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Blue Collar Top Team – Our Story
Built from grit. Driven by purpose.
Blue Collar Top Team was born from a lifetime of lessons learned the hard way. Our founder, Coach Michael Hawkins, built this team on the same values that carried him from a rough start in life to becoming a contractor, athlete, and mentor. After spending years training with some of the best in the world — including UFC, Bellator, and PFL veterans — Michael brought that same elite mindset home to Hebron, Nebraska.
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Our mission is simple:
To create a place where everyday people can train like athletes, fight for their goals, and build unshakable confidence — regardless of where they start.
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The name Blue Collar Top Team represents our belief that success isn’t handed out — it’s earned. Just like in construction, just like in life, and especially in combat sports, it takes work. Every class, every drill, every drop of sweat is an investment in who you’re becoming.
We’re more than a gym.
We’re a team. We push each other, hold each other accountable, and celebrate each other’s wins — on and off the mats. From kids learning discipline and respect, to adults chasing fitness or preparing for competition, we train together under one roof.
At Blue Collar Top Team, you’ll find:
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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
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Muay Thai Kickboxing
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Boxing
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Strength & Conditioning
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Recovery resources to keep you training hard and staying healthy
Whether your goal is to fight in the cage, protect yourself, or simply push past your limits, we’ll meet you where you’re at and give you the tools to get there.
Our motto: Actions Over Everything.
Because talk is cheap — but what you show up and do every day tells the real story.
Phil Daru is a world-renowned strength and conditioning coach, founder of Daru Strong, and owner of the Daru Strong Performance Center in Boca Raton, Florida. He’s trained some of the most elite athletes in the world — UFC champions, Olympic athletes, NFL players, world champion boxers, and more — improving their power, strength, speed, agility, mobility, and endurance. His methods are at the forefront of professional sports and have been featured on ESPN, Fox Sports, UFC Embedded, and in publications worldwide.
While living three hours away, I built my life around training at DS Boxing under Derik Santos and Carlos Arredondo and working directly with Phil and his team. I would drive the full distance, train for hours, then either sleep in my truck to catch the next morning’s session or drive home the same night. Through both an internship and mentorship, I gained access to systems and performance principles few athletes ever experience. I wasn’t just training — I was studying why the best are the best. Now, I’m bringing everything I learned back to my hometown of Hebron, Nebraska.
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As a teenager, I made decisions that cost me more than I’ll ever get back. My goal now is to provide a place where others can find a better path — using martial arts not just as a sport, but as a vehicle for transformation. With belief, consistent effort, and the right environment, good things will happen.
Importance of Strength and Conditioning
Build Confidence
The way you talk to yourself is the single greatest predictor of your performance. Doubt and negative self-talk will sabotage your progress every time. Likewise, a conditioning program that only trains your body without sharpening your mind will pull you off course and derail your goals.
True conditioning is dual-purpose: it forges mental toughness just as much as physical power.
Boost Your Mood
Just like the confidence you build, your workouts trigger a surge of serotonin and epinephrine that lifts your mood both during and after training. Beyond the mental edge, this chemical boost also primes your body to metabolize nutrients more efficiently—fueling your performance and recovery at every turn.
Increase Energy Levels
When your metabolism ramps up, you’ll notice a surge of energy carrying you through every task—on the job, in training, and at home. Remember, that energy spike only lasts if you’re feeding your engine the right fuel. Download and follow our free 8-week Nutritional Reset (complete with a targeted shopping list) to lock in consistent energy, drive performance gains, and sustain peak productivity every single day.
Increase Efficiency of Movement
If you’re considering Hyper Active, we’ll kick things off with a complimentary assessment of your athletic capabilities, goals, and personal drive. This deep-dive lets us pinpoint your strengths, expose your weaknesses, and design a targeted plan that maximizes your potential—both mentally and physically.
GET IN TOUCH
Fill out contact form to set up classes (small group & Private)