With over 20 years of experience in Muay Thai, encompassing both competitive fighting in the UK and Thailand, as well as teaching, I have cultivated a deep understanding of this martial art. My expertise extends to training my own son, who achieved remarkable success by securing numerous junior titles. In 2013, I founded Blacksmith Muay Academy (formerly known as Foundry Muay Thai), a renowned institution that has produced several junior and adult champions.
During the previous year, I had the opportunity to work as a youth worker in Birmingham for ACT CIC, an organization that broadened my perspective on the potential for similar initiatives in Walsall. Inspired by this experience, I envisioned establishing breakfast clubs, engaging with young offenders, and implementing school holiday programs aimed at preventing crime within our youth community.
The practice of Muay Thai instills invaluable qualities such as self-discipline, confidence, self-awareness, and respect, both for oneself and others. Additionally, it facilitates the formation of meaningful friendships among students from diverse educational backgrounds, fostering a sense of camaraderie that transcends the boundaries of school, college, or daily interactions.