Martello Jones on How Hard Work Conquers All

When Martello Jones opened his martial arts studio, Art of 8 Martial Arts Academy, in early 2020, he never imagined that after just one week he’d be forced to close due to Covid lockdowns. But the resilience that Jones and his family embody helped them power through. 

Today they have a lot to be proud of: recently Jones was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for dedication to community; he claimed the top title in the World Boxing Council Muay Thai Canadian Cruiserweight division last November; and this September his student Oshiya Newby-Morgan won gold at the 2025 IFMA Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi.

Muay Thai – known as the “art of eight limbs,” from which Jones created his studio name – is a full-contact combat sport that uses a combination of fists, elbows, knees and shins. Originating in Thailand, Muay Thai has become popular worldwide both competitively and recreationally, practised for self-defence and physical and mental fitness. According to Jones, “Martial arts is true medicine for the body, mind and soul.”

Art of 8’s new studio on First Street (at the back of the Orangeville Shopping Centre), where they moved in January 2025, is much larger than its previous location; they can now hold multiple classes at once, and there’s a boxing ring. The students, who are busy strapping on shin pads, boxing gloves and other protective gear, respectfully call Jones Kru Martello, using a Thai honorific meaning teacher and someone who has achieved a certain level of high regard in their martial arts journey.

The studio’s entryway displays a multitude of medals, trophies and traditional Thai floral garlands that are placed around fighters’ necks before a match. Yet Jones is humble as he discusses them. He jokes that after earning the top spot in last November’s cruiserweight division, he now has a target on his back, but “the promoters have not put forward an offer [for a new opponent] … I don’t think anyone wants to fight me at this time,” he says with a laugh.

Running Art of 8 is only half of what Jones does for a living. By day he is a software architect consultant, while the evenings are all about the studio. Here’s how Jones’ second shift as a gym owner fits into his day. 

7:30 A.M. If Jones is getting ready for a fight, he’ll wake up early at his Amaranth home around 5 a.m. for morning training, which could include a run and a sparring routine. But on a regular day he’s usually up by 7:30 a.m. His wife, Janeque, gets up a little earlier to get Mjöer-Micah, their youngest of two, ready for school. For Jones mornings are “play dead in the bed and relax” time, because once 9 a.m. hits, life is non-stop.

9 A.M. Jones works his software consulting job from home. The quiet time is good for him to focus on work, and prepare for the day ahead.

12 P.M. Jones makes lunch, occasionally followed by a walk before getting back to work.

5 P.M. Jones drives to Art of 8. Youth classes are getting underway, led by a team of coaches that includes Jones’ 17-year-old son Jai-Kristoeff, a provincial champion who started learning Muay Thai at the age of 12. Jones floats around, mentoring and giving advice. “I have a loud voice that helps boom the kids into shape,” he says with a smile.

At the studio, you can’t miss the sea of matching uniforms with a Latin motto: Labor Omnia Vincit. Amat Victoria Curam. Translation: Hard work conquers all. Victory favours preparation. Where did this motivational philosophy come from? The first part Jones picked up in his high school years in Jamaica. The second half, Victory favours preparation, comes from the movie The Mechanic with Jason Statham. 

6 P.M. At the other end of the studio, Janeque teaches a women’s kickboxing class while Jones leads a group of more than 30 students ages eight to 14. Despite a large class size, every student listens with the focus of an adult. It’s a setting that already produces champions, such as Newby-Morgan. Jones says while the coaching is intense, on the actual fight day it’s different – he turns into a father or brother of sorts. “It’s fun and games, keeping the interactions super light and fun.” 

6:30 P.M. Jones divides the kids into pairs for partner work, and demonstrates with one of the older students. The kids laugh as Jones shows them what not to do (like having their hands at their sides instead of covering their faces and bodies). 

On the importance of practice and getting the movements down, Jones tells them, “Do you need to think to ride a bike? No. So you need to train so this becomes a part of you.”

Jones asks if the kids understand the routine. They all enthusiastically shout in response, “Yes, Coach!” before getting up to practise with their partner. Jones and the other coaches walk around and make tweaks to their movements. 

6:45 P.M. When class is done everyone takes a knee as Jones shares some tidbits of wisdom, followed by a closing routine of running back and forth, and high-fiving each other.

7 P.M. After the kids are gone, Jones and his team lead teen and adult classes, including Muay Thai fundamentals, sparring, grappling, mixed martial arts, heavy bag fitness conditioning and more. 

When asked if he has a favourite striking move during his professional competitions, Jones says, “It would be the 12 to 6 elbow or tomahawk elbow,” a strike where the elbow is raised and dropped onto the top of the head. “I never cared much for it … but lately it’s just become the move.” (Don’t try this at home.)

9 to 9:30 P.M. Classes finish and “wipe down” begins as students and teachers clean up the mats and equipment. Dinner is sometimes ordered into the studio before shutting down for the night.

10:30 P.M. The drive home. Jones says these late nights mean weekends are reserved for family time. Is there a wind-down routine before sleep? “Nope,” says Jones. “After a physically and mentally exhaustive day, it’s just B-E-D.”