Good Luck in Thai. Hard work in real life.

Kru Joe Stripling is the Owner, Founder, and Head Coach of Chok Dee Athletics LLC. Joe began his martial arts career when he started training karate at age 6 and eventually received his black belt from Pat Caputo of American Karate Studios. He wrestled in middle school and high school, eventually ending up as a coach for his alma mater, Howard High School. This is when Joe fell in love with coaching and motivating people following in the footsteps of one his mentors, head coach Tim Casey. Around 2006, while coaching for Howard, Joe began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and eventually received his purple belt in 2013 under Bill Walters of 302 BJJ Team Balance. Only a month after he began training, Joe started his fight career in 2006 and following only one amateur bout, he became pro in August 2007. This is when Joe says he fell in love with striking arts. He started training Muay Thai in 2007 while bouncing around between a few gyms before finding Nak Muay Gym and Kru Eric Karner in 2011, which changed his life. Kru Eric took Joe under his wing and taught him the true art of Sityodtong Muay Thai. In February 2015, Joe was promoted to black pradjit from Kru Eric and was then allowed to teach the Nak Muay curriculum at his own gym when opened. Joe began to teach at his Brazilian Jui-Jitsu school, 302 BJJ, for a year until it was time to move on and open up Chok Dee Athletics in 2016. In 2019, "Bazooka" Joe returned to the ring winning the Delaware State Full Rules Heavyweight Championship by a spectacular cart-wheel kick knockout. After a successful stint fighting for the Lion Fight organization Joe has since decided to retire from fighting and turn his focus to coaching the sport he loves.

Mikey 'Beefcake' Sadlowski is a coach under Kru Joe Stripling and started training Muay Thai when Chok Dee Athletics opened in 2016 as a high schooler. Beefcake was awarded his black pradjit in 2021 and has established himself as a bright up-and-comer in the amateur Muay Thai scene. He has also become a full time coach at Chok Dee Athletics helping with kids' classes, beginners, and has trained many fighters at the gym. "I love teaching Muay Thai because it's fun to share my knowledge of the sport with the next generation," Beefcake explained, "Muay Thai has changed my life in the greatest way." As a fighter, Mikey has won multiple championships including the USMTO and WKA Junior National Championships. In 2018, his success in the ring earned him an opportunity to compete in Thailand while representing the United States in an international Muay Thai tournament, the WKA Asian-Pacific Ring Sports Championships in Bangkok where he competed against fighters from around the world. Mikey continues to fight at the amateur level and hopes to eventually step into the professional Muay Thai ranks in the near future. "I fell in love with the sport and culture of Muay Thai as soon as I threw my first punch. I knew I didn't want this to be a hobby but I wanted to make it my career." After years of fighting all over the world, Mikey finally decided to make Muay Thai his career - in 2023 he won his first Professional Muay Thai bout following a terrific performance in Tulum, Mexico.

Kyle is a coach and started training Muay Thai in May of 2015 under Kru Joe. Despite having collegiate athletic experience at the D-1 level in track and field - Kyle has found a new challenge in the art of eight limbs. Although having limited experience in practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, his focus has remained almost exclusively on Muay Thai throughout his combat sports life. Like Coach Mikey, Kyle has been a part of Chok Dee Athletics since the beginning after following his coach and friend, Kru Joe, in 2016. In his time with Chok Dee, Kyle was awarded his black pradjit in 2021 and has helped coach students from beginner to amateur fighters, as well as having the honor to corner Kru Joe in some of his professional bouts. Although Kyle does not actively fight, his intentions are on continuing his journey in the ring in the future.

Sydney started at Chok Dee in 2019 where she made a home here at the gym. Coming from years of lacrosse as a kid and rugby in high school she was missing the competitive drive of a physically demanding sport. With Chok Dee she has participated in 3 smokers but due to physical and mental health issues had to make the tough decision to step away from future fights. Through her time with us the gym has become a second home. She loves and respects La Chok Dee and Muay Thai so much that she as transferred into a coaching role. After earning her Brown Pradjiat, she also assists Kru Joe in training fighters.

Professor Mike Donohue is a second degree black belt under Rafael Lovato Jr. and a proud member of the Lovato/Six Blades Association. Mike started training BJJ in 2006 under Silvio Braga and continued training under Vicente Jr. Who awarded him his black belt in 2013. Mike has experience coaching and competing at all levels from local all the way to the world championships. Numerous students have won or medaled in events including IBJJF and F2W. He also is an assistant wrestling coach at Tower Hill and has served as a head coach and club coach for many years.

As a young man Ian was a multi-sport athlete competing in baseball, basketball, football, & rugby. It wasn't until after finishing his education that he discovered his love of grappling. Ian is a Brazilian Jiujitsu Brown belt under Mike Donohue of the Rafael Lovato Jr Affiliation. He has com peted for organizations such as the IBJJF & Fight 2 Win Pro, as well as smaller regional promotions. His passion for learning & training hard is infectious & is demonstrated by his consistent presence on the mat, film study, & love for seeing his teammates improve.