What is currently inspiring you and in what way?
The ability to affect others lives the way Ricky has affected mine via martial arts!
If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be?
First person, would be my great grandad after being told by family we had similar personalities and we would have got along. I’ve never met a person who has said a bad word about him and my grandma describes him as the funniest, kindest person she’s ever known. Secondly would be Israel Adesanya as he’s not only my favorite fighter he’s also one of the most technical/ technically gifted fighters of our generation and I’d love to be able to pick his brains over food. Thirdly I’d pick Einstein which might seem strange but he is regarded as one of the smartest human beings to have lived and if I could learn anything from him over a meal I’d certainly be better for it, as they say knowledge is power! And finally I would pick Dave chapelle who is in my opinion the best comedian to have stepped on a stage, his intelligence and wit combined would make for a fascinating and hilarious conversation!
Them days you just want to stay in and chill with Netflix - What motivates you to get up, show up and put the hard work in?
Failure. It scares the shit out of me. Don’t get me wrong I’ve failed many times in my life and I’m also a true believer that failure is one of the main keys to success but it doesn’t make it any less painful. This is what drives me to be the best version of myself every morning I wake up.
This one’s for Jess (Callum’s partner). Describe Callum to us only using 3 words?
Callum is Ambitious, passionate and lovable
Why the Martial Arts?
I’ve always been fascinated with martial arts from a young age watching films like karate kid, mortal combat, bloodsport and enter the dragon with actors like Bruce lee, van damme and many more. This continued into my teens when I started to follow MMA, boxing, kickboxing and jui jitsu. Eventually I would step on the matts and my life hasn’t been the same since. The personal growth you can achieve via martial arts is second to none!
Do you have any hidden talents?
I wouldn’t call it hidden but I was a bespoke joiner for 7 years and can practically manufacture anything made of wood by hand for example stairs windows and doors. I also like to write in multiple forms from song/rap lyrics to short stories and poetry.
What defines success to you?
I personally am a big believer in respect. I don’t think material things define your success. If you are respected by your peers and the people around you then I believe you are successful.
Teens leaving school/collage now or in the years to come… What advice would you give?
I don’t know about anybody else but I had a hard childhood. I didn’t have a father figure around and was basically left to fend for myself at the age of 11. Because of this I didn’t have anyone around me to point me in the right direction and it wasn’t until my early 20’s that I actually started to realize what I wanted to do with my life. Because of this my advice would be simple, find something you love doing and do it as much as you possibly can. Work at it every minute your not sleeping until your the best at it because doing what you love for a living is the most rewarding career you can step into.
Who is your favourite historical figure?
Muhammad Ali. There are many people I could say here but I think Ali is the best. He was not only an amazing athlete and fighter but he spoke his mind and a lot of the time spoke on things others wouldn’t, he stood his ground in situations many would have folded because he believed in himself and the things he stood for. This is the type of person I strive to be.
If you could spend a day in someone else’s shoes, whose would they be & why?
I’d spend the day in the shoes of someone less fortunate than myself. I think it can become very easy to complain about the insignificant troubles we have on a daily basis and to spend the day in the shoes of someone who truly struggles would give me a greater appreciation for the small things in our lives that make a big difference. They say when someone thinks that they are big and tough that there’s always someone bigger and tougher and I think the same applies here, you may be having a bad day or week or month or even year as most of us are now but there’s always someone worse off! We all have a roof over our heads water in our taps and food in our bellies, these small things to others would be life changing.
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