I started off from training in martial arts at a young age. I started off with Karate as my Dad trained in this for a long time. I competed in a lot of tournaments and earned my Black Belt at age 12. I began to teach but ultimately decided I needed to continue my progression.
One of the most influential moments in my life was deciding to start a new martial art. I began training in Wing Chun under Sifu Wai-Po Tang of the Martial Art Institute.
It was from his teachings that I learnt traditional martial arts need to be adapted and applied in to a modern setting. He always encouraged questions and challenges, this was very different from my previous experience where you do not question the Sensei and the more militaristic approach of Karate.
From years of extensive experience and completing a Sport Science degree he adapted his teaching approach. He broke his system into three elements traditional, defence and competitive.
I started to like the in-fighting element of training and after a few years I was invited to train in Sweden with their national squad in San Shou.
After attending my first training camp, I was invited back to Sweden the following year to compete.
It was at this point, I decided to change my focus to competitive martial arts. After winning my first full contact competition in Sweden in the All Style Open, I came back and looked to continue my training for competitive martial arts.
I continued to have a further fight in boxing and then MMA. I now focus primarily on my own continued training and helping others rather than competition.
Overall, I have trained and still train in Muay Thai, Boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Freestyle and Greco Roman Wrestling, Judo, Kickboxing and MMA.
However, I have also realised the importance of cross training for additional physical and psychological benefits.
I therefore have started running, gymnastics, rock climbing, obstacle course challenges, parkour and weight lifting to add to my previous background.
I believe it's important to keep your body guessing. You should test and challenge it with new stressors to adapt and improve.
Martial arts has been a large part of my life and has helped shape the way I view fitness. Most of my training plans are built based on my previous experience of training in different disciplines. Each discipline or "style" has different rule sets and foundations and requires different skills as a result.
Like the cross-fit and movement trends recently, I believe MMA has broken down the traditional beliefs of what fitness is. In order to adapt and be truly "fit" you need to be able to adapt to any style and any situation. Either physically or mentally. My workout plans cater to such a philosophy.
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