Mixed Martial Arts Academy is transcending minds

After touring the country and adding to his list of accolades in Jiu-Jitsu, Golden Gloves and MMA, Trenton Conway chose to settle down in his hometown of Harrison and give back to the community that gave so much to him. He aims to guide people to train and fight smarter instead of just harder.
Since the age of 8, Conway has centered his life around the many forms of fighting and formed the Mixed Martial Arts Academy where he teaches his many students in the techniques of boxing, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts.
“I love seeing all my guys and kids progress, change and better themselves,” Conway responded when asked why this is so much fun for him. “I love seeing my students build confidence. They come in after a hard day at work or school and can get away from life for a few hours and find some therapy. We have no politics, no drama; it’s just fighting.”
The inspiration for creating his gym came at an early age for Conway.
“I always wanted to be a fighter,” he noted. “When I went to the boxing gym and saw how it changed the youth and what it did for us as young guys who didn’t have anything; how it transformed us, changed us with confidence and gave us that grit to suck it up. I wanted to give that back to the community.”
“I take a lot of pride in how diverse my gym is,” the pro continued. “I also take a lot of pride in competing. I tell all my fighters, no matter what happens, I’ve been there and I’ve done that, and I want to guide them through it.”
Indeed he has done that. Conway is a professional black belt Jiu-Jitsu fighter, has been through the MMA circuit, has won the Golden Gloves once and was recently a runner up in the Mid-South Golden Gloves along with finishing ranked No. 2 out of the whole South Region in his weight class while building a career as a certified personal trainer.
All of that knowledge and expertise is at the disposal of the local community in his gym where he offers a multitude of services. The time and effort he has put into his gym has become a result of the things he learned from gyms across the country.
“I’ve traveled and fought all my life,” Conway commented. “Many places I’ve been have had watered-down gyms. However, I went out into the world and seen places like Chicago and Albuquerque who were doing it right and I wanted gyms like that back home. I came back to pass the things I had learned to the people of this community.”
No matter the experience level or the purpose of an individual, he can create a training program for anyone.

“For me, it has changed my whole outlook upon life,” said Zack James who works out regularly in Conway’s gym and testifies to have lost over 40 pounds since joining. “If you were ever to get into an altercation with someone, you don’t realize how vulnerable you are until you are tested. It’s an eye-opener. It changed my life for the better coming here.”
Whatever the goal for a person may be, Conway can build a plan around a person’s goals.
“Most people who come into the evening classes are looking to learn how to fight,” he noted of his clientele. “I give them an introduction, make them feel at home and let them start shadow boxing and doing drills. Even if there is a room full of people who know what they are doing, everyone works with them and is patient.”
“I want them to know that no matter if they’re experienced or not, they’ll get treated well from the time they walk in the door,” he continued. “This place is like a family. It can be intimidating, but everyone reaches out for each other and can help them reach their goal.”
His students agree.
“This place has helped me with anxiety and all factors of life,” Sean Bryant commented about the gym. “Everyone is different in their training and is accepted. We all get along. It’s really like a brotherhood where we get close quickly.”
Many people will go through Conway’s personal training regimen so that they can get ready for the evening classes. He initially works with them to determine their skill levels and then develops a plan that fits them personally according to their evaluation.
“I can turn anyone into a champion, on or off the mat,” Conway finished. “I train my fighters on the daily. I monitor strength and conditioning. I can do that for anybody.”
For more information on the Mixed Martial Arts Academy, stop by 207 North Willow Street off the square in Harrison or call Conway at (870) 416-6586.