I write this review not being a patron of this business but as a personal experience with the head coach and owner, Rich Galicia. Coach Rich and I had a little run in recently while I was on vacation in the Tampa Bay Area. I have to admit that I was the agitated party in this incident. Coach Rich deescalated the situation professionally, calmly and more importantly to me respectfully. After this quick interaction with Coach Rich I felt the need to write this review to showcase his character as not only a business owner but as a mentor to his students. We talked like family after we sorted everything out. We shared some ideology about coaching, about our views on combat sports and their positive impact on today's youth. There are a lot of Coaches that talk the talk but not that many that walk the walk. Coach Rich is a fine example of someone you would want mentoring your young athlete.
Team Sports are not for everyone and they don't always bring out the best in people. I just read an article about a Coach punching an umpire in the mouth, not a good look for little league. Combat Sports are humbling for all participants, it teaches self-control, hard work but most importantly respect. Respect for yourself, your teammates, your school and more importantly your opponent.
Coach Rich's foundation is a traditional Chinese Martial Art (Sanda), Reinforced with Various Striking and Grappling. I'm very confident in my abilities to defend myself in and out of the ring but its very humbling to know someone with Coach Rich's background choose to use his words to deescalate and resolve a situation rather than his fists. Not saying he would choose his fists but he could if he wanted to. Not only was he a fine representative for his business but also a fine example for his students. Check out his website for a full list of programs but the one that stood out to me was the Anti-Bully one. I feel everyone kid/child should sign up for one of these.
With this review I wanted to say thank you to him and his family. And to showcase his character outside the ring for being a fine example of someone you would want your kid/teen to be mentored by. If you guys are in the Tampa Bay Area looking for a place to train/exercise or maybe get your kids off the internet or video game give Coach Rich and his team at the Fight Team Gym your consideration. Tell him Sean Flac sent you! read more