Oliver Klein
6 months ago
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to train with Malachy for my entire 7 year jiu jitsu career. For the past 3-4 years he has been my main coach and training partner and has completely transformed my jiu jitsu, from both a technique perspective and also with regard to my mental acuity and toughness, and how I look at jiu jitsu, holistically.
He’s a very talented teacher with an ability to explain things clearly and concisely while being knowledgeable, also, down to the very fine details. As an avid competitor himself, he is always incorporating the most current techniques and jiu jitsu meta and teaching skills that work in competition at high level.
I’ve been training with Steph for about 4 years as well and she has been a huge inspiration for me with regard to training more consistently and with more intentionality. I had to really step up my game to keep up with her and I’ve taken many valuable lessons away from the time I’ve spent with her.
Maybe most importantly, Malachy and Steph truly cares about their students and their success, both in jiu jitsu and in life. They comes into every class prepared and excited to share their knowledge, and to really connect with their students and training partners.
They have had a huge impact on all of the younger students, particularly. I’ve watched kids and teenagers’ confidence, poise, and maturity grow along with their martial arts skills, and seen people’s lives transformed in the goals they are setting for themselves in their personal lives. Malachy and Steph are not only coaches, but also mentors to so many of their students. And for me, personally, they’ve become close friends who I cherish very much.
My most fun and dynamic and flat out exhausting rounds are always with Malachy. We will miss Malachy and Steph dearly in Los Angeles, but I’m thrilled that they will be such a gift to the students they teach in NY.
When you train at a great gym with great, dedicated instructors, you take many lessons with you, meet the best people, and become part of an indispensable community.
Malachy and Steph are generous and empathetic human beings and are a huge asset to the Kingston community. They cultivate a fun, safe, and challenging environment where everyone can excel and be better. They pour so much of themselves into the gym and their students and really inspire us to invest in ourselves and our training partners.
Trust in them and in the process and know that you’re getting the best training and the best allies in your corner. They’re also both absolute beasts on the mat!