PJ BONNER

MMA PRO FIGHTER

PJ Bonner is the head coach and trainer at Titan Martial Arts and Fitness Gym.

He first started martial arts training at 5 years old and has grown up studying various styles. He became an instructor at 18 years old in karate, taekwondo, kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and marine corps martial arts system.

Bonner has various world, national, and state titles in taekwondo as well as two amateur MMA belts and won amateur fighter of the year in both 2012 and 2013. With a record of 3-1, Bonner is now a pro fighter.

When asked why he loves the sport and why he continues in this career Bonner said,

“It's all I've wanted to do since I was a wee lad watching ninja turtles, Bruce lee, and the last dragon. I do it because it's fun, healthy, and everyone needs to be able to defend themselves and be more confident. No one should be a victim If the can help it. And by that I mean victim of an assault from some or victim of themselves being overweight and unhealthy.”

At his gym, Titan, he teaches classes for ages 3-5, 6-12, and adults. The kids learn mixed styles of taekwondo and jiu-jitsu and the adults learn kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, taekwondo, grappling, and sparring. The classes are great for all ages, sizes, levels of fitness, and both genders. His classes tend to be 50/50 male and female.

“Most people think that they will get hit so they are too afraid or intimidated to try a class. We actually have a specific class for people that want to make contact like that. Most clients want to come in and workout and get or stay in shape. The kickboxing class is a workout class and there isn’t that fighting contact it is more working technique with protective gear and pads. People need to be brave enough to take a chance and 99% will love the class.”

Though he offers different styles of martial arts in different classes and some have less contact than others, all classes are physically challenging.

“Some days are a little more difficult than others and some are easier. As you grow and learn, the drills will become easier but you need to be willing to be pushed most times. Whether it’s an easy drill or a hard drill it will be fun and interesting.”

PJ says that by changing the drills the classes are never the same and so they don’t become predicable and boring. Some days they even do circuits with weights or high intensity conditioning. Working in a group setting like his classes helps to stay motivated and working with a partner is great for learning proper self-defense techniques.

PJ Bonner’s Healthy Living Tips:

1 Get up and do something! Exercise daily.

2 Find what works for you. You might give kickboxing a try and end up loving it.

3 Eat in moderation. Try to eat clean but treat yourself once in a while.

His favorite healthy snack is apples with peanut butter.

Titan’s Gym Class Schedule:

Mon/Weds

4:00pm 3-5 yr olds

4:45pm 6-12yr olds

6:00pm kickboxing

7:00pm brazilan jiu-jitsuj/sparring

Thurs