Meet Dan Lariviere, the Head Coach of the Muay Thai program at Gracie Barra Ottawa East. His journey from an eager fighter to a skilled coach is a story of determination, growth, and finding a sense of belonging within the world of combat sports.
On one side, he’s a tough-as-nails professional fighter who battles it out in intense stuff like Mixed Martial Arts and Bare-Knuckle Muay Thai. He even fights in Lethwei, a brutal Burmese fighting style where headbutts are allowed, and you can only win by knocking out the other person!
But on the other side, Dan’s a caring coach who loves teaching kids Muay Thai. He’s not just about punches and kicks; he wants to help people find confidence and have fun.
The two sides of Dan might seem like night and day, but in his world, they blend together perfectly. How does he make it work? Dive into Dan’s story to discover how he balances the fierceness of a fighter with the kindness of a coach.
A Late Start to a Fighting Journey
Dan started training in combat arts at 30, which is later than most professional fighters. Coming from a background in football, extreme sports, and dirt biking, he entered the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). His grappling techniques and training discipline, combined with innate brawling skills, led to the cage of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
The blend of striking and grappling was a challenge he couldn’t resist. It was tough, grueling even, but Dan’s determination pushed him forward. He was already a pro MMA fighter when he discovered he needed to improve his striking. This led to his first Muay Thai coach, Kru Naaron, at N1 Thai Boxing Academy.
Dan recalls his first Muay Thai experience, “I went to spar, and I got my legs kicked so bad I couldn’t walk.” But he went back and started training regularly. “The coach saw potential in me, but private lessons were really expensive, so he made me a really good deal just for the whole month.” Through private lessons three times a week, Dan started transforming from a “jiujitsu guy” into a well-rounded fighter.
The power of kicks, the finesse of strikes, the controlled violence – Dan wanted it all. Here’s where fate intervened. Through his Muay Thai endeavors, he crossed paths with Mark Holst. More than a coach, Mark became a mentor. Under Mark’s guidance, Dan’s striking skills flourished, and he started accelerating his game as a professional fighter.
Crossing Paths with Ottawa’s Pro MMA Fighter Mark Holst
Dan’s journey wasn’t a solo one. A significant part of his story involves his connection with Ottawa Pro Fighter Mark Holst, a figure he had admired from the early days of his martial arts career. “I’ve respected Mark since I’ve known who Mark was,” Dan recalls, “since, pretty much when I started martial arts.”
Initially, Dan’s mindset toward martial arts was casual. He thought it was something to try out and maybe get into a pro fight just for the experience. “I thought Martial Arts was a let’s do this a few times, [then] let’s do a pro fight, [then, let’s] say I did it and if I don’t get knocked out, yay.”
But Mark Holst’s presence and his success in the UFC caught Dan’s eye. He was intrigued by Mark’s achievements. “He was the one fighter in Ottawa who at the time was going to get UFC fights. I’d seen him fight and in my mind I was like, that’s the best fighter in Ottawa.”
Although Dan and Mark joked about training together when they occasionally met, they never really got the chance due to competing school affiliations. Their friendship, however, remained, and they always had a “good vibe” between them.
During the pandemic, opportunities started to open up. Dan began training at Gracie Barra City Center, where he made good friends, including Mark. “Me and Mark just started doing pads regularly, and then I got a [pro] fight and that’s when everything opened up.” Their connection paved the way for Dan’s next chapter as he was offered a job at Gracie Barra Ottawa East, where he continued to flourish as a coach.
Building Confidence and Community
Dan’s focus on Muay Thai wasn’t just about fighting; it was about personal growth.
He shares, “I want you to find confidence.” His mission as a coach is to build confidence in his students, both kids and adults. “People come in here, and I want them to feel like they’re a part of something.” The sense of community at Gracie Barra Ottawa East is incredibly tight-knit, with members finding friendships, support, and empowerment through their Muay Thai journey.
Dan’s coaching philosophy is built on the pillars of energy, hard work, and fun. He aims to strike a balance between pushing his students to achieve their best while ensuring they enjoy the process. “I want to hold you accountable for your workout today, but at the same time, I want you to have fun.” This approach has helped foster a positive environment where everyone feels involved.
He acknowledges the initial hesitation many beginners feel. “It’s intimidating.” Walking into a gym filled with skilled fighters can be daunting. But Dan’s commitment to making new members feel welcome is unwavering. “Everyone feels like this when they first come in… no one gets left behind.”
It’s about high energy and fun, not beating the other person up
It’s important to remember that when Dan started his Muay Thai journey, he was already a seasoned fighter sparring with other fighters at his level. When beginners start the art, they don’t get kicked so badly that they can’t walk.
Muay Thai at the gym isn’t about beating someone up; it’s a lively, fast-paced experience that welcomes everyone. The energy in the room is contagious, and classes are filled with individuals who aren’t necessarily fighters but are there for fun and learning.
People are often nervous at first, thinking that the classes are high-impact and intimidating, but Coach Dan makes it a point to approach new faces, reassuring them that they’ll be part of a community. The classes are designed to be fun, empowering, and refreshing, making everyone feel good about themselves. “A lot of people can’t do high impact classes. Come over to the energetic side. Come over to the adventurous side!”
What people learn in the gym goes beyond the mats; children become more confident, adults feel invigorated, and many leave the gym with their spirits lifted. It’s a unique experience where you can smash a combo like a pro without actually having to fight one, forming new friendships along the way.
As Dan puts it, “come on into a friendly environment where you’re going to train with professionals, but also with like-minded individuals as yourself, you’re going to learn something new that’s fun and high energy.”
Parents’ Fears and Kids’ Triumphs: Coaching Confidence through Muay Thai
At Gracie Barra Ottawa East, the Muay Thai coaching program emphasizes a safe and familiar training environment. Dan says, “Every day, we try to stick to the program and that makes things easy for them. So they come in and they know what to expect.” This consistency leads to a boost in children’s confidence, helping them not only in the gym but also in everyday life.
When it comes to parents’ concerns, Dan shares common fears that parents express: “Oh, my kid doesn’t pay attention. I’m afraid he is not going to make friends. He is going to be quiet. I don’t want him to punch a kid at school.” However, Dan reassures that the real results are entirely different. He has never had a parent tell him about a physical altercation caused by training. Instead, he often hears about the growth in confidence.
Dan shares an example about one of the girls in his kids class. She went from being shy, to leading the Muay Thai warm up, to participating more at school. “Because she does the same thing day to day, she gets up there, she’s comfortable with it, and it makes it easier for her to lead that warmup – and that transitions into real life where she’s able to speak up for herself. When the teacher says, ‘Hey, excuse me, can you answer this?’ Rather than being quiet and turning her head, she’s happy to raise her hand.”
Dan speaks to the individualized attention and understanding that each child receives: “Some kids, I got to do this this way, some kids that way.” He emphasizes how they manage to turn around children’s bad days, mentioning specific examples like letting a child lead the warmup if they’re feeling down, resulting in them feeling “wow, amazed, yeah!”
Dan’s coaching approach in Muay Thai focuses on creating an environment where children can build confidence and grow personally, despite initial parental worries about aggression or fitting in. His direct experiences and individualized attention dispel these concerns, showcasing a program that’s about empowerment and personal development.
Being a Fighter and a Caring Coach can go together like a one-two punch
As an active pro fighter and dedicated coach, Dan’s journey in the world of Muay Thai is a living testament to the sport’s transformative power. His dual role exemplifies the values of hard work, empowerment, and camaraderie that define the Muay Thai program at Gracie Barra Ottawa East. Whether fighting in the ring or teaching in the gym, Dan’s passion for the sport continues to inspire and shape the community.
So, whether you’re looking to become a pro fighter, dive into a high-energy class, or help your kid develop confidence, the world of Muay Thai at Gracie Barra Ottawa East has something for you. Step into our community, where Dan is ready to welcome you with open arms and a contagious passion for the sport.
Dan Lariviere shows that being a fighter and being a caring coach doesn’t have to be opposites. They can go together like a one-two punch!
August 2023
ORIGIN STORY
In this section of our member stories, we ask the same four interview questions.
Every personal journey is different. We all move at different speeds. But, every single one of us was a beginner at one point in time.
The hardest part is starting.
Don’t be afraid to be a beginner.
Current Rank: Professional Fighter
World Lethwei Title Challenger. Dan’s next fight is supposed to be MFC 3.
Dan has two belts.
- He won a provincial belt in amateur. That’s how he ended his MMA career in amateur – he was the amateur provincial champion at MMA in Quebec (2013).
- Dan also has the Bareknuckle Muay Thai belt (May 21, 2022).
First Gracie Barra Ottawa East Class:
Dan has been teaching at Gracie Barra Ottawa East since it opened.
First Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Class:
Pro fighters at Gracie Barra City Center needed help; they were training for fights. So Dan trained with them at City Center.
Very First Martial Arts Class
Dan started training in Muay Thai with Kru Naaron at N1 Thai Boxing Academy. He has also trained with Sifu Pat.
Dan Lariviere
- Professional Fighter
- Head coach, Muay Thai program at Gracie Barra Ottawa East
- World Lethwei Title Challenger
- Bareknuckle Muay Thai Belt
- Amature MMA Provincial Belt
Want to train with Dan?
Schedule your free class today.