"IF YOU THINK YOU CAN, YOU CAN. IF YOU THINK YOU CAN'T, YOU'RE RIGHT."

I have always had a keen interest in training in the martial arts and as a nervous schoolboy it took confidence that I never knew I had to walk into a club for the first time.

That first step is a big one.

I sampled Karate, Judo and Kung Fu when I was younger but my training tailed off as other things in life took over, leaving me less and less time to train.

Years later I was out and about with my good friend Jon Maxey (now 01st Dan Sensei) when he said 'fancy doing a martial art?'. A couple of days later I was back to being a nervous schoolboy again as I stood with Jon, feeling like a misfit on the mat of 'Meadway Jujitsu Club' as it was then called. We had decided to watch a class first. We were hooked on the incredible techniques we saw men and women of all shapes and sizes dispatching and couldn't wait to start training. Much to our surprise we were on the mat with normal people that had everyday jobs like us. We didn't look back. One lesson later we were joined by another good friend of mine, Johns brother Pete (now 3rd Dan Senior sensei).

Matt Stacey training with Royce Gracie in 2006

John, Pete and Myself were extremely fortunate to have received the bulk of our training directly from Professor James Mcdade, Master Steve Mcdade and Sensei Bob Carmichael (r.i.p.) who sadly lost his battle against cancer in 2004.

As a result of expert instruction over the years and my own commitment, I now run my own club in LA Fitness, Muswell Hill on behalf of Total Self Defence Limited. I am always delighted to see new faces join some of the more established students and to see the remarkable confidence each student gains in such short time training in Jujitsu. My advice is if you want to take that first step, just do it. You will undoubtedly benefit in a way you never expected to.

I look forward to training with you.