Join us for a special episode of the Elite Podcast as host Lee speaks with Andy Cleeves, one of the UK's most successful coaches, fighters, and entrepreneurs in the martial arts industry. In this deep-dive conversation, Andy talks about his journey from a small village outside Bristol to becoming a pivotal figure in the world of martial arts. They discuss Andy's early influences, the growth of his organisation Epic Martial Arts, and the importance of maintaining both quality and excitement in the sport. They also explore the fascinating new project, Total Combat, which aims to provide a professional pathway for traditional martial arts strikers. Andy shares invaluable insights on leadership, overcoming adversity, and the future of martial arts competitions. Don't miss this inspiring and informative episode!

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Elite Podcast
01:46 Andy's Background and Family History
03:48 Journey into Martial Arts
06:19 Training and Mentorship
09:32 Evolution of Martial Arts Training
19:26 Building Epic Martial Arts
22:54 Branding and Business Expansion
30:07 Collaborations and Partnerships
31:00 Industry Insights and Supply Chain Challenges
32:11 Building a Trustworthy Business
33:00 Expanding Opportunities with Top 10 GB
33:35 The Bristol Open and Merchandise Business
37:29 The Journey of Total Combat
41:14 Challenges and Future of Total Combat
55:18 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude

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, Lee speaks with Gurjit Gallon, a former British champion and fight announcer. Gurj shares his journey from his early passion for martial arts to overcoming a collapsed lung and working towards his dreams. The conversation delves into Gurj's experiences in training, the martial arts community, and his role as a vibrant and unique fight announcer. Join us for an inspiring discussion on resilience, passion, and the pursuit of excellence in martial arts.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:51 Interview Start
01:41 Journey to Martial Arts Success
02:44 Challenges and Injuries
06:16 Return to Martial Arts and New Beginnings
14:46 Building a New Legacy
21:48 The Beard Journey
22:47 COVID and the Beard
23:14 Spiritual Beliefs and Practices
24:29 Losing and Regaining Faith
25:27 Martial Arts and Personal Growth
30:53 Total Combat Team Dynamics
39:29 Future Aspirations and Goals
41:53 Conclusion and Farewell

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, we sit down with Amy Truesdale, MBE, a four-time European champion, three-time World Champion, and Paralympic champion in Taekwondo. Amy shares her inspiring journey from starting Taekwondo at the age of eight, influenced by her parents, to conquering various challenges and achieving monumental success in the world of martial arts. She talks about her transition from the ITF style in TAGB to Olympic-style WT, her experiences at the Tokyo and Paris Paralympic Games, and the mental and physical struggles she overcame to become a champion. Amy also discusses her future plans, including gearing up for the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles and her aspirations to become a full-time coach. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience, dedication, and the pursuit of greatness in the face of adversity.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Amy Trusdale's Journey
01:18 Early Beginnings in Martial Arts
05:43 Transition to Olympic Style Taekwondo
08:54 Challenges and Triumphs in Paralympic Taekwondo
10:03 Life as a Full-Time Athlete
11:53 Mental Struggles and Overcoming Adversity
18:20 Current Competitions and Future Plans
20:09 The Paralympic Experience and Media Coverage
21:21 The Paralympian Journey
22:12 Childhood Challenges and Parental Influence
23:51 The Drive to Succeed
25:39 Training for the Next Paralympics
26:07 The Reality of Competitive TaeKwonDo
31:04 Achievements and Recognition
34:19 Future Plans and Coaching Aspirations
37:43 Growing Awareness for Para Taekwondo
39:53 Conclusion and 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