The Black Belt
The Early Hook: Finding My Fight
For 13 years of my life, starting at the age of 12, I punched and kicked people in the face on a regular basis—and got hit back, rightly so. In 2017, I was awarded a black belt in kickboxing.
Learning a martial art whilst simultaneously working towards a career in music has its profound benefits. I wouldn't have the understanding of discipline I have now if it wasn't for those years spent in the dojo.
I absolutely LOVED kickboxing. I remember exactly how I started—we had just moved into a new area in Croydon and the club was literally opposite my house. I picked up the phone, and a 12-year-old me said to the chief instructor, 'I want to do kickboxing,' and before I knew it, I was hooked. I used to train for three hours a day, six days a week. It was one of those times during the day that felt like it was just mine. I could let off steam, chat with friends, and jump around throwing all sorts of cool shapes. It was just so fun! I immediately loved the ritual, the sense of commitment and community. There’s also something extremely powerful about knowing you know how to defend yourself on the streets (and living in Croydon, that comes in handy let me tell you).
The Grind for the Grade
The grading for the black belt was grueling. 100 pushups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squat thrusts—and that was just the warm-up. It was roughly four hours of sparring, pad work, floor routines, skipping, and a delicious 10-minute horse-riding stance to finish (for those that don't know, you basically have to sit in a squat position for 10 minutes). Back then, we weren't even allowed a drink break. And honestly, I loved every fucking minute. I have to swear so you get just how much I loved it.
The Performance Parallel
There's a lot that is mirrored between stepping onto a stage and stepping into a ring. I remember the first competition I fought in—there is no amount of training that can prepare you for the adrenaline you experience when in a ring. Needless to say, it didn't go well, and I walked away carrying my tail between my legs. I was shocked at how hard it was and left feeling a bit sorry for myself.
It’s a bit like when you do a performance; it just never goes how you'd like or expect. You can practice for hours and hours, and it will still be different in performance. Fighting is the same. You can perfect a kick or a punch, but that all goes out of the window under pressure. With experience, of course, it gets easier. But I think musicians should learn how to become ‘fighting fit’ —that's where you really learn the lessons.
The Black Belt's Top Tips for Musicians
Here are my top tips for musicians, taken straight from the black belt perspective:
Don't forget the full routine: Always warm up, cool down, and stretch. Consistency prevents injury.
Show up every day: Even when you don't want to. Even when it's cold, raining, a heatwave—whatever. No excuses.
Show respect: To your peers, your teachers, your instrument, and to yourself.
Learn how to make mistakes: Style them out and move on. Dwelling on a mistake is how you lose the fight.
When you fall down, get the fuck back up.
Reclaiming the Fighter
Amidst the chaos of my divorce, I forgot this powerful part of me, but she’s coming back. Martial arts teaches you respect for others, but most essentially, respect for yourself. No matter what happens in your life, you always deserve respect.
Since my fighting days, I try to keep up yoga and running when I can, but sadly a leg injury meant I had to take quite early retirement from kickboxing. And I miss it dearly. But the lessons will stay with me as I continue on this path: stay focused, stay disciplined, build strength and build courage. And most importantly, learn how to get smacked in the face every now and then, because life does that.
