FITNESS & EMPOWERMENT CLUB
- jimgraden
- 13 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Official Magazine of the Ultimate Body Coaching (UBC) 50+ Volume (1)
A little Taste of Wisdom
Theme: Perseverance
Determination"It always seems impossible until it’s done." – Nelson Mandela Your breakthrough often arrives right after the moment you wanted to quit.
Resilience"Fall seven times, stand up eight." – Japanese Proverb Every time you rise, you strengthen who you are.
Patience"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another." – Walter Elliot Progress comes from steady effort, one small victory at a time.
Courage"Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it’s the quiet voice saying, ‘I’ll try again tomorrow.’" – Mary Anne Radmacher True courage is consistency—showing up again and again.
Meet Jim and Vikki Graden — Coaches and Developers of UBC 50+
A Match Made in the Gym!
Jim and Vikki Graden bring a powerful blend of experience, energy, and proven results to the Ultimate Body Coaching (UBC) 50+ program. Their shared mission is simple: help adults 50 and older build strength, confidence, and lasting wellness through smart, effective fitness and empowerment training.
Vikki Graden With over 20 years of martial arts training and more than a decade of fitness coaching, Vikki specializes in helping adults feel strong, capable, and empowered. As a Certified UBC fitness and nutrition professional, she has led high-energy kickboxing, strength, and conditioning sessions that consistently deliver real results.
Vikki also brings 10 years of experience as a Certified COBRA Self-Defense Instructor, giving her a practical, confidence-building approach to movement and technique. Today, she continues to evolve as both a coach and an athlete—training in bodybuilding as she prepares for her first competition. Her coaching style is motivating, supportive, and rooted in the belief that it’s never too late to get stronger.
Jim Graden Jim is a Master Trainer with decades of experience in martial arts and fitness. A former world-class athlete and U.S. Karate Team member, he has used his competitive background to build some of the most successful martial arts–fitness programs in the country, including Cardio Karate and the original Ultimate Body Challenge (UBC).
Jim’s focus has always been on making fitness accessible, effective, and sustainable for everyday people. His training style blends practical technique with smart conditioning, helping adults 50+ improve strength, balance, mobility, and overall energy. With a proven track record of transforming thousands of lives, Jim continues to innovate and lead in the fitness industry.
Straight From the Manual – Excerpts from the UBC Student Manual
NUTRITION
Chapter – Take Control
Some of you may feel intimidated by the idea of developing a new nutritional program. That intimidation usually comes from feeling a lack of control. In our society—surrounded by commercials promoting unhealthy foods, fast-food restaurants on every corner, and a culture of eating for leisure instead of health—it can feel like you’re fighting an uphill battle.
The UBC program teaches you how to take control of your diet. No matter where you are or what restaurant you walk into, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to make sound choices about what you eat.
I realize many of us are confused about nutrition: what to eat, what not to eat, and how to sort through all the different opinions out there. But it’s not as complicated as it seems. Just as I don’t believe you need to pay someone $100 per workout to learn how to weightlift, I don’t believe you need an “expert” to teach you something natural to all of us—eating. Most of us already have a basic understanding of what we should and shouldn’t eat. We know we should choose foods low in fat, sugar, and salt.
But questions remain:“What should I eat?”“How much should I eat?”“How often?”“What percentage of protein and carbohydrates do I need?”“What exactly is a carbohydrate?”“Are vegetables carbohydrates?”
This chapter will answer these questions and more, giving you simple, practical fundamentals for eating healthy—for life.
25 Years of the Ultimate Body Challenge (UBC) Photos from the past
The UBC Demonstration Team performed at some of the largest fitness and martial arts conventions around the world.