Hi. It’s nice to catch up once again, and you know something? It’s good to be writing a lot more than usual too. If you look at the journey of this blog, going right back to 2013 /14 you should a real progression. I first started writing this thing when I won my WRSA area title way back when. That was a good day. It inspired me to start telling my story and eventually, I came up with the idea of writing a book about my life.

This year I intend to pick that project up again and because I intend to do so it means that I will. Writing aside I’m pleased to be getting back into my training again. I trained 4 times last week and this week will be the same with a nice run over the weekend for good measure. Next week a new timetable starts at my gym, and it’s pretty awesome. It means I can invest as much time as I want into Muay Thai. The sky’s the limit when your heart’s in it as they say. Mine always has been.

As of this month, I’ve been training in Muay Thai for 16 years. Do you know what? when I first started I didn’t think I’d be training for 16 weeks let alone 16 years. Martial arts is a long game and it’s brought out the very best in me. It’s shown me I can do things I never thought I would and achieve more than I knew I was capable of. It’s been a good journey so far and I’m enjoying the adventure.

You’ve probably seen my CrowdJustice fundraiser in many places on the internet by now, it’s fair to say that since launch the first few days has felt like a lifetime, but it’s doing ok and I’m confident it will pick up momentum. My ongoing personal fight for justice is an important one and you can find out a little more about the background on the case here. The now-famous (or is it infamous) “Bloody criminal” blog piece I wrote for our police monitoring group has been viewed well over a hundred times. Sometimes, it’s important to speak the truth even if it makes your voice shake.

Looking back on those days, it was martial arts and in particular, Muay Thai that saved me or at the very least showed me how I was living my life, just didn’t have to be how I was living my life and I made my changes kept training and moved on. It didn’t happen overnight but hey I got there in the end.

I guess that’s one of the reasons why at present it’s important for me to train as much as I choose to or choose not to. It gives me focus and helps me heal. I’m still coming to terms with the loss of my father but I know that I’ve made him very proud over the years just the same as my mum. In fact, mum told me he was very pleased to hear about the community monitoring group and the work we do.

When it comes to volunteering and paid work I’m pleased to say I’m getting the balance right and you know what? I’m reclaiming my social life too. There’s more to me than training like there’s more to me than pubs and nightclubs. It’s when I take a look at all that I have that I realize how lucky I am and I know that it’s going to get better and better as the year progresses. The energy is flowing into all the right places. That’s only ever a good thing.

I’ve started to think seriously about fighting again this year and have decided that I need to make sure training is consistent and regular before it’s viable. It’s good to know that it’s heading in the right direction, however. I was told a long time ago by an old trainer that it’s up to me to say when I’m ready. I know myself and I need to work harder but I have faith that it will happen.

Anyway, as nice as it’s been catching up once again the rest of Saturday is looming and I’ve got a few things to get done before training this afternoon. I may even squeeze in a bit of Halo Infinite on the PC today too. I was playing it until 1.30am this morning being the nerd that I am. There were loads of explosions and swearing. It’s nice to keep busy at present and there’s a lot to be said in general for the support from my family and friends over the past couple of months. All is well. Be lucky and walk tall and just like the last time… I’ll see you on that road.