Wasn't it amazing? The last glorious days of summer, and they really were glorious. We have now lived through the hottest 30th September and early October days ever. We are part of history. Of course, we always are, but some days bring it home more than most. How did you spend that last hot weekend before autumn envelopes us in it's russet browns and golden yellows? Before the march of Christmas builds it's momentum and the spending spree begins. I walked in the fields, I enjoyed a communal curry night, I went to see my son at his new home in Nottingham and I continued to pore time into my business. Is now a time to reflect or a time to look forward? Some people do both, others only one. Someone said recently, that for them September was the New Year, it had warmth to fuel the ambitions of new ideas, whereas in January it's often too cold to really get excited. If this makes sense then October is the warm February, when the momentum has built and results are beginning to be seen.
It seems apt to write about Bruce Lee today - he died 38 years ago on 20th July 1973. Cause of death has been quoted as cerebral edema, a swelling of the brain possibly caused by an allergic reaction to a pain killer. As with many young people when they die it seemed incredible at the time. Bruce was 32, not the bloated figure Elvis became, or the drink fuelled deaths of Bon Scott, Mama Cass or John Bonham. Bruce Lee was the fittest man alive at the time, chiseled and at the height of his powers. His death caused a shock in 1973 and some people still find it hard to believe to this day.
I seem to have spent the last 6 months listening to Michael Buble and the song I've listen to the most lately is 'Feelin' Good'. The fact is that I haven't been feeling good all the time the last few weeks (due to a change of the domestic situation), but I do love the hope this song brings.
2012 will see my 31st year involved in martial arts. From humble beginnings I attained a number of achievements over those years and managed to make my hobby my career in 1993. In 1998 I opened my martial arts centre in Bath Road, Kettering. In 2001 my career took a sideways shift when I began a series of psychological trainings with Richard Bandler, Tony Robbins and Paul McKenna, amongst others. Since then I have combined the martial arts and psychological methods to help people overcome all manner of fears.
In 2010 I completed a massive UK tour of speaking events covering 135 gigs from as far north as Edinburgh and as far south as Fleet in Hampshire covering 22,000 miles and speaking to thousands of people. Some of this tour was featured in the Red-Scar documentary 'Straight Talking Guy'. This film was premiered at the NEC during the Martial Arts Show Live in May. I also put on my own one man show at the Castle Theatre, Wellingborough in July where the film was shown as well as an act consisting of Jedi Mind Tricks, martial magic and stand up comedy. 'Straight Talking Guy' is now available on dvd through Red-Scar or by contacting me direct.
In October 2010 my martial arts teacher, Richard Bustillo, conducted a tour of the UK giving seminars where I was his host and guide. It was during this tour that I was promoted to Master Instructor (a 7th Dan equivalent).
During 2010 I moved into the world of corporate training and taught courses on subjects as diverse as communication, time management, creativity and leadership and continue to do so.
Achievements:
British Champion - 1994
World Silver medalist - 1994 (Philippines) and 1996 (USA)
British Team Captain - Los Angeles, USA - 1996
British Team Coach to the World Champions - Los Angeles - 2001
USA Hall of Fame member - 2003
6th Dan Black Belt - Doce Pares Eskrima
Master Instructor - Jeet Kune Do (under Richard Bustillo - original student of Bruce Lee)
NLP Practitioner - under Richard Bandler