The Beginning
Look, I didn't start this place because I wanted to run a business. I started it 'cause I was tired of seeing people waste their potential in cookie-cutter gyms that didn't give a damn about real results.
Back in 2019, I was training out of a garage in East Van with maybe five people who actually wanted to put in the work. We didn't have fancy equipment or Instagram-worthy walls - just heavy bags, some rusty weights, and a whole lot of attitude. Those early sessions? Brutal. Honest. Real.
Fast forward to 2021, and we scraped together enough to lease this spot on Granville. It wasn't pretty at first - hell, it still isn't pretty now - but that's the point. This isn't some boutique studio where you come to feel good about yourself. You come here to get better, period.
I've spent fifteen years in combat sports - fought amateur MMA, trained boxers, worked with Olympic athletes who needed that edge. What I learned is simple: most people never push hard enough because nobody's there to make them. That's what we do different here. We push you past what you think you can handle, then we push some more.
Shadow Venom Chronos isn't just a name we thought sounded cool. Shadow represents the work you do when nobody's watching. Venom's that killer instinct you need to tap into. Chronos? Time waits for nobody, and neither do we.
- Marcus Chen, Founder & Head Coach
How We Got Here
2019 - The Garage Days
Started with nothing but a dream and some beat-up equipment. Five dedicated members who showed up rain or shine. No frills, just sweat and determination.
2020 - Pandemic Pivot
COVID hit hard. Moved everything outdoors to parking lots and parks. Lost some members but the core group? They stuck around and got tougher for it.
2021 - Granville Street Opens
Finally got our own space. 4,500 square feet of pure training ground. Added proper boxing ring, full CrossFit rig, and enough equipment to handle serious athletes.
2022 - Team Expansion
Brought on three more coaches who actually know their stuff. Not some weekend certification warriors - real fighters with real experience.
2023 - Competition Success
Our fighters started winning. Local tournaments, provincial championships. Trained two athletes who made it to national qualifiers. That's when people started taking notice.
2024 - Nutrition Program Launch
Added proper nutrition coaching 'cause you can't out-train a bad diet. Partnered with sports nutritionists who work with pro athletes.
2025 - Present Day
Over 200 active members. Six full-time coaches. Still the same no-BS approach we started with. Just bigger and better equipped to forge warriors.
