Building a Martial Arts Gym from Scratch — Ty Harrison

Hey, >> we're on. >> I don't know what episode it is. Call, you start. >> Yeah. Right. Episode 26, PT Launch Lab. Welcome back.

And we're here with Ty Harrison. >> Hello, mate. How are we doing? >> I'm good. How are you? >> Not too bad. >> I think we'll uh I think we'll just start off, mate. Just tell us a bit about about yourself, about um if you want to start with your gym, your your martial arts career, I'll let you take reigns on that, mate. >> Yeah. So, uh yeah, obviously my name's Ty.

I've been teaching martial arts now for since about 2012. Wow. >> Somewhere around there. Yeah. So, >> how old was it? >> I'm 32. 33 soon. Yeah. >> Yeah.

So, how many years is that now? 2012. >> Are you sure it went longer than that? >> It could be a bit longer. >> So, it could be a bit longer. I'm sure that being >> Yeah. Yeah. This I knew it were going to lead to this straight away. So, I had I'm sure my my debut for on uh Full Contact Contender 2011.

You were in me corner. >> Well, yeah. Can confidently say that while teaching properly 2000, >> but there were probably a bit before that as well. I was teaching out of like smaller sort of gyms as well. >> Yeah. Anybody anybody who's not from area like if you're in any martial arts in this area, everyone knows it with Ty Harrison. It's cuz he were the uh the leader of the independent fight league, weren't you?

So everyone used to everyone used to go to TA if anyone just wanted to get into MMA. Everyone went to Tai. He turned up in everyone's corner on the day and everyone were like he'll he'll tell you what to do. >> Yeah. >> But uh >> just be there. >> Yeah. in fighting out of the red corner an independent fighter after put on a fight to Cal just ties dead in corner but it come full circle and end though didn't it and I I I've cornered you for a fight which is crazy but um so from there so your official martial arts career how did that start where did you starting first >> so my background's always been cry um so I started training cry when I were 10 years old and I started under my dad originally he's taught for many years and We we were basically training out of a school hall. That's mo like most martial arts club they're usually starting school halls and my dad was sort of knocking on a little bit and then I naturally started taking over and started teaching the classes. did that for a few years while I were at college uh amongst balancing a few other jobs and then an offer came in where one of the local martial arts instructors who had a full-time unit basically offered to sell his his academy to me and um I was looking for my own space at the time. I was looking to grow it and it it just sort of came at the right time.

It well kind of everything just aligned so bought it. Was it uh so was it your dad that showed you everything initially then? >> From from a Yeah. From a >> craft my MMA >> Yeah. >> instructor on YouTube. Yeah. So >> well there obviously you Bob Yeah. mainly my dad >> cuz they were um they were hard to come by was it were like we used to get old DVDs with MMA stuff on like bass rooting and stuff like that >> and you could buy all of them.

So >> I bought his self-defense video. You watch that good laugh that one. There were one where you were like picking up glasses, offer the guy a drink and grabbed back end and smashed it to his head. >> Sounds like the Darren Gibbs, doesn't it? You castle. >> Well, that's literally how I started. Like I said, I >> I'd got I got offered to fight with Ellis Lacy who just said, "Would you fight fancy fighting MMA?" >> Bolton.

Was it Bolton? >> Yeah. What? Royal Armor. >> [\h__\h] isn't it? >> And I went upstairs and you went, "Hey, mate. You're right." And I can remember you show. >> Yeah. was on the day was so I the first time I met you uh and you were showing me guard passes and I like what's this? I'd not seen that on YouTube.

I didn't have a clue what I were doing. Uh and I can remember you instructing me cuz the lad had come off submission at night. I think he had 10 fights on my debut. >> Yeah. >> And he come off an arm bar submission at night on previous show and they put and I got in this arm bar. Never been in one in my life and you talked me through it and you talked to and then stack him over and all that and got me out. >> Does it work? >> Yeah. Yeah.

Literally m I saw your video of it, but I can remember listening to the call and I just thought m I had so much trust and faith in you. I I thought you were like UFC, you know what I mean? Like in my eyes. So like if you know anything, you know, >> he's so mad to it worked. He just know he just he just knew more than me.

So like >> full trust. But yeah, it worked. We got the wind, didn't we? >> Yeah. And he had the same one J4. Was it Super was it when we did Superman? >> I had the um >> I always remember that.

Yeah. >> Debut of me live. Oh, I that naive like I literally just thought I was solid like so >> saw a superman punch that. >> Yeah, I did a superman punch. I did like a Rampage Jackson like held his leg and span him and dropped him on his head >> and then and then I caught him with second second punch in second round um >> on floor laid out. Paramedics are in for like 10 minutes on YouTube videos some like 17 minutes on paramedics in for nine or where it go from here. Yeah.

Okay. So yeah, Tai taught me everything I know on the day. So from so from there, mate. So you've just got the unit. >> Yeah. >> It stem from your dad. Bits of YouTube.

Um you got the unit. Is that when >> Yeah. So that's um Sangoku was kind of an idea that I had in my head like the brand name and stuff for for a while before. >> Does that mean something that >> it it does mean something. Yeah. You've kind of opened up kind of words with that though.

Yeah. Yeah. Do you want me to tell >> Can you give us a G? Go on. You're not in a rush now. >> Okay.

Right. Well, sang Goku comes from a Japanese word. Um, I'm quite big into history and anyone who's watching this podcast going to laugh now cuz I always tell them about this. Yeah. So, so basically, um, there's a period in in Japan called the Sangoku Jedi, and it was from like the 1500s to the 1600s, and it's your typical period in Japan where you've got samurai warriors, um, your your shogun all fighting each other for control of the country.

Um, so I basically got the first part of the work cuz I thought it sounded cool. Yeah. >> And went with it. And there's also a Japanese M. There was a Japanese MMA promotion called >> I could have. Yeah.

What it means are they not around anymore. >> No, there's another sh I think anyway unless I get a letter through the door. >> Futuristic version >> company's house. >> Yeah. >> Obiwan Kenobi. >> Yeah, exactly. Well, it stands for war in states period. And I just thought that sounded really really cool. Yeah. So, God, that is sound [\h__\h] >> It is. >> Yeah.

Yeah. Moving on from our rubbish name. >> So, I was I've had other names if you'd like to hear them. Sounds a bit [\h__\h] to me. Yeah. I've had Roundhouse cuz I thought a roundhouse kick sounded I think it sounds pretty pretty poor.

Um, yeah. Roundhouse School of Karate, but I'm glad I got rid of that. >> What are you going to say? It sounds like an old PS2 game, not it does. But uh so your first unit was the first time I met you, that one in Feb. Yeah, that's correct.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's class. I mean, I remember going there.

Um one of my old school friends, George, you introduced me to that. And I've been to MMA clubs before. I've been to boxing clubs before. Yours was sort of a different feeling cuz you are the first lot of instructors. Like when I first met you, I didn't know you were that hard.

I'll be honest with you because you look like such a nice fella. Like you look like like you don't look like >> Nice until you sparred him. >> That's what you don't look like you could beat the [\h__\h] out of someone, but you can. Like the first time I sparred with him, it was just you were just like, "Yeah, good hit that mate. Good punch that mate and bet the [\h__\h] out of me." Like you were like so talented >> quite like that. >> Country roll is awesome. >> It's better to be a warrior in a garden than a garden in a while. >> Yeah. Yeah.

No, I've heard that one before. Yeah, that's that's true. Is that >> But yeah, I'm always impressed how you run your classes. Um cuz you do your your main thing is with the kids as well, is it? Like you're doing Yeah, we do kids classes.

Yeah. They're really high level as well. >> Yeah. >> So, how long did you um how long was you in the first unit in Fev? >> Um so, we moved in there November the 3rd, 2014. I remember it cuz it were like a significant day in my life really getting the first full-time. Cool. And then we were there for about two years and then um was next door to Strong 101.

They moved to a different area and then we just took over the lease of Next Door as well which ex extended our academy. So we had a space of about 2,000 square ft and we used about 1,000 for sort of waiting area which was pretty cool and then the rest of it was just for training area. >> Um and then yeah did that. >> And how how long are you in there for? >> About 8 years in total. Eight years. Yeah. Yeah. >> Because you were you were training with you were training with me then in that period, weren't you?

I must have been in like >> Yeah, we will have you were moving >> 2020. I started training with you. >> Yeah. >> Right before lockdown. >> I think it was Yeah, it was just before lockdown. >> Well, it cuz I I got >> early 2020. Yeah. >> Were you only Did you only train with me at A1? >> Yeah, >> you did, didn't you? >> I did. >> Yeah, I was just trying to trying to tie it together there. So, uh A1. So I obviously we had lockdown was March 2020, wasn't it? >> March 2020.

I think I was in London when I actually reached out to you cuz I think it was sort of early January and I thinking I need to get in shape here cuz I've always been quite a skinny person. I wanted to to build some strength up. I've always been embarrassed about my figure which is kind of weird but like I've got quite skinny legs. I always wanted I wanted to have bulky legs and stuff like that. So I thought I'll reach out and that yeah that were early. >> Yeah.

Strength strength obviously was the strength strength aspect of it was it like it want the um I mean we always did bits and pads and stuff on that didn't we but um >> but yeah so from there mate u so you've done eight years at this other unit what were the reason why you had to move again >> so we we just needed more space we were growing at a a huge rate it were becoming more and more popular >> and yeah we just didn't have enough space we were cramming sort of 30 plus people through a um a thousand square foot space and like you'd be stood on top of each other and it was just a bit of a nightmare. So we were looking for a for a while for a new place and and you know we'd look at places it weren't quite right. At one point we were looking at taking on um I forget what it's called now. Um there's a a a pub in Featherston um just opposite sort of Top House number one club. That was it.

Yeah, that was up for sale, but it was just all derelictked and so that didn't work out. And then we secured as current space, which we're operating out of now. Um, that ca that space came up for rent and >> I believe we looked at that at one point or tie took it over. >> Fton. Yeah. Well, Fton, >> you could tell by just looking at it.

It it looked like a big great space and >> Oh, well, I mean, I I drove past it loads of times and someone told me like it were up front and I looked at I thought, "Oh, no, it's too small that I'd never been in there in my life." >> Yeah. until you walk in. Yeah. >> Did we? Yeah. >> Did we look at that at the same time? I'm sure I got the inspiration to look around in c different areas like that after ties or did we look in that? >> We looked in there, but I think they were only doing half of it for that point cuz it >> Oh, yeah. Cuz it's got two >> Yeah.

Yeah. >> There were We looked at the first half and at the time because we were in such a rush because it were a big turnaround. >> Yeah. >> It it just wasn't feasible in the time frame. But then obviously when you took it over. >> Yeah. >> How long did it take to >> get it going? >> So like refurbishing. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So I think we got the lease in August and then by January we was launching as as class as there. So what's that about four four month period but what I mean you I think you must have gone in it. It were quite derelict.

Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Back control mirrors and >> mirrors. Yeah. That were that were interested. >> Yeah. So that's just um one of them things where like obviously coming from my own gym and then coming to help someone else with their gym. But that's how I feel like the community should be though. >> Yeah.

It goes full circle. >> Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. >> Like I said, you've cornered me in a fight. You didn't even know me and come out your way. And it it's not like he was around corner like went to Bolton as well.

Yeah. >> So already you've got got a friend from day one there and then I've cornered you. I've trained you. I've come up you gym. I think it's um all swings in roundabouts, doesn't it? But >> yeah, 100%.

I mean like I've just come back training now for the next fight and it it it's I haven't seen you for a long time. Feels like never left. >> I kind of walked straight back in. I know like amongst friends as well. >> Yeah. >> Awesome. Flying mate. So uh what martial arts are you doing right now?

I say martial arts anyone just covers a wider variety of sports. You do your karate and I know you do your kickboxing. Yeah. Are are you >> expanding into boxing side is we're doing bits of boxing. Yeah.

Yeah. The main the main focus for us at the minute is karate kickboxing. We've got boxing as a bolton and yeah that that's we want to really sort of um prioritize the striking arts and I thought about doing sort of jiu-jitsu and other things but um for me it's a bit niche isn't if you just stick to the striking aspect. >> Is the uh is the karate performative or is it do you do actual I'm mean you've talked to me about it loads of times but uh there's different form isn't there though. >> Yeah there is. I mean >> ker and >> yeah so what what I teach and what we practice is shorter canan karate and it's it's more of a modern style of of karate so it comes from Japan whereas a lot of the older styles of karate come from Okinawa and the I suppose the style I do is quite performative we do a lot of competitions we do the the kon well we call it keon which is like line drills and we do kater as well and the kater is meant to be um It's a form basically of martial arts movement. Hidden within the catery, your self-defense techniques, but it's it's kind of moved on so far from its original. >> Yeah. >> Um meaning like it's kind of unrecognizable compared to how it used to be and it's it's taken on more of an aesthetic look rather. >> Have you built around uh the modern like progression as you've gone along or have you always done it that way? >> I've always done it that way and and I've been quite real with people about like the craft that I do.

I don't teach karate for for self-defense. Like the main reason I teach karate is more like a holistic approach. So it's like fitness, coordination, um endurance, you know, core building, confidence building, social. >> Sorry, boys. I think that's a good um good topic to touch on as well. Like for anyone who does do martial arts and they're like seen people who said, "Oh, I'm black belt in karate." And to someone who does like full contact, they sort of understand what that means. >> Yeah.

But you actually do both. So I just think that's um >> I've never really known that. You either get your ones that do the karate then they've got this obviously amazing like what it is and um but maybe like your tie box on your boxing probably protect you a little bit more would so >> go on. I would say just for what just for what it is. Um, but then to be able to understand the martial art and and for what it is and explain it in detail and have the passion for it like that, but then also be able to say, look, this is how it is and then also have the competitive aspect to like with your kickboxing and stuff.

It's a great touch that. >> How why do you think it's so popular with the kids side of your training? Cuz >> like when you watch sometimes kids training like boxing is sort of the same. It can be chaotic with kids. How do you like from from what I've seen it looks just so controlled like they all look locked in learning? Yeah. >> Like how does that transfer with is it mainly karate, kickboxing or is it a mix of everything? >> Um I think it you you see it more in karate because of just how the sessions are run.

It's quite regimented. Um we call it 3k karate. So we've got keon which are like your line drills. So basically you've got set stances to work through, set forms to work through. Most of it's done to account like countered repetition whereas like kickboxing is quite freestyle.

You know, you you partner up, you got pad sword, you you kind of given a drill and off you go and practice. And I think that's probably the main difference like is very much controlled. It's it's countered repetition, etc. >> You still do it as like a syllabus? >> Yeah, we have a syllabus. Yeah. And that helps.

That's how they get in the belts and >> they've got to turn up a certain amount of times to be to be graded and I think that's such a good way to be controlled cuz you sort of >> get rid of natural selection that way, don't you? So the ones that aren't quite as focus don't quite get the reward as as they most talented kid when you walk through cuz obviously you get some >> crazy natural ability on some kids pick it up really quick >> uh and others won't but then over time the consistency thing that's going to pay for him is which how it should be. Yeah, 100%. >> So that the lad that even he can do it, you just ask him and he can do this new technique, but if he's not turning up on a regular, he had earned the chance to be graded higher. >> So cuz you're both martial arts guys, you make a really good point. Do you not think all combat sports should have a syllabus? >> I've Well, that's what uh Neil Wayne used to do, a boxing syllabus. Yeah. and he used to get stripes on the on the tops and they were exactly the same before you could even enter where the idea was before you could get into the any adult class or any version or be able to join drills from that you had to go through a full syllabus until you like your grades >> cuz that gives an element of control cuz the the problem is and there's hundreds of >> starts from same place. >> Yeah.

I I think sometimes like boxing especially, you can jump into a boxing class or to a boxing session. Half of the people in there are controlled and they're doing it to get better. Some are also in there for an ego. >> Yeah. >> And would that cut that out? >> Um yeah, it dep it does depend what gym you're in. So I've had this conversation this morning, funny enough, um about like how old school amateur gyms used to be because all the all the instructors and coaches did it for free. Uh they were just like charitable work basically.

So when you went down then they were giving all their free time to you. So what they do is like they watch me on punch bag for Yeah. >> And then they were like Ray these look good but we'll find out when the spa they put you in best lad. If you come back next day they'll put time in. And that's just how it is. It's a lot different now.

And I still think it is very similar in amateurs because if you're going in amateurs you're looking for the future. If you're not quite cut out it can be >> it's a hurt spot. Uh whereas for me I >> adjust it round. So anyone, there'll be no egos in the gym. There'll be zero, like no tolerance for it.

If you want to do that, mate, go somewhere else. So it does depend on what gym you're in, uh, 100%. And then there's other people who just want to come and get fit and have fun and enjoy it. And we've got sparing classes that are 30% and then we've got an open spa. But if you come in, you've not sparred before, >> I'll I'll make an I'll tell everybody.

It's his first. Oh, he's very new. >> Can you just look after him, lads? >> It's really Yeah. >> Yeah. And that's it. And it keeps everyone coming. everyone. You You don't have to be trying to be a world champion.

It's a box and everyone should be able to enjoy it. And this cuts to any sport that you want to be. They shouldn't be shown, yeah, he thinks he's a boxer. Well, there like we all started somewhere and we've all we all just want his own level of it. Like people just like to say that they do boxing classes and so they should. >> I think a greatest example was obviously last week we had a new guy come in and we spotted it straight away, didn't he?

Like he's new like and they were going quite >> open. Yeah, that would have that would like you come into a sparring class. Uh, and the instructor would just basically say, "Oh, we'll jump in and we'll do it light." But I just pulled him to the side cuz I just knew it was just a bit out of his depth. Um, the lad had not done any if any experience. It's very intimidating to walk into a into a boxing gym.

Let any gym is intimidating to walking into a boxing gym. >> Yeah. >> Thai boxing gym, kickboxing gym is tfold. >> Yeah. So you the people in there literally fighting. So, and then to watch it and then although it was supposed to be easy, these two knew each other and they were going at it quite a bit >> to stand at the side. You don't know how to block. You don't know what you literally lost.

How could you know? So, I just pulled that to it side. Um, >> pulled him into one of my sessions and he absolutely loved it. It's coming tonight. >> Yeah. Yeah.

I I kind of think about all the people who've probably been in that situation who've who are not doing martial arts or or some form of combat sport because they they've had that experience and they've been put off from day one. >> So I think it is important to have some whether it's a syllabus or a program of development where you start off here and then it develops to and there's a journey to it. >> We kind of do that on a on a we a weird way I do it. I don't know if anyone actually does this and I've only just realized myself that I actually do this. So the people who not you like don't want to spar I'll have him in the class obviously get him involved and they usually do some like little drills see how they're reacting like I put one on yesterday cuz a couple of lads were like we're all right if you're doing one two block and come back with some shots but it will when a second and third one come that one sort of in the choreography um I'm making them flinch. So I did a drill where it were like tip tap against the gve and they had to keep an eye on it and everyone reacted dead good to it and I think it's just so I'll go from that sort of drill and then I'll say why don't you try body sparring. >> Yeah, I'll give it a go. And then they have a bit of body spar and they realize that lads aren't there to kill them. >> Yeah. >> And then and then they'll come to me like I've never told anyone you should it's time to edar.

They'll come to me but it's the natural progression that they all got. I think I'll be all right cuz they don't want lads and then before they know it they're all friends. >> Yellow team and and then before they know it they're sparring and then they're in the ring. It's t but that's how I do it. I don't >> I don't mean to have this syllabus all up but it's sort of just like an unwritten rule for me. >> Yeah. I think whether it's written down or whether you've got something that you do without thinking about. >> Yeah.

Like you said almost like pilgrim >> rather than just throwing them straight in. >> What were you going to say Cal? >> So obviously Sodoku is very popular now. Why do you have a reason or do you think you have a reason why it got so popular? Like do you think why this jet's gone so far up? like what did you do right do you think? >> Um it's a good question. I think we've I like to think we've got a good reputation. I I like to think we're sort of family based as well which goes a long way.

Um we get >> we've got people who sort of talk about us and bring in family and friends. >> Um we do a lot of marketing online as well which also helps cuz I think a lot of there's a lot of good coaches out there probably don't market themselves enough. >> Yeah. and they're missing out. Well, they're doing a disservice to the public, I think, because they've got so much to offer, but they're not singing and shouting about themselves. Um, so I think that's probably what we do well is we we're quite happy to put ourselves out there on social media. Um, you always get the odd person who likes to slag you off and tell you're doing it wrong or something like that, which is quite amusing, but a lot of people get put off by that. We're we're not put off by it.

I've always like sung your praises with that. I think yours is best professionally run martial arts gym out of anywhere I know. Like you said, we kind kind of like dinosaurs rest. We sort of let word of mouth telling all the mates come and they do it and go. But >> your your client base and membership's crazy like numbers wise scaled compared to like even my own gym. >> So like just like just pat on back for that man cuz having to and you're looking to expand again aren't you?

Yeah, we're opening up a pace in leads right now. >> So you like you you like almost created your own blueprint for success. Yeah. Which again and it's all come through doing the correct things, the correct steps that everyone knows they should do but don't do. And that's the that the separating factor is >> all the things you're ticking all the boxes whether it be the marketing, how you get yourself pushing out on social media, whether it be through ads, videos, you always seem to be getting all the boxes within that as well. whether it be testimonials and and videos and also hats on back you do um you always do like little group things all there be a Christmas thing on or and there's loads you're always doing all these different things little functions where you bring this person down and do all this and it's just how you do it all and to to keep it rolling all the time like I'll get some ideas and I'll do them for a bit and then I'll stop but yours has been >> the most continuous form of progression I've seen so I just that's why I wanted to get you out today I wanted to um as Callum said what's medit a success and I've heard what you've said to me. You've told me and to just watch it carry on expanding.

That's why I want you from the outside in. It's like you've kept it relatively simple without putting words cuz your pattern, your message has always been the same. You're not trying to jump on everything and take over it. >> Yeah. >> It's people coming to you want to improve. And I think like obviously what I said earlier about you looking like a friendly person. I think that matters as well because you create a nice environment for people. >> Um much like the fact that the gym is what it is like what we do is trying to make people feel better when they leave.

Yeah. >> No one wants to leave with, >> you know, feeling worse than did when they came. No. >> And I think you do that exceptionally well. >> Yeah. I think we've got a good team as well. Like we So it's not just me. We've got um we've got like operational staff who like you see all the stuff on social media.

I don't get as involved with that. It's it's one of the team that do that and then we've got the coaches as well. >> Yeah. Sorry. >> So, yeah. Well, I mean, it's not, you know, it's not just one person. It's I certainly won't be able to do it on my own. >> Um, it's it's a it's a >> you said though, it's got it's family oriented anyway, but you you build your own family between you all trust each other. >> And I think um everyone wanting to see it do well is um is what makes that collective effort again to >> Yeah. uh to keep growing and then you all enjoy sort of the journey as well, don't you?

Together. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> The highs and the lows. >> Yeah. Like Patrick and he's a sensei now. Is it? >> Patrick's one of our coaches. He's going to be heading up the the leads academy when that opens as well. Yeah.

So >> So it's good progression for him as well who started when he was 12 years old. >> Yeah. I was going to say he had no uh previous >> no no >> experience did it. So >> we weren't even going to train. It came because his brother originally came to our karate class and it was one of them conversations we had with him. >> Shout outs Patrick. >> Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. What's this? >> He better do mate now. Then >> um yeah, he weren't going to do it. He was just going to sit and watch. Um I think he thought it were a bit stupid at first and then he joined in and like has been sort of driven and hooked ever since.

And >> how many titles has he got now? >> He's got three titles now. He's got um two British, one English. >> These are all kickboxing now. These are all kickboxing titles. Yeah, he's he's turned pro recently. He's >> 19. >> Wow. >> Yeah.

Started with us when he were 12, I think. >> He fights like every other week, it seems. Any can I do this fight? Can I do this? I love it. Jet diary.

And >> some people just got to love it. They just love it, mate. Like I >> Yeah, I fought I fought I fought a lot last year. Yeah. And I think he fought in between all the nine as well.

I like what was he doing next? >> He had about six or seven last year. >> I had five last year. So yeah, but it just seemed it must have been time. So I I dropped where in the amateurs they have like an off season. >> So what I did is I had my first couple and then I put in for the pro license. Yeah. >> And then I didn't jump in any box cups where I could have had like three three or four fights in that. Um and I put in for it just at a chance to try to get through.

Anyway, I got knocked back on that one and then it was straight at summer. So I just missed loads of months. So the actual time when I were fighting I had like five fights within five months. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And then probably five and then you got Christmas and stuff but >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah.

Yeah. So, we're active, but then there's not enough period for kickboxing, is there? >> No, it's all around. And that was news to me finding out that >> you kind of had seasons in pure boxing. >> So, it usually goes first fights, uh, end of March, Feb, uh, sorry, no, end of Jan, start of Feb. That's like your beginning of your season. Uh, you'll have a couple of opening ones and up to May.

Then, then in May, I think it's all like your box cup and stuff like that. >> Yeah. Uh and then they have you have it off till like September. >> Oh, really? >> Yeah. Loads of year out. Yeah. There's like four or five months out.

Yeah. >> Yeah. >> As soon as it comes back, that's why they fight so often. >> Right. >> But u I think there's there is some you can get in but >> feels fills it back to front life. I mean cuz all training and stuff's done like mid- winter. >> Exactly. >> You know when it's like the worst time to train. >> Yeah. Training sort of like February peaking into summer and be a summer fighter. >> Yep. I fought I fought twice in Feb, twice in September, um and then once in December I think it were. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Like literally or I know they were within 10 days of each other one within a week of each other.

It might have crossed months or whatever. But um >> yeah, it's weird. That's why I dropped on the worst time and it was and I had to sit and wait again thinking I'm just losing time. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I needed to make sure I got the five fights of the year which hopefully >> I should have got the nod to >> Yeah. >> be professional now.

So, I've not told that to anyone. I'm just wait. I'm not going to I'm not going to clarify that just yet, but I had a very important interview on Sunday in Manchester. So, I'll tell you about that after. >> Can I have a confirmed not? >> Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Not right now. Uh but yeah. So, Mo moving on from that, mate.

So, when's your when's your fight? Yeah. When's your fight? >> Yeah. Fights 7th February. So, what's that? >> Yeah.

K1. >> Two weeks. >> K1. Yeah. K1. Yeah. Week week and a half. >> Is that your favorite?

Is that your favorite fight for I >> I think now it is. Yeah. Cry has always been my bread and butter, but I think like I get more from kickboxing. >> You had quite a few MMA fights though, didn't you? >> Yeah, I had a few. Not not that many. Not as many as people think.

I got into coaching relatively early >> and I've I probably fought and then like I'd always have like a few years off before I fought again. Like that's like the story of my pet career. Yeah. >> And a mirror each other >> and chasing [\h__\h] I wanted one last chase what dream but I would exactly same. I would even train unless I had a matchup. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Which were weird, but like the same as usual.

I've >> I've coached more a million more fights than I have >> Yeah. fought. Do you know like not even comparable? It's like I've from 17 I first fight when I was 17. I've been cornering since then. >> Like I've been here like 15 years. Um and I've been calling people every other month and for all that time and I've had like like 20 22 fights time.

Yeah, >> that must have cornered like just next month alone. I >> mean, a lot of them have come quite slight on as well, aren't they? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, exactly. I had fight late on. Yeah. So, uh that's why they had lockdown. >> So, I' think I'd had a couple of years off before lockdown and then I come back had a fight boxing with four rounds gloves on >> uh which were hybrid.

I felt there at that one. Yeah, I were the first ever hybrid champion at UK ever because it come it stem it stem from um >> one championship. >> Yeah, I did. Yeah. Yeah. As well. >> Yeah.

So, they do the four rounds uh with a kick with a kickboxing and tie boxing in four rounds and then Scott McHugh did the uh the boxing first ones. They called it hybrid and it's actually on box wreck now. Your hybrids. >> Yeah. >> I mean, I don't think my fight is now, but it's actually class as like sanctioned pro fights. I don't >> but I I won't want to be pro in that. Like I'd rather be pro by under English boxing. >> There's not a lot of You're not going to have a long career in that. >> I don't think so.

No. >> No. >> No. Absolutely not, mate. >> But um yeah, moving moving again. So, we've recovered so far. We've just covered your fight. So, it's kickboxing.

You've got your last session with me this week on Friday. >> Yeah. >> Nearly throwing up last week, brother. So, yeah. Bit of a fanny. >> No, only kidding. But yeah, so good luck with that anyway, mate. What's your plan?

What's your plans after this? So whether this be uh in the gym, obviously you're expanding through to leads uh fight career, last dance or seeing where we're going. >> Yeah, I mean I said after the last one that we're going to be probably going to be my last one and everyone's the last one. >> Yeah, everyone's last. >> But I like fighting is such a commitment, isn't it? >> You know the thing about fight sports is retirement is just like such a waste of [\h__\h] time. Everyone retires and keeps on retiring. >> Yeah. Yeah. I just I just feel like one one thing is the feeling like it after the victory >> that's it.

You chase you 100% chase that after it we're all worth it 100%. >> But I feel like you also forget then you're very much like me. I I found a good balance now where I can sort of stay like it through Yeah. I mean, you always train all year, but it's different having a mental um a mental thing over your back, you know, like in back of your mind all the time. Like >> Yeah. >> The first The music's loud, isn't it? >> Right. So, like first thing in the morning when you wake up, you're thinking about the fight. >> Yeah.

That's it. >> Through the day, thinking about the fight or last thing on the night, wake up in the middle of night to go to the toilet thinking about your fight. Check it while you >> Yeah. Yeah. finish it. It's the mental battle constantly and you're going for other fights in your head and and you're almost like especially when you're cutting as well, you can't really be normal and sociable and people can't understand or be in that head space. So, I think it's that >> it's not a comfortable lifestyle. >> And do you know what it is as well?

If you're doing it properly. >> Yeah. >> And I know you're if you're in it, mate, you're 150% in and it's all or nothing and that's it. It's either zero or it's 100 and that's it. And I think by the end then you're like need some time. >> Yeah. It's weird cuz like I'm kind of at that stage now where I'm just ready to to fight. And but then you look at someone like Patrick who competes throughout the year and like even you last year you you do find then a balance.

You know I'm kind of at a stage now where I'm kind of like I'm almost too relaxed. I'm kind of thinking I'm a I'm a bit too much. >> Yeah. It's just experience comes one fight. >> Yeah. You put all your focus into that one fight. >> Absolutely. Yeah.

So I would I would on like just stand by all year last year as well. So I I come back and and fought I actually fought one national champions when we first won 6'4 Southball lost a split decision on that and then that when I first fight I lost in like over 10 years or whatever and >> I took a fight on a day's notice like week later same as you I didn't have that thingy where I like >> go fight and then not have nothing planned in. and I would heal on standby and like I go fight after and I like that all year >> just waiting. I even dieted >> it'll have been >> December 2023 I started training then and I will get No, it won't have been no 2024 cuz that's when I broke my leg and I come back. >> Yeah. >> So I brought me bought me leg January 2024. Sorry. Soon as I'd done the rehab, I back boxing by end of that year and then I'd fighting on on weight all the way up to like last week before Christmas just in case a fight came up. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.

I had three people turn it turn it down and I took it on a day's notice, two days notice three times where they were like, "Right, I'm off." Yeah. We're going tomorrow. Yeah. And then all of a sudden it's full fallen through. Yeah. happened three times in a row and I was sat on weight and that were like one happened on um on a Wednesday they asked for me to fight on the Thursday then it happened for the weekend and then it happened weekend after and they were all different weights. >> Yeah. >> So one were like 67 kilo and I thought I'll make it work and I were like 70 then one went 69 I just cut to the other one and I were literally like that all three and then I went into Christmas and I had no more fights. >> Yeah.

Yeah. It's a bit crazy that ain't it? But >> it's crazy and it's gotten and I think that's the downside in it when you put that much work into it and and the fights fall through. >> Yeah. But I've got I know so like last year then I got none fall through. But I know one one of the lads mate Andy Booth um fights out of Golden Team as well.

He had three fights up. So we had one more non-licensed fight or it might have been two unlicensed fights. Both pulled out on day right. >> So he couldn't fight. So we said right I'm off to amateurs. I'm not doing this anymore. went to amateurs, pulled out on his fight day. >> So he had three all year training and then three fights just with no >> Yeah.

Yeah. >> He's not always hanging over your head as well because you're not in control of that really. You've got to be ready for the day regardless. >> You're no closer you're no closer to your goal. Especially for me, I'm like um I always think of that like sand timer. You know, I get bits of sand coming through all. >> Yeah. Yeah. is that if I'm not fighting, I'm not getting closer to I want to I I need to get to the professional level right now.

I'm already in a short short time period where I'm at me athletic peak really. >> Yeah. >> Um yeah, like on like interviews and stuff again. I'll talk I'll talk. Yeah, 100%. Well, it is. But so there's different there's different pros and different cons to just read that as I said it.

There's pros and cons there. Um I think there's pros and cons to it all. So when you're younger, you've got the less experience uh but you've also got the more explosiveness as you get older. Uh there's more time put into like uh your lung capacity and stuff like so much more different benefits and u muscle densities and muscle maturity and >> there's everything combined. So but right now like to be a professional level and do actually well I think between your 30 and 35 is like you're supposed to be a physical peak in it.

I said it used to be 28, but >> yeah. And it's >> I think I pushed it back. >> We had done the research. >> Yeah. Just when it gets to 36, I'm in my prime. >> That's it. But like you fighting people who could be like just turned 18 potentially, couldn't you? >> Yeah. I fought um I fought um 20 year old 21 year old.

I went to I fought on a day's notice at a university like academy sorry amateur boxing show. So everyone there were at uni like 19 20 21 and I were 31. >> Yeah. throw like old man in there. That's what the guy said. I have to do I knew something different. It's like dad's strength and I like oh go for Yeah.

So they like 21. There's no walkouts as well. I went in like a big uh university thing. So they're all there for this guy and there's not even a walk out and as soon as I walked out those booed me. >> I think I think that's the thing that would drive me on more like know like I can't let 20year-old >> I everyone's night ruined literally ruined all the night. They were like booing.

Uh that was that fight when a lad [\h__\h] his cendra before and I was just about to walk out in in the ring. He had three round fight [\h__\h] coming out bottom of his shorts. >> How'd you live? >> Yeah. And then and then apparently he won the fight but got a bad decision so he lost. And I can remember stunning back and he walked in. This guy must have when he just turned up and he walked in with bag full of clothes with with [\h__\h] in and they went how'd you get on mate and he went uh not very good and just walked out was buy your [\h__\h] clothes. >> But yeah. >> Did you see the [\h__\h] in the ring when you were there? >> Yeah, they were mopping it up.

I swear to God. So, uh, my coach at the time, Paul, um, he said he thought the coffee store and I said, and I says, and I went, >> you coffee store, sir, Paul, right? >> Which corner in your Yeah. I said I said, um, >> can we not get a different stool? >> Yeah. I said, Paul, I went, why would there be coffee? Boy, right.

Why would there be [\h__\h] on the stool? I went, yeah, first. Oh, yeah. And I'm mopping it up. I was slipping.

And then in between my first and second round, I'm mopping up. swear in my life and then I so the fight before I I'd had no warm up for me fight uh they just I was really I was part of golden team but I I weren't training really there they were sort of doing me a favor the assignment I got more more involved with it and they had someone send me up got pads and there'd been no knockouts all the way through I started getting warmed up and then I started talking to the person who were like taking pads put me head out the door and um the lad got knocked out and they were like Ray Ry you're next and I thought there was supposed to be another Yeah. >> No one told me someone had pulled out. So I was straight on cold. >> So I felt it when I were in there like that. Obviously my lungs weren't warm. So the fight after I made it thing I were like I'm making sure my warm up was perfect. >> Yeah. >> And it like four four fights out were like right. So uh dynamics I like pulse rays dynamics into me shatter then into me pads and then the next fight then that's when I'll be ready to go.

Anyway, so there's a there's a door like an old style pub, but it had like paddle sort of swing both way doors and like do you know when you're at a restaurant and you're starving you and you keep looking at door cuz you think food's going to be yours. You were like that before fighting for the fight. Yeah. So this guy in I keeps coming in and as he popped in I'm waiting for it to swing open. He walks in.

Uh he put his head around and just went >> two minutes mate and then walked back out and I just had this big thing of adrenaline like it's gold. >> First thing it went great mate let's go. know the big deep breath before you fight. You both know this. You go and that's it. >> Yeah, that's it. >> Time. Anyway, just as I got to the door, he popped his head and went, "A lad [\h__\h] is sent me. We're having a 20-minute interval." >> I'm like, "What?" Yeah.

And then, so I sat down. We sat down for 10 minutes. So, we start stand up and start getting loose again. As I stood up, put his head through the door. You're on.

No warmth again. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I beat him though. Do you know it's a >> story though, is it? Like, >> yeah. Told it well. >> Yeah.

Told it a few times. >> Wonder how he tells it. Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. I was trying to clench my ass. >> Well, I did we his clothes. That's what I was.

You think? Yeah. Chuck too much. >> Well, I just f just revived me a bag of clothes. You know Will in between is where he was bag like he had his white white bag and you know all with brown stain on bottom. He had to put it in a white bag. >> How'd you get on?

He just went not very good. He just walked out and I was like this wick bag is [\h__\h] He's happy. >> Even if he won is it a win? Yeah, I know. >> Cuz you [\h__\h] yourself going back to you next day and that's you're that guy. >> Yeah, >> you just have to quit. You worry about you. No, >> cuz everyone was saying after a while they stop they stop a fighting homage for a bloody nose but no one's ever mentioned if there's [\h__\h] dribbling at you. >> Yeah, literally poo dribbling bottom of your shorts.

Uh and they don't call it. >> Well, see if it tie shot >> crazy shots just moving tight before >> that's it. So what we'll do mate sort of sort of wrapping it up sort of thing. So what's your plans for the future? Um to do we expanding obviously you got the leads. Let's just do that first but um >> is there any future plans?

Like we said it's sort of bit off cuff with your martial arts career. So we'll we'll just let you come in and decide when you want to do that. But um what's the what's the big grand scheme of things for you the plan for your gyms? >> Yeah. Um so just expansion really more the same of what we're doing. Um the the leads academy is our first attempt at expansion.

So we'll make a lot of mistakes with it. We'll learn from it and then we'll look to basically repeat and do the same in other areas as well. Thing is we're not after a global brand you know. >> Yeah. >> Like to get to that level it takes monumental effort doesn't it? You know and um what I want is just a community of >> I mean it could it could scale it could scale quite big though could it? Yeah, quite possibly.

But it's it's have you got the drive and the will because with that become, you know, you've got the effort that's got to go go with it as well. I'm quite I enjoy my comforts and as long as I'm well off as well as I'm looked after and, you know, my family's looked after. The ultimate goal for me is to be able to provide opportunities for other people as well. So like I say, we've got Patrick now who's you know, coaching and we've got other training instructors coming. >> Wonder sit back in it and just um be nice. what you were awful older and keep >> I don't think I'd ever stop getting involved. It's what I enjoy doing.

You know, a lot of people get to that level and then take the foot off the gas and stand back and and and watch it. I still want to be involved. >> Yeah. I think that's when the thing goes wrong though, isn't it? I mean, I've been there. I've done all this myself.

Like I've been forefront of business. Um got it like literally global from through through online and um got it Australia, Sweden, uh America, Mexico, you name it. My my my Yeah, be two minutes, mate. >> Obviously, don't know podcast going well. Edit that out. Um, so we'll what we'll do, mate, is we'll uh we'll wrap it up.

Um, if you want to tell everyone, um, either your social medias or your locations of your business, mate. >> Yeah, absolutely. So um if anyone is interested in in taking up martial arts we sang martial arts find us on station lane in Featherston and also on Dolly Lane in Leeds and we'll be launching that uh midFebruary that that's when that one will open. But like I say um find us at sangoku.co.uk and book a free taste session. Come down see if it's for you. >> Perfect. Thank you.

I think we'll uh we'll wrap it up at that. Thanks for coming on today. We appreciate it mate. Thanks everyone. Remember like and subscribe and make sure you give Tai a follow.

Thank you.