In this episode of Beyond The Canvas, I’m joined by former professional MMA fighter and now counsellor, Matt Ewin.

We talk through Matt’s journey into MMA, the physical and financial challenges of being a fighter, and the proud moment of capturing the Cage Rage British Championship. After retiring from professional MMA and going through a period of depression that took him to the brink of suicide, Matt made the decision to turn his life around. He attended university, graduated, and went on to pursue a career as a counsellor.

The conversation explores how he overcame that dark period, how training, coaching, and competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu have supported his mental health, and how he now uses his experience to help others. We also discuss how Trojan Free Fighters has evolved into one of the best gyms in the UK, and take a moment to recognise Paul Sutherland as one of the finest coaches in the country.

Matt closes the episode with powerful advice on staying true to yourself, following your own path, and not being misled by others.

In this episode of Beyond The Canvas, I’m joined by former professional MMA fighter and head coach of Trojan Free Fighters, Paul Sutherland.

We explore the history of Trojan and how Paul came to lead one of the most respected teams in the UK. Paul reflects on his own MMA career and the fighters who have come through the gym, including the Figlak Brothers, Che Mills, Ronnie Mann, Chris Arstley, Lawrence Tracey, Mario Saeed, and his son Aaron Sutherland, who is rapidly making a name for himself on the amateur scene.

The conversation also covers the importance of developing the next generation, coaching juniors, dealing with injuries, and the decision to retire from competition. Paul shares insight into his work promoting events, from Ultimate Impact and Meltdown FC to the debut of Evolution Combat this September, as well as the challenges and responsibility that came with serving as a UFC judge.

This is an episode about legacy, leadership, and building something that lasts in combat sports.

In this episode of Beyond The Canvas, I’m joined by former professional boxer Andy Harris.

We talk through Andy’s decorated amateur and professional boxing career, as well as the realities of life as a journeyman fighter and what it takes to keep going on the road. Andy opens up about the safety implications of cutting weight, taking fights on short notice, and the financial pressures and struggles that come with the profession.

The conversation also covers the experience of fighting on bigger shows, including stepping in against former Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell, and the mental battle that came after that loss. Andy speaks honestly about the challenges behind the scenes, both in and out of the ring.

To close the episode, Andy shares powerful advice on work ethic, reminding listeners that no matter the situation, you should always aim to be the hardest worker in the room.

In this episode of Beyond The Canvas, I’m joined by former professional MMA fighter and head coach of IRON Mann MMA Gym, Ronnie Mann.

We dive into Ronnie’s heritage, upbringing, and the early days of MMA, including how the sport and its ruleset have evolved over time. Ronnie also reflects on his professional fighting career, taking us through appearances at Cage Rage, Cage Warriors, Bellator, Cage Gladiators, Sengoku, and his Shark Fights championship win.

The conversation gets into the bigger moments and what-ifs too, including the rumoured Jose Aldo fight and Ronnie’s own story around missed opportunities against Brad Pickett, Conor McGregor, and a potential UFC contract. Alongside the fight stories, we talk about coaching, finding balance, keeping passion alive, and what it means to build something lasting in the sport.

This is a conversation about legacy, opportunity, and the reality behind a long career in MMA.

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Canvas, I’m joined by Amin Khan, head coach at Truth Boxing Club in Gloucester.

We explore Amin’s journey through boxing, from his early influences in the sport to what ultimately led him into coaching. He shares his perspective on the history of boxing and the values it instills, alongside the responsibility of being a role model — particularly within the Muslim community.

The conversation also highlights his close relationship with standout fighter Jayden Price, their journey travelling the world together, and Jayden’s rise to representing Bahrain on the international stage. Amin gives an honest insight into what it takes behind the scenes to build and guide a successful fighter.

To close the episode, Amin leaves listeners with powerful advice on believing in yourself, backing your path, and staying focused on your goals regardless of outside opinions.

In this episode of Beyond the Canvas, I’m joined by Eli Harrison — Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and head coach at Gracie Barra Gloucester.

We dive into Eli’s journey through the ranks and what it truly felt like to earn his black belt, along with his perspective on the different stages of the belt system and where he found the most growth. We also talk about dealing with injuries and the challenge of staying consistent without stepping too far away from the mats.

Eli shares his experiences competing, coaching, and the responsibility that comes with leading others — from accountability to setting the standard for those around you. The conversation goes beyond jiu-jitsu itself, exploring how training shapes mindset, discipline, and everyday life off the mats.

To close the episode, Eli leaves listeners with simple but impactful advice on learning to get comfortable with being uncomfortable — a mindset that applies far beyond the gym.

In this episode, I sit down with former professional boxer Todd Roberts, now head coach at Baker Street Boxing Club.

We explore Todd’s journey into boxing, from his early days in the sport through to his amateur and professional career. He shares the realities of life as a fighter, the sacrifices required to compete, and the mindset needed to stay in the game. Todd also opens up about his decision to step away from competing and transition into coaching — a move that brought a new sense of purpose.

The conversation moves into his work as a coach, including how a chance connection with pre-UFC fighter Christian Leroy Duncan led to opportunities within MMA. Since then, Todd has gone on to coach over 15 MMA fighters and become a key part of two fighters’ core teams.

This episode is about evolution, discipline, and dedication — both in and out of the ring. Todd closes with a simple but powerful reminder on how consistency, over time, is what truly breeds success.

This episode of Beyond the Canvas is dedicated to the life and memory of Adam Webb, who sadly passed away on 13/06/26.

Adam was a former professional MMA fighter and coach, but more than that, he was a presence — someone who brought energy, confidence, and warmth into every room he stepped into. Known for his big heart, infectious spirit, and genuine kindness, Adam left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

In this tribute episode, I’ve brought together a collection of video messages from Adam’s friends, teammates, and those who knew him best. They share their stories, experiences, and the moments that defined who Adam was — not just as a fighter, but as a person.

This is more than a reflection on his achievements; it’s a celebration of his character, his impact, and the connections he built throughout his life.

He will be deeply missed, but more importantly, he will always be remembered.

In this episode of Beyond the Canvas, I’m joined by Dan Ward — a 10th degree black belt in Ninjitsu, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, former amateur MMA fighter, and ex-Metropolitan Police firearms officer with experience in diplomatic and political protection.

We dive into Dan’s journey into martial arts and fighting, exploring the history and philosophy behind Ninjitsu, and how his path evolved from training to real-world application. The conversation moves through the realities of policing in the UK, the pressures that come with it, and how those experiences shape a person both mentally and physically.

We also unpack the perception of martial arts — not just as a sport or competition, but as a deeper practice that extends beyond rules, clubs, and controlled environments. Dan shares his thoughts on keeping martial arts open, adaptable, and true to its roots.

Alongside this, we explore mental health, particularly anxiety, and how training, mindset, and life experience all play a role in managing it. Dan closes the episode with simple but powerful advice that cuts through the noise and speaks directly to anyone dealing with anxiety.

This is a conversation about reality, perspective, and what it means to stay grounded in both combat and everyday life.

In this episode, I’m joined by Job Salomão Rigon—a former Brazilian Tactical Police Officer, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, and amateur MMA fighter—for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation.

We explore Job’s deep-rooted family history in service, from his grandfather in the army to his father in the police, and how that legacy carried through him and his brothers serving in the navy before transitioning into policing. He shares insights into Brazilian culture and the warrior mentality shaped by harsh environments, producing world-class fighters like José Aldo, Charles Oliveira, and Alex Pereira.

Job also reflects on his move to the UK, adjusting to a completely different environment, and his journey into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, from his first exposure during police training to finding a home under Ali Mason at Range Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Gloucester. We discuss the brotherhood, discipline, and lifelong bonds that come with the sport, as well as his transition into MMA and the sacrifices required to compete across multiple disciplines.

He opens up about the tragic loss of a close friend, murdered off duty in Brazil, whose influence continues to live on through Job’s journey in Jiu-Jitsu—the very art his friend introduced him to. We also touch on fatherhood, including the shared concerns around our sons entering martial arts and competing at a young age.

Job finishes with a powerful message on chasing your dreams, emphasizing that success comes from fully committing and giving everything to the path you choose.