ATHABASCA — The colonial history of Alberta’s north is filled with stories of men and women braving the unpredictable forces of nature such as extreme biting cold and the rushing, potentially fatal waters of the Athabasca River, with perseverance, determination and grit.
Snippets of these stories can be read on plaques scattered around the town of Athabasca, a community proud of its history as the Gateway to the North.
And nearly 140 years after the Athabasca Landing Route was taken up by the Hudson’s Bay Company as the main route through the wild north of Alberta, six Athabascans are keeping the tenants of perseverance, determination and grit alive in their own way.
Ryan and Natalie Hamzeh, Terell Jonasson, Jamie Verville, Alex Thompson, and Amy Partridge are the founders and owners of Athabasca’s newest mixed martial arts (MMA) gym, North Brigade Academy, set to open Jan. 25. And as Thompson told the Advocate, there’s lots in a name.
“We wanted to have something that attached us to the community and its history,” said Thompson. “The brigadiers, we looked up, were people that operated the steamboats.”
Naming their new space after the warriors of the past, who bested both daunting physical and psychological conditions, was a symbolic choice embodying the values needed to succeed in the pursuits of Brazilian jiu jitsu, kickboxing, yoga, and many other disciplines.
But after months of dedicating evenings, weekends, and almost every spare moment to getting the space on Hwy 2 across from Sal’s Famous eatery in fighting shape, the symbolism of the name reaches deeper than the type of classes and training to be offered.
“It comes down to us all working together, that six of us really putting in all the hard work together,” said Jonasson.
The six founders, all mixed martial arts and/or jiu jitsu enthusiasts, wanted a space to train in town for themselves, and in the Hamzeh’s case, for their kids, too. After a few discussions, the group decided to make the move, and each founder pitched in to transform the empty storefront into a united vision with their own hands, sweat, and elbow grease.
“Every one of us has something special to give, and that’s what finishes the puzzle,” said Ryan. “We couldn’t do it without any one person,” said both Ryan and Thompson.
Locals can check out the facility during the Academy’s grand opening Jan. 25, and the owners said as the finishing touches come together in the coming weeks, an earlier soft launch date will be scheduled for anyone eager to learn more.
From 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 25, the gym will be open for individuals to check out the space, enjoy snacks and refreshments, and learn more about the types of training on offer. And those interested in putting their mettle to the test will have a chance to get on the mat for a bit of initial grappling practice.
Jonasson, Thompson, and Ryan, as well as the other founders, have been students of mixed martial arts disciplines for years, and are excited to offer their expertise to others in the community, regardless of age and experience levels.
“We built this for everybody, from beginners to expert level people, we want everybody to feel like they can come and train and learn and get a work out in as well,” said Thompson. “We wanted to have a one-stop shop and make everybody feel welcome, and explore the sports that we all love.”
And in addition to the well-known benefits of regular exercise and movement, the type of combat training offered by North Bridge Academy can help boost confidence, situational awareness, and create a strong sense of community.
“It teaches you a lot of life skills that are needed,” said Ryan. “I say if you want to teach your kid, you have to teach them swimming and fighting — you don’t have to use it, but if you drown, you have something to use.”
“You have the confidence to avoid a situation if you have the know-how that you can defend yourself and get away, you’re less anxious and you can recognize those situations” said Thompson. “We don’t want anybody involved in any altercation outside of here.”
For Jonasson, the biggest benefit to his involvement in the mixed martial arts world has been the connections made, on and off the mat. He got into the sport while battling mental health and addiction struggles, and hasn’t stopped training since.
“All the discipline and the community and the friendships that I’ve gained through it has really helped me to keep going with it,” said Jonasson. “I’m stuck with this sport for life for sure, it’s something I’m really passionate about and want to continue to share.”
