23 Andover Drive, West Hartford, Connecticut 06110
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Head Strength and Conditioning Coach/General Manager

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Coach John Durrett

Coach John Durrett has been working in the fitness/athletics industry as a personal trainer or strength and conditioning coach for over a decade. The former Head Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach at Trinity College, he has a long history with the martial arts, possessing the rank of Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Diogo Araujo, as well as over a decade of experience training in kickboxing at Underdog MMA under Russell Leak. He is a Jeet Kune Do practitioner and an Assistant Instructor with the IMBCT (International Martial Arts and Boxing Academy of Connecticut) and is certified to instruct boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kali and Eskrima. For several years, John competed in the sports of Strongman, Powerlifting, Olympic Weightlifting, and CrossFit. Over the years, John has worked extensively with athletes of all ages and ability levels, from first-graders and senior citizens to Olympic athletes. In addition to his time as a collegiate strength and conditioning coach, he was also the S&C coach for several high school teams, and has coached at several gyms.

 

In 2007, Coach Durrett graduated high school weighing around 315 pounds: although he had been heavy his whole life, this was the most he had ever weighed. During his sophomore year at UConn (where he would go on to earn his degree in English Literature), he decided he had to do something or risk serious health complications. Immersing himself in the study of nutrition and exercise, he worked his way down to 170 pounds. Currently, Coach John is a NSCA CSCS and Power Athlete Block One Coach and has accrued more than a dozen other certifications and countless hours of continuing education. Having struggled with issues regarding diet and exercise himself, John coaches with the perfect mix of passion and compassion. In addition to being a strength coach, he has had much success as a personal trainer, helping hundreds of clients lose weight and get in shape. He has been hired to teach seminars around the country in the topics of exercise science, martial arts, and meditation.

Coach Durrett's Current Certifications: National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Power Athlete Certified Coach, Reflexive Performance Reset (RPR) Level 2 Practitioner, Prokreate Pregnancy and Post-Partum Trainer, Certified Gym Yoga Instructor, National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Fitness Nutrition Specialist, Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher with the School of Positive Transformation, Renaissance Periodization Certified Nutrition Coach (RP CNC), Assistant Instructor with the IMBCT

Past Certificates Held: CrossFit Trainer - Level 3 (CF-L3), USAW Olympic Weightlifting Level 2 Coach, USAW Olympic Weightlifting Programming Specialist, CrossFit Football Instructor, CrossFit Endurance Instructor, CrossFit Kids Instructor, CrossFit Gymnastics Instructor, CrossFit Strongman Instructor.

Kids Martial Arts near West Hartford

Yosef, 38, Rabbi- Chabad Chevra, serving University of Hartford

If you are looking for the real deal, if you are serious about becoming a proficient fighter, Underdog is the only place for you! There is no other mixed martial arts gym in the Hartford area that has what Underdog offers. Boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling and MMA training. Pad work, technique, sparring drills, full contact sessions, Underdog has got it all. Beginners and those of all skill levels get to mix it up with and learn from elite professional fighters. The head coach and owner, Russell Leak, is a true teacher. Russell is dedicated, passionate and has the rare ability to truly train and improve his students. Having dabbled in martial arts and kickboxing as a teenager, I thought I knew a thing or two. Flash forward a decade a two. I found myself searching high and low in the Hartford area for a serious gym where you lace up gloves and don’t just do line drills. I finally found Hartford’s best kept secret, Underdog. I am humbled. With a premier coach and pro fighters as sparring partners, I have learned how much I don’t know. Coach is working with me from scratch and helping me learn one skill at a time. Sparring sessions aren’t about getting knocked out, rather in this community atmosphere, more experienced members help you understand your weaknesses and how to improve. I am glad to be part of this amazing and unique gym!

Kids Martial Arts near West Hartford

Cesar Teixeira, 29, District Manager – Nabisco

In 2009, I had to relocate to Hartford Connecticut to continue my career at Nabisco. Moving into a new city is never easy and I found myself bored and with a lot of downtime. Being a true and passionate fan of mixed martial arts, I decided that I would try and find a gym to start training. After calling a few local gyms in the area, I was able to call Underdog. Sifu Russell Leak picked up. That moment was of one of my most life-changing experiences to date. Underdog BJJ provided me top-notch training in both martial arts and strength & conditioning. Furthermore, they accepted me as family and took me in as one of their own. The coaches and instructors at the academy provided me with mentorship and guidance that carried on beyond the mats. They believed in me and gave me the discipline and ability to challenge myself in all aspects of life. They made my goals their own goals and did everything in their power to provide me with the tools necessary to achieve success. Five years later, I firmly believe I would not have the confidence, the maturity, or the work ethic I have without the foundation Underdog provided for me. My athletic and martial arts skills set has grown exponentially since being a student from the academy, but the lessons taught off the mat have been just as important in my life.

Kids Martial Arts near West Hartford

Erik Lee, 26, Construction Project Manager

I joined Underdog two years ago after fighting for a few other gyms, and the fight team and trainers made me feel like family. I worked full time and the team and trainers helped work with my schedule and put me through an excellent fight camp. The team really cares about everyone here and the training is excellent. It is comforting to know you have the support of this team and the work outs are outstanding.

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