Chris Arena
Arena Performance & Muay Thai Professional Fighter
As the digital world and AI take up more space in our daily lives, and knowing what’s real online becomes harder, we’ve asked the 2026 Men of Influence how they stay grounded, authentic. Professional Muay Thai fighter and Highlands Ranch resident Chris Arena has already fought for authenticity and emerged a champion.
Arena struggled with addiction as a young person, but found the discipline to radically change his life through the art of Muay Thai and the guidance of mentors in the sport. Now, Arena is a professional Muay Thai fighter, coach and performance specialist who also has a heart for helping seniors and people suffering from Parkinson's build physical and mental resilience — and live stronger lives.
Here, Arena, who moved to Highlands Ranch seven years ago with his wife, talks about his love of Muay Thai and how the sport helps him show up authentically for himself and his community.
Tell our readers about yourself.
I was born in Boston, Mass., and grew up in Pennsylvania, and it wasn’t a straight path. I struggled with addiction in my teens and early 20s, a period marked by instability, poor choices, and without a clear sense of purpose.
At 23, I got clean, which became a turning point. Shortly after, I walked into a Muay Thai gym and something immediately clicked. Training gave me structure, discipline, and purpose. I went from smoking a pack of cigarettes a day to quitting cold turkey after one practice, knowing I wanted to commit fully to this new path.
Over time, Muay Thai became more than a sport; it became the foundation for rebuilding my life. Addiction took people close to me, deepening my commitment to living differently and helping others do the same. Today, I am a devoted Muay Thai coach and practitioner, passionate about sharing the art.
What is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai, from Thailand, is a striking-focused combat sport known as the Art of Eight Limbs, using punches, kicks, elbows, knees, and clinch work, with all action taking place standing. The discipline emphasizes balance, rhythm, and clean scoring strikes.
How did you become a professional fighter and trainer?
I grew up playing football, basketball, and competitive swimming, which built a strong athletic foundation. My first Muay Thai coach in Pittsburgh was David Reese, and after relocating to Colorado, I connected with Coach Oscar Martinez at the Muay Thai Academy. Both played a pivotal role in guiding my development and professional fight career.
Through consistent training, competition, and the support of experienced coaches, I transitioned to the professional ranks. Becoming a professional fighter and trainer has been a collective effort, shaped by discipline, mentorship, and continuous improvement.
What have you found to be the benefits of Muay Thai?
Physically, it builds strength, endurance, coordination, and overall conditioning in ways few sports can match. Mentally, it develops discipline, focus, and fortifies self-confidence. You learn how to stay composed under pressure and push through discomfort, which carries over into everyday life. What I’ve found most impactful is the sense of personal growth and confidence it creates. Muay Thai challenges you to confront your limits and steadily work past them.
Tell us about the work you do with Parkinson's patients.
I lead a boxing-based training class designed specifically for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, and it has become one of the most meaningful parts of my work. This cause is personal, as I lost my grandfather to the disease.
The training focuses on improving balance, coordination, mobility, and overall functional strength, the areas impacted by Parkinson’s. Through structured, repetitive movement and striking drills, participants experience improvements in reaction time, posture, and confidence. Just as important, the class creates a supportive community where individuals encourage one another and stay.
It’s an incredibly rewarding experience to be part of that progress.
Arena’s impact isn’t just felt by athletes; it’s life-changing for clients like Michael Leman. Here, Leman shares his journey as a “Parkie” and the benefits of his training.
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in late December 2021, which altered the course of my life and retirement travel plans. Suspecting that my mobility would diminish, I embarked on a rigorous exercise program to slow the disease’s progression. A fellow patient suggested therapeutic boxing as a proven approach for mitigating symptoms and promoting cardiovascular fitness.
Chris takes us through a rigorous warm-up followed by a series of classic boxing moves. Literally “hands-on” training, Chris’ coaching has given me new confidence in movement, balance, and cognitive processing. And one heck of a good cardio workout!
Your professional work is very physical, which seems like the perfect antidote to society’s move towards a digital existence. What is one 'unfiltered' life lesson more important than a highlight reel?
Consistency matters more than intensity. Highlight reels make success look like a few big moments, but real progress is usually slow, repetitive, and can feel like nothing is happening. The work is showing up on ordinary days when motivation is low, and results aren’t yet noticeable. The real challenge isn’t finding a breakthrough; it’s staying engaged through boredom, doubt, and delay. People who achieve meaningful results are just the ones who didn’t quit in that unglamorous middle stretch.
How do you use the tools that AI offers while remaining authentic?
In Muay Thai, AI is useful for preparation, but not performance. It can help study patterns, structure training camps, track progress, and provide coaching insights. The key is that it stays in the background, strengthening your understanding rather than replacing your instincts. Authenticity lives in the ring, and decisions under pressure can only be built through real rounds.
Be sure to check out Chris Arena’s professional fight on Pay-Per-View, June 6. freedomfighterpromotions.com
@Chris__Arena & arenaperformance.co
Jeff Holwell
Director of Economic Development and Public Affairs, City of Lone Tree
Tell our readers about yourself. I grew up in Littleton and attended Arapahoe High School. Back then, Highlands Ranch was just starting to develop; I learned to drive in a parking lot that is now Total Wine. When the University of Colorado won the National Football Championship in 1990, I knew I was destined to be a Buff, and I hold a BA and MPA degree from CU. I've lived all over the metro area and have built my career advocating for the South Metro area and the State of Colorado. I am lucky to serve as an advocate and promoter of this community.
What is one part of your life you’ve intentionally kept 'off-the-grid '? Much of my life outside of work is "off the grid" because our community offers great recreational opportunities like skiing and hiking, which are easy to enjoy without a phone. My favorite sports teams are the Broncos, Buffs, and Avalanche. They are always interesting, whether winning or not. As Generation X, we were independent long before the grid.
How do you integrate the tools that AI offers while remaining authentic? I use it every day. Like email, the internet, iPhones, and social media before it, AI is just a tool. It's important to take initiative, be creative, and lead things that technology can't do. In fact, I wrote these responses without using AI.
Morgan Skurky-Thomas, MD
AdventHealth Littleton
Tell our readers about yourself. I grew up on the Western Slope with a love of the outdoors, then attended the University of Colorado Boulder, where I met my wife, for both undergraduate and medical school. My Emergency Medicine residency was at the Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. I spent a couple more years serving as chief resident and practicing emergency medicine before returning home to Colorado. I’ve been working at AdventHealth Littleton since 2011. I’m a dad of two remarkable teenagers, strongly rooted in Colorado with our entire extended family nearby.
What tactile ritual do you rely on to stay grounded in an increasingly digital world? I bake. Every week, I make bread, bagels, English muffins, and other goodies for my family. In baking bread, recipes are a guide, but using all your senses and getting your hands in the dough is how you get it right. It is a tactile and present experience that the digital world doesn’t offer.
How have you integrated AI tools while remaining authentic?
Like many, I have some misgivings about AI and its ramifications. That said, medicine offers great examples of the potential to amplify our humanity rather than replace it. I use AI extensively to chart, which allows me to spend more time at the bedside with patients. AI already outperforms physicians in EKG interpretation and synthesizing large amounts of clinical data. Using it as a second set of eyes provides an extra margin of safety for my patients without replacing hard-cultivated clinical experience.
adventhealth.com/locations/hospitals/littleton
Stefan Dzara
Co-owner, Taziki’s Highlands Ranch
Tell our readers about yourself. I grew up in Melbourne, Florida, and started college in Quincy, Illinois, where I met my wife. I later transferred to MTSU, ended up in the restaurant world, and I have loved it. That path led me to an opportunity to move to Colorado as a part-owner of Taziki’s, and I’ve been all in ever since. I love what I do and love living here.
How do you distinguish between a life that simply looks good and a life that actually feels good?
My family and I share a lot about our lives as online content creators. However, when we are home, we are home. We don’t share our daily lives at home, work, or school. There will always be big shiny things, but as long as I stay true to myself, my family values, and do things that truly make us happy, that's what matters. We live in an instant-gratification world, but it’s important to take a step back, wait a day or two, and remember my values and what's truly going to make me feel good.
How do you integrate the tools that AI offers while remaining authentic?
I use AI daily to manage my emails, correct grammar and spelling, and express my thoughts more clearly. I don’t let the tool do everything for me; I want people to know I’m really a human.
tazikis.com & @coloradokidadventures
Eric Rysner, DDS & Highlands Ranch Metro District Treasurer
Tell our readers about yourself. I grew up in the Chicago area and completed my undergraduate degree in Ergonomic Engineering at the University of Illinois in Champaign. After college, I moved to Winter Park to pursue my dream as a ski bum while applying to law school. After meeting a girl, now my wife of over 30 years, I decided dentistry was a better fit.
I graduated from Creighton Dental School and have been in private practice since 2002. Now "pretired," I practice dentistry two days a week, and my wife and I volunteer in the Winter Park Host program. I joke that we have learned nothing, since we are back where we started. I also serve on the Highlands Ranch Metro District as Treasurer and board member.
What is one 'unfiltered' life lesson you believe is more valuable than a highlight reel of your success? I try to surround myself with successful people. The present state of anyone's success is boring and irrelevant to me. I much prefer the stories of failure and struggle that led to success. I love discussing the “I almost, but didn't” experiences. I relish the pain and persistence that led me to where I am now.
How do you integrate the tools that AI offers while remaining authentic? We use AI in planning complex surgical and restorative cases. We employ 3D CAD/CAM and printing to manufacture precise, aesthetic restorations for patients, but I never forget that technology is no substitute for compassion and kindness.
HRfamilydentistry.com
Favorite Part of Lone Tree? The opportunities, thriving businesses, world-class restaurants, open spaces, transit, and the arts. The view of Downtown Denver from the Bluffs is amazing.
Favorite Part of the South Metro Area? LOVE the Highline Trail. Great views and special places all along the route, an amazing way to stay grounded in the middle of town.
Favorite Part of Highlands Ranch? The community it offers. We have so many regulars. I’ve already built great relationships with our neighbors in just the short time I’ve been here.
Favorite Part of Highlands Ranch? The people! They are outgoing, outdoorsy, and care deeply about their families. Plus, minutes from my front door, I can find great outdoor spaces.