I'm Ryan Hurst, and I've been training in martial arts for over 30 years in disciplines like judo, kendo, iaido, shorinji kempo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I lived in Japan for 28 years, raised my family there, and built a life that felt permanent until it wasn't.

When I moved back to the US in 2022, everything familiar was gone and I found myself starting over from scratch. That transition, the disorientation and rebuilding that came with it, is what led to On the Mat Forever. I needed a way to stay grounded when nothing felt stable, and what I developed uses posture, breath, and mindset as practical tools for staying intact when life shifts under you.

I co-founded GMB Fitness and have spent two decades helping people move better, build strength, and stay capable for the long haul. That work taught me a lot, but this project is much more personal because it's what kept me grounded when I needed it most.

The philosophy behind everything I do comes from judo, specifically two principles: Seiryoku Zenyo (maximum efficiency, minimum effort) and Jita Kyoei (mutual welfare and benefit). Train to stay capable, not for display, but for the people who depend on you.

If you're navigating your own transition, rebuilding after a major change, and looking for a system that doesn't require overhauling your entire life, I'm here for you.

Let's stay on the mat forever.