About Us - Blightforge Odyssey | Combat Sports & Functional Fitness

The Beginning

Look, I'm not gonna feed you some polished origin story. Blightforge started in 2019 because I was tired of seeing gyms that treated people like walking wallets. After competing in MMA for eight years and coaching on the side, I wanted something different - a place where you could actually learn without the BS.

Started with just 800 square feet in East Van, some beat-up mats, and a heavy bag that'd seen better days. Had maybe twelve members that first month. Most gyms would've panicked, but those twelve? They showed up every damn day, pushed each other, bled together. That's when I knew we had something real.

Marcus Chen

Founder & Head Coach

"I've trained at fancy gyms with all the gear. But what matters isn't the equipment - it's who's standing next to you when things get tough."

How We Got Here

2019

The Garage Days

First location on Industrial Way. Concrete floors, exposed pipes, and zero air conditioning. Summer sessions hit 35 degrees easy. But nobody complained - we were too busy building something that mattered.

2020

The Pivot

Yeah, that year hit everyone hard. Had to shut down for three months. Thought we were done. But we ran outdoor sessions in parking lots, taught technique over video calls at midnight. Our people stuck with us because we stuck with them.

2022

Growth & Grit

Expanded to 4,000 square feet. Added Olympic lifting platforms because our members kept asking for 'em. Brought on three more coaches who actually give a damn. Started seeing our fighters win regional competitions.

2024

Leveling Up

Added specialized nutrition coaching after watching too many people train hard but eat garbage. Competition prep program launched. We've got members hitting PR's they never thought possible.

2025

Right Now

Over 200 members. Still in the same industrial spot because it reminds us where we came from. We've cleaned it up some, but kept the rawness. This ain't a spa - it's where work gets done.

What We Actually Stand For

We're not here to sell you transformation packages or post-workout smoothies. This is about showing up when you don't feel like it. About learning to take a hit and get back up. About respecting the person next to you who's grinding just as hard.

Combat sports'll teach you more about yourself in three months than a decade of regular gym sessions. It's uncomfortable, yeah. It's supposed to be. That's where the real growth happens - when you're tired, when it hurts, when you wanna quit but you keep going anyway.

No Ego BS

Check your attitude at the door. We're all here to learn.

Real Community

Not just people who happen to train at the same place.

Actual Progress

We track what matters and push you past comfort zones.

Honest Coaching

We'll tell you what you need to hear, not what you wanna hear.

The Coaching Squad

Every coach here's been in the trenches. We've competed, we've lost, we've come back stronger. That's the only way to really teach this stuff.

Sarah "The Hammer" Rodriguez

MMA & HIIT Specialist

Former bantamweight contender who doesn't mess around. She'll push you harder than you thought possible, then buy you coffee after and break down exactly what you need to work on.

James "Big J" Thompson

Olympic Lifting & Strength

Competed nationally for seven years. He's obsessed with technique - won't let you add weight until your form's dialed in. Annoying at first, but you'll thank him when you're not injured.

Priya Kaur

Nutrition & Performance Coach

Cut through all the diet nonsense with actual science. She's a registered nutritionist who gets that athletes need fuel, not fad diets. Works with everyone from beginners to competitive fighters.

Ready to See What You're Made Of?

First class is free. Come check out the space, meet the coaches, see if this is your kind of place. No pressure, no sales pitch.

Start Training Get In Touch