Our Story

Where legends aren't born - they're forged through sweat, discipline, and grit.

2018 - WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Started From The Ground Up

Look, I'm not gonna feed you some polished origin story about having a dream since childhood. Truth is, I was tired of seeing gyms that looked good on Instagram but couldn't actually prepare you for real combat situations. After 15 years bouncing between dojos, MMA gyms, and underground fight clubs across Asia and North America, I'd seen what worked and what was just flashy nonsense.

Started Shadow Chronicle in a cramped 1,200 sq ft space on Granville with just some heavy bags, worn mats, and a vision. No fancy equipment at first - just raw training that got results. Word spread fast when people realized we weren't here to take cute workout selfies. We were here to build warriors.

Why "Shadow Chronicle"?

Every fighter's got their shadow work - the stuff nobody sees. The early morning sessions, the mental battles, the bruises you hide. That's where real growth happens. We chronicle that journey, respect it, honor it. Your shadow work becomes your strength here.

2020 - EXPANSION

Growing Through The Chaos

Yeah, 2020 hit us hard like everyone else. But while other gyms were figuring out Zoom workouts, we doubled down. Moved to our current 4,500 sq ft facility and invested in proper combat training equipment. Added a dedicated HIIT zone, proper boxing ring, and enough heavy bags that nobody's waiting around.

Brought on three more coaches - all with legitimate fight backgrounds, not just fitness certifications. We're talking pro fighters, competitive martial artists, guys who've been in the trenches. They get what we're about because they've lived it.

The Community Effect

What really blew my mind was watching the community form. People who walked in strangers became training partners, pushing each other past limits they didn't know they had. That's the thing about combat training - it strips away the BS real quick. You can't fake it when you're sparring or pushing through your fifth round of HIIT.

The Timeline

Seven years of evolution, one hell of a journey

2018

The Beginning

  • Opened doors November 4th
  • 27 founding members
  • 1,200 sq ft facility
  • Basic equipment, hardcore attitude

2019

Building Momentum

  • Hit 150 active members
  • Added kickboxing program
  • First amateur fighter from our gym
  • Named "Best Combat Gym" by Vancouver Weekly

2020

Level Up

  • Moved to 4,500 sq ft space
  • Added 3 pro-level coaches
  • Installed proper boxing ring
  • Launched Warrior Bootcamp program

2021

Recognition

  • 300+ member milestone
  • Hosted first invitational tournament
  • 3 fighters went pro
  • Featured in Combat Sports Magazine

2022

Going Deeper

  • Added women's only combat class
  • Youth program launched
  • Partnered with local MMA promotions
  • Upgraded all training equipment

2023

Championship Year

  • Our fighters won 7 regional titles
  • 400+ active members strong
  • Opened recovery & nutrition zone
  • 5-star rating across all platforms

2024

Evolution Continues

  • Expanded strength training area
  • Added Olympic lifting platform
  • 500+ member community
  • Hired 2 more specialist coaches

2025

Present Day

  • BC's top combat gym
  • 15+ pro fighters training here
  • Still growing, still hungry
  • Your legend starts here

What We Stand For

Real Training

No fluff, no filler. Just techniques that work when it counts. We test everything in real sparring conditions.

Honest Results

We won't promise you'll be a fighter in 30 days. But put in the work? You'll see real transformation.

Strong Community

Leave your ego at the door. Everyone here's working on something, pushing past something. We rise together.

Shadow Chronicle Fitness Founder

From The Founder

"I've trained in dingy basements in Thailand, pristine dojos in Japan, and everything in between. What I learned is this - the best gyms aren't the ones with the fanciest equipment or the slickest marketing. They're the ones where people actually get better, where egos get checked, and where the work speaks louder than the words."

Seven years in, I'm still hands-on every day. You'll see me on the mats, holding pads, correcting form. This isn't some franchise operation where the owner's nowhere to be found. Shadow Chronicle is my life's work, and every person who walks through that door matters.

We've built something special here in Vancouver - a place where accountants train alongside amateur fighters, where students push lawyers to their limits, where your background doesn't matter but your effort does. That's the culture we protect fiercely.

Come see what we're about. First class is on us - but fair warning, we don't go easy.

- Marcus Chen
Founder & Head Coach

Ready To Start Your Journey?

Stop thinking about it. Come train with us.

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