The girls thought the class was great. It was informative and fun. Megan was trying out the moves as soon as she got home. The PPP definitely made the girls more aware of the dangers around them and how to deal with them, even if they don’t remember all the moves perfectly.

But overall the program was great, thanks for taking the time to help them for next year.

Nick Loumos
Madison, WI
Jeet Kune Do

I wanted you to know how grateful I am for all you have done for me. I walked into that first private intro lesson as a 15 year old kid; now I’m an adult. I feel very lucky to have had you and the Blast be such a major part of my life.

I also want you to know that I don’t give a flying you know what how many fights you win. Obviously, I love it when put some fool down (and I’ll be in the crowd watching many of these. Or on my couch watching it on TV.) But what I will always remember and value, is the friendship and teaching you have given me.

You have given me the skills, physical and mental, to keep myself grounded, stay true to what I believe in, but not take myself too seriously. The way you respect and care about everyone who walks in your academy regardless of who or what they are is an inspiration. Of all the precious things I’ve learned at your academy, that is one of the most important.

Megan Sharrow
Columbus, WI
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do

The first time I walked into THE BLAST, I was nervous and a little scared. My first class was Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and even though my big brother was there with me, the thought of rolling around on the ground with strange men was unnerving at best. Throughout the first week of class, Mike did an amazing job of making me feel comfortable and encouraging me. If he saw a hint of discomfort in my face, he would remind me that I should only do what I was comfortable with and that it was OK if I needed to take a break. The discomfort I felt during those first classes quickly faded as I got to know Mike and his team members.

For all the smack these tough guys like to talk, they’re all just a bunch of big brothers at heart. Everyone loves to challenge you and encourage you and help you become a better martial artist as long as you’re willing to get in there and give it a try. I have a lot of love for the people I have met at THE BLAST. They have taught me about humility, pride, and respect. I am an all around better person thanks to them.

Since joining THE BLAST I have become stronger, quicker, more confident, and thicker skinned. I have more energy, I have a better body image and the little things don’t bother me so much anymore. Now I just sweat them out in practice and turn all that tension into consumable energy.

Adam Saunders
Madison, WI
Jeet Kune Do, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts

I am a student of Mike’s and I have really enjoyed the past 2 years training and hanging out with the people at THE BLAST. I am on TEAM BLAST and have had 1 kickboxing match that I have won, and I plan on doing another one later this year. I partake in all of Mike’s classes. I enjoy learning about every aspect of Jeet Kune Do and I also like to compete in fight competitions.

I have seen the school go through a lot of changes since I have been there and they are all for the better. Where we are at now is a million miles from where we started back at Heroes Gym. I would recommend THE BLAST to anyone [since] there are all kinds of different classes for people to take. I am in the best shape of my life and I owe all of it to THE BLAST, because I love to go and work out and enjoy the company of the people around me. The training is second to none and I will never go anywhere else.

Demian “Coroner” Decorah
Professional Mixed Martial Arts Fighter

THE BLAST Functional Martial Arts Academy is AWESOME! I have my own team, but when I have a fight coming up, TEAM BLAST is where I go to supplement my training. Mike Vaughn is a very knowledgeable instructor. He is also a good teacher and motivator! All skill levels will feel welcome and able to learn something. There is a good team/family atmosphere at the academy.

Joe D.
Wauwatosa, WI

For those interested in learning a fun and practical form of self-defense, I highly recommend THE BLAST Functional Martial Arts and Fitness. Mike Vaughn, Owner and Head Instructor is talented and a motivated Martial Artist who works with each and every student to accommodate their needs. His teaching skills enable students to walk away even after their first lesson with useful abilities to handle situations where a person may need to use self-defense.

I highly recommend his Personal Protection Program (PPP) for college age students (especially young women) who are learning to cope on their own for the first time. Self-defense provides not only personal satisfaction and the knowledge that you don’t have to be a victim, but is an excellent source for a cardiovascular work-out. Check out all the programs that Mike and THE BLAST have to offer, I’m sure there is one that will suit you.

Steve M.
Marshall, WI

WOW! I learned more in 6 weeks and gained more confidence at THE BLAST than I did in 6 months at other so called “Karate” Schools. I’ve always had a passion for the Martial Arts all throughout my life, but I could not find a school that specialized in real world scenarios such as getting attacked in a parking lot, or having 3 opponents trying to attack you etc.

While growing up, I’ve always wondered why I was being taught to do a “spinning backwards crescent rear butterfly kick” on an attacker. That stuff is fun to learn, but are you going to be able to pull that odd when your knees are shaking in fear of the 300lb attacker rushing you? I have seen instructional videos that taught the more “down to earth” methods that I was searching for but never thought there was a school that taught real world situations. So I had to settle by attending mainstream karate schools.

Last year after class at the “school” I was attending, I asked one of my instructors why he doesn’t teach the use of elbows and knees as self-defense weapons? He told me that he doesn’t teach that because they are “too lethal”. I felt saddened inside to know that my “instructor” wasn’t teaching me the skills that would save my life in a real life or death situation.

I expressed my frustrations to a fellow student who told me I should check out THE BLAST on Cottage Grove Rd. He stated that they taught reality based, real world self defense. I was shocked and had to find out for myself since I didn’t think those schools existed. That same night, I ran out of the school I was at and headed immediately to THE BLAST. Upon entering, I was [amazed] at the training that was going on. I was warmly greeted by the head instructor, Mike Vaughn, and after a tour, I realized that this was the school for me.

Here’s what separates THE BLAST from other schools I have attended

• The self defense system taught here will work regardless if your attacker is stronger or more skilled.
• The system can be taught to anyone regardless of your age or physical condition.
• The school has you covered for every situation, regardless if the attack ends up on the ground or if there are weapons involved.
• The instructors fully understand how to build your confidence so you aren’t paralyzed by fear.
• They also care about your diet, nutrition and your life outside of class.

You have an obligation and duty to be able to protect yourself, your family and loved ones especially today with violent crime increasing everywhere.

Maggie W.
McFarland, WI
Fitness Bootcamp

I was in shape and did my regular workouts already, but they were getting boring and I wasn’t seeing any more changes in my body. I was out of ideas for what to do at the gym. So, I decided to try out the bootcamp, and within the first 6 weeks I dropped 8 lbs and went down 2 sizes. I began to see muscles where there were none before since I was adding such a variety to my workouts. The classes are fun and with each class being different from the last, they’re never boring. The instructors are there to motivate you too, which is something you don’t get while working out on your own at a gym. The bootcamp has given me a much more rounded workout and done things for me that my normal gym workouts couldn’t do.

LaShunda Manly
Madison, WI
Kids Program

The kids love their MMA training and their instructors. They have great relationships with the other kids in the classes. The Blast is a community, not just a gym. I joined because I felt the kids needed to know how to protect themselves and also needed a positive outlet for their aggression, especially my son. Folks should join The Blast because they have top-rate instructors who are very professional yet engaging. Also, it is just a great place to be.

Kirk Stevens
Madison, WI
Kids Program

My older son has been with The Blast for about 3 years and my younger son for 1.5 years. The curriculum is like nothing else in the area and the instructors are also excellent. Definitely NOT a typical martial arts program. The Blast gives kids the tools they need for real, practical, and functional self defense and the discernment to know when to use it. Kids who don’t have anything to prove will not feel the needs to fight.

Candy Sievert
Madison, WI
Fitness Bootcamp

I enjoy going to the fitness boot camp at The Blast because I like to have the motivation of working out in a group. The instructors help motivate and push me to reach the goals that that I have set for myself, weather it is fitness, nutrient, or even just getting in to the gym. Another thing that I like so much is that each workout is not the same. This keeps me from getting bored with my workout. I love being able to kick and punch a bag during my work out. We also have fun while working out.

Kara Hall
Madison, WI
Fitness Bootcamp

About a year ago I discovered the Fitness Bootcamp at the Blast and I haven’t looked back since! The exercise program is enhanced by the kind and supportive people I’ve met there. The atmosphere is so encouraging that I found myself looking forward to it, even in the beginning when I was very out-of-shape and vulnerable. My progress has been quite encouraging as well! Almost immediately I noticed improvement in my energy level and my mood. In the months that followed I overcame personal and physical barriers and I’ve become stronger inside and out. When I came to the Blast I couldn’t do a single ‘real’ push-up and I’d never successfully completed a mile run: now I can do each of those things and many more! The workouts are always different and the instructor is dedicated to evolving the program, so I’ve been able to learn a lot of new things in addition to simply getting exercise and losing weight. Surprisingly, despite the fact that weight loss was a major factor in my decision to come to the Blast, the weight and clothing sizes I’ve lost are just added benefits to the many things I’ve gained!