In the heart of Northridge, California lies a true gem. Owned by John Pullman, Pullman’s Gym is the place where I began my passion for boxing. Boxing to me is an outlet. It allows me to detach and be present in the moment. When boxing, your coach becomes your motivator and mentor. Boxing has personally not only made me physically stronger, but mentally as well. I have learned so much about myself through my mentor and coach, John Pullman.
John Pullman became a boxing trainer at the young age of 23. He states, “I had just moved to LA from Connecticut and I got a job at the local gym called Gio's Boxing Club.” When asked if he had been a fighter himself, he tells me, “I was always involved in boxing at a young age. I was a competitive amateur fighter and I always enjoyed it, but I never dreamed I would be doing it for a living. It wasn't until I was in my mid to late 20's that I decided I wanted to open my own gym and that's when I was really fully committed to doing it for good.”
As for his clients, he is best known for starting Gerald Washington’s career back in 2016. Along with heavyweight Gerald Washington, he has had the great pleasure to train: Nathaniel Gallimore (21-1-4), Joshua Greer Jr. (22-1-1), Terrel Williams (18-0-1), Tugstsogt Nyambayar (11-0-1), Joshua Zuniga (11-0-1), Lisa Porter (1-2-1), and Eridanni Leon (6-0-3).
"To go pro in boxing, one has to be constantly ready to hear 'no' and prove to whoever it may be that they can achieve their goals."
Left to Right: Joshua Zuniga, Eridanni Leon, John Pullman, Joshua Greer Jr., Nathanial Gallimore, and Terrel Williams
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He started his first gym out in Burbank, California not too far away from Woodbury University before opening his second gym out in Northridge, California. When asked if he would encourage kids to go pro in boxing, he says, “I would tell them to do something else for a living. In my opinion, the only way it’s okay to be a professional fighter is if you won't take no for an answer when someone tells you that you shouldn't fight.” When Pullman states that he is “fully committed to doing it for the good”, he means it every bit of it.
He has a heart of gold and receives great pleasure when seeing his clients achieve their full potential. To John Pullman, coaching fighters is not always about winning- although winning is always fun. He believes that training is truly about becoming the best version of yourself. He sets goals with his clients, like myself, and feels he has done his duty when the client is happy and has had steady improvement. Moreover, he is best known for creating very defensively sound fighters. |
"Ultimately, when your nerves start creeping up, you can hang your hat
on your preparation."
Hearing no is never easy, and John Pullman was determined to achieve his own personal goal of starting his s gym and helping others achieve their goals as well. When asked if he has ever personally fought before becoming a trainer he tells me, “I have personally never fought professionally, I only fought as an amateur. In my first amateur fight, I didn't know what to expect. I was very nervous as I started walking to the ring, but it all went away when the bell rang.” I asked what is was like for him to be on the opposite end of the spectrum as a trainer. He states, “As a trainer, training my first professional fighter, Gerald Washington, I was very nervous because I didn't want to let him down, but we prepared very diligently. It's a different feeling when you are fighting vs when you are training someone that is fighting. It actually is more nerve wrecking because you are worried about them. To worry about someone else a lot of times is more stressful than worrying about yourself. But we prepared well and I had confidence. Ultimately when your nerves start creeping up, you can hang your hat on your preparation.” With these heartfelt words, one can truly see John Pullman's dedication to his clients safety and success.
One has to experience a fight day to really understand all the emotions. Pullman states, “Fight day is the calm before the storm so you want to keep the fighter as relaxed as possible until the very last moment. Generally, we eat breakfast together, the fighter and his close confidantes. Then, the fighter will take a nap, have lunch and just try to relax as much as possible. Everyone is different and has different rituals, but the most important thing is to keep them as relaxed as possible and get the proper fuel to perform.”
When asked specifically about the vibe in the stadium, John Pullman says, “Intense, very intense but you have to be careful not to get caught up in that because you have a job to do. You need to have very strong focus to achieve what you are trying to accomplish.” I think the best takeaway one can receive from Pullman's wise words is that one must not get caught up in all the hype. Instead, one must focus on the task at hand and silence the noise- this wisdom can be applicable to various situations.
Pullman and his fighters sometimes have to deal with criticism from the public and press. He explains, “The best way to handle that is not to handle it at all. People should try not to pay attention to it.” With personally dealing with criticism first hand, I can definitely say that his advice is 100% the best way to deal with negativity. To everyone, success looks different. Mr. Pullman believes, “Success is being able to help others while helping yourself.” When others benefit, everyone benefits. He elaborates, “Every day that I can get out of bed, go to the gym, and do what I love to do is a success. One of my biggest success has been opening my gyms. In regards to fights, they are all very important to me because every fighter that I work with means a lot to me.”
John Pullman has not only been my trainer, but mentor as well. From my first-time boxing in the ring, to the person I have become today, I can truly say that John Pullman has helped shape who I am as a person. His dedication to the sport and his clients is unmatched. I’d advise anyone who is looking to get in shape or perhaps wanting to enter the boxing world, to definitely check out Pullman's Gym in Northridge, CA!
When asked specifically about the vibe in the stadium, John Pullman says, “Intense, very intense but you have to be careful not to get caught up in that because you have a job to do. You need to have very strong focus to achieve what you are trying to accomplish.” I think the best takeaway one can receive from Pullman's wise words is that one must not get caught up in all the hype. Instead, one must focus on the task at hand and silence the noise- this wisdom can be applicable to various situations.
Pullman and his fighters sometimes have to deal with criticism from the public and press. He explains, “The best way to handle that is not to handle it at all. People should try not to pay attention to it.” With personally dealing with criticism first hand, I can definitely say that his advice is 100% the best way to deal with negativity. To everyone, success looks different. Mr. Pullman believes, “Success is being able to help others while helping yourself.” When others benefit, everyone benefits. He elaborates, “Every day that I can get out of bed, go to the gym, and do what I love to do is a success. One of my biggest success has been opening my gyms. In regards to fights, they are all very important to me because every fighter that I work with means a lot to me.”
John Pullman has not only been my trainer, but mentor as well. From my first-time boxing in the ring, to the person I have become today, I can truly say that John Pullman has helped shape who I am as a person. His dedication to the sport and his clients is unmatched. I’d advise anyone who is looking to get in shape or perhaps wanting to enter the boxing world, to definitely check out Pullman's Gym in Northridge, CA!
"Every day that I can get out of bed, go to the gym, and do what I love to do... is a success."
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