Dark Clan Fight Lab

Meet the DCFL Staff!
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Travis Tyler
DCFL Kickboxing Coach

Travis has been a great admirer of combat sports with over 10 years of experience. He has trained with a wide variety of martial artists and takes an open minded approach to training and techniques. Being a firm believer in “if you know the way broadly you will see it in everything,” this translates to outside the gym as well being involved in music, rock climbing, mountain biking, archery, construction projects, etc. He believes an ego-less atmosphere is needed to not only be innovative but to build strong fundamentals as well. Martial arts became the very pivotal discipline needed in his life which has resulted in a high level of respect for what it can provide for people, and tries to emulate that experience for everyone in his classes.

“I want to make everyone feel welcome and be able to take something valuable from every class I instruct at Dark Clan Fight Lab. Everyone is different, so my goal is to help everyone be the best they can possibly be on the mat, which will extend far beyond the mat, as well.”

You can find Travis at the DCFL teaching during the week and running the open sparring classes on Saturdays at 12PM.

WE ARE THE DARK CLAN

Derrick Garza
3rd Degree Black Belt

After 20 years in this art and 9 plus years as a Black Belt, I was awarded my 3rd degree stripe by Ricardo “Franjinha” Miller.

Other than parenting, I have never been as committed to anything other than this art for as long as I’ve been committed to this. I proudly wear the black belt and understand the tradition, commitment, and gravity of passing along with wonderful art.

I am grateful for all the minuscule details this art has helped me apply to my life and for the larger lessons that have been learned and shared, both hard and easy alike. I am grateful for all the students and friends jiu-jitsu has brought me, past and present. And I’m grateful for the biggest lesson that jiu-jitsu has taught me, and that’s that I’m a human first.

It is my belief that without people that love and support you in your life, achievement is empty. I am thankful that my body has held up to the more than the 2 decades and the countless training days, competitions, daily coaching, running a business, finding a balanced life and now a pandemic. I am equally as thankful to the people that love, support and understand me.
It has been immeasurably hard and yet, here we are, still standing.

Thank you to my mentor, Franjinha. After 2 decades of friendship and mentoring, I can say that I have so much respect and love for this man as a coach and as a friend. Your integrity and approach give me a marker to strive for and I appreciate you, brother.

Thank you to my partners (J & R). Your belief in me as a business owner and as a human has helped me to carry through. I appreciate and am thankful for the bond that this venture has helped create. I love y’all.

To my family and people at home. Jazon and AJ - thank you for giving me a loving reprieve from the harsh and bitter world out there. I’m glad we can share in laughter the absurdity of the planet. I love you both, dearly.

To my parents, my siblings, my extended family, my friends, students and supporters - I love you all. Thanks for propping me up, cheering me on, buying tickets to my events, coming to promotions and competitions and sharing your love with me on both the good and bad days.

Thanks for coming to the show. Cheers to whatever else life and jiu-jitsu brings my way.

-DG

Dark Clan Fight Lab

Muay Thai was great yesterday! Everyone left with a smile and a few pounds lighter, as they sweated it out on the mat (Not to worry; all clean now!)

Great first class by our new coach, Chantal Perry! It was great to see DCFL kickboxing coach, Liz Sherman and the rest of the gang show up to learn! Good job, gang!

Also, expect some shenanigans when asking your teammates to take photos for you, as evidenced by Business Matt’s “selfie first” approach to this photo.

WE ARE THE DARK CLAN