In 2001, after spending a year training in Thailand, I joined Cobra Gym and began fighting under the guidance of Tim Izli. It was during this period that students started approaching me for coaching ahead of events. In 2008, I opened the first Stars Gym while still actively fighting, which continued until my retirement in 2010. In 2011, Stars Gym expanded into a new and much improved location and facility, and regular interclub events began, with the gym purpose-built to include a full-size competition ring. Alongside this, I used Stars Gym as a platform to start running large-scale fight events. I trained 100's fighters over those years and promoted events consistently until 2017, when I travelled to Los Angeles to train and work under sponsorship for six months. On returning to the UK, I shifted my focus toward the fitness industry. In 2020, I opened Circle8Fitness, a HIIT concept inspired by Muay Thai. Circle8Fitness again created a platform for interclubs and competitive training, although my focus was now firmly on running and managing the business as a sole operator. The events I created up until 2017, whether for professionals or white-collar fighters, were built to be unforgettable experiences, with full production and promotion, cabaret ring girls on walkouts, fireworks, atmosphere, and high-energy shows. I handled everything personally: coaching, promotion, photography, management, and artwork. The aim was always the same, to raise the standard and create something truly memorable for everyone who took part.
As well as this, I ran numerous seminars. At the time, it was unheard of for a Westerner to run a Muay Thai seminar in the UK, it was always Thai fighters who travelled over to teach. That never quite made sense to me. While Thai fighters are exceptional, the language barrier often limited communication to a depth that I felt was essential. By this point of time (2012) there were already Western champions who had lived and breathed Muay Thai in the same way I had, with fight experience far surpassing my own. I began with Julie Kitchen, who at the time was a 12-time World Champion, hosting a ladies-only seminar that was assisted by my student Alexis Rufus, herself a multiple-time World Champion under me. After that, I worked with Damien Trainer, helping to structure these seminars into full weekend formats. I brought in additional guests such as Vinny Shoreman, who worked with participants on NLP and its benefits for fighting, alongside Q&A sessions with the guest, nutritionists, and life coaches. This set the stage for many others to do the same. To the best of my knowledge, I was the first to instigate this format. Damien went on to deliver seminars all over the world and continues to do so today. I also hosted seminars with other leading figures such as Greg Wootton.
