Blog Post 1 - Introduction and call for topics
Welcome to the official blog of Fight Syndicate Big Bear, home of mixed martial arts in Bear Valley!
My name is Ryan Hazinski (known as Coach Red). I am the owner and head coach of Fight Syndicate Big Bear, an affiliate of Fight Syndicate headquartered in Murrieta, CA.
Coach Ryan “Red” Hazinski
Owner and Head Coach Fight Syndicate Big Bear.
Loves grappling, face punching, food eating, and dog petting.
For our introductory post, I’d like to talk briefly about what our blog will involve and then ask you, the readers, just what you’d like to see discussed here. So please leave us a comment or email us with your ideas for future content! [info@fsbigbear.com]
The purpose of this blog is to engage more with our local community of Big Bear and also with the larger martial arts community. I have my own perspective on things inside and outside of the martial arts sphere that by sharing here can (hopefully) lead to some constructive dialogue. Things like, youth training, competing, gym ownership, coaching philosophy, and much more.
I will share some personal details about myself and the gym, but I’ll save the more indepth stuff for a later standalone post.
Our gym is located in the Big Bear High Altitude Training Center, a building that has been long vacant on Big Bear Boulevard. In the past, it was an arcade with laser tag, a mini roller coaster, and even an ice rink. In the Winter of 2022, the building was bought and transformed into a training facility with free weights, cable machines, functional training equipment, and, of course, a mixed martial arts space. I was enlisted by Beau King, owner of Fight Syndicate Murrieta and my MMA coach, to be the head coach of the Big Bear location. The renovations and buildout of the space took months, but a team of dedicated workers and friends all contributed to bring the vision to life. In the Spring of 2023, we hosted our first classes.
Before becoming a gym owner, I was a high school teacher and wrestling coach. I started out as a volunteer assistant coach, eventually working my way up to head coach at the high school I graduated from. I also worked as a substitute teacher as I earned my teaching credential while I was coaching my wrestlers. In the Winter of 2022, I was told of the opportunity to open a gym in Big Bear, and I just couldn’t turn it down. It is now the Fall of 2025 and we are still going strong!
As I mentioned before, I’ll save the more interesting details in a follow-up post.
If you are still reading, I greatly appreciate you and hope that you will take the time to share a comment or email us your ideas for future posts.
Current members, please know that your membership will never be taken for granted! Thank you for supporting the gym and our vision for the future. Prospective members: what are you waiting for? Get in here and try a class!
Don’t forget to follow us on social media (@fightsyndicate_bigbear on Instagram; facebook.com/fsbigbear).
All love and respect,
Coach Red