The Story Behind the Rift

Back in 2018, I was tired of seeing the same cookie-cutter gym experience everywhere. You know the type - rows of machines, mirrors everywhere, people barely breaking a sweat while scrolling their phones.

I'd spent years training in MMA gyms across Thailand and Brazil, learning what real functional fitness looked like. When I got back to Vancouver, I knew I had to create something different. Something raw, challenging, and actually transformative.

Drakarion Rift wasn't built to be comfortable. The name itself comes from an old Norse concept - a rift you have to cross to become stronger. That gap between who you are and who you're capable of being.

We started in a warehouse space with basic equipment and a handful of folks who wanted more than just a treadmill session. No fancy marketing, no gimmicks - just hard work and real results.

Seven years later, we've helped hundreds of people discover strength they didn't know they had. And honestly? That never gets old.

Marcus Drakarion

Founder & Head Coach

What We're Really About

Look, we're not here to sell you some fantasy transformation or promise you'll look like a cover model in 30 days. That's not how real fitness works.

Our Philosophy

Train with Purpose

Every movement should mean something. We don't do exercises just because they look cool on Instagram. If it's in our programming, it's there to make you better at life - whether that's carrying groceries, playing with your kids, or defending yourself if needed.

Community Over Competition

Yeah, we push you hard. But you're not competing against the person next to you - you're both fighting your own battles. The strongest people here are usually the ones helping others finish their last rep.

Progress, Not Perfection

Some days you're gonna crush it. Other days you'll struggle with stuff that felt easy last week. That's normal. What matters is showing up consistently and putting in the work, even when you don't feel like it.

Functional Above Aesthetic

Sure, you'll probably look better after training here for a few months. But that's a side effect, not the goal. We're building bodies that can perform - strong backs, mobile hips, solid cardio, real-world strength.

Embrace the Struggle

Training here isn't always fun. Sometimes it's brutal. But that's where growth happens - in those moments when you want to quit but push through anyway. We've created a space where it's okay to fail, as long as you get back up.

The Journey So Far

2018 - The Beginning

Started with 15 members in a 2000 sq ft warehouse. Just heavy bags, barbells, and a lot of heart. No air conditioning in summer, space heaters in winter. Those early members? They're still with us today.

2019 - Growing Pains

Expanded the space, brought on two more coaches. Started our Youth Warrior program after parents kept asking if their kids could train too. Turns out teenagers love punching stuff as much as adults do.

2020 - The Test

Pandemic hit. Had to shut down for months. We pivoted to outdoor training in parking lots and parks. Not ideal, but our community showed up anyway. That's when I knew we'd built something real.

2021-2022 - Evolution

Reopened stronger. Added nutrition coaching because you can't out-train a bad diet. Launched corporate wellness programs for local businesses. Moved to our current 5000 sq ft facility on Granville.

2023-2024 - Recognition

Named Vancouver's Best Combat Training Facility by local media. Our members started competing and winning in regional MMA and CrossFit events. But honestly? The real wins are the everyday transformations we see.

2025 - What's Next

We're not chasing massive expansion or franchise deals. We wanna stay focused on what matters - delivering exceptional training and building a community where people actually give a damn about each other's success.

Why We're Different

We're not gonna pretend every gym is terrible except ours. There are lots of good facilities out there. But here's what makes us unique:

We actually program workouts based on athletic principles, not whatever's trending on social media.
Our coaches have decades of combined experience in combat sports and functional training. They're not just certified - they've lived it.
We cap class sizes. You won't be just another body in a packed room. We see you, we know your goals, we track your progress.
No egos, no judgment. Everyone from absolute beginners to seasoned fighters trains together respectfully.
We're constantly learning and adapting. If something isn't working, we change it. No sacred cows.

See Our Training Programs