Unbridled Martial Arts

09/04/2026

This morning: Flu shot in my left, Covid shot in my right -on point for Fall quarter 2026! 💉 💪 🍁
Let’s go-ooooooooo!!!

08/14/2026

Tonight's session consisted of drilling: Toe holds, Foot locks, Knee bars, and Heel hooks. and then free-rolling.
Shout-out to my teacher, Tom Weissmuller

08/06/2026

Congratulations to Manuel York, a former Unbridled Martial Arts student and WWU martial arts student of mine, on becoming the Armored MMA (AMMA) Super Welterweight Champion!

Manuel trained with us around 2018–2020, and from day one he stood out, not just because he was an exceptional athlete, but because of the kind of person he is. Friendly, humble, hardworking, and always willing to help others. He brings an outstanding attitude to every class he attends.

As a martial artist, Manuel excelled in both Muay Thai and grappling. He had a knack for picking up combative skills quickly, pushed himself every practice, and was simply a pleasure to coach.
Since then, he's taken that same work ethic into the world of medieval armored combat (Buhurt). After co-founding the Bellingham Barbarians, Manuel made his Armored MMA debut in 2025 and has already climbed to the top of the sport by capturing the AMMA Super Welterweight Championship.

Watching his recent championship bout, it was easy to recognize the same determination and composure he showed years ago on our mats; just now while wearing 60 pounds of armor and swinging steel!

Congratulations, Manuel. You've represented yourself, your teammates, and our local martial arts community incredibly well. I'm proud of everything you've accomplished and can't wait to see what comes next.

If you haven't seen Armored MMA before, check out Manuel's championship fight. It's a fascinating blend of striking, grappling, wrestling, and medieval weaponry that's unlike anything else in combat sports. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz-3eU0N8X0

Keep up the great work, my friend! 👊⚔️

08/03/2026

From the training floor to center stage... congratulations, Bjorn!

Back in 2008–2009, Bjorn trained with us at Unbridled Martial Arts before eventually moving to the Seattle area, pursuing his passion for acting.

Earlier this evening I had the opportunity to attend his performance as Hamlet at the beautiful Rexville-Blackrock Amphitheatre in Mount Vernon, and I walked away incredibly impressed.

One of the greatest rewards of teaching isn't just watching students improve while they're with you, it's following their growth years, even decades, later. The discipline, perseverance, and commitment they develop through martial arts often carry over into completely different pursuits. Bjorn is a perfect example of that.

Today he serves as the President and Artistic Director of Shakespeare Northwest, where he has become not only an accomplished actor but also a director, fight choreographer, and creative leader who has helped shape the company's productions and artistic vision. Shakespeare Northwest's mission is to create immersive theatrical experiences while fostering a welcoming environment for both performers and audiences, and Bjorn has become an integral part of that effort.

Watching him portray Hamlet was genuinely impressive. He carried one of Shakespeare's most demanding roles with confidence, intensity, and authenticity. It was clear he had command of the stage from beginning to end and never missed a beat.

As a martial arts instructor, I especially appreciated seeing his other talents on display. Bjorn also served as Fight Director for this production, and the bits of swordplay displayed was terrific. The stage combat looked dynamic and, importantly, safe, -exactly what great theatrical fight choreography should be.

I discreetly captured a short highlight clip to share just a glimpse of his performance. Nothing compares to seeing it live, tho!

If you enjoy live theater; or have never experienced Shakespeare performed outdoors, I highly recommend checking out Shakespeare Northwest. The open-air amphitheater is an incredible setting, and the quality of the performances is outstanding. There are still a few performances remaining, so if you're looking for something unique to this coming Friday or Saturday, it's well worth the trip.

Congratulations, Bjorn. It's been wonderful watching your journey over the years, and I'm proud to see how far your dedication and hard work have taken you. Keep raising the bar!

🎭 Remaining performance dates and ticket information can be found here:
Shakespeare Northwest Performance Calendar

08/03/2026

The Rexville-Blackrock Amphitheatre is one of those hidden gems that instantly draws you in. Nestled beneath towering rock cliffs and surrounded by nature, it's an incredible setting for live Shakespeare and makes the entire experience feel even more immersive. This coming Friday and Saturday are the last shows and last chance to see this very cool spot this summer!

08/03/2026

A few highlights from this afternoon's performance of Hamlet by Shakespeare Northwest at the beautiful Rexville-Blackrock Amphitheatre in Mount Vernon, featuring former Unbridled Martial Arts student Bjorn Anders in the title role.

08/03/2026

Former Unbridled Martial Arts student Bjorn Anders commanding the stage as Hamlet -and showcasing the stage combat he also choreographed as Fight Director.

08/03/2026

07/31/2026

Today, grappling for knife control

07/31/2026

Knife defense in today's session