FighterWithin Mixed Martial Arts, LLC - Hendersonville, North Carolina

Noelle L.

I LOVE this place! Ive been a member for years (since 2020). Ive slowly gone up the ranks, i was part of the dojo move from a small dojo to a big dojo. I enjoy my training! I enjoy seeing skills grow that i had never had before i joined. My self confidence has grown and i know i can handle myself in any situation i might have gotten myself in. I enjoy seeing how the youngest members of the dojo learn and love to learn about martial arts too. Leanne and her staff know how to help and how to kick butt doing it. There is never a bad time to start learning…we all start with the first step. (How do you eat an elephant?)

Tessa M.

The Most Fun You’ll Ever Have Getting Your Butt Kicked!

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a superhero but lacked the radioactive spider bite, look no further than FighterWithin Mixed Martial Arts, LLC.

This place is insanely good. I walked in a mere mortal and left feeling like I could roundhouse kick my problems into another dimension.

The instructors? Absolute legends.

The badassery of Leanne Hensley Noland in particular —knows no bounds.

She somehow strikes the perfect balance between drill sergeant and stand-up comedian. One minute, she is correcting my footwork with the precision of a master sculptor, and the next, she is cracking jokes that make me laugh so hard I almost forget my legs are on fire. Almost.

The workouts are intense, but in the best way possible. They push you just enough to make you question your life choices but never so much that you regret them. And trust me, after a few classes, you’ll start walking around like you’re auditioning for an action movie—more confident, stronger, and ready to take on the world (or at least that one really slow-moving spider in your bathroom).

If you want expert training, a killer workout, surrounded by the most awesome people that actually makes exercise fun, this is your place.

Just be warned—after a few sessions, you might start instinctively throwing air punches in the grocery store checkout line. 10/10 would recommend!

Erick A.

We hired Leanne to teach a course on self-defense to our female students at Canongate Catholic High School. The students loved her and the training they received! It built up their self-confidence and gave them important life-saving skills. We hope to have Fighter Within teach a course for our young men next year. Thanks Leanne for giving our young ladies such important training!

Genesis C.

Leanne is an amazing teacher. She is wonderful with the kids also. I highly recommend her to anyone! Very caring and a very good friend to everyone around her!

Brandy S.

We found FighterWithin through word of mouth and we're so glad we did. The instructors and staff are friendly and extremely helpful. Sensei Leanne is great with both kids and adults. My granddaughter needed an outlet. We found that and more. An extended family we didn't know we needed. Now, my grandson has joined as well. Both kids are doing fantastically. Among the basic moves and practices they are learning focus, strength of mind, confidence in themselves and the absolute bonus of family isn't just blood, it's what you make of it. I can't wait to see their growth and advancement.

Anna S.

Our girls are loving karate and we appreciate the balance of support and self-discipline that FighterWithin impresses upon their students. We can tell our girls trust and look up to Sensai Leanne as a leader they respect. She holds students accountable for self, while modeling what true support and what it means to be part of a community looks like. Although I grew up in Hendersonville, we just moved from Cary and the transition has been a lot for both girls. They are handling it well - new school, new friends, new home - and karate has been a welcoming and safe place for them since day 1.

Thank you for being a wonderful role model to our girls, to other students, and for being a key part of the village helping our kids navigate growing up strong.

Ailana G. R. N.

Fighter Within offers a practical skills oriented, drama free, multilevel, diversity embracing atmosphere. People support one another here. They come to better themselves via mixed martial arts (MMA) in a no-nonsense manner that sets this place apart from your typical dojo. I did kickboxing for 3 years with Sensei Leanne Hensley and only left b/c of job relocation. This Sensei is MMA intelligent and emotionally intelligent. She will help and watch you grow as much or as little as you need, and does not put up with "shenanigans" which makes for a safe, solid learning environment for men and women, young and old, shy and confident, novice and advanced alike. Overall, you lose nothing giving Fighter Within's various, increasingly popular classes a try.

Kaitlynn B.

Updating my review:

Fighterwithin is an amazing dojo to be a part of. Leanne is a 5th degree blackbelt, & is great at teaching both adults & children. There are several classes available for all ages & interests. Karakido karate, Brazilian Jui Jitsu, & kickboxing, are just a few. There is also a gym & sauna for those looking for a place to workout. My own children have been training here for over 6 years, & enjoy every class they take. It is well worth the investment to enroll in any of the classes.