Fit to Fight Republic

✨ Humans of Fit to Fight® ✨

Bere from Fit to Fight® Gastonia FTF® joined for to learn self defense and found so much more:

“It has also been a great workout and a rewarding physical and mental challenge. What surprised me most, though, is the community. Everyone is welcoming, supportive, and eager to help others improve.

Beyond the training, I feel like I truly belong here. The encouragement and sense of community are just as valuable to me as the skills I’ve gained.”

🔗 fittofight.com/gastonia

The unique duality of combat sports is hard to ignore.

New Episode of Hoovers is out now on all platforms 🎙️

We talk about the unique situation of this Fit to Fight® blackbelt test, what allowed emotion and heart to lead, and how intense experiences build connection.

Follow Hoovers and Fit to Fight® if you enjoy the convo 👊

No two black belt tests are the same
just like no two black belts are the same.
But let me tell you…

Everyone who took this test had a vastly different experience in one way or another and it made for an unforgettable weekend.

We took almost an hour after the test to share, listen, and hold space for everyone in the room.

It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t required. It just happened. It was raw, authentic, and could not be replicated.

As more video, pictures, and stories come out from the weekend, please know that you are seeing so much more than moves and techniques.

Everyone’s Fighting Something®

A little conversation from Blackbelt weekend.

Setting the right tone and context is paramount to making an intense and stressful weekend as safe as possible.

10 years ago 💥
Different range. Familiar faces. High standards.

The Fit to Fight® Blackbelt test has always endeavored to be the ultimate challenge for self defense practitioners.

It’s improved and adapted over time because of the passionate and dedicated coaches that make up this community.

These coaches show up year after year for the participants but they also put in the work on the mats every day to increase their own skill and knowledge.

None of this works off lineage or what was done in the past. It’s intensive work by some of the most impressive coaches we know. These are just some of the people involved in making this 2026 blackbelt weekend happen:

Chris Magno
Vern Challender
Adolfo Salas III
Aaron J
Riley Hoover
Cortenay Munn Matters
Daniel Garrett
Samuel Shaw

The clock is ticking for almost a dozen black belt and advanced level candidates starting their test in 48 hours ⏰

Wish them all luck and good decision making under stress 💥