Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Dunniway.
Hi Brian , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up small and insecure, I struggled with confidence. Everything changed when I discovered weightlifting in high school and martial arts in college. Inspired by underdog stories like Rocky and The Karate Kid, I realized that grit, discipline, and smart training could overcome size or strength. This sparked a lifelong passion for fitness, nutrition, and combat sports.
I became a certified personal trainer, studied Exercise and Nutritional Sciences at SDSU, and trained in various martial arts – from Kung Fu to Jeet Kune Do to boxing. As I coached clients, I saw how traditional workouts failed to motivate. But once I introduced boxing and kickboxing, something clicked – people loved it. That insight led me to teach at The Boxing Club in San Diego and eventually inspired my dream of opening my own gym.
In 2013, I returned home and launched Santa Cruz Boxing. From our early MMA roots to our evolution into a boxing-focused community hub, we’ve helped people of all ages grow stronger, more confident, and more connected. I built this gym to give back – to offer the same life-changing experience that helped shape me. This is more than fitness; it’s about transformation through movement, discipline, and belonging.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road :).
I survived covid, one of my main coaches, leaving and taking my head coach and half my members.
And many, many other struggles. I have gone from doing everything myself, to trying to delegate most responsibilities, back to doing what I love, which is coaching and helping people grow.
Grit is essential. The biggest factor to success is not giving up. Keep going despite the set backs.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m the owner and head coach of Santa Cruz Boxing in Scotts Valley, California. We specialize in boxing and kickboxing fitness, self defense, and personal development. While we teach people how to punch, what we really sell is confidence.
Most of our members don’t come to us because they want to become fighters. They come to us because they want to lose weight, get stronger, learn a skill, feel safer, reduce stress, or prove something to themselves. My job is to help them build confidence through challenging but achievable progress.
Over the years I’ve worked with a wide range of people, from complete beginners who’ve never thrown a punch, to competitive athletes, kids, seniors, and individuals with Parkinson’s disease through our Rock Steady Boxing program. I take pride in making boxing accessible to everyone, regardless of age, fitness level, or experience.
What I’m most proud of isn’t any particular award or accomplishment. It’s the community we’ve built. We’ve created a place where people feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged. Many members come in intimidated and unsure of themselves. Watching them grow into confident, capable people is the most rewarding part of what I do.
What sets me apart is that I don’t view boxing as just a sport or workout. I see it as a vehicle for personal growth. Anyone can teach punches and combinations. I focus on helping people overcome obstacles, build resilience, and gain confidence that carries over into the rest of their lives. That’s why our tagline is, “We are in your corner.”
At the end of the day, if someone leaves Santa Cruz Boxing believing in themselves more than when they walked in, I’ve done my job.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The best way to work with us is to come train with us. Beyond that, we’re always open to partnerships with businesses, schools, and community organizations that align with our mission of building confidence through boxing and self defense. And honestly, referrals and word of mouth are one of the biggest ways people can support us. We’re building a community, not just a gym.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://santacruzboxing.com/about/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santa_cruz_boxing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SantaCruzBoxingandMMA2013
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SantaCruzBoxingGym
- Yelp: https://www.youtube.com/@SantaCruzBoxingGym
