Mixed Martial Arts Schools In Toronto

I visited Revolution Mixed Martial Arts yesterday while cycling on a sunny Saturday afternoon. I was shocked to see the floor filled with young grapplers learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in a very safe and technically proficient environment. It looked like the same style of training I had received perhaps 20 years earlier by an Israeli Martial artist named Moni Aizik, who was also the instructor of the founder of Reveolutions chief instructor Joel Gerson.

Several years ago after I recieved my Shodan in Karate in Vacnouver BC. I started to learn Jiu Jitsu in Toronto when I met Moni Aizik and trained with him at the Bathurst Jewish Community Center. He was an excellent marketer and instructor and little did I realize how he would change the face of martial arts in Toronto. You see, the owner of Revolution MMA is Joel Gerson Moni's top student and the toughest Toronto kid I have ever seen. Not only is he Martial Arts Skills technically adept, but he has great business, marketing and personal skills perhaps greater than his original instructor Moni. Moni was the first martial arts school owner in Toronto to teach multiple disciplines in one school. Before Moni, there were only Karate Schools or Judo Schools or Aikido Schools. Moni put them all together and hence created the beginning of Mixed Martial Arts Schools in Toronto. The School was called The Samurai Club located in Richmond Hill. I was the realtor that put Moni into the largest facility in Canada at the time - it was 9000 sq. ft.


This past week I read an article in Toronto Life about Revolution and the fast growth of MMA and particular the UFC. Two of the fighters mentioned in the article are Moni's students. Carlos Newton and Mark Bocek. It is true that these fighters later left Moni, but in my opinion it is this Israeli martial artist which gave them their basics and foundation and the psychological training to go no holds barred.

Rev MMA.com is a glistening cleaning professional school and I am very proud to have done the real estate lease for its first location at Clarke and Dufferin. This second location was negotiated with the assistance of my broker to help Joel, and this new 13,000 sq. ft. location is up and operating.

Cudos to Joel for having the will to succeed, the determination to do it right and the fighter's instinct to take the risk. As he said to me " to the victor goes the spoils". I only wish that the all of the Samurai training involving respect and honest would have been learned by Moni and would have the respect to admire his student's skill and tenacity.

Revoiution MMA is probably Toronto's best real martial arts training ground combining Jiu Jitsu, Thai Boxing, and Krav Maga training to produce fully rounded martial artists. Well worth the visit.

South Beach Miami Florida

I had a recent adventure to Miami Florida to see where my mother the Snowbird flew off to. In addition I wanted to explore South Beach a destination known as the fashion and Art Deco center of Florida. The town rocks with young hip good looking people and a night life which is second to none. I stayed at three differenent hotels as it was March break.

The first accomodation was the Clay hotel, which is a decent hotel property on Washington Street but with a back backer theme. The second hotel was the trendy but expensive Catalina hotel on Collins Ave. It had the smallest rooms, but the nicest looking clientelle. When I arrived there was a bikini model shoot with the hottest women in South beach in the hotel lobby. It was terrible having to say good bye to my ex wife and be stranded in the hotel with the tall slim young fashion models in my hotel. The third place was the President also on Collins. It had the largest and nicest rooms, but the most unfriendly staff. We had to ask the manager's permission to allow our bags to overhold for 3 hours before we got our plane.

South Beach is the hottest spot on the east coast for sure in my opinion. The best deal for decent food is Pizza Rustica on Lincoln Mall. Not only are the pizzas large and good, but they have a create your own salad which has all types of veggies, cheeses and meats and is very cheap at $6.75. I would recomend this to any traveller who is looking for a healthy meal in a cool place.

BTW I travelled north to Delray Beach which I learned is one of the best surfing beaches in Southern Florida. Apparently the Bahamas , blocks the swells, and the beach gradient is so gradual that large waves rarely break in Florida. However, Delray is the best available if you want to ride some windchopped waves. The best season is winter time when the low pressure systems create the swells. The lifeguards there are very well trained. Thanks to Brendan for explaining to me the issues with the Delray beach system.

I would definitely return to both of these places, and the drive along the cost both north and south of Delray beach is outstanding. I had a PT Cruiser and it cruised the coast nicely. If you like good looking people and beautiful scenery, then check out both of these spots. There are great deals onPriceline.com and they can be rented by bid for as low as $9.00 per day.

Thanks to Helen for encouraging me to visit her hideout in Florida and Clara for her knowledge of the Beach world.

Next time I will drive down to the Keys.

The Adventure Guy

Ski Mt Tremblant Quebec

I escaped Toronto March 5th to the 8th and went to Mt. Tremblant Quebec with Ultimate Ski Vacations. I have done this trip several times before and once again was pleased with the courteous manner in which we were treated and entertained on the bus by Kevin Sturdy of All about Toronto. Kevin is very personable and a great tour leader as he has endless patience and humour in dealing with a wide diverse group of people.

Tremblant is now the number 1 ski destination in eastern North America, and it is absolutely incredible the real estate development which has taken place here. The new casino is under construction and should be open in June. What that does to the crowd of skiers/visitors is to be determined. An old ski tour associate of mine has moved from the travel industry into the real estate world. Herb Ratsch was a great ski tour marketing person and has moved from the employ of Intrawest and is now with Southeby's one of the world's leading recreational property realtors. Tremblant is now on the big stage.

I encourage any skier/traveller to check out Tremblant. Just rememember that if you go on a Saturday, the line ups will kill you, so get up early for the 8:30 left. Please note the mountain is empty on Sundays, so this is really the better day to get your $75.00 lift ticket value.

spring skiing in collingwood

I escaped out of Toronto today March 15, 2009 to see how the slopes have held up to the rain and warm weather of late. What I found was a mountain in perfect spring skiing condition, beautiful blue skies and friendly Canadians. This combination is so rarely seen due to the cold climates. I had the opportunity to ski the Georgian Peaks, where I work as a roving ski instructor. The Peaks is a super mountain with the best racing staff and the best ski school in the province ( in my humble opinion). I had the opportunity to ski with my fellow ski instructors and carved up the steeps and the bumps which were starting ( a rarity at the Peaks) The deck was open and filled with happy and cool skiers of all ages.

My health thought for the day is take the opportunity to get out of the city and ski at one of Ontario's ski resorts. This is where Canada is and wha tmakes our country great. The mental health of getting away from the confines of work and the psychologica effects of sliding down a mountain at speed rejuvinates the soul and strengthens the body. If there is a god I think he lives on the ski hills.