Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt and Mark Nolan.
Matt and Mark, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Mark and I have been involved in the sport of boxing from the time we were in diapers. Our father was a boat captain and would spend the cold winter months in the boxing gym. He would bring us to the club when he would train and introduced us to some of the most talented boxers and coaches involved in the sport. As we grew up, Mark and I were both undersized and overconfident, which lead to more than one dust-up over the years. We found ourselves gravitating towards the competitive side of the sport as we got into our teens.
After finding some success in amateur boxing, we made the transition to the coaching side of the sport. We opened a boxing facility six or so years ago with two business partners. It was there that we worked with new boxers all the way up to Golden Glove champions. Unfortunately, we saw the gym slowly drift towards the fitness side of the sport and away from truly competitive boxing. Feeling as though we lost our way, Mark and I decided to sell our existing shares to our former partners and go it alone. We now own and operate a 3,500 square foot facility: Nolan Bros. Boxing. While we specialize in the sport of amateur boxing, we’ve also managed to maintain and grow the fitness side of the sport. We’ve worked with numerous sports teams ranging from Bentley University’s Football team to Needham High School lacrosse.
In addition to working with specific sports teams, we also run nightly conditioning classes that are boxing-themed. These classes have been hugely successful so far, and have been a great way to generate interest in the sport by making it more approachable. Our goal is to create an atmosphere and environment that is exciting and rewarding regardless of what your end goal is. Whether you’re hoping to shed some pounds or looking to have your hand raised, at the end of the day, we’ve got you covered.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Starting over was brutal. At our peak, we had 40-50 per class at our old gym. Here, we had to start from scratch. There was a lot of self-doubt for sure. We had to find a new facility, we had to spend tens of thousands of dollars on new equipment, we had to create an entirely new brand. It was a lot to swallow. Luckily, we hit the ground running. Mark and I are pretty resilient, and failure wasn’t an option. We maintained a great relationship with Bentley University, namely the Greek life there, so they were waiting for us as soon as our doors open.
All the competitive boxers from our old gym took the plunge with us too. These men and women are like family, and when we called, they came running. Beyond their commitment to competition, they also lent a hand in the physical construction of the gym. They rolled the rubber floor, set up the ring, and drilled in the bag racks. While the gym might be called Nolan Bros. Boxing, it certainly took more than the two of us to get up and running.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
What sets us apart, as cliche as it may sound, is our love of the sport. Mark and I have day jobs (we’re both public school teachers), so we don’t need the gym to pay our bills. We’re there seven days a week, not because we have to, but because we want to.
The twin dynamic is something unique to NBB as well. Mark and I are inseparable and work exceptionally well together. We laugh and have fun, but we also get stuff done. Our classes are half stand-up routine and half boot camp. It’s an experience that you won’t find in any other boxer club, I can guarantee you that much.
What were you like growing up?
Mark and I were always in trouble. We didn’t know when to stop and never loved being told what to do. In the sport of boxing, guys with big mouths tend to be quickly humbled. In the ring, I couldn’t do any clowning or talking. I just a bit down on my mouth guard, and went to work. The sport taught me a lot about humility, that’s for sure. It also reaffirmed my belief that hard work is everything. Natural ability was something that both Mark and I lacked.
Tenacity and consistency are where we made up for it. We have the same mentality as trainers as we did as fighters, and it’s served us well so far. Your ceiling is as high as you’re willing to make it.
Pricing:
- 4 classes for $50 (punch card that never expires)
- 8 classes for $80 (punch card that never expires)
- Unlimited monthly membership for $120 a month ($100 for students and first responders)
Contact Info:
- Address: 22 Sun St. Waltham MA 02452
- Website: www.nolanbrosboxing.com
- Phone: 781-373-1834
- Email: nolanbrosboxing@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nolanbrosboxing/
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