About Us - Dread Veil Frontier | Vancouver Combat Training

It Started in a Basement

Back in 2018, I was running illegal fight prep sessions out of a cramped basement in East Van. Just me, a couple heavy bags, and fighters who couldn't afford the fancy gyms downtown but had triple the heart.

We'd train till 2am sometimes. Blood on the mats, sweat dripping from the pipes overhead. No mirrors, no AC, just raw work. Those guys taught me more about real training than any certification ever did.

That's where Dread Veil Frontier was really born - not when we opened these doors, but in those basement sessions where nobody was watching and the only thing that mattered was whether you'd show up and do the work.

What We're Actually About

Look, we're not here to sell you some BS transformation story or promise you'll be a cage fighter in 6 weeks. This place is for people who want to push themselves harder than they thought possible.

No Fluff Training

Every drill, every round, every rep has a purpose. We don't waste your time with trendy garbage that doesn't translate to real performance. You'll know why you're doing what you're doing.

Real Coaching

Our coaches have been in the cage, on the mats, and in the trenches. They've felt what you're feeling. They're not reading off some corporate manual - they're teaching what actually works.

Your Pace, Your Fight

Whether you're prepping for your first amateur bout or just want to feel dangerous, we meet you where you're at. But we'll always push you one step further than comfortable.

The Philosophy Behind the Name

The "Dread" part isn't about being scared - it's about that feeling right before you step into something hard. That knot in your stomach before a sparring session. That voice telling you to quit.

The "Veil" is what separates who you are now from who you could become. It's that thin barrier between comfort and growth.

And the "Frontier"? That's the edge you're pushing toward every single session. It's different for everyone, but it's always there - just beyond where you think you can go.

Push Beyond Fear. Conquer Your Frontier.

What to Expect When You Walk In

First Week

You're gonna be sore. Like, really sore. Your technique will be rough and you'll gas out faster than you expect. That's normal. Everyone starts here. We'll modify stuff so you don't hurt yourself, but you'll still work.

First Month

Things start clicking. You'll notice you can go harder for longer. Your hands find their rhythm. You'll start understanding the why behind the drills. This is where people usually decide if they're in or out.

Three Months In

You're different now. Not just physically - though yeah, you'll look better - but mentally. You've pushed through things you didn't think you could. The person you were when you started wouldn't recognize the person you're becoming.

Six Months and Beyond

This is your gym now. You know the rhythm of the rounds, the sound of the timers, the feeling of being absolutely spent but still going. Some of you will compete. Others won't. Doesn't matter - you've already won by showing up and doing the work.

The People Who Built This Place

Our coaching staff aren't just certified instructors - they're fighters, competitors, and people who've been exactly where you are. They remember their first day, their first sparring session, their first time getting submitted or knocked down.

Marcus Chen

Head Coach / Founder

Started training in 2009, competed in amateur MMA for 5 years before hanging up the gloves to focus on coaching. Brown belt in BJJ under Rafael Santos. Has a thing about proper hip movement that borders on obsessive.

Sarah "Tank" Rodriguez

Striking Coach

Former pro boxer with a 12-3 record. Got into MMA coaching because she was tired of seeing fighters with terrible hands. Will make you hold pads until your arms fall off, then make you do it again.

James "JP" Patterson

BJJ / Grappling Coach

Black belt who trained in Brazil for 3 years. Competed all over North America before settling in Vancouver. Known for making impossible submissions look easy and his ability to explain concepts so they actually make sense.

Devon Mitchell

Strength & Conditioning

Used to train pro athletes before realizing combat sports is where it's at. Believes most people don't understand what hard work actually means. Will prove it to you through his programming.

Come See It For Yourself

We're not for everyone, and that's fine. But if you're tired of mediocre gyms with soft training and want to see what you're actually capable of, come through. First class is free - you'll know within 45 minutes if this is your place.

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