Kooroosh Sharghi came to Straight Blast Gym in Sandy Springs looking for something different.

He didn’t want to be a part of a big box gym, as he knew that wouldn’t captivate him and keep his interest. He had a little bit of boxing experience at a previous gym, which almost did more harm than good. Telling stories of how he had left his last gym because another patron had knocked him unconscious, he had some reservations about joining another martial arts gym.

“It was clear from the beginning that safety was going to be a big deal for him” says Kickboxing coach Jim Sheppard. “I wanted him to know from day 1 that we were going to teach him some really good stuff yet keep him safe. It was clear from the start that he was going to be a fast learner, and over the last couple months he has come a lonnnng way in a short period of time.”

Kooroosh fully embraced the gym and started doing both kickboxing and jiu jitsu. Jiu Jitsu Coach Sean Coleman on Kooroosh:

Kooroosh is super cordial with everyone in class. He is always the first person to introduce himself to new students and make them feel at home. I always know that it is safe to put him with a brand new person and that they’ll be safe and have a good experience.”

Kooroosh had joined Straight Blast Gym very tentative of his longevity in the gym, concerned that his body wouldn’t hold up. After two months, he came up to me and told me that his body was feeling great and that he’d be a staple at SBG Sandy Springs for a long time!