I have been coached by Sarj on a weekly basis since January 2023 for private training lessons in Muay Thai and Brazilian JiuJitsu. She is talented, knowledgeable in all different disciplines of martial arts, patient, and encouraging. I was a complete beginner when I walked into the MMA training facility: Having zero prior experience and very low self-confidence about my ability to learn the art and skillset of combat sports and martial arts. 

Sarj took the time to answer any questions I had, teach me a solid foundation, work with me on  technique, form, and skills. In January, I was 50 lbs heavier than I am now and I felt like no one took me seriously when I said I wanted to learn Muay Thai and eventually compete. Also, being a female I did not feel included in what it was I really wanted to do. I felt a little looked down upon from others when I would share my goals. Additionally, I am a South Paw so everything I do is the opposite. I was not an easy first-timer to have around.

However, It has always been a lifelong dream of mine to be able to learn Muay Thai, but I never had the confidence to try it. Ultimately, I decided to take the risk and ended up falling in love with everything martial arts, especially Muay Thai. After discovering I really loved and look forward to my lessons, I decided to dedicate my time to really improve in my skills and invest in myself. I gave up my other gym memberships and decided to make this my sole form of exercise. 

Sarj was instrumental in this process for me. She actually took the time to listen to me and take my goals seriously when everyone else from a both a professional and personal stand point were just dismissing and overlooking me. Besides myself, she was the only person to believe in me at first. Having prior horrible experiences with personal trainers in the fitness world I knew that I would have given up and not continued on my fitness journey if I had one more person treat me poorly during this process. She has given me time, respect, and the confidence to enter into the world of martial arts. She is even always responsive when I have a question about gear or need her opinion/knowledge-base about something in martial arts. 

I am now more capable and optimistic than I have ever been that I will eventually be able to compete. Not only is she an amazing teacher, coach, and mentor, but she is a talented and admirable trained fighter. It is extremely respectable that she can take on guys twice her size when training and still gives them a run for their money. I admire her, her knowledge, her skills, her experience, and have nothing but respect for her. I highly recommend her to anyone: Whether they are just starting out their martial arts journey or they are advanced and in need of a great trainer and teacher. 

I took forward to continuing my teacher/student relationship with her. I have no doubt that I will continue to be able to learn, improve, and work toward achieving my own personal goals.