Pankration
Enter Professional Fighting at the Lake of the Ozarks. Incorporating the skills of striking and grappling for both standup and ground fighting, today's MMA, in its purest physical form, is patterned in many ways after pankration.
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There is no practice of one particular form or style, but rather embracing melee combat as a whole, in turn producing athletes highly proficient in the art of freestyle fighting.
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Many have come before us, but this is the dawn of a new age in Pankration lore; the Resurrection. Be apart of the resurgence and begin your journey training now.
the odyssey
The Odyssey is a journey through the states and around the world to different gyms and martial arts schools to train under masters in their field and with the highest level competitors active today; in order to compilate the skills and experiences into a complex amalgamation of fighting excellence.
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Our brand name is an ode to the fundamental aspects of the epic tale by Homer 'The Odyssey'. We believe martial arts & fitness is a long arduous journey filled with various monsters and battles to fight; all on the way home to your kingdom, however you envision that to be.
Each individual that has embarked on a personal expedition to realize their full potential in martial arts or fitness in general invokes the very spirit of the Odyssey. We are here to be a resource of support and knowledge.
Founder Joe Haynes, preparing for a Submission Only match at a contest held in Kansas City, MO.
Odyssey @ The Lake
Alongside a journey of learning, Odyssey brings martial arts to the Lake of the Ozarks. The first ever fight club at the lake to upgrade your current skills or build a fight style from scratch.
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Our gym was founded by a lake local and Marine Corps Vet Joe Haynes with the aspirations to give the youth a chance at the new age revolution of sport that is mixed martial arts.
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In his own words:
"I grew up at the lake watching greats like Chuck Liddell, GSP, Anderson Silva, and Jon Jones pave the way for what the sport has become today. It was all I ever wanted to do, and with no academy available the lack of resources was frustrating to say the least. Since returning to the lake years after military service I wanted a place not only that I could train but also a place for the next generation to have opportunities I never did. The people of mid Missouri are tough, they just need a place to get started."
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Doors are open to all interested in becoming apart of a fantastic, challenging, learning growth environment. We are building a world class team in the mid Missouri lake area and encourage everyone interested to stop by and see how our schedule and staff of knowledgeable instructors can help you begin or further your martial arts journey today!
Know Thyself
Inscribed in gold above the entrance into the Temple of Apollo at Delphi; this message isn't merely a simple piece of advice or recommendation. However, it is meant to serve as an appeal or even a warning that goes far beyond mere ethical or religious values.
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The sibyls were wise women who’d trained since childhood to reveal the message of the oracles. In their room, the following inscription was written:
“I warn you, whoever you are, Oh! You who want to probe the “Arcana of Nature”, that if you do not find “within yourself” that which you are looking for, you shall not find it outside either! If you ignore the excellences of your own house, how do you pretend to find other excellences? Within you is hidden the treasure of treasures! “Know Thyself” and you will know the Universe and the Gods.”
