Our Story
Every warrior's journey starts somewhere. Ours began in a cramped basement gym in 2017, where the smell of sweat mixed with ambition and a crazy idea that training shouldn't feel like punishment.
Every warrior's journey starts somewhere. Ours began in a cramped basement gym in 2017, where the smell of sweat mixed with ambition and a crazy idea that training shouldn't feel like punishment.
Marcus Chen - Founder & Head Coach
Look, I'm not gonna feed you some polished corporate origin story. I started Shadow Reth Odyssey because I was tired of seeing people hate their workouts. After spending eight years competing in MMA and another five coaching at traditional gyms, I noticed something - folks would show up, go through the motions, and leave feeling... nothing.
That didn't sit right with me. Training should light something up inside you, y'know? It should make you feel like you're building toward something bigger than just losing a few pounds or fitting into old jeans.
So I took everything I learned from combat sports - the intensity, the strategy, the mental toughness - and mixed it with functional movement patterns that actually matter in real life. No fancy machines that only work one muscle. No cookie-cutter programs. Just raw, effective training that respects where you're at while pushing you toward where you wanna be.
Mission statements usually sound like they were written by a committee of robots. Here's ours in plain English.
We don't do gimmicks. Every exercise has a purpose. Every program's built on solid principles that've stood the test of time - combat conditioning, Olympic lifting fundamentals, and movement patterns your body was designed to do.
Whether you're recovering from an injury or training for a competition, we meet you where you are. No judgment, no pressure to keep up with anyone but yesterday's version of yourself.
The people you train with matter. We've built something special here - a crew that shows up for each other, celebrates wins together, and doesn't let anyone train alone on their birthday.
Quick fixes don't work. We're here to help you build habits and strength that'll carry you through decades, not just until summer. This is about becoming the person who doesn't need motivation anymore.
These aren't paid actors or stock photos. These are real members who put in the work and changed their lives.
"I'm not gonna lie, the first month kicked my ass. But Marcus and the crew never made me feel like I was behind or not good enough. They just kept showing me what I was capable of. Now I'm deadlifting more than I weigh, running 5Ks for fun, and honestly feeling like the strongest version of myself I've ever been. This place doesn't just change your body - it rewires how you think about what's possible."
Lost 47lbs, Gained Confidence & Community
"I was that skinny guy who couldn't gain weight no matter what. Tried every program online, ate everything in sight, nothing worked. What changed here wasn't just the training - though the Olympic lifting program is legit - it was having coaches who actually understood my body type and metabolism. Plus the nutrition coaching was a game-changer. I finally learned how to eat for my goals, not just eat more. Now I'm 32lbs heavier, way stronger, and people don't recognize me at the grocery store."
Gained 32lbs of Muscle, Doubled His Strength
"After a back injury ended my hockey career, I thought my athletic days were done. Depression hit hard and I let myself go for almost two years. Walking into Shadow Reth was terrifying, but also the best decision I've made. The recovery sessions helped rehab my back properly, and the functional training rebuilt strength I thought I'd lost forever. I'm not playing hockey anymore, but I'm in better overall shape now than I was at 25. This place gave me my identity back."
Recovered from Injury, Found Purpose Again
We're not for everyone. If you're looking for a place to cruise on a treadmill while scrolling Instagram, this ain't it. But if you're ready to push yourself, discover what you're really capable of, and become part of something bigger than just a gym membership - then we should talk.
First class is free, no strings attached. Come see if we're the right fit. Worst case, you get a solid workout. Best case, you find your tribe and start forging your legend.