Elite Podcast

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Michael 'Venom' Page joins Lee Matthews on The Elite Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about his journey from a kid getting beaten week in, week out, to one of the most recognisable and unconventional fighters in the UFC.

Before MMA, MVP became a multiple-time kickboxing world champion, won open weight titles against grown men as a teenager, and helped form one of the best points-fighting teams Great Britain has ever produced. When he switched to MMA, his very first fight went viral off a spectacular knockout — and he explains why the showman style that makes referees and fighters stop just to watch is the exact same reason so many opponents now want nothing to do with him.

He opens up on the years of losing that built him, the giant who bullied him before becoming a friend, and the six-year grudge that fuelled one of his most personal fights. He talks about the birth of the "MVP" alter ego, watching 98% of the comments on his first viral fight turn negative, and the moment that made him stop reading them for good. Lee and Mike also dig into finding a coach who wouldn't strip away his style, why he stays off the floor, and the mission behind Total Kombat — a professional home for the 200 million martial artists the mainstream has ignored.

From North West London to the UFC, this is the story of a fighter who refused to be conventional — and won anyway.

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.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
01:35 Playing football at Old Trafford
02:36 Becoming mates with his childhood idols
03:38 His dad's philosophy & the family dojo
05:22 Why every school needs martial arts
08:05 Learning to lose: years of getting beaten
10:27 Chasing his talented siblings
12:30 The moment it clicked: a world title at 12
14:58 Begging his dad to fight grown men
18:48 Terry Hillman, the giant who bullied him
20:50 Beating Lee in a final as a teenager
24:18 Building the unstoppable GB team
26:22 The grudge he held for six years
31:08 The birth of MVP, the alter ego
34:15 His first MMA fight goes viral
40:04 98% hate & the comment that changed his mind
44:09 Doubling down on being himself
46:14 Finding a coach who wouldn't change him
51:23 Why he stays off the floor
52:03 Why nobody wants to fight him now
55:08 The dead end for points fighters
56:30 Why Total Kombat had to exist
59:53 "The right level of violence"
1:01:14 The 200 million martial artists the UFC ignores
1:03:39 Tais O'Donnell, the Muay Thai phenom
1:04:43 Tais vs Joe Brooks for the world title
1:06:04 Who wins? MVP's prediction
1:07:07 TK04 Liverpool & the Page family
1:08:33 Zappli & the supplement that surprised him
1:12:20 Wrapping up

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

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

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

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Matt Fiddes joins Lee Matthews for a conversation about martial arts, business, controversy, and his close relationship with Michael Jackson.

From growing up as a bullied kid in Swindon with no qualifications to building one of the biggest martial arts franchise networks in the world, Matt opens up about the early years that shaped him, the obsession with martial arts that changed his life, and the business systems that helped him scale far beyond a single school.

Matt discusses his journey through Taekwondo and kickboxing, becoming a young millionaire through martial arts, dealing with criticism from the industry, and how he used controversy, media attention, and branding to grow. He also talks about meeting Yuri Geller, being introduced to Michael Jackson, training Michael in martial arts, becoming part of his personal security, and the business advice Michael gave him that helped him think bigger.

This episode is a look at the mindset behind success, the reality of building a global brand, and the lessons Matt learned from martial arts, media, entrepreneurship, and one of the most famous entertainers in history.
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.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
00:08 Life in Cyprus and running a business remotely
01:18 Lifestyle, family and building from abroad
02:32 Martial arts, business and the Michael Jackson story
03:55 Growing up bullied in Swindon
06:27 School struggles, writing and finding a different path
08:00 Discovering martial arts and Taekwondo
09:05 Bruce Lee, Van Damme and becoming obsessed with kicking
11:20 Competing, WUMA and earning credibility
13:30 Moving to Devon and opening early classes
16:00 Learning American martial arts business systems
17:15 Direct debits, early success and the first full-time school
18:00 New Year’s Eve building the academy
18:45 Aggressive marketing and becoming a young millionaire
20:10 Media attention, controversy and the ponytail brand
21:10 Yuri Geller reaches out
22:20 Meeting Yuri and changing his mindset
24:20 The “McDojo” label and using controversy
25:10 Learning from McDonald’s and location strategy
27:00 Outsourcing black belt gradings and protecting standards
28:00 Bob Sykes, Martial Arts Illustrated and proving himself
30:00 Alfie Lewis, old school vs new school and earning respect
32:10 Stepping out of the shadows after lockdown
33:20 MABEX, the McDojo speech and industry acceptance
35:00 Rich House Poor House and showing the real Matt
36:20 COVID, restructuring and scaling bigger
37:15 How Matt met Michael Jackson
38:05 Training Michael Jackson in martial arts
39:05 Michael Jackson, dance and the moonwalk joke
40:05 Becoming part of Michael Jackson’s personal security
42:10 Travelling with Michael Jackson and airport chaos
44:25 Michael Jackson, media image and allegations
46:25 Vitiligo, paparazzi and public misunderstanding
49:00 Michael’s final public performances and loneliness
51:00 Life around Michael behind closed doors
52:10 Mystery, media and lessons from Michael
53:00 Michael Jackson’s franchising advice
54:35 Opening 400 schools in a year
55:00 Michael Jackson as a businessman
56:10 Matt Fiddes today: martial arts, dance, nurseries and mentorship
58:40 The memoir, mindset and building a brand
60:00 Final thoughts

Follow Lee on social media for more:
▶︎ Facebook -   / lee.matthewsbmma 
▶︎ Instagram -   / leematthewsofficial 
▶︎ Website - www.leematthewsofficial.com
▶︎ Lee’s Book - https://shorturl.at/fyGI7
Recorded and Produced by Liverpool Podcast Studios
▶︎ Web -

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

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Tais O’Donnell joins Lee Matthews for a conversation about his rise through Total Kombat, his Muay Thai background, and why he believes he is the fight everyone wants to see.

Still only young, Tais has already built a reputation as one of the most entertaining and dangerous fighters in Total Kombat. With a 3-0 record and every win coming by knockout or TKO, he talks about adapting his Muay Thai style for The Oval, fighting without elbows, knees, and low kicks, and why he believes Joe Brooks can’t call himself a real champion until they fight.

Tais also opens up about how he first got into martial arts after having his food stolen as a kid, the early struggles of going on a seven-fight losing streak, and the mindset shift that helped him turn things around. He discusses his coach Jimmy Busk, the importance of self-belief, building the “Muay Tais” character, using social media to stand out, and his plans to keep chasing big opportunities in combat sports. 

This episode is a look at a young fighter with confidence, personality, knockout power, and a clear message for Joe Brooks: that belt is mine.

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.

*CHAPTERS:*
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Tais O’Donnell joins Lee Matthews
01:17 Building a name in Total Kombat
01:40 Calling out Joe Brooks
02:06 “I’m the money fight”
02:27 Representing Muay Thai in The Oval
03:36 Why Joe Brooks won’t accept full Muay Thai rules
04:25 Fighting at Bantamweight
05:14 Coach Jimmy Busk
06:10 How Tais got into martial arts
07:53 First training session
08:33 First fight and seven-fight losing streak
09:23 The mindset shift that changed everything
10:06 41 fights at a young age
11:36 Why he believes he can finish Joe Brooks
12:40 Growing up in Denmark and Vietnam
14:05 Why he prefers striking over grappling
14:35 Muay Thai clinch, knees, elbows and sweeps
15:27 Using Muay Thai skills in Total Kombat
17:49 Building his social media personality
19:32 Standing out as a fighter
20:07 Creating the “Muay Tais” character
21:19 Future plans and special rules fights
22:51 Training every day
23:59 Studying robotics and automation
24:41 Umar vs Robbie Lavoie
26:35 Big Mouth, trash talk and the next generation
27:09 Final message to Joe Brooks

Follow Lee on social media for more:
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▶︎ Website - [www.leematthewsofficial.com](http://www.leematthewsofficial.com)
▶︎ Lee’s Book - [https://shorturl.at/fyGI7](https://shorturl.at/fyGI7)

Recorded and Produced by Liverpool Podcast Studios
▶︎ Web - [http://www.liverpoolpodcaststudios.com](

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

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Hugh Keir joins Lee Matthews for a powerful conversation about military life, mindset, leadership, and rebuilding confidence after adversity.

Hugh shares his journey from growing up in the Welsh valleys to joining the Parachute Regiment, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and learning how to operate under extreme pressure. He opens up about low self-confidence, imposter syndrome, rapid promotion, mental health struggles after leaving the military, and the process of building himself back up.

As the host of the H-Hour Podcast, Hugh has spent years interviewing people with incredible stories. In this episode, the tables are turned as Lee dives into Hugh’s own experiences, the lessons he took from military training, and why becoming comfortable in chaos is such a powerful tool for life, leadership, and performance.

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.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
01:04 Catching Up With Hugh Keir
03:00 H-Hour Podcast & Interviewing Others
04:30 Growing Up in the Welsh Valleys
07:30 Low Confidence, Childhood & Finding Identity
10:30 Joining the Military
13:20 Life in the Parachute Regiment
16:40 Iraq, Afghanistan & Building Self-Belief
20:00 Leadership, Pressure & Imposter Syndrome
24:00 Becoming Comfortable in Chaos
28:00 Mental Health After the Military
34:00 Rebuilding Confidence
40:00 Lessons in Leadership
48:00 Podcasting, Purpose & Storytelling
55:00 What It Means to Be Elite

Follow Lee on social media for more:
▶︎ Facebook -   / lee.matthewsbmma 
▶︎ Instagram -   / leematthewsofficial 
▶︎ Website - www.leematthewsofficial.com
▶︎ Lee’s Book - https://shorturl.at/fyGI7
Recorded and Produced by Liverpool Podcast Studios
▶︎ Web - http://www.liverpoolpodcaststudios.com
▶︎ Instagram -   / liverpoolpodcaststudios 
▶︎ LinkedIn -   / liverpool-podcast-studios  

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

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Nathan and Joe Goulding join Lee Matthews to share their journey from tough beginnings to building success in martial arts and business. As a father and son, they open up about the challenges they’ve faced, the lessons learned through adversity, and how discipline and consistency helped shape both their lives and careers.

They discuss their experiences growing up around conflict, transitioning from street fights into structured martial arts, and how those experiences influenced their mindset, leadership, and approach to business. This episode dives deep into resilience, personal growth, and what it truly takes to become elite.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
01:45 Growing Up & Early Challenges
08:30 Street Fights & Lessons Learned
15:20 Discovering Martial Arts
22:10 Transition Into Business
30:45 Building a Martial Arts Brand
38:20 Mindset & Overcoming Setbacks
45:15 Advice for Young Men
52:00 What It Means to Be Elite
58:30 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

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In this episode of the Elite Podcast, host Lee Matthews sits down with brothers Luke and Dan to discuss their lifelong dedication to martial arts and how they are continuing their father's legacy at the United Karate Association.

The brothers open up about their contrasting paths to success. Dan details his intense competition background, including winning the IKU World Championships in Brazil, and the severe eye injury that forced him to pivot from fighting to coaching. Luke shares his journey of pursuing a soccer scholarship in America before a knee injury brought him back to his true passion on the tatami. They also dive into the realities of scaling a martial arts business to over 2,000 students, the importance of maintaining strict traditional standards, and how childhood discipline and constant competition built the ultimate resilience for life and entrepreneurship.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction and Travelling from Essex
03:26 - Continuing the United Karate Association Legacy
04:03 - Maintaining Traditional Martial Arts Standards
05:27 - Dan's Career and Winning the IKU World Championship
06:37 - The Fight That Caused a Detached Retina
07:13 - Luke's US Football Scholarship and Returning to Karate
10:25 - Scaling the Business to 2,000 Students
12:33 - Growing Up in the Dojo and Teaching at 10 Years Old
14:05 - Channeling Hyperactivity into Daily Sports Training
14:49 - The Power of Losing and Building Resilience
16:46 - The Mindset and Discipline of a True Martial Artist

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

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In this episode of the Elite Podcast, host Lee Matthews sits down with Ollie Ollerton, a man whose journey from the Royal Marines to the Special Boat Service (SBS) and eventually to the TV screens of "SAS: Who Dares Wins" is a masterclass in resilience and mental fortitude. Ollie opens up about the internal battles that preceded his military success, including a near-fatal chimp attack as a child and the "unconscious unhappiness" that drove him to chase dopamine and chaos.

They discuss the psychology of high performance, the "worm of self-doubt" that almost stopped him on day one of Special Forces selection, and his philosophy of "just doing today" to overcome insurmountable odds. Ollie also shares his transition to life after the military, finding a new mission in Dubai, and how he finally assigned purpose to the trauma of his past.

[CHAPTERS]
00:00 - Introduction and Dubai Life
02:12 - Finding Purpose After the Military
04:03 - Childhood Trauma: The Chimp Attack
06:25 - The Dream of the Royal Marines
07:59 - Reality vs. The Brochure
09:54 - Manifestation and the SBS Goal
12:44 - Transitioning to Special Forces Selection
14:58 - Borrowing Confidence from Others
17:23 - Day One: Overcoming the Mind's Negativity
19:14 - The Power of "Just Do Today"
21:51 - Breaking the Cycle of Self-Preservation
23:42 - Stripping the Ego in Special Forces Training

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

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In this episode of the Elite Podcast, host Lee Matthews sits down with Dr. Calum Robb, a former Scottish, British, European, and World Karate Champion. Calum is one of the most decorated Scottish karate fighters of recent times and remains the only Scottish practitioner since the millennium to win a world WKF senior medal.

Beyond his incredible physical achievements, Calum holds a PhD in immunology and spent a decade as a research scientist before transitioning into high-level scientific sales. Lee and Calum discuss the mindset of an elite fighter, the "ruthless" switch that occurs at the top level, and how the discipline learned in the dojo translates directly into professional success.

They also delve into the evolution of modern karate, the "fast game of tag" it has sometimes become, and why new platforms like Total Kombat are essential for returning to the true "warrior spirit" of martial arts.

Chapters:
00:00:00 - Intro: The PhD Scientist and World Champion 
00:01:21 - Meeting Calum Robb 
00:01:49 - Transitioning from Karate to Scientific Sales 
00:02:37 - Transferable Skills: Martial Arts in Professional Life 
00:03:54 - Calum’s Competitive Career and WKF Success 
00:04:30 - Traditional Wado Kai vs. All Styles 
00:05:32 - Developing a Ruthless Mindset at Age 12 
00:06:43 - The Influence of Family and Funding a Career 
00:08:54 - The Instant Vibe Between Elite Fighters 
00:09:49 - The Energy of the Pit and Total Kombat 
00:10:48 - Total Kombat’s TV Deals and 2026 Vision 
00:12:16 - The "Big Three" Tatami Sports: Karate, Taekwondo, and Kickboxing 
00:13:00 - The Uneven Playing Field of Government Funding 
00:14:11 - Fighting in "The Oval" 
00:15:22 - Outstanding Fighters, Frustrating Rule Sets 
00:17:07 - Modern Karate: A "Fast Game of Tag"? 
00:19:12 - Bringing Back the Warrior Spirit 
00:20:11 - The Power of Viral Knockouts and Social Media 
00:21:42 - Michael "Venom" Page and A-List Exposure 
00:23:01 - The Growth Mindset: No Egos, Just Results 

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

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Lee speaks with Aaron Cook, a three-time European Champion and former World #1 in Taekwondo. Aaron opens up about his career, sharing stories of his intense rivalry and friendship with fellow fighter Damon Sansum , and the "Golden Age" of British Taekwondo. He discusses the difficult and controversial decision to leave the GB Academy to train independently and details the heart-breaking moment he was not selected for the London 2012 Olympics despite being the world number one. Aaron provides an insider's account of the scandal, the legal battles that followed, and the immense toll it took on him and his family.

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

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Lee is joined by the "Brooks Brothers," Matt and Joe Brooks, for a special dual-guest interview. Fresh off their incredible success at the WAKO World Championships in Abu Dhabi, the brothers discuss their journey to becoming world champions in multiple disciplines, including Points, Light Contact, and Kick Light.

They dive deep into the differences between top-tier amateur circuits and professional fighting, arguing that the volume and variety of fights in amateur championships often present a harder challenge than the pro game. The conversation explores their recent transition into full-contact fighting with Total Kombat, the electric atmosphere of walking out to a massive crowd, and the pressure of maintaining their winning streak.

Finally, Matt and Joe open up about their "origin story"—growing up in their father's dojo, the resilience built through "old school" training, and their commitment to maintaining high standards as coaches themselves.

00:00 Intro and Welcome 
01:04 Winning Gold at WAKO Abu Dhabi 
03:49 Why Amateur Championships Can Be Harder Than Pro 
07:57 Mastering Multiple Disciplines: Points vs. Kick Light 
11:10 Transitioning to Full Contact (Total Kombat) 
17:40 Walking Out at the O2 Arena 
20:00 Fighting with a Broken Foot 
23:17 Origin Story: Growing Up in the Dojo 
31:54 The Problem with "Paper" World Champions 
36:19 Sibling Rivalry: The "Kray Twins" of Kickboxing 
40:05 Guardians of the Gate: Black Belt Integrity 
47:20 Joining Team Top Ten GB 
54:30 Partying with Darren Till 
56:00 Future Plans

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