This month we’re talking with Petro Halenko, a long time member of our kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu programs and our upstairs neighbor!

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m 26 years old, born in Ukraine. I’ve been living here in the United States for seven years. I’m a hardworking kid. I own a moving company covering all of the United States and we hope to provide the best service that we can.

How did you first get involved at EvolveAll?

That’s a funny story. I moved into this building, so I live right above the studio. I think a lot of people are jealous because it’s really convenient for me to just go downstairs! I met Emerson on the street and I saw the school. I asked him a lot of weird questions. He didn’t want me to come probably! I decided to join and met Brian at the front desk and a lot of the team right away and I loved it.

You’ve been a member of both the striking program and the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program. With Jiu Jitsu, who is your favorite person to roll with?

Emerson. It’s something amazing. It’s a big game and it’s chess. He’s a king. He has a really smart game. Ermerson is probably the smartest guy here, so it’s always good to train with someone who has more skills, gives you an opportunity to work, and learn from your mistakes, work on your movements. Yeah, my answer is Emerson.

Is there anything that you’re working on, a technique or submission you’re looking to improve?

In the past, I did a lot of striking classes, but now I want to do more Jiu Jitsu because every class is something new. It’s a really smart game. Every class has new movements, new techniques, espaces, submissions.

I love triangles, so I’d like to do triangles from every position, but it’s not enough to win the game.

What do you like to do outside of the studio?

I do a lot of activities: parachuting, jumping rope, everything extreme. I like sports. I like to play soccer, baseball. Hiking as well. I travel a lot so hiking and parachuting I can do from any state. Besides that, just trying hard and enjoying my life.

We’re celebrating 15 years of EvolveAll. What has this community meant to you?

EvolveAll is a big family. As soon as you step inside, it’s a different feeling. Being here in class with a lot of good people, it’s really warm. It’s a big family and I want to make this family even bigger so I share my experience here with all my friends.