I grew up on action movies and always loved martial arts. I did Tae Kwon Do as a kid but gave it up in my teens when we moved.As an adult, I watched a lot of Muay Thai and decided to practice.

After two years, I had to have a second surgery and decided to pursue boxing instead. I wasn’t as familiar with boxing then but fell in love with the sport, practising for the last five years and coaching for two. It was the sport, the discipline, and the community that surrounded the sport that kept me.

Regarding my boxers, my strategy is to engage you creatively at whatever your level is. Whether it's drills to build skills or complex breakdowns of techniques.

Thorough or layered approaches are all methods I utilise. At the end of it all, boxer demonstration and practice will allow you to learn the art.

It starts with a conversation to gauge experience and understanding, and then, from there, it comes down to observation as we go through our lessons. There is always something we could build on, add value to, or refine.

During class, there are always different skill levels. Regardless, I will find a way of giving each boxer a drill or skill to practice. For the more experienced boxers, sometimes it does mean getting in the ring with them.

Starting with skipping, moving to dynamic stretching, and then proceeding to footwork drills to build proprioception; from there is whether the crux of the lesson begins.

Each lesson will have something specific to focus on angles, footwork, head movement, hand defence, and combinations.

The focus of each lesson will be taught through targeted skills that will gradually build complexity throughout the lesson to build boxing mastery and keep you engaged.

Skipping is a great boxing warmup, followed by dynamic stretching; we also actively cool down towards the end of the routine to allow the body to recover slowly.

Regarding injury prevention, we ask that boxers buy protective 16oz gloves, sports mouthguards (not chemist mouthguards), and headgear.

For an experienced boxer, all drills and partnered exercises can be tailored to skill level. Walking around and observing class dynamics / levels ensures that everyone learns at their own pace.

These can be formally written and assessed with categorical tests such as the beep test.

However, most clients like to assess progress informally via debriefs and conversations after each session or after an adequate amount of time aiming towards goals. That may sound lacklustre, but don’t get confused; it sometimes means stepping in the ring with me.

There isn’t much an experienced boxer hasn’t seen; there’s always an exception. I have worked in harm minimisation, drug and alcohol support, youth work, and disabilities, so I would say I can handle a breadth of scenarios with confidence.

All sessions are a challenge; an empathetic but firm approach to these setbacks and challenges is always the role of a coach in these scenarios.

As a coach, I am always open to learning and do not pretend to know everything.

Yes, there is, and it is encouraged. I will not allow just anyone to step in the ring.

It has to be assessed over time that the coach and club strictly decide, as stepping into the ring should not be taken lightly.

As a coach, I believe in remaining a student. I attend regular coaching sessions with my professional coach and regular skill sessions at other gyms to ensure I am on the game.

I’m always discovering creative ways to grow in boxing, even if the approach may be unorthodox.

• I give each student individual attention, and my high awareness allows me to watch multiple students simultaneously.
• My empathetic and firm approach.
• My love for connecting with people and disguising work as play.

• Edify and encourage others.
• Own your weaknesses.
• Grow your strengths.
• Work is play.