Why did you start

It all started when my eldest son came home from school, excited that there had been a Karate demo in his assembly and there would be a class starting the following week at his school. I signed us up, and we were off! A couple of months later, we were doing two lessons a week and were well on our way to being the black belts we are today.

What keeps you training

I'm a firm believer that you get back what you put into something, and Karate is a great example of this. From a few months into my journey, I have trained as much as I possibly can, and the improvements in fitness, mobility, technique, and knowledge are a great motivator, along with the camaraderie and inspiration others give within the club.

Job in the real world

Project Manager (as boring as it sounds!).

Favourite part of karate

I'm going to be boring and say that I don't have a standout favourite part—I enjoy it all as one awesome package (although my eyes do still light up when the call to put your mitts and pads on comes!).

Hobbies other than karate

I've always loved the great outdoors, and my other love is the mountains (of the Lakes and Wales)—spending as much time walking, camping, and dragging my two sons up and down them as I can!