Today we’d like to introduce you to Adolfo Salas.
Adolfo, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
We have been training and teaching Krav Maga since the late 2000’s. After having a falling out with the owner of a training center we had been devoted to for years, we were forced to find a new home. We reconnected with another instructor who also had left the same training center a few years prior to our departure. He had joined a different Krav Maga organization, Fit to Fight (R). He was teaching their curriculum at a boxing gym in Brookhaven. When we joined him, we made it clear that our primary goal was to train and to help others meets their self-defense goals.
After some discussion, the decision was made to turn it into a full-fledged business. We made it clear to the students that our goal was to help them, and the school was not about locking people into contracts to get their money. The school went from 5 students to over 80 within a couple of months. Eventually, our friend and his wife moved out of the state.
My wife and I made the decision to take over the school. We taught out of that boxing gym until October 2017. We now have our own location. It’s been scary, it’s been fun, but we hold to our principle of that we want people to come and train. We love having people who come in and are serious about learning to how to defend themselves, their families, and their friends.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Our biggest challenges were working within the confines of others rules and behaviors. Much of those behaviors were really quite negative in nature, and do not adhere to our principles.
At our original training center, we dealt with directives of the business being a money-making venture and attempts at intervention in our personal lives. My wife and I had issues along the way because we don’t treat students like bank accounts. The level of time commitment we had to the school was affecting our personal relationship. When we took the steps to get out lives back on track, there was a backlash. When we stood up to it, we were sent on our way.
Teaching at the gym was difficult since it was not our space. We were renting floor space and had to deal with the gym owner getting into verbal altercations with their clients, being forced to cancel classes at the last minute due to an event, and gym patrons making the moves on our students. all of our students are in for their personal reasons. These reasons range from fitness goals, some had a taste to get into amateur competition, and others wanting to learn how to handle themselves during a violent situation. We want a safe and constructive environment that will challenge you and help you grow.
The adversity has had benefits. In a lot of ways, we are thankful for having worked at those locations. we learned what not to do. We learned who not to be. Our students see who we are and what we are about. We are not perfect. We can be kind. We can be tough. In the end, it’s all about them.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Fit to Fight Atlanta – what should we know?
We are a self-defense school. We are a proud affiliate of Fit to Fight (R). Our primary business is teaching Krav Maga. We currently also offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Judo. The lead coaches for those programs are dedicated and accomplished professionals who take a personal interest your progression. I believe that how we treat our students and that we do not have contracts sets us apart.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
First and foremost, our students, old and new. We love you guys. Thank you so much!
- Ryan Hoover – co-founder of Fit to Fight (R). – It’s his no BS approach. The system is truly open, and he’s not afraid to call it like it is.
- Amber Staklinski – Instructor with FTF and leads the school in Gastonia – She has been quite supportive and just an all around great person to work with. Go see her in Gastonia!
- Jesse Walker – He introduced us to FTF in the beginning.
- Matt Robinson – FTF affiliate in Charleston, SC – Matt has been a great example of how to treat people. I’ve seen his school grow over the years and his students have a ton of respect for him. Thank you, Matt!
- Tuan Hoang – Instructor with FTF in Charlotte. – This young man has been inspirational on how to support students, how to teach others by example, and serve as a constant reminder on how to treat people. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him.
- Andre Herbert – FTF instructor and leads the school in Charlotte – Dre is a humble kind of guy. My wife and I watch both he and his wife on how to run a school and handle a budding family.
- David and Dee Cooper – former students of ours who gave us some wonderful support and advice when we first got started.
- Claire Tincher, Ariel Stewart, Sarkis Einarson, Loren Rodgers, Erasto McBride, and Eric Muntz – Coaches and friends who have helped keep the place going when are out of town.
- Michael Margolin, Kelly Campbell, Matt Romond, A.J. Draven – we learned a great deal from these instructors when we were with a different Krav Maga organization. I won’t forget those roots. Thank you for our wonderful beginning.
- Our families – They have been helping us keep our family life less chaotic while we try to grow the school.
- FTF affiliates – we share ideas and support each other on a personal and professional level. It’s been wonderful getting to know all of you.
Contact Info:
- Address:3302 LaVenture Drive Suite A110 Atlanta, Ga 30341
- Website: http://www.ftfatl.com/
- Phone:404.901.0820
- Email:tryaclass@ftfatl.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/fittofigtatlanta
- Facebook:@fittofightatlanta
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
