STMA Academy Reading owner Dan Eden has reflected after the gym celebrated its third birthday.
The club has hundreds of members, multiple champions, 14 coaches and has helped to change lives.
Celebrating their anniversary, Dan said: “We’ve grown to 260 members from a standing start in November 2021. That steady rise in numbers is due to our reputation as a safe, inclusive environment for enabling personal growth, and for ensuring fighting excellence.
“This is not down to me; it is thanks to our coaches and our members, who are all contributing to the atmosphere we are generating at STMA Academy Reading, Scours Lane.
“We’ve continued to invest time and a lot of money in our gym, adding equipment and a brand-new shower and toilet block to create one of the premier fight training environments in the UK. We now have more than 3,000 sqft of high-spec space being used around the clock to help people hone their skills.
“I always wanted STMA Academy Reading to be a welcoming environment where people could improve their mind as well as their body. To that end we have hosted numerous seminars including inviting Muay Thai legends Liam Harrison and Sam Gogh to share their insights.
“A large STMA contingent also attended a Master Class Seminar at the Hilton, Reading, where we learnt from One Championship Stars from Thailand such as Superbon, Nongo and Phetjeeja. We’ve also heard from UFC/MMA stars Nathaniel Wood and Brad Picket in a separate event. Added to that, we’ve now had a dozen gradings to help assess our students.
“Ring experience is invaluable for any fighter, and we have welcomed many clubs into the gym for our regular ‘interclub’ contests. We’ve had 11 interclubs at the gym, which average 40-50 fights each, and have been involved in 70+ external interclubs. “This has improved our fighters’ experience, giving them a chance to perform in front of family and friends, as well as increasing recognition of STMA Academy Reading.
“My purpose in life is to help change peoples’ lives for the better through Martial Arts and Boxing. I have invested £200k+ of my own personal funds to help change the lives of others.
“I have done all of this as volunteer as have many people who have helped make the gym a success. We have a shared goal and shared philosophy: money is not real wealth.
“The real wealth is changing lives and watching people expand in confidence both physically and mentally.
“Watching the gym grow and seeing fighters starting to win titles across all fight disciplines shows we are now starting to reap the rewards of three years of hard work and dedication.”
