I have bumped into Don over the years in the gym, in coffee shops and we have talked sport and life, only fleetingly, but for enough time to recognize that we share a philosophy of our sport being an ongoing place of learning and growth and mirroring life - Although life can be harder! But at least the sport has accessed some inner strengths and latent talents - develop some skills that can then be applied in life too!

Don has been actively involved in the martial arts since 1976. He has acted as a civilian instructor for a Metropolitan Police karate club and taught successful self-defence courses for the Crime Prevention Office in South London.

Constantly looking to improve his base knowledge and refine his skills as a martial artist, Don completed an honors degree in exercise science at Brighton University in 1997. This has provided an understanding of biomechanics, physiology and psychology which continues to influence the development of the Academy and its students.

Formerly a member of the renowned "International Institute of Kyusho Research" before becoming a fully fledged Kissaki-Kai Instructor, he has been at the cutting edge in the research, rediscovery and further development of the effective self-defense techniques found within the fixed forms (kata) of karate since 1997.

Don has collaborated with the Eastbourne Borough Council to develop a pilot scheme for a youth protection programme aimed at helping young people who have been victims of, or are considered at risk of, physical violence.

In demand as a freelance physical intervention consultant, Don regularly provides specialised training courses for companies in the private sector.