As a martial arts instructor and owner of Cobra Life CIC, my mission is to teach young people vital life skills.  My story will give you an understanding of why.

I launched my business whilst I was homeless.  I was in a mess – I had suffered a back injury, was registered disabled, lost my job and lost my home.  I ended up living on the streets, but even though I was down, I knew I had to get myself back on my feet.  By day, I headed to the library - I researched books on entrepreneurship and I drew up my business plan. By night, I had to focus my attention on keeping warm and finding somewhere to sleep.

I wanted to focus my business on martial arts (I hold two 3rd Dan black belts in Karate and Kickboxing and multiple dan grades in other martial arts styles).  But I didn’t just want to create an assembly line of ‘terminators’ good at punching and kicking. I wanted to focus on the philosophies at the root of accomplished martial arts – skills such as improving confidence, concentration and self-discipline. So, as well as teaching traditional martial arts techniques, I wanted to devote key sessions to life-skills designed to help young people and adults who might find themselves in difficult or problematic situations.

So, as well as teaching traditional martial arts techniques, I wanted to devote key sessions to life-skills designed to help young people and adults who might find themselves in difficult or problematic situations.

That’s how I came up with my two signature programmes: Success for Life and Emergency Situation Management. I now work closely with local schools and youth organisations across the region, teaching these programmes and keep parents and carers regularly informed about pupils’ progress.

In addition, since I launched my first class in Connah’s Quay community centre in May 2018, I have grown to 23 classes a week and am now based in my own studio in Shotton.
I have moved back into permanent accommodation and, although still registered disabled, I can now teach regular classes in a range of different martial arts. 

I am incredibly proud that my classes and programmes are greeted with boundless enthusiasm by so many youngsters, and I look forward to teaching for many years to come.

My motto is;

"Your success is my pride"