structural aviation mechanic but also a passionate long-distance runner and motorcycle enthusiast! Chris has been grinding with us for two years now, and is a great example of perseverance and dedication. His favorite thing about training? Staying fit and pushing his limits every day. 💪 But what truly sets Chris apart is his wisdom, as reflected in his favorite quote by Joe Weider: "Show me one man that wants to be strong and I'll show you five men that want to look strong."Let's give a round of applause to Chris for being an integral part of our diverse and vibrant community! 🎉 We're thrilled to have him with us on this journey. Keep shining, Chris! 🔥

The new "Trilla Killa" t-shirt will be available this Saturday during our fundraiser here at the gym. all proceeds go towards sending to Thailand 🇹🇭 for the world championships 🌏🥊 with the TEAM USA 🇺🇸🦅

The event starts at 6 pm. we will have food, drinks, adult beverages, games, prizes, ufc fights, and more!!!