Dr. Jason Talley • 33 years old • Lives in Granite City, IL • Married to Jessica • Website: www.talleychiro.com

What brought you to the HIT Squad?
Jason: I was fortunate to get involved with the HIT Squad somewhat by luck. I have been a MMA fan for several years, especially a Matt Hughes fan and heard a new “Matt Hughes” gym was opening in Granite City. I really thought that was cool, and thought it would be even cooler if I could be a part of such a high level professional program. Since I was not a fighter, but loved the sport, I thought it would be great to help all the banged up pro-fighters at the gym. I wrote Marc Fiore a letter; they invited me to come check out the place (The first time he came to check out the place was before we opened and he had to help hang the heavy bags!), and then they came to my chiropractic clinic, and when I say they, I mean Matt Hughes, Robbie Lawler, and Marc Fiore; talk about intimidating; but the reality was they were all down to earth great guys! I have been treating the HIT Squad fighters ever since. They come in with an endless number of complaints; we fix them up so they can always feel and perform at the highest level possible.

Dr. Talley working on fighter Jake Hecht

What do you do at the Hit Squad?
Jason: Since working with the fighters I have been fortunate to be able to get some personal training and learn some jiu jitsu/ MMA training with Blake Shoemaker. The experience has been nothing short of awesome so far. The Hit-Squad facility is remarkable; tons of gym space, state of the art equipment, a boxing ring, and caged mats. This professional facility is perfect for the pros and very motivating for the average Joes who want to learn and train with the best.

Have you competed?
Jason: This seems to be the first question everyone asks with this sport. Have you competed? The short answer is “No” but I would be lying to say I wouldn’t love to at least compete in some type of competition though. My first goal is to get into better shape; as that happens I can see if I am any good at the fighting/striking game. For now I will just have to be satisfied with Blake kicking my a** Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during the week!

Favorite workout:
Jason: My favorite part of any HIT Squad workout; the end! Actually, I really love the jiu jitsu and striking the best so far. The one on one competition is great!

Do you follow MMA?
Jason: Huge MMA Fan; oddly enough that was the biggest catalyst in getting me involved with the facility to begin with!

Any funny stories?
Jason: Well yeah, my MMA career almost ended before it started. (Yeah I know it is hard to call it a career). So, I finally get the courage and time to get down to the gym and try a boxing class; all the normal instructors had left for Robbie’s fight that week and I didn’t realize they wouldn’t have a typical class. So I’m there by myself for the class and a young 24 year old fighter and ex-marine [Charles Hackmann -Todd] was assigned the unfortunate task of helping me with my striking [Charles filled in because class had been canceled that day and we didn't want Dr. Talley to miss out on any fun! -Todd]. The first hurdle we had to overcome was that I did everything backwards; being left-handed threw off the lesson because he wasn’t accustomed to working with lefties and I was too pitiful to get it from the opposite direction: everything started out harmless enough, 3-5 minutes of bag work, then we moved to the caged mats, running back and forth trying to keep pace, I realized real quickly I was in deep trouble with the cardio. Between sets as I gasped for air he kept asking me ‘so are you going to be a fighter’, I meekly answered “I doubt it; I’m a little past my prime". Forty-five minutes went by; I hadn’t had a coronary so, thinking I was almost done, we moved onto the jump rope. I thought to myself, this has to be it! With each jump I felt worse and worse. Then I heard the worst words ever, “let’s finish with sprints”. Trying not to be a wuss, I said okay.......reluctantly. Fast forward to the last sprint; I felt something just wasn’t right. The body was revolting, said no more and was doing so all over the mats if I didn’t hurry to finish the sprints. Unfortunately, I hadn’t scoped out all the trash bins, not that it mattered as I tripped/ collapsed over the gated entrance to the mats and vomit projected all over the gym floor as I lay humiliated on the floor thinking; real cool, that’s going to impress them! Things worsened as I realized puking in the gym is like having the plague no one wants to be around you or your puke. Head hanging low I cleaned myself up and figured that was enough for one day. Feeling sorry for me or just a subtle hint Todd gave me a poster of Robbie’s upcoming fight on the way out. Believe me, I got the point. Stick to being a fan and don’t quit your day job! (Laughs) Since this practice gone wrong, I have loved every minute of the training and can actually make it through the workout without a coronary event! Thanks Blake!

Dr. Jason Talley at the office.

Josh McKinney • 15 years old • Lives in nearby Madison, IL • Joined the gym in March of 2008 • A little bit of a "jiu-jitsu gym rat"

What brought you to the HIT Squad?
Josh: Well, about a year ago I was overweight and needed a way to get in shape. I had heard about the HIT squad, so I tried their jiu jitsu class. After one time I was hooked, and I've been training 4 days a week since.

What do you do at the Hit Squad?
Josh: Mainly jiu jitsu, it's a very fun class for all ages, sizes, and genders. Kyle is an excellent instructor and whether you want to do it for competition jiu jitsu, MMA, to get in shape, or you just need something to do, I definitely recommend it.

Have you competed in any jiu-jitus tournaments?
Josh: Yes, I have.

What competitions and how did you do?
Josh: I have done the Ohio Grappling Tournament twice. The first time I got 2nd in GI and 3rd in NO-GI. The second time I got 1st in GI and 2nd in NO-GI. At the Arnold (Schwarzenegger) Classic in Columbus. I got 1st in Gi and 2nd in NO-GI. The Chicago NAGA (North American Grappling Association) I got 1st in GI and 2nd in NO-GI. At the Indiana NAGA I took 2nd in GI (Josh competed in the adult division rather than his own age group).
(Josh didn't really want to talk about his jiu-jitsu accomplishments.)

Favorite workout:
Josh: I'm a fan of my dad's (Steve Mckinney) full body high intensity workouts. They really benefit my strength on the mats.

Do you follow MMA?
Josh: I followed it a little before I came to the gym. Then when I started meeting a lot of the up and comers I started paying alot more attention to it.

Any funny stories?
Josh: One day I got a little too cocky and one of the blue belts (Derek Maguire) told me that he could submit me in under a minute. I woke up about 30 seconds later in Derek's guard. He did get the better of me that day when he triangle choked me and I went unconscious, but one of these days I'll beat him.

What else can you tell us?
Josh: I can say that pretty much everyone who goes to jiu jitsu loves it; but the HIT squad has alot more than that. It's actually amazing watching each and everyone of the MMA fighters get better every single day. Mainly because we get people from all over America and all over the world to train here, and when you have all of those people you get so many different styles and strengths and weaknesses. That combination seems to make great fighters.

The HIT squad isn't only for if you want to be a tough MMA fighter. There are so many families that come to the HIT squad. Actually my mom teaches their Cardio Kick Boot Camp which is a great class for men and women of all ages, it's extremely great for losing weight, and increasing cardio.

Josh's mom, Jennifer, before teaching her cardio kickboxing class

Then my dad strength trains a lot of the MMA fighters and it has definitely been helping them. Basically what I'm saying is it has a great family environment.

Steve spotting Shawn Tepen while bench pressing

I started training when I was only 14 and I can tell that training has really helped my self confidence, my weight, and pretty much my life.

Erica Stone • 23 years old • Married to Brad for 1 year • Lives in Granite City • Work at Coordinated Youth and Human Services, an alternative education school

What brought you to the HIT Squad?
Erica: I had just got married and started teaching at Coordinated Youth and Human Services and was looking for a new gym to workout at. Some of the people I worked with recommended the HIT Squad, so my friend and I decided to check it out. We really like the atmosphere of the HIT Squad and decided to join. We have been members since last fall. It is really convenient for me because it takes me a couple of minutes to walk out the back door of Coordinated Youth to the gym.

What do you do at the Hit Squad?
Erica: I usually lift weights and do some sort of cardio, but eventually would like to do some sort of class.

Favorite workout:
Erica: My favorite workout is a nice long run on the treadmill.

Do you follow MMA?
Erica: I didn't follow MMA at all before joining the HIT Squad, but now follow it some.

What else can you tell us?
Erica: I completed my 1st half-marathon last April and am planning to do my 2nd in September. My goal is to one day complete a full marathon.

My husband joined shortly after I did last fall and works out regularly, as well as several other employees at Coordinated Youth. During the school year, we all come after school and workout and act as motivation for each other.

Mike Reed (pictured with Diana and Mikey) • 31 years old • Married to Sarah for 5 years with three kids (Michaela 12, Diana 4, Mikey 2) • Lives in Granite City • Works at American Steel

What brought you to the HIT Squad?
Mike: The HIT Squad ran a special promotion at work, so me and a few guys decided to check it out. I have been a member for 9 months. I like the atmosphere. Everybody is really down to earth and laid back. Nobody walks around with a chip on their shoulder.

What do you do at the Hit Squad?
Mike: I started out just doing weight training. I kept watching the jiu-jitsu class and finally tried it. I loved it so I began doing the jiu-jitsu class. (I haven’t done the jiu-jitsu much this summer because it has been so hot at the steel mill that I have been wiped out at the end of the day. Can’t wait to get back.) Kyle is a great instructor. I have learned a ton in a short amount of time. That is another reason I recommend HIT Squad, the instructors are top notch and some of the best people I know. It’s an encouraging atmosphere and not a bunch of big headed, small minded people trying to compete with each other. Everybody is about sharing knowledge and passion for a great sport, MMA.

I always tell people to come join even if they already have a gym because I’ve had memberships just about everywhere and honestly this is the best gym I’ve ever been to. My wife always feels comfortable at the Hit Squad and she has lost 30 pounds in the cardio kickboxing class on Saturday mornings.

Favorite workout:
Mike: I really don’t have a favorite workout. I change it up a lot. I will do DC training or one of Steve McKinney’s workouts which has made me sick but in a good way.

Do you follow MMA?
Mike: I used to a little but now I follow it a lot.

Any funny stories?
Mike: I weight lift but I don’t do much cardio. I took a really hard striking class once thinking that I was in shape. I wasn’t. I dry heaved the whole way home. My body was sore for a week. I have been working on that now.

What else can you tell us?
Mike: My dad, my mom, my sister, my wife, and my uncle all have memberships at the HIT Squad.