World-champion led. Credential-backed. Every coach at Maddog brings genuine competitive experience and certified expertise to every session. For the premium client, coach credentials are a purchasing decision — not just a nice-to-have. This is the coaching team that produces champions.
Amanda “Maddog” Lino is one of the most decorated female combat sports athletes South Africa has ever produced. A 2× EFC World Champion, IMMAF Featherweight World Champion, Africa’s first female double-division champion, and BJJ Purple Belt — she began her MMA career simply to get fit, and went on to change the sport on the continent. She founded Maddog Performance Institute to bring world-champion level coaching and recovery to the KZN North Coast.
Her coaching philosophy is shaped by everything that made her a champion: relentless preparation, technical mastery, mental fortitude, and the conviction that recovery and nutrition are as important as the session itself. She founded Maddog Performance Institute to build the performance environment she wished had existed when she was coming up — and to give the KZN North Coast access to world-class coaching it had never had before.
Amanda holds coaching certifications across MMA, striking, and grappling disciplines. Her fight camp preparation methodology is informed by 15+ years of training under some of Africa’s most respected coaches, refined through two world title campaigns at the highest level of African MMA. She is also a vocal advocate for women in sport and youth empowerment through martial arts — running subsidised self-defence programmes across the North Coast in partnership with local schools.
Specialisations: MMA — All Ranges | Fight Camp Preparation | Striking & Clinch | Grappling & BJJ | Fight Strategy | Mental Conditioning | Women’s MMA | Executive Performance Training
Amanda Wren Kobus is Maddog’s in-house Registered Nurse and Strength & Conditioning Coach — a rare combination of clinical expertise and elite competitive experience. A Proteas-selected Master 1 athlete and current KZNPLF Master 1 record holder, she competes at provincial and national level while simultaneously coaching, directing, and practising. Her dual role as a medical professional and performance coach makes her one of the most uniquely qualified practitioners on the KZN North Coast.
As Director of the KwaZulu-Natal Powerlifting Association and a certified Coach and Referee under the South African Powerlifting Federation, Amanda Wren brings institutional knowledge and elite competitive experience to every strength session she leads. Her clinical background as a Registered Nurse informs every training prescription — she understands the body not just as an athlete, but as a medical professional.
A mother of three, Amanda Wren brings a deep understanding of the female body, real-world demands, and the mindset required to build strength around life’s responsibilities. Her coaching approach — available in-person at Maddog and through online and hybrid programmes — combines medical precision with performance strategy to build strong bodies, resilient minds, and results that last.
Every coach at Maddog brings certified expertise and real competitive experience. Credentials are listed clearly — because for a serious athlete or a premium client, who coaches you is the single most important decision you make.
Lucky is an experienced MMA coach who stepped out of competition and into coaching, bringing the intensity and technical precision of a competitive athlete to every session he runs. Specialising in MMA, kickboxing, and kickboxing fitness for beginners, Lucky works with both kids and adults across all experience levels.
His coaching style is hands-on and high-energy, with a sharp focus on real skills, solid fundamentals, and building genuine confidence from the first session. Whether you are brand new to combat sports or looking to sharpen your game, Lucky's classes are designed to challenge you, develop your fitness, and produce measurable results — fast.
Winston is a highly respected boxing and boxing fitness trainer with over a decade of experience delivering results across all fitness levels. His sessions combine boxing, functional training, and weight-based conditioning to build strength, endurance, and athletic performance. Known for his structured approach, high energy, and strong sense of community — training with Winston means committing to hard work and walking out every session stronger than you walked in.
Tristan is a highly motivated personal trainer who brings energy, passion, and genuine commitment to every session. With an impressive depth of knowledge in training, technique, and performance, he tailors each session to the individual — keeping workouts engaging, effective, and consistently results-driven. Tristan pushes his clients beyond their comfort zones, but always with the right balance of challenge and support. His focus is not just on short-term progress, but on building the sustainable habits, confidence, and stronger mindset that produce lasting change.
York Lawrence is the Head Coach of Dolphin Coast Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, based at Maddog Performance Institute. With a lifelong foundation in martial arts, York transitioned from Karate and Kickboxing to the “gentle art” in 2005, beginning his journey at Novagen BJJ — one of South Africa’s pioneering academies.
In 2023, York reached a major milestone by receiving his Black Belt from multiple-time world champion Penny Thomas. His transition into coaching began during the COVID-19 pandemic, where a dedicated small group of students evolved into what is now Dolphin Coast BJJ. Driven by the belief that Jiu Jitsu offers essential everyday skills and profound lifestyle benefits, York expanded his reach in 2025 by launching an engaging Kids Program — fostering a community where students of all ages can experience the discipline, resilience, and technical depth of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Every session is prepared, purposeful, and held to the same standard that produced two world titles. No shortcuts. No passengers.
Coaching built on techniques tested inside professional cages and on competition mats. Not theory — lived, proven, and continuously refined.
Every member is seen as an individual. Coaching adapts to where you are, targets where you need to be, and holds you accountable to getting there.
Our coaching team holds recognised certifications and competitive credentials. Credentials are listed clearly — because they are a purchasing decision, not a detail.
No experience needed. No commitment required. Just show up and train under world-champion coaching on the KZN North Coast.