This episode, Lee sits down with Tony "The Axe Man" Stephenson, the man behind the world’s fastest knockout in Total Kombat history — a viral finish that’s been viewed over 9 million times across social media.

Tony shares the story behind his spectacular knockout, the mindset that drove him to bounce back from controversial losses, and how years of Tatami kickboxing and Olympic Taekwondo shaped his unique striking style.

From building a custom Total Kombat-style oval in his garden to earning praise from legends like Michael “Venom” Page, Tony dives deep into how technique, mindset, and creativity forged his viral moment.

You’ll also hear powerful reflections on:

Turning disappointment into motivation 💪

The grind of amateur martial arts and what it teaches kids

Competing for GB Taekwondo and lessons from Olympic-level training

The balance between fighting, family, and fatherhood

His future goals — and plans for even more knockouts at Total Kombat

This is a story of humility, mastery, and redemption — from one of the most exciting strikers to ever step into the oval.

The Elite Podcast is a brand-new show where host Lee Matthews speaks to individuals who are at the top of their industry and profession. The guests will be from different backgrounds including combat sports, military, and business to coaching. Lee will be finding out along with you why they have become the best in their fields and enjoyed acclaimed success and what they all share – their determination to become ELITE in their field.

Lee Matthews is a former paratrooper, kickboxing world champion and now entrepreneur. He is the owner of the UK's biggest chain of martial arts centres.

00:00 Viral KO cold open (9M+ views)
01:09 Welcome + TKO2 context
02:12 Background: light-contact kickboxing & Taekwondo
04:42 The Oval ramp—why it traps fighters
06:34 KO breakdown: side kick → axe kick → finish
09:10 Training on a home-built Oval
11:16 MVP ovation & Fighter of the Night
16:35 From Bantry to confidence (overcoming a stammer)
18:59 Tatami grind: resilience & mat time
24:44 Olympic path, Jiu-Jitsu & “Axe Man” origin
29:24 TKO1 controversy → mindset & redemption
34:44 Goals for 2026 + shoutouts, then sign-off

Follow Lee on social media for more:
▶︎ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lee.matthewsbmma
▶︎ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/leematthewsofficial/
▶︎ Website - www.leematthe

The Elite Podcast is a brand-new show where host Lee Matthews speaks to individuals who are at the top of their industry and profession. The guests will be from different backgrounds including combat sports, military, and business to coaching. Lee will be finding out along with you why they have become the best in their fields and enjoyed acclaimed success and what they all share – their determination to become ELITE in their field.

Lee Matthews is a former paratrooper, kickboxing world champion and now entrepreneur. He is the owner of the UK's biggest chain of martial arts centres.

Follow Lee on social media for more:
▶︎ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lee.matthewsbmma
▶︎ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/leematthewsofficial/
▶︎ Lee’s Book - https://shorturl.at/fyGI7

Recorded and Produced by Liverpool Podcast Studios
▶︎ Web - http://www.liverpoolpodcaststudios.com
▶︎ Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/liverpoolpodcaststudios
▶︎ LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/company/liverpool-podcast-studios

In this episode, Lee sits down with Oisín “The Natural” Brady, the young Irish kickboxing sensation whose jump spinning back kick knockout went viral with over 9 million views at the time of recording (now 20 million) at Total Kombat TKO 2 in the O2 Arena.

From humble beginnings in Bantry, West Cork, Oisín shares how his family’s small-town gym became the training ground for world champions — and how his father, coach, and brother form the tight-knit team behind his success.

He opens up about his mental training routines, visualization techniques, and the deep mindset work that keeps him calm under pressure. Oisín also discusses fighting in memory of his late cousin and best friend, Oisín, whose passing gave new meaning and purpose to every performance.

The conversation dives deep into the evolution of Tatami fighters, the reality of light contact kickboxing, and how Total Combat’s oval arena is changing the game — blending styles from kickboxing, MMA, and Taekwondo for a new generation of fighters.

The Elite Podcast is a show where host Lee Matthews speaks to individuals who are at the top of their industry and profession. The guests will be from different backgrounds including combat sports, military, and business to coaching. Lee will be finding out along with you why they have become the best in their fields and enjoyed acclaimed success and what they all share – their determination to become ELITE in their field.

Lee Matthews is a former paratrooper, kickboxing world champion and now entrepreneur. He is the owner of the UK's biggest chain of martial arts centres.

Chapters

00:00 Intro
00:49 Viral knockout goes global — 9 million views (now 20 million)
04:54 From Bantry to the O2 Arena
09:14 How Oisín mastered the jump spinning back kick
10:53 Training with his dad and brother — building champions at home
14:11 Mental strength, visualization & gratitude training
19:06 The cost of amateur competition & sacrifice for success
23:19 Why Total Kombat is changing the fight game
25:41 The problem with “light contact” kickboxing
30:02 Fighting for his cousin Oisín — turning tragedy into purpose
36:18 Setting goals for 2026 & eyeing a world title
38:06 Future opponents — the German fighter & Matt Brooks
40:29 The Total Combat Oval — no ropes, no hiding
45:50 Closing thoughts & thank yous

Follow Lee on social media for more:
▶︎ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lee.matthewsbmma
▶︎ Insta

The Elite Podcast is a brand-new show where host Lee Matthews speaks to individuals who are at the top of their industry and profession. The guests will be from different backgrounds including combat sports, military, and business to coaching. Lee will be finding out along with you why they have become the best in their fields and enjoyed acclaimed success and what they all share – their determination to become ELITE in their field.

Lee Matthews is a former paratrooper, kickboxing world champion and now entrepreneur. He is the owner of the UK's biggest chain of martial arts centres.

Follow Lee on social media for more:
▶︎ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lee.matthewsbmma
▶︎ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/leematthewsofficial/
▶︎ Lee’s Book - https://shorturl.at/fyGI7

Recorded and Produced by Liverpool Podcast Studios
▶︎ Web - http://www.liverpoolpodcaststudios.com
▶︎ Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/liverpoolpodcaststudios
▶︎ LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/company/liverpool-podcast-studios

In this episode of the Elite podcast, host Lee sits down with Lindsay Bruce, former SAS operator turned self-development and mindset coach. Lindsay shares his journey from struggling with self-esteem and dropping out of school to finding a sense of community and brotherhood in the Army. He discusses the importance of dismantling the 'emotional armor' built during military service to navigate the next phase of life. Exploring coaching primarily for men over 40, Lindsay emphasizes the need to reconnect with their true selves and rediscover purpose. The conversation delves into his experiences with psychedelics for self-discovery, the significance of being present, and balancing aggression with empathy. Lindsay's story is a compelling blend of personal struggle, professional achievement, and transformative growth.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:41 Podcast Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:37 Lindsay Bruce's Coaching Focus
03:17 Challenges of Military Transition
33:48 Personal Development and Overcoming Self-Sabotage
39:15 The Challenge of Habit Change
41:29 The Importance of Delayed Gratification in Habits
55:42 The Role of Visualisation and Self-Discovery
01:14:46 The Importance of Being Present
01:18:57 Final Thoughts

The Elite Podcast is a brand-new show where host Lee Matthews speaks to individuals who are at the top of their industry and profession. The guests will be from different backgrounds including combat sports, military, and business to coaching. Lee will be finding out along with you why they have become the best in their fields and enjoyed acclaimed success and what they all share – their determination to become ELITE in their field.

Lee Matthews is a former paratrooper, kickboxing world champion and now entrepreneur. He is the owner of the UK's biggest chain of martial arts centres.

Follow Lee on social media for more:
▶︎ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lee.matthewsbmma
▶︎ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/leematthewsofficial/
▶︎ Lee’s Book - https://shorturl.at/fyGI7

Recorded and Produced by Liverpool Podcast Studios
▶︎ Web - http://www.liverpoolpodcaststudios.com
▶︎ Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/liverpoolpodcaststudios
▶︎ LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/company/liverpool-podcast-studios