McKelly "MJ" Joseph found Taekwondo in 2017 at twenty-nine — what began as curiosity quickly became discipline, then a way of life. A certified practitioner and junior coach who came up under Dr. Edson Breedy, his proudest moments include two gold medals at the 2019 Costa Rica Open and guiding students through their belt ranks.

His coaching is structured, energetic, and encouraging: high standards inside an environment where every student feels supported and valued. Off the mat, MJ is an Estate Constable and President of the Gethsemane SB Youth Ministry — the same commitment to mentorship he brings to the dojang.

“Every black belt was once a beginner — the hardest step is the first one through the door.”

Reynold Cox has been in boxing since 2005, first drawn to the sport as a boy watching Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler alongside his father. A retired soldier, he coaches the way he served — structured, disciplined, and athlete-focused, giving mental toughness as much weight as technical skill.

The results speak for the method: he coached Nigel Paul to a World Championships bronze, guided Tianna Guy onto the national stage, and is preparing fighters for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Away from the ring he runs the RC Boxing Lab and, to most people’s surprise, plays bass guitar.

“Boxing is discipline, resilience, and transformation in motion.”

Dorricia "Dorri" Samuel was born hypermobile — double-jointed — and turned it into an art. She sharpened her skills through Ju Shin Do, grew into a full contortionist and performer, and has spent roughly 13 years coaching flexibility, including as a senior coach at the Fitness Unlimited Learning Centre.

Her approach is holistic and transformational: she teaches the mobility work most training programs neglect — the difference between nagging pain and moving with ease. Whether the goal is your first split or simply moving without strain, she guides students through safe, structured progressions. Off the mat she rollerskates, sings, and hits the nature trails.

“Movement is freedom — the ability to connect mind and body and move with ease, intention, and function.”

Kara Martin came to yoga as a teenager navigating clinical depression and anxiety — and across her twenties the practice gradually replaced her medication. She later left a well-paid journalism career in the Middle East to devote herself to healing through movement, earning her 200-hour certification at YogaWorks NYC (2014) and continuing with Strala Yoga’s tai chi and qi gong trainings.

She doesn’t pre-plan a class; she reads the room and flows, always asking about your body and injuries first. Students come to her for everything from chronic back pain and hypertension to stress, sleep, and peace of mind — leaving, as she puts it, simply “better.” A former Muay Thai fighter, classically trained violinist, and studio owner, she brings a whole world to the mat.

“Yoga is like if the mastery of life was a fitness class.”

Jason Sieunarine has spent 20 years on the mat, drawn in by a simple idea — a smaller person controlling someone much bigger. He is a Judo black belt and a four-stripe brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a national Judo champion at 66kg who studies the games of Demian Maia and Marcelo Garcia.

He coaches by reading the energy of the room, adjusting the pace without a word, and drilling the lesson most beginners skip: never neglect your defense. His proudest work is in the athletes he builds — like guiding Nolan Bandoo from an unfocused youth into a disciplined competitor respected across the local BJJ and MMA scene. Favourite finish: the triangle choke. By day he works in private security; off the mat, he is a competitive retro gamer.

“Always keep progressing.”

Joshua "The Joker" James is a true mixed martial artist — around six years deep across boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu and Sambo. He is a two-time Pan American MMA bronze medallist, a national boxing champion at 75kg, and a CUFF champion, and counts a Sambo bout against a sixth-ranked-in-the-world opponent among his proudest nights.

For all the hardware, his coaching is about people. Students describe him as outgoing and easy to be around — no ego, no airs — and he teaches the calm, coordination and self-defence that matter well beyond the ring. His proudest work is watching fighters grow, like guiding Liam "The Shogun" Chin Choy from a cocky teenager into a coach and example to others.

“Talent only gets you so far — the work is what makes you stand out.”

Liam "The Shogun" Chin Choy has spent 13 of his 22 years in martial arts, moving from a taekwondo base into the boxing and kickboxing he loves. He is a national boxing champion — gold at the nationals — and has competed at the national kickboxing level too, with standout nights against fighters like Yuray Preval and a gutsy run against Greenidge while battling illness.

Now coaching, he pushes every student to be better than they were yesterday: sharp on footwork, defence, and the discipline of surpassing your own limits day by day. His proudest work is taking a student named Aiden from zero martial-arts experience to national-level competition in six months. Off the mat, he writes and plays music and is a serious competitive gamer.

“Kickboxing is my entire world — practising and fighting makes me feel whole and alive.”

Zachary "Holy Hands" Gonsalves is a competitive boxer and kickboxer — the reigning RABZ featherweight kickboxing champion — who backs the ring craft with a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and a Certificate in Sports Studies. Sport has been his life since childhood, from track and tennis to the striking he now competes in and coaches.

His coaching is focused, intentional, and understanding: he meets you where you are and moves at your pace, one session at a time. He is proudest of clients like Jason, who came in knowing the basics and grew until he was ready to fight on the RABZ contender series. He preaches strength work for more than looks — stronger bones, ligaments, and power, with a lower risk of injury. Favourite exercise: push-ups, because you can do them anywhere. Least favourite: burpees.

“Teaching people is empowering them to take control of their life.”

Eddy Eulices Vega grew up around fighters — much of his family boxed, and with his father in his corner he laced up his own gloves at 11. He rose to become a division champion in Cuba at 51kg, then left the island for France, where he fought 11 times, won 9, and claimed a national title at 57kg.

Now in Trinidad, he brings that championship pedigree to EBA’s boxing and youth striking. Above all he coaches technique and style — clean fundamentals and a real way of moving in the ring — grounded in the discipline that carried his own career.

“Without sacrifice, there is no result.”

Wendell Sheldon Gilkes has been training people since 2004, drawing on a military background and certifications as a Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist, and Weight Loss Specialist. His focus is strength and conditioning done right — building a stronger body, a healthier mind, and habits that last a lifetime, powered by the discipline and consistency that carry results well beyond the gym.

He coaches the functional strength most people forget — the kind that prevents injury, preserves independence with age, and stands up to the demands of everyday life. Whether a client’s goal is to drop weight or lower their blood pressure and sugar, he starts with a smart plan and sticks to it. His favourite lift is the deadlift; away from the gym floor, he is a Latin dancer.

“It’s about overcoming more than just the weights.”

Asafa Ellis has trained Taekwondo for 18 of his 22 years, starting at four under Master Jin Young Jung in Woodbrook — the coach he still calls the father of the sport in Trinidad. A 1st dan black belt who has represented his dojang, competed at nationals, and carried the flag internationally, he now balances the mat with medical school, where he is in his second year.

His coaching is gentle but firm: patient, empathetic, and built on positive reinforcement and a genuine connection with each student. Having come up through the ranks himself, he sees his job as smoothing the road he already walked — teaching discipline, humility, and respect alongside the roundhouse and back kick he favours. As he puts it: “I threw my first kick before I threw my 1000th.”

“Taekwondo is my foundation for everything.”

Dr Luke Harewood keeps EBA’s members moving — physiotherapy for injury recovery, rehabilitation, and staying strong and pain-free. Whether you are coming back from a setback or working to prevent one, he helps you train smarter and move better.

Full profile coming soon.

Ravin brings hands-on recovery to EBA — massage therapy to ease tight muscles, speed up recovery, and keep you moving and training at your best. Whether you are working through soreness or simply need to reset, he tailors the session to what your body needs.

Full profile coming soon.