ABOUT DAKS CAPITAL
Daks Capital is a Muay Thai school located in the Adirondacks High Peaks Region. We welcome students of all abilities to join our community of individuals dedicated to improving their skills, strength, and athletic performance. At Daks Capital, students of various skill levels learn together, fostering an inclusive and dynamic training atmosphere, with an emphasis on traditional Thai technique and practices.
Coach JJ began training Muay Thai and Kali with Arjan Simon Burgess in 1999, and later at Five Points Academy in New York City beginning in 2002. After relocating to the Hudson Valley, he opened Black and Blue Mixed Martial Arts Academy. It was here that his coaching career began, and over the next decade, he devoted himself to coaching students and developing amateur and professional Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts fighters for competition.
In 2014, he opened Stockade Muay Thai, where he continued to offer highly technical training to students and athletes alike. After nearly two decades of teaching, JJ has proudly watched his students compete nationally and internationally on the world's premier Muay Thai promotions. Many of his students have opened their own successful training academies and segued into coaching careers both in the US and abroad. JJ's unique teaching-style contributes to a fun, high-energy training atmosphere. At Daks Capital, we are dedicated to our student's improvement whether you're training for fun, fitness, or fighting.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
"What stands out is his intuitive, systematic, insightful coaching style."
"As a 50 year old with average ability at best, I wasn't sure whether I should go to a class, so I called and getting a voicemail I asked, "do you train old, fat, guys?" JJ responded with, "we train anybody." Something in the attitude expressed in his voice told me to go. Attending a group class and watching JJ demonstrate various techniques, I was deeply impressed with how he moves. I thought if I can move even 10% as well as he than this is worth a shot. Soon after this private lessons became available, and 15 years later, I have been studying with JJ ever since."
"Coach JJ is a driven, high-energy, human being, and friendly as the day is long, but even more than these qualities, what stands out is his intuitive, systematic, insightful coaching style. He breaks down each movement so that even an idiot like me can learn to do it. He has infinite patience. It's called "Martial Arts" for a reason — it's an art, and JJ is an artist, and if you simply show up and try, that quality of energy will call forth something in you — your own connection to this beautiful discipline."
Adam Markowitz
"The environment was consistently friendly, supportive, professional, and respectful."
"From the very first day I walked into his gym, I’ve loved everything about my experiences learning from, practicing, and sparring with coach JJ. He is patient, funny, kind, and encouraging, yet he also pushes you and challenges you when he knows you are capable of doing more. His ability to explain proper technique and to demonstrate small adjustments that are individualized for each student, is truly remarkable. With every week of training, I got significantly stronger and more technically capable under coach JJ’s watchful guidance. Moreover, he makes everyone feel welcome: from when I first started training as an 40-something woman who had never practiced Muay Thai, I immediately felt welcomed, and the environment was consistently friendly, supportive, professional, and respectful. Watching JJ coach and train others, including professional fighters as well as young children, I witnessed, first-hand, just how great of a coach he is for all ability/skill levels, ages, and genders. I cannot recommend him highly enough!"
Georganna Ulray
"I got the same level of expertise and care as his elite fighters."
"Training with JJ is the most fun I have ever had at any gym, ever. He is a brilliant movement analyst, a remarkable athlete himself, and he genuinely knows how to bring out the best in his athletes, whatever their level. As a white-collar hobbyist, I got the same level of expertise and care as his elite fighters. Muay Thai itself is the most beautiful, functional combat sport; they say Thailand has never been colonized and Muay Thai is the reason why. You will learn real Muay Thai with JJ (not the jumbled kickboxing often taught in MMA gyms). Treat yourself to a fantastic gym."
Dana Hoey
"I progressed further and faster than I could've ever imagined."
"Upon entering my first training session with JJ Russo, I was made to feel welcome within minutes of conversation. JJ’s down-to-earth personality, and unique sense of humor make every class entertaining, and easy to engage. JJ tends to pinpoint flaws that others tend to miss, and is able to convey them in a manner that is easy to understand. The exercises and techniques he would give me to do allowed me to progress further, and faster than I could’ve ever imagined. Two thumbs up for JJ Russo."
Nick Holochuck
"The environment is supportive and welcoming for everyone."
"JJ is an awesome coach whether you’re just starting out or have been doing Muay Thai for many years. He knows how to teach you technique and build upon that as you get more confidence and skills. If you join this gym you’ll never be bored because there is always more to learn. The environment is supportive and welcoming for everyone."
