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"Thirty years ago, Darryl MarcAurele and I were members of a judo club that was ranked third in the United States. One year ago, I arrived at Team Strike Zone middle-aged, out-of-shape, and suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. RA is a crippling auto-immune condition, which was progressing fast. My hands displayed all the characteristics of severe RA with boutonniere and swan-neck deformities of the knuckles and collapsing wrists. I could not extend my fingers to lay them flat nor make a closed fist. As there are no clear answers in the treatment of RA, I decided to take up a sport that emphasizes suppleness, gripping and grasping. However, a return to the mat in my condition after 30 years was going to require a special gym, so I looked up Darryl.
MarcAurele is a world silver medalist in SOMBO and Reality Fighting (f/k/a Mass Destruction) MMA champion among other wrestling and judo accolades. Darryl knows what it takes to be a champion, but that is not why I joined Strike Zone. Before stepping on the mat, I already knew that I was never going to be the strongest, the fastest, or the cutest, and I would need to put myself out there anyways. No one has put themselves out there like Darryl MarcAurele. If he wanted to learn a different martial art and there was no coach or gym around, he would just join a tournament and take his lumps against the best to learn and gain as much experience as he could. If he was dominating the local competition, he would travel to find tougher competitors. Moreover, knowing that Darryl came up in clubs that emphasized randori (live rolling), I knew that his gym would take a learn-by-doing approach. Team Strike Zone is made up of college wrestlers, national judo champions, professional MMA fighters, NAGA champions, active-duty and veteran military boxers, and many others with competitive experience in BJJ, karate and Muay Thai.
In the past year, I have competed in three grappling tournaments, and whether I can achieve the level of training and conditioning required for an MMA fight seems entirely in my hands. These hands can now tie the laces on a pair of boxing gloves, make a closed fist, grip, grasp, and grapple. The RA is not in remission, but it is in submission. Go Team Strike Zone!" Stephanie Meagher
"I have been training at Strike Zone, specifically under Darryl MarcAurele, for over eight years. In this time, I have become not only a much better martial artist, but also have grown exponentially as a human being.
As a former high school athlete, with limited exposure to combat sports, Darryl took me under his wing and brought me along into the pro ranks where I was able to compete for a professional title in just my third pro fight. For a person to be brought along, coached, and trained, with no wrestling or striking background, into a title contending professional fighter is simply remarkable. I owe so much of this to Darryl and Team Strike Zone. Darryl truly is a mastermind of combat sports and an encyclopedia of mixed martial arts technique. Under his training, I was able to enrich myself mentally, physically, and emotionally. This comes from Darryl's world championship mindset. Darryl has shaped his mind and his training curriculum by competing at the highest levels of multiple fighting disciplines. His background in various forms of wrestling, sambo, kickboxing, among many other arts, allows him to shape an athlete on a person to person basis. Darryl has led many fighters, myself included, to fight for championships and titles.
I'm confident that I would have never found the success I did without Darryl and Team Strike Zone leading the way. He took an overachiever like myself and led me to great success. Therefore, I'm certain he can do it for anyone. Martial arts and fighting are always thought of as individual contests, but Darryl creates far more of a family atmosphere. Fighters and people casually training all feel like part of a family and part of the team.
Under Darryl's training, I have competed for NAGA, was a title contender for Reality Fighting, fought and won multiple times in front of thousands of people at the world famous Mohegan Sun Arena, including fighting in a main event. I have also had the pleasure of traveling all over the country and internationally with Team Strike Zone. Under Darryl's watchful eye and insightful mind I have fought eleven times, while building and molding a reputation as a successful, hard-nosed, highly-skilled fighter. All of which falls in line with Team Strike Zone's overall reputation. It's no coincidence that Darryl was in my corner for the entire ride." John Naples
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"Darryl and the guys at Strike Zone have changed the way I approach fighting both mentally and physically. They've also helped me improve at every aspect of mixed martial arts. There's a reason why Strike Zone guys win. If you want to win or simply go to a place where really good guys train, go to Strike Zone." Jarrid Heon
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team strike zone TESTIMONIALS
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"I would Recommend Strike Zone for anyone interested in Martial Arts, period. At Strike Zone everyone works together to build each other. If you want to get into shape there is no better way to do it then learning to fight and defend yourself. All the instructors are great people and great with kids. You won't find the level of expertise in MMA anywhere else in the area." Randy Francis
"I am proud to be a part of Team Strike Zone and to be affiliated with this great group of people. Darryl MarcAurele and this team have given me a chance to be a part of something that I never thought would have been possible! So if you want a shot at success or just a great environment in which to train hard then you should come check us out in our brand new MMA gym located in Norwich, CT." Ryan Penn
"My daughter Isabella loves it and they are great people. Highly recommend." Dan Graziano
"My four grandchildren take wrestling and Judo at Strike Zone. The classes teach skills and conditioning, but are positive and fun. It is definitely a family-friendly place, and has something for everyone at every skill level." Jayne Perry
"I had the privilege of training and fighting out of various boxing clubs while I was in the Marine Corps, which later led to an interest in submission grappling and the opportunity to fight in two smaller mixed martial arts tournaments. Whether I won or lost, I loved every gym I fought out of and felt unbreakable loyalty to those I sweated and bled with. When I returned home to Connecticut, I found a gym whose loyalty, dedication, and warrior spirit were the best I'd ever seen. The Strike Zone took me in and trained me harder than I'd ever had before and everyone at the gym instantly became family to me. It's been many years since our first fights on the New England circuit but the Strike Zone still has the same fire and desire in it that it had on day one. I guarantee that any fighter (or person who just wants to train like a fighter) will find the same life-changing greatness in its training and its people as I did the second they walk in the door." Greg Hunter
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"When I first started looking for MMA gyms to train, I heard that Darryl MarcAurele open up a gym called Strike Zone. Being a wrestler from Eastern Connecticut, I knew the name 'MarcAurele' was synonymous with success. When I first entered the gym, Darryl welcomed me with open arms. Darryl's knowledge of the various aspects of combat sports was apparent as soon as I started training. He was the reason I would travel daily all the way from Enfield, CT to train. When I was in college, my wrestling team was dropped and training in MMA helped fill a void that was missing in my life. With Darryl as my trainer, coach, and most especially a trusted friend, he took me from just a wrestler to becoming the WEC Heavyweight Champion. My success and the way I approach life now can be attributed to the one man who has changed my life forever, Darryl 'Big D' MarcAurele." Brian OlsenT
"Such a great place with phenomenal people. Everyone makes you feel right at home and the training is amazing!! If you want to get an awesome workout, this is the place to be." Katlin Couture
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"I have been training at Strike Zone for the past 10 years. Through Darryl's wisdom of wrestling, grappling, and striking, I was able to have a successful career in MMA. With seven wins under my belt, I can honestly say I couldn't have done it without his expertise. I also have been very successful in competing in IBJJF tournaments and local Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments. Strike Zone is one of the best gyms in New England. I can say I am proud to have started my journey with Darryl and Strike Zone." Chris Simmons
"I have been with Team Strike Zone for about twelve years now. I wasn't sure if I wanted to compete when I first started but eventually I did. I continued to compete for a number of years. A lot of people have come through the gym and a lot of people have helped me train at one time or another. However, one thing has remained consistent through my twelve years of training; the owner and head coach, Darryl MarcAurele. Whatever successes I have had on a mat, in a ring, or in a cage, are due, in most part, to Darryl. Darryl was there the first time I went to Strike Zone and is going to be there when I go later today. He has a wealth of knowledge of the sport and an uncommon ability to teach it. I've been to a lot of different gyms around the country. While some people are very capable of it, there seems to be something that gets lost in translation between coaches who have never competed and students who are competing. Darryl does not have that barrier. He has competed at some of the highest levels in almost all combative disciplines, including: Wrestling, Sombo, Kickboxing, Judo, Jui-Jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts. Overall, Darryl possesses all the tools someone would require to defend themselves physically or to compete in any combative sport, as well as the unique ability to teach them to others." Will Kerr
"I have been to many gyms in my journey through the martial arts. Strike Zone is by far the most knowledgeable and welcoming gym I have been to. I would drive about an hour each way just to go to the gym!! If you want to learn MMA, boxing, wrestling or just all around just to get in shape, this is the place to go for kids and adults! People go at your level and intensity. If you don't understand something they will explain it to you and show you. There are no "tough guy" attitudes here! They are all tough, don't get me wrong, but no one is trying to prove anything. Everyone genuinely wants to help you get better!! As far as the coaches go, all of them are great!! The head coach and owner, Darryl, is probably one of the most amazing people I have ever met and had the opportunity to train with. He helped me prepare for my first MMA fight. Even when I was struggling, he made me feel like I could do anything! He is very supportive and is very passionate about what he does. I have never met anyone who loves what he does the way he does. The way he works with kids!?! Forget about it!!!! It's amazing the confidence he instills in the kids (and adults)!! In one week at Strike Zone, not only will you feel in better shape, you will feel like you gained an extended family!! I recently had to move away, but I miss everyone there and will consider all of them family no matter where I am in the world." Kayt Szafarowicz Vicuna
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"What a great gym! With three energetic sons, we needed someplace where they could learn good sportsmanship, self-discipline, and gain self confidence. We've found this at Team Strike Zone. Since starting a year ago, my sons have gained more confidence in their abilities both on and off the mat, and all while making new friendships. All thanks to Coach D, Coach Greg and the rest of the staff at Team Strike Zone." Crystal Bourez
"They made me feel at home and welcomed coming from out of state and not knowing anybody." Jenn Knowlton
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"My son started in June and he loves wrestling!!! He is a high-energy 6 year old boy, so this is the perfect sport for him. He learns something new every class. Strike Zone teaches discipline, self-confidence, and great exercise. The coaches are excellent and you can't beat the price for two classes a week." Kate Dudley
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