About Us

Our History

     The BLAST (Body Life Achievement Sports Training) was created by Michael D. Vaughn in 2005.  Mike started martial arts at age 6, and earned his first black belt in Taekwondo at age of 12.  In 1999 he opened his first martial arts school.   His insatiable thirst for fighting knowledge led him to discover Muay Thai and eventually become a student of the World Famous Master Toddy!  He went on to become a Master Toddy certified Kru (Master Teacher), a professional MMA Fighter, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, and a Coach of numerous TBA, MMA and BJJ champions.

      

     When Mike decided to leave The Blast to pursue his passion of training retrievers for hunting waterfowl, he passed his knowledge of Martial Arts down to head instructor, and Black Sash Herma Hoda, Matthew Olson, and Co-Owners Mark "ShaH'' Evans and 4 time National Champion Brody "The Bandit" Joseph.  

     

     With the Blast you don't just learn the typical Muay Thai, but a combination of  Master Toddy, along with JKD practices all in one curriculum that will guide you on your journey of Martial Arts.  Muay Thai is more than just physical journey but also a mental and spiritual journey! 

     

     Mike has passed down this quote to us, and we will continue passing it on to every student that walks through our doors, "Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” ― Bruce Lee



          When you join the BLAST you join our wolf pack;                       and our pack always sticks together!                                                 #TeamBlast

Meet Our Instructors

Mark "ShaH" Evans

Co-Owner of The BLAST & Golden Kid Gym, Mark "ShaH" Evans had over 10 years of experience in boxing before starting his journey in Muay Thai at The BLAST over 5 years ago. His hard work, and training led him to fight two consecutive years in the annual Thai Boxing Association-Sanctioning Authority tournament.  ShaH is now a certified Instructor, and kept our winning streak alive as the head coach of "Team BLAST" who brought home a belt in the 2017 TBA's.   

Brody "The Bandit" Joseph

Brody Joseph, co-owner of Golden Kid Gym & The BLAST began training Muay Thai at The Blast under Mike Vaughn more than 6 years ago. Since then, he has gone on to win 4 international titles at the annual Thai Boxing Association-Sanctioning Authority tournament (more titles than any other BLAST student). Brody has also competed with Team USA in Bangkok, Thailand at the Junior World Championships and is now making a transition into MMA, with a deep background in wrestling (8 years). Through his training Brody has spent time with notable coaches such as Mike Vaughn, Duke Roufus, and Master Toddy.  

Filipe Barbosa

My name is Filipe Barbosa, and I am a First Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black under Professor Cristiano Ribeiro! I started my Jiu-Jitsu journey when I was was 13 year old in Manaus, Brazil. After moving to the United States I decided to open my own Jiu-Jitsu school in Baraboo, WI where we have both kid and adult Jiu-Jitsu, and self defense classes; and I am now teaching part time at The Blast! 

Herma Hoda

Lead Instructor, Herma Hoda has been training Muay Thai at The BLAST since 2010, and received his black sash in August 2015. He spent the next 6 months training with another black sash candidate, and then competed in the Thai Boxing Association-Sanctioning Authority's annual tournament in 2016. Herma has been a phase 1 instructor here since 2016, and is working towards his instructor certification from the Modern Muay Thai Association. His other martial arts experience includes earning a blue belt in Judo in 1997. Outside of the gym Herma holds a Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, and works as a technical support engineer for Epic.

Matt Olson

Introduction coming soon!