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How a fighter's dream became Vancouver's toughest training ground
How a fighter's dream became Vancouver's toughest training ground
Back in 2018, I was tired of seeing the same cookie-cutter gyms pop up everywhere. You know the ones - all mirrors and machines, zero soul. After 15 years bouncing between Muay Thai camps in Thailand, boxing gyms in Montreal, and strength facilities across the west coast, I knew there had to be something better.
The idea for Emberion came during a brutal training camp prep. I was juggling three different gym memberships just to get the right equipment - one for heavy lifting, another for bag work, and a third for proper conditioning space. That's when it hit me: why not build one place that actually gets what serious athletes need?
Started small in a 2,000 sq ft warehouse space on Granville. Just me, some beat-up bumper plates, a few heavy bags I'd dragged back from overseas, and a dream that people would actually show up. Turns out, there were plenty of folks sick of the usual gym nonsense.
Seven years later, we've built something pretty special. Not gonna lie, it's been a wild ride - late nights fixing equipment, early mornings coaching classes, and learning way too much about commercial plumbing. But watching people discover what they're really capable of? That never gets old.
My background's a bit all over the map, honestly. Started with traditional martial arts as a kid, got into amateur boxing at 16, then fell hard for Muay Thai in my early twenties. Competed for about eight years - nothing crazy, mostly regional circuit stuff, but it taught me everything about what real training looks like.
Picked up my certifications in strength and conditioning while I was still fighting, figuring I'd need a backup plan eventually. Turned out coaching was almost as addictive as competing. Started training other fighters, then regular folks who just wanted to train like fighters, and realized there's not much difference - everyone's fighting their own battles.
Spent time learning from some incredible coaches across North America and Southeast Asia. Each gym taught me something different - the old-school boxing coach in East Van who could spot technical flaws from across the room, the Thai trainers who understood conditioning on a whole other level, the Olympic lifting coach who broke down movement patterns like nobody's business.
Brought all those experiences here. Every program we run, every piece of equipment we've chosen, every way we structure our training - it's all based on what actually works, not what looks good on Instagram.
We don't care how cool an exercise looks if it doesn't translate to real performance. Everything we do has a purpose - building strength you can actually use, conditioning that carries over to life outside these walls. No gimmicks, no trends that'll be gone next month.
Yeah, we train hard. But there's a difference between tough workouts and stupid ones. We push you to your limits, not past your body's ability to recover. Smart programming, proper progression, and knowing when to back off - that's how you get results that last.
Left the ego at the door mentality. Doesn't matter if you're a pro athlete or just starting out - everyone gets the same respect here. We've built a crew that actually supports each other, celebrates progress, and isn't afraid to call you out when you're sandbagging.
Your journey's yours alone. We're not here to make you look like someone else or hit arbitrary numbers. Whether you're training for competition, trying to keep up with your kids, or just want to feel strong again - we meet you where you're at.
Speed and weight come after you've nailed the pattern. We're sticklers about form because we've all seen what happens when it breaks down. Take the time to do it right, and you'll be training for decades, not just months.
You don't grow during the workout, you grow after. That's why we put just as much emphasis on mobility work, sleep, nutrition, and knowing when to take a rest day. The athletes who get this are the ones still crushing it years later.
Opened the doors with about 20 members who took a chance on us. Basic setup - weights, bags, lots of chalk dust. No fancy marketing, just word of mouth and people who wanted something real.
Hit 100 members and immediately put everything back into the facility. Added a proper Olympic lifting platform, more rack space, and finally got those competition kettlebells I'd been eyeing. Started our first structured combat conditioning program.
COVID hit us hard. Closed for four months, which honestly almost killed the business. Came back with outdoor classes and small group sessions. Lost some members but the core crew stuck around. Taught us a lot about what really matters.
Took over the adjacent unit and doubled our space. Built out a dedicated mobility and recovery area, expanded the combat zone, added more lifting platforms. Brought on three more coaches who actually get what we're about.
Started our competitive athletes program. Not about forcing everyone to compete, but giving those who want to push harder a structured path. Had our first members compete in powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, and amateur boxing events.
Partnered with a registered dietitian who actually understands performance nutrition. Too many people were training hard but eating like garbage. Now we can actually help with the full picture.
Over 300 members strong. Still in the same spot on Granville, still keeping it real. We're not the biggest gym in Vancouver, but we might be the toughest. And we're just getting started.
We've got 4,000 square feet of training space that's been set up with one goal - giving you everything you need and nothing you don't.
No mirrors on every wall. No smoothie bar. No eucalyptus towels. Just equipment that works and space to use it properly.
Come check out the facility. First session's on us - no pressure, no sales pitch.
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