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Our Story

About Excelsior MMA

Personal coaching, real community, and martial arts that actually work — for kids, adults, and everyone in between.

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Our Story

Excelsior MMA was built around one idea: martial arts training should be personal. Every class here is led directly by Coach Lesley Steiner, a lifelong martial artist who has competed and coached across boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and MMA. Since 2012, she’s built her own skills discipline by discipline — and now she brings that same hands-on, detail-focused coaching to every student who walks onto our mats in Hickory, whether they’re 8 years old and trying their first roll or an adult chasing a competition title.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide top-notch training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts. Through our commitment to excellence, resilience, and community, we strive to inspire personal growth and transformation in every student who walks through our doors.

Our Objective

We aim to empower students by enhancing their personal and professional lives through martial arts instruction. Our classes don’t just build self-defense skills for real-life situations and competition — they encourage students to carry that discipline and confidence into their community through leadership and service.

Where We Train

Excelsior MMA operates out of the Neill W. Clark Jr. Recreation Center, a dedicated training space in Hickory, NC, where mats are sanitized between every class. Training in a community recreation center keeps our overhead low and our class rates accessible — which is part of why students describe our gym as feeling more like a second family than a franchise.

Why Families and Adults Choose Excelsior MMA

Small classes, real coaching.

You’re never a number in a giant group class — Coach Lesley teaches every session herself.

Every discipline, one coach who’s actually competed in it.

Boxing, BJJ, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and MMA — not a rotating roster of instructors.

A true community feel.

Parents and adult students alike describe training here as a supportive, family-oriented environment, not an intimidating fight gym.

Meet Coach Lesley See Our Programs Get Directions

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Come Train With Us

Reserve your free session and see why families and adults across the Hickory area train at Excelsior MMA.

828-540-7110

Neill W. Clark Jr. Recreation Center, 3404 6th St Dr NW, Hickory, NC

Mon & Wed: 5:30 PM – 8:40 PM

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