The Motivated Martial Artists

The Motivated Martial Artists, Jackson White and Gavin Cook talk to MMA champ Mark "The Wizard" Weir. Mark Weir began his martial arts training with judo and boxing, but later switched to Taekwondo. Weir had perhaps his most notable success was in the UFC. On 13 July 2002, he knocked out Eugene Jackson in 10 seconds at UFC 38. Fittingly, it was also the first time the UFC had been held in England, with a number of British mixed martial artists competing alongside Weir in the Royal Albert Hall. Being an undefeated former world champion in Tae Kwon Do and Kick Boxing tournaments, Mark Weir brought a renowned kicking and punching style to the Cage.

In this episode Mark Weir talks about his journey through his martial arts career, talking about what has motivated him in his life and giving some great motivational advice, stories and anecdotes that are sure to inspire you in all aspects of your life!

This week the Motivated Martial Artists, Jackson White and Gavin Cook talk to black belt Taekwondo practitioner and football enthusiast, Vicky Jones. Vicky talks about her love for Taekwondo patterns and sparing and her success in the British squad team. 

As well as this Vicky talks about her success in football from a young age, from playing for the local team, to having county trials and eventually being scouted for Everton academy playing at left wing and left back. But after a bad injury keeping her out of football and taekwondo for 3 years and being told she wont be able to take part in sports again her football and taekwondo dreams ended. But this didn't stop her years later trying again and getting back onto football and taekwondo together and making it into the British taekwondo squad and being better at football then she ever was before!

The Motivated Martial Artists, Jackson White and Gavin Cook talk to 
UK’s Top Krav Maga Instructor, Neil Walton.

Neil Walton has been studying martial arts for over 25 years. He began by practising WTF Tae Kwon Do for around 10 years. Whilst studying this he became interested in the street aspects of personal safety and self defence.

Neil began to cross train in a variety of martial arts for self defence, primarily training the full contact arts of Thai Boxing, western boxing and submission grappling. This led to Neil competing internationally in Thai Boxing and mixed martial arts as well as other limited rule disciplines.

He holds the rank of instructor with the British Combat Association and has been a front line police officer for almost 15 years. As part of his career in the police service he has spent over ten years as a police personal safety instructor teaching all aspects of police self defence and 6 years as part of a tactical firearms team. Tune in to this weeks episode to learn about Neils invaluable knowledge in the real life aspects of self protection.

Facebook business page is @neilwaltoncoach 
Instagram @neil_walton_coach

The Motivated Martial Artists, Jackson White and Gavin Cook talk to English actor, film producer and martial artist Mark Strange for the second time on the TMMA channel.  Strange talks about his work on a number of feature films including the up coming Ip Man 4, Redcon-1, Avengement and The Twins Effect along with Jackie Chan and Batman. He has also produced and co-produced feature films, including Displaced, Underground, and Bodyguard: A New Beginning.

Mark Strange's career in martial arts began in his teens and he has over 24 years experience. He trained in kung fu, learning a variety of styles and kung fu systems. His study took him to China, where he trained with the kung fu masters at the Shaolin Temple, Foshan and Hong Kong. In the UK, he trained for many years with Master Derek Frearson. As an all-round martial artist, Strange's talent was quickly recognised and he used his skill set to help propel him into the acting world landing him in roles with some of the greatest martial artists in the film industry.

Budo Spirit – Dave Gentry


Martial arts began for Dave Gentry as a hobby and a way to keep fit; today kick boxing and self-defence, has become his career and his life, learning something new every day and enjoy every moment of not just the knowledge he has gained, but also the knowledge he passes onto to others. This week The Motivated Martial Artists, Jackson White and Gavin Cook have the pleasure of sharing Dave’s story and hard-earned knowledge to our listeners. Dave has travelled the world participating in and delivering seminars in kickboxing to many foreign students. He has receiving many awards on his journey. Among those awards are Budo Spirit Award meaning “True Warrior” and a special award for his continued work against knife crime in inner city London.

Martial-artist With Attitude  – Jordan Cann

The Motivated Martial Artists, Jackson White and Gavin Cook talk Hollywood actor Jordan Cann. Jordan Cann was He was raised on the rough streets of Queens, NY where he discovered his first talent, dance. He began watching all the legends, such as Michael Jackson, James Brown, Sammie Davis Jr. and Usher to tune his style. When he wasn't dancing he was excelling in the martial arts and gymnastics. After high school he decided to take his talents to Hollywood. There he started as a professional dancer working with artist such as Will.I.Am, Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, 50 Cent, Celine Dion and more while landing commercials for companies such as Dreamworks, Axe, Verizon , Little Caesars, and Nickelodeon. His martial arts came in handy where it landed him a small role in the movie, "Straight Outta Compton." After working on large sets and seeing how things were done a passion for filmmaking was emerging. Jordan decided to enroll in the Los Angeles Film school where he earned his degree, specializing in editing, writing, and directing. An inspirational story derived from his martial arts background.

This week Catherine Pearson gives the Motivated Martial Artists, Jackson White and Gavin Cook a unique insight into the long martial arts road she has travelled to become a world class taekwondo competitor. She takes us from the beginning of her journey to discover what it takes to become a world class fighter and patterns champion. A true motivational story which shows what dedication and hard work can achieve.  

Andrew Osbourne has been practicing Martial Artist since the mid 1970's. He has featured in several world renown Martial Arts magazine. His life took a difficult turn in 2011 while he was working as a retail security officer. He very nearly lost his life, but he come through it. This episode he talks to Jackson White and Gavin Cook the Motivated Martial Artist about his amazing Martial Arts and life journey and what keeps him motivated through time of adversity.

This week Ashley Beck speaks with Jackson White & Gavin Cook, the Motivated Martial Artists. Ash had a wish to be in the movies since he was a kid growing up. Using his world class skills in Martial arts he has become a actor, stunt performer and motion capture artist who portrayed the Knight of Ren Ushar in the 2019 film Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker. He also served as a stunt double for the 2018 anthology film Solo: A Star Wars Story. Ash is now a professional stunt performer who has trained all his life in different martial arts styles and acrobatics. He is a three times World Champion in forms and weapons, and an experienced motion capture artist. He has worked on many motion capture movies and video games, such as James Bond 007: Blood Stone, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Iron Man 2 and Angels & Demons. Extremely humble and dedicated, Ash talks about his motivations and inspirations to what has been so far an extraordinary movie career. 

The Motivated Martial Artists, Jackson White and Gavin Cook speak with former Taekwondo and TAGB World welterweight Champion Nigel Banks. Nigel won his title at the very first Taekwondo International World Championship held at the Granby Halls Leicester on July 2nd & 3rd 1988. Relatively unknown, he battled through the largest division with 64 competitors taking part from around the world, to announce himself on the martial arts scene as one of the best fighters and kickers of a generation.  Nigel went on to win many open style championships and was a key member of the TAGB National squad for several years.