ANTIGONISH: Leave your ego and your shoes at the door may be the unofficial motto of the town’s newest martial arts club but it might as well be welcome to the family.
It would be easy for a martial artist of Jason MacKay’s pedigree to rest on his laurels when it comes to what he can offer potential students. He could list his almost 30 years of martial arts training, his tutelage under the likes of Canadian Brazilian Jiu Jitsu standout Jake MacKenzie and kickboxing world championship silver medalist Micky Marshall, and his 9-6 professional MMA record as reasons why he is capable of instructing beginners and veterans alike.
Instead, he emphasizes the family atmosphere in his club, MacKay’s Mixed Athletics, as a major selling point.
“When you’ve got a welcoming environment without intimidation or risk of injury, where everyone comes healthy and leaves healthier, I think that’s how you pick what’s a good fit for you,” said MacKay.
“There is much more going on in the building than martial arts, between friendships, camaraderie, respect, and all those great things that come with training. Those things are just as much a part of this club as technique itself.”
He admits different people want different things out of a martial arts class, be it fitness, combat training, or a sense of confidence. However, he feels all those things can be achieved at his school.
“I do believe Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the best practical self-defense martial art for the majority of the population,” he said. “I think any martial art is great. I think every art has its advantages and disadvantages. It really depends on what you’re looking for. This is the product I believe in and endorse the most.”
Students seem to believe in the product as well, forcing MacKay to expand from teaching in a friend’s garage to renting space at StFX to moving to storage lockers before eventually landing in his current space on St. Andrew’s Street. One such student, Trevor Cruickshank, echoed MacKay’s sentiments of community and respect while also touting the results of his training.
“For me, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a hobby I’ve been looking for my entire life,” said Cruickshank, who came on board in the early iterations of the local club and maintains he is in better shape now at 39 than his 20s.
“The surprising part for me was the relationships I’ve formed through the club. We help each other learn and care for each other. The men and women I train and sweat with aren’t just friends or training partners but brothers and sisters.”
Opening at the current location earlier this fall, MacKay’s Mixed Athletics offers youth and adult BJJ classes and cardio-kickboxing classes, each at three times a week. MacKay hopes to expand to involve other programs, including bodysafe and bootcamp programs later this year.
Senior students chip in with running the BJJ classes and Jodi Delorey handles the cardio-kickboxing side of things when MacKay is working. The first week is free and anyone interested in training can contact the club through the MacKay’s Mixed Athletics page on Facebook.