Support system and sponsors: a recipe for success.

I was fortunate enough to walk through the doors of Lions den MMA over a decade ago where I soon met my coach, close friend and mentor Dave Matthews who has offered guidance support in every direction life has taken me.

Dave has given me support over the years in many forms and has never let me down once. I know I’m not the only person who can make that statement. Taking tough defeats in the sport and going on a 3 fight skid early in my career which mentally and physically battered me, Dave was there to not only pick up the pieces but build me into a stronger version of myself.

Few know, but during the 3 fight skid one opponent I lost to was Joe Orrey, the fight went to decision and the more experienced Orrey got his hand raised. I spent the whole fight camp in California training with team alpha male, 3 months total away from the UK. During this time I would regularly chat to my Mum via facebook to check up on her and tell her about my trip, she had been my number one support and had gone to great lengths to make sure was doing ok. During the trip she had informed me that the internet was being replaced and if I don’t hear from her not to worry so totally oblivious to the reality of what she was really telling me I agreed and carried on the final 3 weeks of my trip.

One week out from the fight. it was time to fly home and with my mums internet being down I hadn’t been able to update her, so I was eager to get home and tell her all about it and finish my fight camp with my home team Lions den. I soon landed at Heathrow and Dave had driven 200 miles to collect me, this wasn’t the first time he had done this. Something was different this time though, on the way back he just seemed preoccupied. Soon I would find out why.

Dave pulled into the closest service station and bought me a coffee, black with no sugar as I was cutting weight for my fight in 5 days time. As we both sat down he said he had some bad news to tell me, my heart sank I knew something was seriously wrong. The words seemed to come out of his mouth in slow motion: “Your mum has cancer, and its bad”

This information hit me like a truck, my mother had decided to keep her struggles and fight for her life from me to protect me from worry and prevent me flying home early and miss my fight. Dave informed me she had already had one operation but required one more and said he fully supports if I wish to back out of the fight. All I could think about is how hard my mum was currently fighting and that she had always supported my dreams and been proud of me win or lose, so in a way I felt I had to make the walk for her.

I went into the fight physically prepared and despite the mental stress of my personal life that wasn’t the reason for the outcome, it was purely the better man winning on the night. The loss hurt, however more importantly I couldn’t wait to get home and support my mother through the real fight. She would push through tough chemo sessions, and another huge operation to finally get the all clear, I have honestly never met anyone as strong and resilient as my mum. This was a tough time in my life but my mums strength gave me the drive to push forward and keep fighting despite getting knocked down and losing. Remember “Losing is not the same as being defeated”. She has been a huge support and inspiration in my life, and when she was busy fighting for her own life the one person who was always there for me to encourage me and lift my spirits was Dave, and I’m forever grateful.

On top of all this Dave will drive me to and from the gym twice daily. He will give me straight to the point advice wherever i am in the world and rarely if ever beats around the bush. He has dealt with every hardship throughout my career, making this journey easy and enjoyable along with so much more. Its safe to say without him I wouldn’t be where I am now.

Before any of this I needed guidance and support while growing up in order to find the right direction in life. That single handedly came from my mother, she is all I had. We didn’t have much in the form of finances and belongings but none of that mattered. my mum went out of her way and grafted so hard to make sure I had the same as every other kid in my school, she was completely selfless when it came to providing for me. Her strong work ethic and mental fortitude is what inspire me to work hard and drive for the things I’m passionate about today.

Over the years and especially since starting out in MMA I have acquired some dedicated close friends who have given me encouragement and support going into every battle. Sometimes just a small message of support can be enough motivation needed to push through when things get tough in the sport.

Some of these friends have gone further and sponsored me by providing me their expertise and in some cases finances to further my career. My current sponsors are:

(New) Superdry.

As of this week I have become a Superdry athlete and sports brand ambassador. This is my first time working with a big company and franchise. Over the course of 2020 they will be providing me all the essentials I need from their diverse clothing and equipment line. we will also be working on some interesting projects similar to the advert You can see in my Instagram page. I’m proud to represent Superdry.

UFC GYM OMAN

So far in Oman MMA isn’t completely established as a sport. UFC gym Oman are at the forefront of spreading popularity of the sport throughout the capital of Muscat. As soon as I arrived into Muscat the UFC gym welcomed me with open arms, the gym soon became a home from home. Now continuing through into 2020 they will allowing me to train for free and utilize their great facilities to get in the best condition for my next competition which will be very soon. Unit 7 Gym Exeter

This sponsor is the man himself Dave Bargent who when I’m in the UK gives me access to Unit 7’s fantastic facilities along with high level strength and conditioning programmes he tailors specifically for me to improve my performance, he’s provided me with training regimes to follow so I stay in shape while I work overseas. I recommend to anyone in exeter looking for better sports performance to contact Dave.

The Clinic at PI

Behind this Sponsor is Aaron Conway who whenever I have any physical injuries or pains he will find the time to fit me in to his clinic in Exmouth and identify the problem and fix it so I can train to my best ability and if he is busy he will refer me to another genius in fixing injuries - Tammy Emmins. Aaron is a great guy and if you’re injured or are looking for Pre-habilitation I fully recommend seeing him.

The purpose of writing this article was to share that in everything I’ve done over the last few years and wherever I’ve been in the world I have never been alone, and every one of you that support in their own way I am very grateful, it’s definitely kept me going in tough times and made me extremely appreciative when times are good.

I’m getting things lined up to be competing early in 2020 and have a busy year. Thank you for following my journey.

Follow my Instagram to keep up to date on any fight related news.