Meet Daniel Gutierrez | Muay thai gym owner and Director of awesomeness

We had the good fortune of connecting with Daniel Gutierrez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Daniel, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always known I wanted to have my own business. I just didn’t realize it was so hard hahahaha!!! But ya, I was always envious of people that could make their time and schedule. That is what true freedom looks like in the working world. Being able to come and go as you please and stuff. At least that’s what I told myself. Then we opened Defiant Gym and I have no time hahaha!!!. It’s even worse now that we have opened other locations (los angeles which is open, and another one in Glendale which is still under construction). Honestly I wouldn’t change a thing!! This is the hardest and best thing I’ve ever done. Lots of headaches but way more rewards. I love the journey.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My name is Daniel Gutierrez and I own Defiant Gym in Burbank and Los Angeles. I started this journey when I was 17 and walked into a muay thai gym in North Hollywood (muay thai academy). I got my ass kicked everyday haha until I didn’t!!! I dedicated almost everything I had to this sport. Trained, fought, and learned. I got to travel the world and fight a couple times. (Nothing crazy, there are way more fighters that have done the same). But the best thing was being able to start a family because of this. I opened the gym in 2011 and it wasn’t easy. I partnered with a friend which didn’t turn out well but we caught it early enough into the business and went our separate ways. He runs a very successful gym as well and we are still friends which I am most grateful for. He’s a great guy. Then obviously with any new business there’s always the issue of money HA!!! It was hard getting people through the doors but we had a solid crew that helped shape the attitude of the gym. The fighters we made help give Defiant Gym the reputation of being a good old fashioned fight gym with guys that get in there and fight hard. Bryan, Marcos, Hakop, Tony, Whiskey, Mika (the swede!), Dennis!!! (Mendez) and Nathan. These guys built the gym. And I am eternally grateful.
Throughout everything I’ve learned to be patient (everything happens at its own time) and to endure. Really the endure part is the biggest part. So many bad days but in the end it all leads to success. Just trust the process.
You know I’m sure if you ask other trainers what their greatest accomplishment is it would be making a world champion. Which I have done by the way!! Big bad Charles Bisset became a 3 time world champion with Defiant Gym. Love this dude. He’s a super cool guy. Very skilled, very humble, and a down to earth human being. But what I consider my greatest accomplishment is helping save the lives of some of my students. One in particular confided in me once that the gym saved their life. They were going through some dark things and going to the gym, working out, learning and living helped them get out of their hardship. I was going to kill myself until I came here.
That’s just one example. There are countless more. And I’m so proud and honored that we helped you. This is my greatest accomplishment…. helping people improve their life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Best food hands down is in Boyle Heights!!!! The Los Angeles location has too many great food options right next to it which makes cutting weight an impossibility hahaha!. For coffee we definitely have to hit up weird wave coffee right next door. Then head down the street to Milpas for couple tacos and obviously we have to hit up Brooklyn Pizza for a few cocktails, beer,fries,wings, pizza … yes I know we just ate tacos but this place is a must!!!!!
Then we head down to the arts district (5 mins away) and drink some more in there!!!!!!!!!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are too many to list really. My wife Jackie
My father Daniel
My mother Cleotilde
My buddies Rob and Edgar
My brother Krit (RIP)
My trainer Kru Puk
My aunts Nora and Gloria
And all my students!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These guys are what makes Defiant Gym so successful
Thank you

Website: Www.defiantmuaythai.com

Instagram: Defiant _gym_burbank defiant _gym_losangeles

Yelp: Defiant gym