Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristi And Clay Uddley
Hi Kristi and Clay, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Quick version- We started off as an athletic couple in high school and through our early adulthood with growing family, we continued to get drawn back into sports with coaching local high school teams in track, wresting and gymnastics. Clay was introduced to martial arts after an old high school teammate invited him into a training session, and he hasn’t looked back. After Clay started a few striking programs and assisted with Jiu Jitsu at other local gyms we realized the Mankato area was missing something. Like many out there, Covid hit and either gave you the excuse to do nothing or gave you the time and opportunity to grow. For us, it was the chance to seize the moment, put the plan on paper, and see if it was even a possibility. Thankfully we were blessed by the guidance of Nancy at the SBCD and Corey with Pioneer bank to point us in the right direction and get us to where we are today. Our goal when starting this was to bring a new wave of martial arts to the Mankato area. While Mankato has Karate and Taekwondo, the availability of Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and MMA were lacking. The goal hasn’t changed, we still want everyone to experience what we have to offer. The thing we didn’t count on was the effect that opening these doors would have on us. We have been honored to see the benefits Mark44 has had in improving lives mentally and physically outside of this space. We’ve made connections, friends, and even extended family with people who in the normal day to day we may have never even run into.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth as a toad’s backside. The biggest struggle was and still is getting our name out there in the community and getting people to understand what we offer. The common misconception is that MMA is fighting and only for fighters. To us MMA is just learning and developing one’s skills in multiple martial arts instead of focusing on one singular art.
Learning the business end of actually running a business has also been very difficult. Neither of us have a background in business so each day we continue to learn and grow.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a Mixed Martial Arts gym. All that means is there are an array of martial arts disciplines being taught under one roof. We are not solely a training facility for fighters. We embrace a community that includes kids as young as 5 years old to adults of retirement age – all sharing the mats in a supportive environment. Our programs include Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu and Judo catering to various interests and skill levels.
It’s truly inspiring to witness individuals from all walks of life—doctors, college students, business professionals, and retirees—unite with different goals in mind. Here, we foster an atmosphere of learning and growth, encouraging each other as we train and develop our skills together. We are so proud of the family like home away from home we have cultivated within this community.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Adaptability – having the ability to adjust to all the different students who enter the facility and all the different ways they learn. Every single person has a different learning style, and we must be able to pivot and adapt to make sure everyone gets the opportunity to grow within their martial arts journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mark44mma.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark44_academy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark44mma
