Erik Owings Founder and Owner Erik began his martial arts career training in karate as a small child growing up in Kentucky. When he reached 19, Erik spent almost two years studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Carlson Gracie Jr, before taking off on a multi-year life changing trip to Brazil. He made pit stops along the way to Thailand and Europe to work on other skills. While in Brazil, Erik trained at the renown Gracie Barra Academy achieving the rank of jiu jitsu brown beelt before moving back to the US. Once back in the US in 2003, Erik came to New York to train at the Renzo Gracie Academy. What started out as a three month month trip turned out to be a six year voyage which is still going. Erik quickly fell in love with the city. He earned his black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2006 from Renzo Gracie and John Danaher. He continues to train with those masters and many other members of the Renzo Gracie Team on a consistent basis. He competed in five professional mixed martial arts professional bouts in the now defunct International Fight League (IFL). Erik is also an expert at functional fitness training and conditioning. His techniques primarily consist of performing bodyweight exercises often assisted by tools such as stability balls, medicine balls, elastics, barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells,  etc. Erik 's emphasis is on increased performance and optimal body composition. Erik is not a fan of bodybuilding or machine based workouts. His belief is that this type of training should make his students better at everything they want to do in life. Erik has been training people for nearly 15 years. His clientele includes professional and amateur fighters, corporate CEOs and supermodels along with everyone in-between. Erik is also the creator of the Rushfit tm, at home fitness program done in conjunction with UFC welterweight champion Georges St Pierre.  Erik is currently focusing his full attention on perfecting his skills and establishing Mushin Mixed Martial Arts as the premier training facility in New York. Mushin is Erik's brainchild, and he wants to convey his knowledge and share his life experiences with those who are willing to learn.