The Blast Muay Thai
Strike First.
Strike Last.
Don’t Quit.
At The Blast Muay Thai, we train with intention.
We stand on one standard: performance under pressure. Pressure reveals character. Pressure builds it. We do not promise comfort. We demand growth.
Our foundation comes from Thailand-certified instruction under Master Toddy, blended with the principles of Jeet Kune Do and modern fight application. We honor tradition, but we are not trapped in it. We build fighters who can adapt.
Our system focuses on precision in striking, intelligent movement, clinch control, timing, distance management, and composure when the pace rises. Every round has intent. Every rep has purpose.
This is not random pad work.
This is structured skill development.
Muay Thai is more than conditioning. It builds awareness. It builds resilience. It builds the ability to stay sharp when things get uncomfortable. Discipline here is not temporary. It becomes identity.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. You will be pushed. You will be sharpened. And you will sharpen others in return.
“Be shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup… Now water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
— Bruce Lee
At The Blast, you don’t just train. You evolve.
#TeamBlast
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
Our instructors bring a wealth of experience and expertise in their respective disciplines. Rest assured, when you train with us, you are under the guidance of seasoned professionals who are committed to your growth and progress in martial arts.
Mark "ShaH" Evans
Head Coach
Owner of The BLAST, Mark "ShaH" Evans has been boxing for over 20 years and has been a student of Muay Thai at The BLAST for 14 years. His hard work, determination, and training led him to return to the ring after suffering a severe injury that almost kept him from walking. In 2024, ShaH travelled to Thailand to become an officially certified Muay Thai Kru! ShaH is the Phase 1 Instructor and Head Boxing, MMA, and Muay Thai coach!
Herma Hoda
Head Instructor
Lead Instructor, Herma Hoda, has been training Muay Thai at The BLAST since 2010 and received his black sash in August 2015. He spent the next six months training with another black sash candidate and then competed in the Thai Boxing Association-Sanctioning Authority's annual tournament in 2016. Herma has been a Phase 2 instructor since 2016. His other martial arts credentials include earning a blue belt in Judo in 1997. Outside of the gym, he works in the biomedical engineering field.
Abby Lex Evans
Operations/Kids Coach
Abby started her Muay Thai journey in 2017 while living in Thailand. When she moved to Madison in 2019, The BLAST was the first Muay Thai gym she visited and it’s been a huge part of her life ever since. She currently has a fight record of 2-1 and is excited to use that experience to serve as one of the gym’s assistant coaches while continuing to learn and improve her own martial arts practice.
Jordan Blood
Phase II Instructor
Jordan has been training at The Blast since 2020. He dove straight into the deep end of the pool with fight camp and competed at the TBA Classic tournament. He now enjoys teaching Phase I class and working towards his black sash. His other hobbies include traveling and frequently injuring himself when trying to throw head kicks.
Bartek Marciniec
Phase I Instructor
Bartek started at The Blast when he was 19 years old and began teaching classes in 2023. He has competed in both Muay Thai and kickboxing and currently holds a record of 2-2. His classes are a mix of high intensity and technical training for all levels of expertise. Outside of the gym he loves to eat fast food and hang out with his kitten Arya.
Natalia Arroyo-Drees
Phase I Instructor
Natalia joined The Blast in 2023 and it didn’t take long for her to become obsessed with Muay Thai. Her time at the gym so far has included training for and competing in her first fight at TBAs, a trip to Thailand to train at Master Toddy’s gym with other Blast folks, weekly strength training sessions, and working toward the ultimate goal of getting her black sash. She is always looking to learn and improve techniques (basic or advanced) and loves being able to share her passion and experience with students as a phase 1 instructor.
Celest Alves
Kids Coach
Celest is a born and raised Florida girl but moved to Madison to be with her home-grown, Wisconsinite husband, Nathan. She joined The Blast without knowing anything about Muay Thai or any other MMA sports and quickly fell in love with both fighting and The Blast family. She herself does not compete but is currently training for her black sash in Muay Thai and has participated in several fight camps.
Ryan Stevens
Kids Coach
Ryan's journey as a fighter began when he was a kid. After watching countless UFC reruns with his dad, he was determined to follow his dreams and become a UFC fighter. One of the highlights of his martial arts training was training and fighting in Thailand! Throughout his training and competing, Ryan was encouraged by coaches and teammates alike at The Blast. One of his favorite parts of coaching is extending that same encouragement and support to the gym's youngest generation.
Joe Reznikoff
Kids Coach
Joe took his first martial arts classes as a kid right here in Madison, starting with karate. That early experience had a lasting impact, teaching him how to bring structure and discipline into his life in a fun and meaningful way. Now he’s passionate about giving back through the kids program. Joe loves helping young people achieve things they didn’t think were possible—encouraging them every step of the way. His classes are safe, fun, and action-packed, led by coaches who truly love what they do.
Matt Parks
Phase I Instructor/Kids Coach
Matt has been training and fighting out of The Blast since 2023. He loves Muay Thai because it gave him the structure and purpose in his life he’d always searched for. He thinks The Blast gave him a community of like-minded motivated individuals that have elevated his entire life. His goal is to pursue Muay Thai into the professional level as a fighter and to help as many people as he can to reap the blessings that this sport has placed into his life through coaching and mentoring.
