About Us - Dusk Thorn Legion Fitness | Vancouver Combat Training

"Every warrior starts somewhere. Mine began in a basement gym with borrowed weights."

HOW IT ALL STARTED

Look, I'm gonna be straight with you. This place wasn't born from some corporate fitness vision or fancy business plan. It started because I was tired of the BS in mainstream gyms - the judgement, the egos, the lack of real coaching.

Back in 2019, I was training fighters out of a warehouse space that leaked when it rained. We had mismatched weights, worn-out mats, and zero climate control. But you know what we had? Heart. Real people pushing past their limits without the fluff.

Fast forward to now - we've built something different here at Dusk Thorn Legion. Yeah, the equipment's better and the roof doesn't leak anymore, but the core philosophy hasn't changed. We're not here to coddle anyone or sell you miracle transformations. We're here to do the work.

Combat training and strength athletics aren't just workouts to us - they're tools for building resilient humans. People who can handle pressure, who don't quit when things get hard, who show up even when they don't feel like it.

That's what Dusk Thorn Legion stands for. No gimmicks. Just real training for real people.

WHAT WE'RE ABOUT

OUR MISSION

We're here to strip away the excuses and help you find what you're actually capable of. Not through motivational posters or hype, but through consistent, intelligent training that challenges you every single session.

HOW WE TRAIN

Combat conditioning meets old-school strength work. We blend high-intensity functional movements with powerlifting fundamentals and athletic performance training. It's not pretty, but it works. You'll leave sore, satisfied, and stronger than when you walked in.

WHO WE ARE

We're coaches who've been in the trenches. We've competed, we've failed, we've rebuilt ourselves. That experience shows up in how we program and how we coach. You're not getting textbook theory - you're getting battle-tested methods.

THE LEGION TEAM

The coaches who'll push you past what you thought was possible

MARCUS CHEN

Head Coach & Founder

Former pro MMA fighter turned strength coach. Been coaching for 12 years and I've seen it all. My approach is direct - I'll tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. Certified in multiple disciplines but honestly, experience teaches more than any cert ever will.

KIRA VOLKOV

Powerlifting Director

National powerlifting champion and the person who'll fix your squat form. I came to Canada from Russia at 16 and found my home under the barbell. Technique matters - you can't muscle your way through everything, even though you'll probably try. Let's work smart.

DEVON BAPTISTE

Combat Conditioning Lead

Boxing background with a mean left hook and a talent for making conditioning sessions feel impossible (in a good way). I specialize in turning desk workers into fighters. Your first class with me will humble you - the tenth one will prove how far you've come.

SARAH NAKAMURA

Functional Movement Specialist

Physical therapist who got tired of just fixing broken bodies - now I help prevent them from breaking in the first place. Movement quality matters more than weight on the bar. Yeah, I'm the one who'll make you do mobility work, and you'll hate it until you realize you actually feel better.

TYLER GRAYSON

Elite Performance Coach

Former college athlete who's worked with everyone from weekend warriors to professional competitors. I'm big on data and tracking progress, but I also know when to throw the plan out and just train hard. Performance is both science and art - we'll use both to get you there.

ALEX RIVERA

Nutrition Strategy Consultant

Registered dietitian who's not gonna tell you to eat chicken and broccoli for every meal. Real talk about fueling performance without losing your mind or your social life. I've worked with bodybuilders, fighters, and regular folks just trying to figure out what actually works. Let's find your approach.

WHY TRAIN WITH US?

Here's the deal - we're not the cheapest gym in Vancouver. We're not the fanciest either. But if you want coaching that actually gives a damn about your progress, you're in the right place.

We cap our class sizes because quality coaching requires attention. You won't be lost in a crowd of 30 people all doing different things. You'll get eyes on you, feedback that matters, and programming that's actually thought through.

The community here? It's legit. People show up, put in work, and support each other. No weird gym politics or cliques. Just folks who respect the process and aren't afraid to get uncomfortable.

START YOUR JOURNEY

OUR STORY