In September this year I will be competing in the WUMA – World competition, Martial Arts Festival representing the England Team. I’m doing this not only for myself but also to raise money for two incredible charity’s Oxfordshire Mind and Child Autism UK.

Back in 2018 I had a mental breakdown. Luckily for me at the time my partner recognised I was struggling and asked me to go to the doctors for help. Reluctantly I went thinking I was “fine” and when I walked in, everything I was feeling poured out of me. I didn’t understand where it had come from or why I was feeling this way when my life was good. The doctor diagnosed me with depression and serve anxiety. I was shocked with the diagnosis but accepted and wanted to start my journey to get back to be who I was. Along side this I was also diagnosed with 3 different types of arthritis. It felt like a lot all at once!

So, what was I going to do? Medication helped but it wasn’t a long term solution for me so I decided to explore Martial Arts- Kick-boxing. I needed something Mentally and Physically stimulating and also, given the advice and support I had received from Mind Oxfordshire and the doctors, a focus to work towards. Kick-boxing for me ticked all of the boxes.

I began excising more and keeping the mobility in my joints to prevent my arthritis getting worse but mainly mentally and for my anxiety. I channeled my negativity and worries into learning technique’s and skills to anchor my own mind as a coping mechanism. I am now a Black Stripe and am doing my Black belt in June.

***update*** I’ve passed my grading now officially 1st Dan black belt!

My own achievements from this has encouraged me to now go further and challenge myself even more but also to help others that feel they can relate to my situation.

It’s ok, to not be ok but people have to speak out about it, however hard that might me. I still get a very shocked reaction when I tell people why I went into Kick-boxing. From an outside perspective my life looked perfect and like I was getting though it just fine, but in reality I wasn’t.

Depression and Anxiety can affect anyone. It doesn’t matter who you are, your life style, finances etc. Literally anyone!! I do feel there is more stigma on men. The whole boys shouldn’t cry attitude. The stigma has got better but male suicide is still much higher and there are still mountains to move regarding it.

So I’m speaking up and letting you all know about me, what I’m doing and why, in the hope that if you can donate, you will. I have separate sponsorship from some amazing local businesses to cover the costs, so everything raised from this GoFundMe will go to the charities.

I also am donating half of what I raise to Child Autism Uk. Recently our 6 year old son Bear, has been diagnosed with Autism, ADHD and Severe Anxiety. Anxiety normally goes hand in hand with the ASD spectrum but to know my son has anxiety really hit home with me. I also think that I might be undiagnosed ASD and am looking into being tested myself. My son is awesome (obviously) and being neurodivergent makes him even more awesome to me. As his father I hope to use my own strategies, of channeling mental health struggles, into something positive to help him through his own life.

Here’s a list of competition I have already ready taken part in;

British championships 2021:

100+kg continuous - Gold

Masters Points - Gold

100+kg Points - Silver

National championships 2022:

100+kg continuous - Gold

Open weight continuous - Gold

100+kg points - Silver

Masters points - Silver

English championships 2023:

Masters points - Gold

100+kg continuous - Silver

100+kg points - Silver

European Championships 2023:

100+kg continuous - Gold

100+kg points - Silver

Masters continuous - Sliver

Master points – Bronze

Thank you to my trainer Mr Carl Davis at Vale Kick-boxing for the constant support and encouragement. Couldn’t do it without you!!

A huge thank you to the local businesses sponsoring me to cover the cost of expenses so that I’m able to compete and raise money my chosen charities.. They local businesses are;

MGM Grand Decorators (Didcot)

House of Beaux (Didcot)

Insight 2 Value Ltd

Joseph Flower Building Contractor (Benson)

LPB Builders (Chinnor)

And finally some information about my chosen charities.

Oxfordshire Mind

We're Oxfordshire Mind, the mental health charity. We won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health issue gets both support and respect. We promote good mental health, through the provision of high quality services and campaigning for positive change.

Child Autism UK

Our vision is for each autistic child to have the ability to fulfil their individual potential and for their family to be empowered to support them. We aim to ensure early access to high quality, evidence-based provision for each child, and to give parents the support they need to advocate effectively for their child, every step of the way.

We are the only national autism charity that currently runs a Helpline. Families and carers can call for expert advice and caring support, five days a week.

Thank you all for reading. If you can’t donate, sharing the page is enough!

Matthew

*****update…. We smashed the £1000 target greatly appreciated.

let’s see if we can get to £2000 for these amazing charities *****. ITS OK NOT TO BE OK!

***another update ***

Since I’ve started sharing my journey and the page it’s taken off!

It’s been in the Oxford mail - https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/23593686.didcot-kickboxer-raising-money-oxfordshire-mind/

Also the Herald - https://www.heraldseries.co.uk/news/23593686.didcot-kickboxer-raising-money-oxfordshire-mind/

And the bbc Oxford radio. This was very hard and I was mega nervous but held it just together, would have liked to Sadi a lot more but being live and on the spot was very difficult.

Please have a listen-https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0frx3yb

The response I’ve had from people is amazing,

Really really kind messages,

I’ve Had around 10 to 15 people message me and opened up about their daily issues concerning mental health . It shocked me, but I’m glad that they have come to me for a chat, it’s great to have got my story out, and it seems like it is touch a few people!

Thank you!