Staff and Coaches

Coach Charlie Cottone

Co Owner / Head Muay Thai Coach

Coach Charlie has been involved in the Muay Thai world since 2005. First a as a student, then a competitor, an official and now as a full time coach. Coach Charlie and has travel, trained and coached all over the world.

Known as American Muay Thai’s favorite uncle, Coach Charlie is always willing to lend a hand or take in a coach-less fighter who is in need.

Coach Charlie has been on the coaching staff for the USMF World Championship team, the WBC World Champion team and the WKA world team.

Coach is a loving husband, a strong father, a shredding guitar player, an aging skate rat and a constantly hard worker.

Coach Kate Allen Cottone

Co Owner / Head Strength Coach

Coach Kate got started in Muay Thai in 2011 and started fighting with in her first year of training. Coach Kate is well know for bing one of the best female fighters in the USA. Coach Kate has won titles all over the USA and has fight and trained all over the globe.

As Coach Kate’s fighting career wound down, her passion for strength training became a larger part of her life. As she got more and more involved in the strength world, she acquired more and more strength and Kettle bell certifications.

Coach Kate has put together one of the best and most dynamic strength and condition programs in the USA all while still teaching Muay Thai.

Coach Kate retired from Muay Thai after winning the WKA national title in 2020. Coach Kate is the best mom in the world, still works out constantly and is the best cook on earth.

Coach Matt ‘iron lion’ Pinkney

Head Youth Muay Thai Coach / Muay Thai Coach

Coach Matt has been a huge part of the 8 Limbs community since day the doors opened. Coach Matt’s positive energy is addictive and is a very well loved member of the community. As a father of 6, he knows how to handle the kids and understands the power of strong leadership.

Coach Matt has a wealth of in ring experience as a veteran of 30+ fights (and still competing). Matt is the man, anyone who has ever met him will agree.

Coach Dzmitry Varats

Muay Thai Coach

Coach Dima is one of the most accomplished Muay Thai fighters on planet earth. A veteran of over 200 fights and many time professional and amateur world champion (still active).

Coach Dima is originally from Belarus but now resides in Philadelphia and calls 8 Limbs his home.

Coach Dima’s knowledge and passion for Muay Thai / Kickboxing is truly aspiring. Just being around him makes you a better Muay Thai fighter. His English is getting REALLY good and he loves American pizza.

Dana Manzi

Strength Coach

Coach Dana began taking Strength and Conditioning at 8 Limbs in 2019 with barely any athletic experience. Her intention were to eventually start Muay Thai as well, but ended up sticking with kettlebells for a few months. Gaining power and endurance allowed me to grow past my belief that I was not athletic by nature, and pushed her towards developing healthier habits in my daily life.

A couple years later, Coach Dana has been able to compete in Muay Thai as well as get her certification to coach kettlebells through RKC.

Anne Kirk

Strength Coach

Coach Anne received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Temple University in 2010. Her love of movement lead her to strength training and martial arts.

Since then she has earned her Kettlebell Instructor Certification, her 2nd degree Black Belt in Krav Maga, and her Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She most recently has started Muay Thai and is looking forward competing.

Derick Lai

Muay Thai Coach

Derick has been training Muay Thai at 8 Limbs Academy since they opened in 2015. What started off as a fun way to stay active, over time, grew into an enthusiastic commitment to the sport. He is currently a coach and has competed in several tournaments.

Coach Derick is one of most passionate Muay Thai practitioners in the entirety of the 8 Limbs community. He’s extremely knowledgeable about golden era Muay Thai and is one of the hardest workers in the gym. Coach Derick is the best!