KASH FAROOQ

On the 27th August 2022 we had former Matchroom Boxing fighter Kash Farooq come down and hold a seminar for our Halliwell ABC fighters. Kash was an incredible talent whos career got cut short due to an issue with his yearly medicals which was a shame as he was destined to become a world champion. 

Kash went through some of his great techniques which got him British titles and world rated as well as a talk about his successful career which unfortunately has come to an end but he is still giving to the sport of boxing with now his own amateur boxing club.

Alex Matvienko says 

Kash is one of the nice guys in boxing who I have had the privilege to have come spar our lads over the years and today was a great day meeting him with some of our upcoming fighters who I’m sure learnt a few things today!! Thank you for your time Kash and giving us an enjoyable afternoon. 

TOM BLACKLEDGE FORMER UFC FIGHTER AND ONE OF BEST MMA COACHES IN THE WORLD

On the 19th July 2022 we had former MMA fighter and now well established MMA coach Tom Blackledge who came and shared his knowledge he has gained in an incredible competitive and coaching journey which was also about mindset not only physical attributes.

 From life experiences we understand that combat sports is a great way of helping establish many qualities that help you through life, this seminar was so successful which helped a lot of the general public as well as our own amateur and professional fighters. In a this fantastic seminar Tom was teaching all sorts of life skills including coping mechanisms and fight or flight and so on, the seminar was met with so much interest and really was relatable to problems we experience not just in a ring or octagon but in life!! “When you’re afraid of doing something, learn to understand why you’re afraid of it.

You’ll have times when you’re given two paths and you’ll want to avoid a challenge or situation so hard and the easy path seems like the better option. But know two things, why it means so much to you that it makes you fearful, and that no one ever grew through an easy life free of challenge and tests. What use would superman’s strength be, if he would never face off against a host of super villains.

He becomes a better superhero through his continued facing of adversity and stepping in to fear for what it will make of him. When faced with a challenge that will lead you to grow, push in to it, you never know where that path will lead.

The impediment to action becomes the action Taken from the other side of fear talk Very enjoyable and well structured thanks to Tom Blackledge a great man to know who was once a great competitor and now great coach inside and outside the octagon!” A small relatable part im sure we all can relate to whether fighters or general public!!

Former fighter turned coach, public speaker and mindset development, co-owner Power Kitchen nutrition ltd, nutritionist, mma/bjj black belt head coach/owner Blackledge mixed martial arts, ICE Fighting Championship creator, director of Legacy clothing is someone we highly would recommend for any walk of life in the community. 

Michael Brodie

In July 2022 we had one of the best body punchers Michael Brodie in doing a training seminar for our Halliwell ABC fighters. Back in his day Brodie was up there with the likes of Ricky Hatton, Jamie Moore or Michael Gomez with his body punching and was one of the most respected boxers there is. 

It was great to have the former WBC & IBO champion down in our community hub passing his knowledge on to our future champions. He took them through a session and at the end told his story on where boxing took him to then answering questions from the team who had a lot to ask him and then to have photos with his prestigious belts! 

CLIVE BRANSON MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE SEMINAR OPEN TO PUBLIC

On 22nd Nov 2023 we had Clive Branson at our Community Hub speaking to the public about his incredible story which we thought would make great listening after Jamie Moore the Former British, European and commonwealth light middleweight champion recommended him to former gym mate Alex Matvienko, Jamie also attended the event which was a treat from a person who has had his own adversities in life.

Clive Branson is happily married with four sons and three grandchildren, however, the last few years of his life have been more troubling than ever. From losing his father to Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia to being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and Stage Two Prostate Cancer, Clive has continually overcome adversity and is a true inspiration to all lucky enough to hear his personal story which was well recieved in our Hub. In his career, Clive has worked as both a member of the Industrial Relations team of the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Air Force.

Serving in the forces for three years, Clive then worked in various other small roles before spending 17 years at the Ministry of Defence. After this, Clive decided to go it alone and set up his own health and safety consultancy, however unfortunately his father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia. After his painful deterioration, Clive’s father passed in 2017, leaving Clive with great stress and grief. Shortly after the passing of his father, tests concluded a diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease for Clive, sending shockwaves through his family. Consumed by anxiety, Clive considered suicide and spent seven weeks in a psychiatric hospital to help him recover.

After his wife, children and family showered him with love and support, Clive overcame the adversity that faced him and began to look on the path to recovery. Unfortunately, Clive and his family suffered another blow when Clive was diagnosed with Stage Two Prostate Cancer and two more with the passing of his father-in-law and mother. A series of events that would have destroyed most people, Clive is without a doubt a figure of true mental resilience and inspiration. Having overcome what some could never even dream of, Clive is now booked as a mental health and resilience speaker to share his moving and incredible story.

Not allowing daily challenges to define him, Clive feels compelled to share his experiences and demonstrate that as humans we have the ability to overcome great adversity. Teaching audiences how to take positive action to restore positive peace of mind, Clive encourages audiences to surrender vulnerabilities rather than protect and hide them. With honesty and good humor, Clive liberates audiences to move forward one step at a time, creating a sense of hope and the courage to stay afloat. 

This was a truly inspiring story and we would recommend Clive for similar seminar work and contact boxing.clive@me.com

Thankyou for your time and passion Clive you made a difference!!

Scott Mitchell – Strength & Conditioning

This seminar was delivered by one of our own boxing coaches who besides being an ex-professional boxer and ex-professional MMA fighter, also holds a master’s degree in strength and conditioning.

This seminar focused on educating members of the amateur boxing squad on various aspects of strength and conditioning. This included subjects such as the 11 components of fitness, common pitfalls of strength training for boxers, and an overview of rep ranges and rest periods and the components of fitness they elicit.

The final segment of the seminar included examples of famous boxing champions strength and conditioning methods and gave some advice about simple strength and conditioning methods and
their benefits.

This seminar was a great success as were the rest of the self-improvement and educational seminars that have been delivered at the Community Hub since it was opened!

Frankie Gavin

On the 8th April 2023 we had Frankie Raymond Gavin (born 28 September 1985) is a British professional boxer.

He held the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles between 2012 and 2015, and has challenged once for the IBF welterweight title in 2015. As an amateur, Gavin won a gold medal in the lightweight division at the 2007 World Championships, becoming England’s first ever winner of that event.

He also won lightweight gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. As you can see from his resumé he has had incredible results and experiences in the boxing ring along with the highs comes the lows. Frankie not only trained our young amateur boxers but spoke and gave advice on what follows success and the importance of discipline and sacrifice being a world elite level fighter.

This was such an eye opening seminar and we are very grateful for Frankie delivering such a fantastic seminar as well his his brilliant feedback regarding our premises and how the team not only conducted themselves but their skills and potential

Kerry Kayes

On the 8th July we had one of the best and most famous Nutrionalist in the world Kerry Thomas Kayes (born 3 April 1950) who is a former British bodybuilding champion, bodybuilding show promoter, nutrition and strength coach and ex-owner of the supplement company CNP Professional and Betta Bodies gym.

Kerry has lived an extraordinary life working with high level athletes for many many years such as Ricky Hatton, Jamie Moore as well as 2 of our own coaches Alex Matvienko and Scott Mitchell during their professional careers always being on hand with his superb expertise.

This wasn’t Kerry’s first time doing a seminar at elite but delivered a great session which was so easy to understand and had all the students especially the youngsters who were asking questions and learning the importance of good food for health and also performance which was an eye opener realizing empty calories was in their everyday diet and how detrimental they are.

We are very proud of our team and why we put such seminars on and we recommend Kerry as he is very experienced in this field as well as an easy listening!

Chris O Connor

Eccleston Park Hypnotherapy recently hosted a reception and seminar focused on mental health, which received an overwhelming response from various organizations and the general public. The event saw the participation of members from Elite Boxing, Elite Community Hub, Halliwell ABC, and individuals interested in understanding mental health and its impact on performance, particularly for boxers.

The seminar proved to be a valuable opportunity for learning and addressing mental health concerns. The positive feedback received from attendees further highlighted the success of the event.

Understanding Mental Health and Performance:

Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, and it plays a significant role in various areas of life, including sports performance. The seminar organized by Eccleston Park Hypnotherapy aimed to shed light on the importance of mental health in the context of boxing and provide strategies for effectively managing it. Chris O’Connor, a renowned expert in the field, delivered an informative session, enabling participants to grasp the complexities of mental health and its impact on athletes. 

The Turnout:

The reception and seminar witnessed a remarkable turnout, with members from Elite Boxing, Elite Community Hub, Halliwell ABC, and the general public showing great interest in the topic. The diverse range of attendees created an inclusive atmosphere, fostering discussions and knowledge-sharing among individuals from different backgrounds. This collaborative environment contributed to the success of the event, as attendees were able to learn from one another’s experiences and perspectives.

Learning about Mental Health and Tackling It:

The seminar provided a platform for participants to learn about various aspects of mental health and effective strategies for tackling it. Topics covered included understanding the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, building resilience, and implementing self-care practices. The session emphasized the importance of addressing mental health concerns proactively, not only for the well-being of boxers but for individuals from all walks of life.

Impact on Performance: Boxing is a physically and mentally demanding sport, and mental health can significantly impact an athlete’s performance. The seminar offered insights into how mental health issues can affect boxers and provided practical techniques for enhancing mental resilience and maintaining focus during competitions. Attendees gained valuable knowledge on how to support boxers in managing their mental health and optimizing their performance in the ring.

Positive Feedback:

The success of the reception and seminar was evident through the positive feedback received from attendees. Participants expressed their appreciation for the informative and engaging session delivered by Chris O’Connor. The event not only provided valuable information but also created a supportive environment for individuals to share their own experiences and concerns related to mental health. The positive feedback reflects the effectiveness of the seminar in raising awareness and empowering participants to take proactive steps towards mental well-being.

Conclusion:

The reception and seminar organized by Eccleston Park Hypnotherapy on mental health proved to be a resounding success. The turnout from Elite Boxing, Elite Community Hub, Halliwell ABC, and the general public demonstrated the collective interest in understanding and addressing mental health concerns. The event provided a comprehensive overview of mental health issues and equipped participants with practical strategies for managing mental health in the context of boxing. The positive feedback received further highlights the significance of such initiatives in promoting mental well-being and optimizing performance in sports and everyday life.