BOOMBOX FOUNDER, HEAD STRIKING COACH, PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Coach Kurt

Kurt Cornwell has been a fixture in Metro Detroit’s Martial Art and Kickboxing community since 2013. He is the Founder of MKG Detroit Martial Arts, an official division of the world-famous MKG Method of Martial Arts, and is well-known globally for his video content, public seminars, television and podcast appearances, magazine feature articles, and various public speaking events. Kurt is the Founder and Director of Boombox, the Head Coach of the Boombox Boxing/Kickboxing Program, Advising Instructor to Boombox BJJ, and is the Head Coach of the Boombox Youth Program, which he created with partner Coach Amariah in 2022 to uniquely serve Ferndale-area families. Coach Kurt is a member of the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame, having been specifically inducted due to his work empowering others through the practice of Martial Arts. He was also the keynote speaker at UCLA’s TEDx Symposium on the benefits of the Martial Arts Lifestyle.

PROGRAMS

  • Boxing

  • Muay Thai Kickboxing

  • MKG Method

  • Youth Program

  • Teen Program

  • Jeet Kune Do

  • Filipino Kali-Escrima-Arnis

  • Panantukan & Silat

HEAD COACH: BOOMBOX BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU & CATCH WRESTLING

Coach Shamal

Expert Coach Shamal Freeman is a veteran Martial Artist, MMA Coach, Grappler, Retired Professional Fighter, and celebrated Strength & Conditioning Trainer. Coach Shamal holds Black Belts in multiple Martial Arts, including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, and more. He is the Founder of Cortex-CSG (Cortex Fighting Systems and Combat Submission Grappling), Co-Founder of Boombox BJJ, and the Head Coach of our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and No-Gi Catch Wrestling programs. In addition to being the head of our Sport Grappling Program, Coach Shamal also Coaches pro and amateur fighters in and around Detroit.

ROLE & PROGRAMS

  • Head Coach of Boombox BJJ & Nogi Grappling

  • Founding Instructor: BMBXBJJ

  • Senior Coaching Advisor: Boombox Recreational MMA

  • Strength & Conditioning Advisor to Boombox, and our community

BOOMBOX CO-FOUNDER, COMMUNITY & FAMILY PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Amariah

Coach Amariah is a celebrated Child and Family Therapist in Metro Detroit. She combines her decades of experience counseling and supporting children and parents with her expertise as a professional Martial Arts Instructor, Yoga Instructor, and Mindfulness Coach, resulting in a repertoire of professional perspective unlike any other in Metro Detroit. As a mother of 3 neurodivergent children, Coach Amariah is uniquely positioned to understand the needs of so many underserved and misunderstood families in our community. Her position as Community Program Director and Family Program Director is a reflection of her unique qualifications. 

ROLE & PROGRAMS

  • Co-Owner of Boombox, Co-Founder of MKG Detroit

  • Community Program Director

  • Youth & Family Program Director

  • B.L.A.S.T. Class Teacher

CREDENTIALS

  • MKG International Martial Arts — Full Instructor – Level 1

  • Professional Therapist/Social Worker (LMSW)

  • Yoga Teacher (RYT200)

BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU COACH

COACH JAKE

Detroit native Jake Methric is a local MMA fighter with 12 years of experience fighting in the cage. Though his background and experience shows his grit and tenacity, his supportive personality as a Coach is what makes him stand out above the rest. Jake is the Assistant Coach for Boombox BJJ, and his ability to relate to beginner students, and help them find their way in this art/sport, is exceptional. 

ROLE & PROGRAMS

  • Assistant Coach: Boombox BJJ

  • Assistant Coach: Boombox Nogi Grappling

  • Boombox Recreational MMA: Senior Coaching Advisor

CREDENTIALS

  • 3-Time Amateur Chamption

  • BJJ Purple Belt + 1 Stripe

  • Professional Fighter

  • Amateur Record: 12-1

COACH

Lee

PROGRAMS

  • Grappling/MMA: Essentials

  • Youth Kickboxing & MMA

  • Teen Kickboxing

CREDENTIALS

  • BMBX Senior Coaching Advisor 

  • French Savate Kickboxing — Silver Glove Instructor

  • Muay Thai Kickboxing — Apprentice Instructor Certificate

  • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — Blue Belt

  • Tang Soo Do — Brown Belt

COACH

Armenak

PROGRAMS

  • Kickboxing: Essentials

  • Kickboxing: Conditoining

  • Teen Kickboxing

CREDENTIALS

  • Professional Martial Arts Instructor — 16 Years

  • Kenpo Karate — 3rd Degree Black Belt

  • MMA + Indo-Iranian Martial Arts — 10 Years Experience

  • IIMA – Indo-Iranian Martial Arts — Founder

COACH

Bree

PROGRAMS

  • Kickboxing: Essentials

  • Kickboxing: Conditioning

CREDENTIALS

  • MKG International Martial Arts — Associate Instructor Level 1.1

  • Boombox Coach — Level 1

  • Boombox General Manager

COACH

Tim

PROGRAMS

  • Tribal Flow Yoga

  • Kickboxing: Conditioning

CREDENTIALS

  • Yoga Teacher

  • MKG International Martial Arts — Associate Instructor Level 1.1

  • Boombox Coach — Level 1

  • Boombox Director of Art + Music