As a child I remember my mother and father taking me to see Bruce Lee's "Enter the Dragon", and watching David Carradine’s Kung Fu series on TV. Since then I've always been interested in martial arts and have practised for over 25 years. I did not start training until I was in my twenties because as a child I had chronic asthma and found it difficult to do any exercise. Also there weren’t very many clubs in the Borders then. I started my training with the local Reston Judo club with instructor Jimmy Lindsay and moved on to various styles of Kung Fu, Kickboxing, Self Defence, T’ai Chi and Chi Kung.

I have run classes throughout the Borders area for many years and I am a 4th degree black sash in Kung Fu as well as holding a 3rd Degree black belt in Kickboxing. In addition, I am a brown sash in Gee Wai Shu, a form of Chinese self-defence. I am also an Instructor with the Hands of Light Tai Chi group and have studied in various other Martial Arts.

As well as my qualifications in martial arts I also hold certificates in advanced coaching studies RVQ, exercise and fitness to music NVQ, children’s exercise and fitness, St John’s Ambulance first aid and more – see qualifications for further information. I am a member of the Register of Exercise Professionals and the World United Martial Arts Federation. In 2003 I was awarded Berwickshire Sports coach of the Year and in the same year I was awarded the Borders Sports coach of the Year.

In 2005 seeing the need to provide local Martial Arts classes throughout the Borders, I set up Borders Martial Arts. I have trained students from beginners right through to 2nd degree black belts. Our students always do well in any competitions that they attend and they have amassed a fine collection of trophies and medals.

I am employed by the NHS and local colleges to promote the benefits of exercise as part of a healthy life style, I go to community centres and village halls to set up and run classes for people of all ages from children aged 6 to senior citizens aged 90, I work for the local authority to provide classes for after school clubs. I have also set up exercise classes for our local senior citizens with disabilities, where I incorporate and adapt movements from T’ai chi and Chi Kung, many of them chair based to suit their individual needs.