Meet Rick Garcia | MMA Coach Rick

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rick Garcia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rick, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was involved in Mixed Martial Arts for around 11 years when I decided I wanted to make my own impact on local fighters and underprivileged kids. So I opened up my own gym and have been going strong since 2017

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career started at a grocery store working in the produce Dept.. I then went to work at a Machine shop for a couple years until i got an opportunity to work as a CNC Machinist at CFI. LP, which is a Steel Mill in Pueblo, CO. I worked there for about 10 years until we went out on an Unfair Labor Practices Strike. During that time i became a Union Officer and a VP For the Colorado State AFL-CIO. I got to travel the country lobbying for workers Rights. I then applied for the United States Postal Service in which i got hired in 1998 and i am still currently working (25yrs) as a Letter Carrier. I feel like i have always worked in some capacity of helping ppl, whether being a Union Officer or an Employee. I approached a local MMA Coach and asked how do i get involved. I then begun training which lead to me wanting to fight. After Training for around 11 years i decided that my Wife and I would open our own MMA gym and i would become a coach. We have had a successful Gym in which it is still open with our gym being the most active in Pueblo, CO. When i was 21 I hurt my back in which i blew out 3 discs and required a spinal fusion. At the time i was rated at 27% disabled, I decided that was not me and i signed off with the state to not claim a disability. I was able to work at the jobs above, fight and coach with this injury. That has been my greatest accomplishment. The best decision in my life! My goal with our gym is to give kids, teens and adults an alternative to being out there on the streets committing crimes, or just to build confidence and be able to defend themselves.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would First take them for a Slopper (hamburger smothered in chile), Go to River Walk
Go to Bishops Castle in the Mountains
Eat a Grinder (Italian Sausage Sandwich)
Visit the Steel Mill
Go to the only Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs.
Get in a Session at the Gym
Eat a bowl of green Chile

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Coaches! Everyone has been non judgmental and very compassionate towards some of my students who have had unfavorable pasts or trauma in their lives.

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