"The boxing program at Huntington Beach Fight Club is second to none. Coach John has designed a program for those who suffer from Parkinson's Disease. I have been a member of the program for approximately 2 years and it has tremendously helped me with my physical activity and mental toughness. The program allows for social interaction which helps with the emotional stress caused by the disease. I view this program as an important part of my weekly routine and am extremely thankful for the support system that Coach John and the team at the Huntington Beach Fight Club have provided me and my family."
-Bill Dalton
Former Mayor of Garden Grove, CA
"I truly do not know what I would do or could do to help my husband without HB Fight Club...
In a matter of weeks, we and others could see a real difference. He is on special meds for Parkinsons, his heart, etc, but it wasn't until the Huntington Beach Fight Club, that the man I married, 63 years ago, began to come back. For us, square dancing, car driving, camping, and golf are all gone for good, but "his self" is coming back. It is a different lifestyle, but without the Huntington Beach Fight Club, I truly believe he would be in a vegetative state or close to it...John and his crew are hands on and all of the club members are open and accepting of each other in whatever frailties they may have."
-Charlie and Dorothy Langly
"HB Fight Club rejuvenated my zest for life after being diagnosed with early Parkinson’s Disease at age 73. I have experienced improved balance, strength, flexibility and restored confidence at HB Fight Club. As a retired police officer I had experience team camaraderie at a level I thought couldn’t be surpassed until I joined HB Fight Club. Johnny Mercurio‘s ability to work with clients of all ages and abilities provides a welcoming, supportive, fun environment, that has improved not just my quality of life but my fellow fighters as well, of which I have witnessed firsthand. I continue to spread the word about HB Fight Club knowing that others can be helped to Fight Back no matter what their challenges are in life. Thank you Johnny and HB Fight Club for helping me get back into the game of life. "
-Bill Bechtel
Police Helicopter SergeantCosta Mesa Police Dept.
Police Academy Self Defense Instructor
"Within a month, my balance improved, my muscle tone improved, and my confidence improved. Not only did John work on kickboxing, but he also incorporated strength and conditioning workouts into my weekly routine. I know that his program has helped me to keep my multiple sclerosis from any more flare ups and recent MRIs have shown a decrease in the size of my lesions."
"If I had to describe my experience with HB Fight Club, it would be “life-changing...
The trainers at HB Fight Club were warm, welcoming, compassionate, patient and encouraging every step of the way. They challenged me to push myself beyond self-imposed limitations, showing me I could accomplish so much more than I thought possible, which boosted my confidence. HB Fight Club has helped me to build up not only my physical strength and endurance, but also, and maybe even more importantly, has fortified my mental strength and stamina, giving me a new and much needed tool kit to face head on and successfully navigate life’s many challenges. At 50 years old, I am better physical condition than I have been in years. I have maintained a healthy weight, increased muscle mass and energy levels, and improved my endurance and coordination, all of which are so critical as we age. Moreover, the kickboxing drills and patterns work my brain in new and different ways, which has dramatically improved my mental acuity. I love working out at HB Fight Club because I am challenged in a different way with each and every workout. Plus I have made several new friendships with people that I treasure. I admire, respect and am grateful to HB Fight Club not only for the extraordinary technical skill and expertise of its trainers, but mostly because it is made up of good people who truly care about their clients and have a genuine desire to use their God-given gifts and talents to help others in a truly meaningful and impactful way. I believe HB Fight Club offers something unique and critical to our community, and would highly recommend them to anyone looking to improve their quality of life."
- Dr. Lisa Rice
"The week of Christmas in 2017, I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast cancer.
I went through 4 rounds of chemotherapy that started in Feb 2018.
Then, in May of 2018, I had surgery to remove the tumor from my left breast and lymph nodes from my left underarm.
After recovering from surgery, I started radiation treatment. That ended in August of 2018.
Thinking that everything was fine and I was feeling ok, I decided to go back to work at the end of August 2018.
But, roughly 2 months back to work, I was having problems doing my job. I was having trouble walking, I couldn’t put numbers in order and I was nauseous, dizzy, had bad headaches, among other things.
So, I went to my supervisor, and told her I think I need to leave work again as i felt my job performance had deteriorated. This was mid October 2018
I spent that weekend reading about Brain Metastasis symptoms and I had a strong feeling, that the cancer had spread to my brain, I emailed my Dr to say that I was having symptoms that weren’t normal for me.
When I saw my Oncologist, she did a quick neurological exam, and she didn’t think, at that time, that there was a problem, but suggested to get an MRI to be sure,
A few hours after getting my MRI, I got a call from my Oncologist to tell me that the MRI showed 4 tumors. By the end of that week, I was walking like I was on boat deck in rough waters. That day was October 29th, 2018.
The tumor, in my frontal lobe, was so large that it had moved the other half of my brain 6” to the right. I was told I had 1 to 2 years to live. It was very difficult to tell my family and friends this news.
I had to sigh an Advanced Directive and determine who should make the decision to pull the plug on me, as well as decide, how I wanted my remains to be dealt with. I chose cremation. My family had flown here to get
me through the radiation treatment and aid me in my end of life decisions. This was emotionally difficult.
That following Monday, I started Whole Brain Radiation therapy. I lost all of my hair again and also had to do about 7 months of oral chemo. By this point, fighting this disease was all consuming. This was throughout 2019.
As time went by the first year after this new diagnosis, the tumors began to shrink and I started to become more stable and the breast cancer was also more stable. I started to feel better and decided to make lifestyle changes.
I was walking, not drinking and trying to improve my overall health.
At of the start of 2020, every thing was status quo and felt I was heading in a good direction overall. Then one morning in November 2020, I woke up and realized my arms, my face and hands were all numb and I couldn’t speak or see.
I had to go to the emergency room. The ER Doctor told me I had a TIA or (mini stroke). When these happen, its scary but they don’t last very long and the episodes don’t show up on MRIs.
I started a regime of steroids to help swelling and pain. I started to feel better again and decided to see a friend in Palm Desert in Feb 2021. Unfortunately, I had another TIA while visiting my friend and was also diagnosed with COVID-19
and I was placed in the ICU. I was in the hospital for 3 days.
My sister and her husband came back to help me after the second episode because the MRI i had at the hospital in Palm Desert showed that another tumor had grown. Now I have 5 tumors.
I had stereotactic radiosurgery in April 2021 but still had another TIA on June 16th, 2021. I started HB/FC on June 28th, 2021. As if August 10th, my cancer is considered to be in remission. I think HBFB is one of the things that got me to my current status.
But, my fight still goes on.
Being a part HB fight club has definitely helped me feel physically stronger and mentally more positive overall. I forget about cancer when I'm there. So, thank you so much John!"
-Pam Arseneau, from Rock Steady Boxing at HB Fight Club.
My name is Carlos Crow; I am 74yrs old and was diagnosed two years ago with mild Parkinson’s disease.
Though I knew that something was happening to me, I didn't expect to have Parkinson’s.
I was once a very active person. I loved cycling, playing golf, fishing, swinging, etc., so surprised to hear my diagnosis was an understatement. Nevertheless, I remember that the neurologists advised that it is beneficial to take an active role in my healthcare, including daily exercise as an innovative approach to improve the lives of Parkinson’s patients, and recommended Rock Steady Boxing. Right away, my wife and I started looking for Rock Steady classes, and we realized that there were very few places in LA-Orange County that offered courses for people like me. Thank goodness, we found that eleven miles from our home, John Mercurio, owner of “HB Fight Club in Orange County” offered the classes. On March 16th, 2021, I signed up for regular classes, which are non-contact classes focusing on improving fitness levels at all stages of Parkinson’s.
John Mercurio, the owner and certified coach concentrate on routines that promote balance, strength, and coordination. He has an excellent work ethic and makes the classes fun, personable and hospitable. My wife and I are delighted to say that John and his wife, Kasha, are warm, caring people and have welcomed us into this close-knit family. My wife and I are grateful and extremely happy for the camaraderie we have developed with the Rock Steady Boxing community, and we sincerely thank John, Kasha, and everyone else who makes this club successful.
We look forward to a long-lasting relationship and wish HB Fight Club many prosperous and fulfilling years.
- Carlos Crow