Confidence doesn’t happen overnight—it grows incrementally, layer by layer, through repeated experiences. In this episode, we unpack how touch exchange fosters confidence by helping visually impaired individuals build skills, set realistic goals, and overcome challenges. Touch becomes a bridge to freedom, creating a powerful feedback loop of trust and self-belief. If you are visually impaired or blind, or if you know someone who is,

and would like to take part to the series of Martial Attitude Voice

podcast interviews exploring touch, confidence and blindness or if you

would like to join in the Martial Attitude Training workshops now

running in London every Sunday, please do keep in touch via Instagram or

according to your communication preferences, all available  HERE.  

 

Sincerely,

Mathias Alberton

Founder CEO at Martial Attitude C.I.C.

BPS trainee Sport Psychologist 

MSc in Applied Sport Psychology at St. Mary's University, Twickenham,

London, UK.

The second theme highlights the social dimensions of touch. In the right context, touch fosters trust, connection, and understanding. But when touch is uninvited or inappropriate, it can undermine autonomy. Join me as we explore the delicate balance between helping and overstepping boundaries, and how respecting context and consent can make touch a powerful tool for connection. If you are visually impaired or blind, or if you know someone who is,

and would like to take part to the series of Martial Attitude Voice

podcast interviews exploring touch, confidence and blindness or if you

would like to join in the Martial Attitude Training workshops now

running in London every Sunday, please do keep in touch via Instagram or

according to your communication preferences, all available  HERE.  

 

Sincerely,

Mathias Alberton

Founder CEO at Martial Attitude C.I.C.

BPS trainee Sport Psychologist 

MSc in Applied Sport Psychology at St. Mary's University, Twickenham,

London, UK.

Touch isn’t just a physical act—it’s a way of making sense of the world. For visually impaired individuals, touch verifies reality, builds independence, and fosters connection. In this episode, we explore how participants describe touch as existentially vital: a way to affirm that the world is real and within reach. We’ll discuss practical examples and what this theme means when exploring the concept of “touch exchange”. If you are visually impaired or blind, or if you know someone who is,

and would like to take part to the series of Martial Attitude Voice

podcast interviews exploring touch, confidence and blindness or if you

would like to join in the Martial Attitude Training workshops now

running in London every Sunday, please do keep in touch via Instagram or

according to your communication preferences, all available  HERE.  

 

Sincerely,

Mathias Alberton

Founder CEO at Martial Attitude C.I.C.

BPS trainee Sport Psychologist 

MSc in Applied Sport Psychology at St. Mary's University, Twickenham,

London, UK.

Curious about how this research came to life? In this episode, I simplify the process behind my study, from conducting semi-structured interviews to analyzing data using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. I’ll also discuss the diversity of participants and the ethical considerations taken to ensure trust, comfort, and respect. Whether you’re a student or researcher, this behind-the-scenes look will give you insights into how qualitative research is done. If you are visually impaired or blind, or if you know someone who is,

and would like to take part to the series of Martial Attitude Voice

podcast interviews exploring touch, confidence and blindness or if you

would like to join in the Martial Attitude Training workshops now

running in London every Sunday, please do keep in touch via Instagram or

according to your communication preferences, all available  HERE.  

 

Sincerely,

Mathias Alberton

Founder CEO at Martial Attitude C.I.C.

BPS trainee Sport Psychologist 

MSc in Applied Sport Psychology at St. Mary's University, Twickenham,

London, UK.

In this episode, we dive into the psychological theory underpinning my research: Self-Determination Theory. Developed by Deci and Ryan, it highlights three key needs—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—that help us thrive. For visually impaired individuals, touch becomes a tool for achieving these needs, helping them connect with others, develop independence, and build confidence. Join me as I share participants’ reflections and how this theory comes alive in real experiences. If you are visually impaired or blind, or if you know someone who is,

and would like to take part to the series of Martial Attitude Voice

podcast interviews exploring touch, confidence and blindness or if you

would like to join in the Martial Attitude Training workshops now

running in London every Sunday, please do keep in touch via Instagram or

according to your communication preferences, all available  HERE.  

 

Sincerely,

Mathias Alberton

Founder CEO at Martial Attitude C.I.C.

BPS trainee Sport Psychologist 

MSc in Applied Sport Psychology at St. Mary's University, Twickenham,

London, UK.

I’m Mathias Alberton, your host and a sport psychology MSc researcher with a deep passion for exploring how we can break barriers and build confidence for visually impaired and blind individuals.

In this series, we’ll be unpacking my research on the existential nature of touch exchange—how touch becomes a bridge to confidence and participation in physical activities. Together, we’ll uncover the themes, stories, and practical applications of this work. Whether you’re a blind or visually impaired person navigating a world designed for the sighted, a researcher, a student, or simply someone curious about the human experience, this podcast is for you.If you are visually impaired or blind, or if you know someone who is,

and would like to take part to the series of Martial Attitude Voice

podcast interviews exploring touch, confidence and blindness or if you

would like to join in the Martial Attitude Training workshops now

running in London every Sunday, please do keep in touch via Instagram or

according to your communication preferences, all available  HERE.  

 

Sincerely,

Mathias Alberton

Founder CEO at Martial Attitude C.I.C.

BPS trainee Sport Psychologist 

MSc in Applied Sport Psychology at St. Mary's University, Twickenham,

London, UK.

Over the years, I’ve worked closely with visually impaired and blind individuals, developing programs that focus on confidence, balance, and the profound importance of touch in everyday interactions. In this episode, I’m joined by a remarkable guest, Es Es, who has been part of our journey since the very beginning. As a teacher with nearly two decades of experience, Es Es shares his unique perspective on navigating life with sight impairment. We explore the challenges of adapting to progressive vision loss, the emotional impact of these changes, and the evolving role of touch as a vital sense in his daily life. It’s a conversation filled with insight, resilience, and thought-provoking reflections.

Es Es, a remarkable individual who has shown tremendous dedication in our training sessions. He often finds it challenging to keep on explaining his visual impairment and how it affects his behaviour in certain contexts to others, which can make navigating social situations more demanding for him. Despite this, he approaches each session with incredible determination and openness, demonstrating his resilience and eagerness to grow.

Our work together has already had a significant impact. Es Es has expressed his appreciation for the training we've done so far, highlighting how it has helped him build confidence and better communicate in a way that feels authentic to him.

From there, we also consider how Martial Attitude Training can be developed and refined further to provide an even more compelling experience to present and future participants, enhancing motivation and implementing support throughout every session.

Let’s dive in.If you are visually impaired or blind, or if you know someone who is,

and would like to take part to the series of Martial Attitude Voice

podcast interviews exploring touch, confidence and blindness or if you

would like to join in the Martial Attitude Training workshops now

running in London every Sunday, please do keep in touch via Instagram or

according to your communication preferences, all available  HERE.  

 

Sincerely,

Mathias Alberton

Founder CEO at Martial Attitude C.I.C.

BPS trainee Sport Psychologist 

MSc in Applied Sport Psychology at St. Mary's University, Twickenham,

London, UK.

Claire Fahey is an extraordinary trailblazer in the world of real tennis and rackets. With over 40 Open singles titles, six Grand Slam completions, and a record seven Ladies World Championships, her impact on the sport is really unique. In 2017, she became the first player—male or female—to achieve the remarkable feat of winning all four singles Opens, all four Doubles Opens, and both the Ladies singles and doubles World Championships in a single calendar year. She is also known as the first woman to compete in three Men's Open main draws and to reach a semi-final. Currently, Claire has taken up the Head of Racquets and Games coach position and re-energized the club at The Oratory School in Berkshire, which is one of four schools in the United Kingdom with a real tennis court, and that hosts championships and international tournaments.

In this episode of Martial Attitude Voice, world champion real tennis player Claire Fahey opens up about the relentless drive, pressures, and confidence that have defined her career. Claire shares how her journey has been a balance of short-term goals, intense training, and respect for the unpredictability of real tennis. From reigning titles to her preparation for the Ladies Real Tennis World Championships in 2025, she reveals her relationship with pressure and how embracing it has become both a responsibility and honour.

Dive into a compelling conversation about resilience, mental strength, and the intricate dynamics of a life dedicated to high-performance sport, where every challenge on the court reflects lessons in life beyond it.If you are visually impaired or blind, or if you know someone who is,

and would like to take part to the series of Martial Attitude Voice

podcast interviews exploring touch, confidence and blindness or if you

would like to join in the Martial Attitude Training workshops now

running in London every Sunday, please do keep in touch via Instagram or

according to your communication preferences, all available  HERE.  

 

Sincerely,

Mathias Alberton

Founder CEO at Martial Attitude C.I.C.

BPS trainee Sport Psychologist 

MSc in Applied Sport Psychology at St. Mary's University, Twickenham,

London, UK.

Today’s episode guest is John Colin Lumley, a British real tennis powerhouse born on August 7, 1992. Currently ranked number two in the world, John was practically raised on the court in a family of champions, with his father a two-time Australian Open winner and his mother a six-time Ladies Real Tennis World Champion. Now the assistant professional at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia, John faced off against Camden Riviere in a thrilling 2023 World Championship bid at the Westwood Country Club in Virginia. Join us as we explore his journey, his intense World Championship challenge, and his relentless pursuit of greatness in 2024.

Speaking with John, we explore the mental tools and techniques essential for high-stakes performance. For instance, he shares how music keeps him in the right mindset during matches and how self-talk—both positive and instructional—helps maintain high energy on the court. He discusses his reliance on a "goldfish mentality" to quickly let go of mistakes, enabling him to stay focused and optimistic after setbacks.

Further, we also had the possibility to unpack the concept of success, victory, and mastery which are often misunderstood as a single idea, rather than unique pursuits.

Get insights into the nuanced psychological aspects that drive an athlete to grow beyond traditional markers of success, aiming for long-lasting greatness.If you are visually impaired or blind, or if you know someone who is,

and would like to take part to the series of Martial Attitude Voice

podcast interviews exploring touch, confidence and blindness or if you

would like to join in the Martial Attitude Training workshops now

running in London every Sunday, please do keep in touch via Instagram or

according to your communication preferences, all available  HERE.  

 

Sincerely,

Mathias Alberton

Founder CEO at Martial Attitude C.I.C.

BPS trainee Sport Psychologist 

MSc in Applied Sport Psychology at St. Mary's University, Twickenham,

London, UK.

Joining me is Andrew Jones, a dedicated participant in our Martial Attitude Training sessions. In this episode, we explore the physical and mental shifts that come with learning Kung Fu Wing Chun techniques in a non-visual format—where movement is felt, internalized, and then adapted to everyday life. Andrew shares insights on how this training has enhanced his confidence, spatial awareness, and even deepened his bond with his son, who often joins him in the sessions.

From the challenges of translating movement into words to creating a truly inclusive environment, we’ll talk about how adapting martial arts for the visually impaired can foster greater self-assurance and a resilient mindset.If you are visually impaired or blind, or if you know someone who is,

and would like to take part to the series of Martial Attitude Voice

podcast interviews exploring touch, confidence and blindness or if you

would like to join in the Martial Attitude Training workshops now

running in London every Sunday, please do keep in touch via Instagram or

according to your communication preferences, all available  HERE.  

 

Sincerely,

Mathias Alberton

Founder CEO at Martial Attitude C.I.C.

BPS trainee Sport Psychologist 

MSc in Applied Sport Psychology at St. Mary's University, Twickenham,

London, UK.