09/09/2026
This one caught me completely by surprise. 🥋
On Saturday, I was awarded my 3rd Dan in Budo MMA.
When I look at that certificate, I don’t just see a rank. I see all the people who have been part of the journey.
Jolyon, I simply wouldn’t be where I am without you. Thank you for your guidance, friendship and everything you’ve taught me. I’ll always be grateful to have you in my corner.
And to my students and families at GP COMBAT — you probably don’t realise how big a part you play in my journey.
You guys might think you come through those doors for me to teach you.
The truth is, you’re helping me grow too.
Every question. Every roll. Every laugh. Every kid who achieves something they couldn’t do before. Every nervous beginner who keeps walking back through the door.
There are nights when I stand at the front of the mats, look around at everyone and feel an enormous amount of pride.
Not pride in being the person standing out the front — pride in the people standing in front of me.
Watching kids find confidence, adults push themselves outside their comfort zones, friendships form and everyone genuinely wanting the person beside them to get better.
Sometimes I just look around and think…
How bloody lucky am I to be a part of this.
My name might be on the certificate, but there are a lot of people behind that name.
My instructors. My family. My training partners. And all of you.
That’s GP COMBAT.
On Saturday I received my 3rd Dan.
But what I walked away thinking about was how lucky I am to have all of you. ❤️
Osu 🥋
