TESTIMONIALS

JAMIE CHAMBERS - BOUNCER AND MUAY THAI FIGHTER

It is now well over a decade since I first wandered, half by chance, into the gym where Steve Maycock and his students were training. I remember seeing Steve diligently practising some fundamental wrestling inspired take-downs. Nothing too unusual in that these days, but this was well before the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and cage fighting (or Mixed Martial Arts as it is more accurately known), had become as hugely popular as it is now.

I was immediately welcomed onto the mat by an amiable guy, and made to feel welcome from the outset. I joined the class.

I quickly learnt that Steve had a solid back ground in traditional Jujitsu, and had reached third dan black belt. However, he had, even then, realised that other systems held other answers and had expanded his horizons hugely, gaining qualifications in Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) and Russian Sambo (a wrestling or judo type sport that always confused me immensely with its technical throws and sophisticated submissions).

My own back ground was in Muay Thai, and I quickly realised Steve was a kindred spirit in appreciating the awesome nature of its strikes, tempered with an understanding that its lack of a “ground game”, or weapons emphasis, meant that a fighter seeking competence at all ranges needed to look outside Muay Thai for the complete package. We quickly became regular training partners, and friends.

We would meet whenever our schedules allowed to train and spend countless hours punching each other in the face, or strangling each other into submission. I always out weighed Steve by at least several stones, but he always more than held his own, and always trained hard.

Steve was also an instructor under the British Combat Association (run by Geoff Thompson and Peter Consterdine) and we often attended their training courses and seminars with leading martial artists from various disciplines and styles.

I moved away, and work pressures dictated a reduced training capacity, although I still trained in my core basics that I have always tried to maintain. Fast forward a few years and I was spending more time back in Birmingham and so sought out Steve who at that point was immersed in some obscure and previously unknown to me style of Krav Maga; so I dipped my feet in.

Whilst I had been in the wilderness, Steve had been training hard; like he always does; usually whilst sporting a lingering injury! He had trained hard and gone through the ordeal of a Krav Maga Instructor course with the IKMF (International Krav Maga Federation), and was busy teaching their detailed and structured syllabus, whilst continuing his own advancement in the system.

I soon found he had chosen this route to focus his training on the reality side of martial practice; rather than the sporting angle. His training was unrecognisable; and now incorporated countless drills and pressure tests, all geared towards giving the combatant the best possible chance of surviving a violent encounter.

I found a vibrant, welcoming and enthusiastic group, always keen for a laugh, either before or after a smack in the gob! Training was realistic and intense, but always safe, controlled and progressive. The techniques I learned were deliberately simplistic in order make them memorable in times of stress, and also seemed natural and instinctive. For instance, the logical and straight forward choke escapes that I learned have never been forgotten, and even now they are the technique of choice that I teach my own children. The system, by design is (at its entry level at least), simple, basic, easy to learn and so also easy to remember.

I have trained with countless martial artists over the years; fought and sparred far too many rounds and taken my knocks from many better guys than me. I have also served my years as a Doorman, and seen enough violence to know it is best avoided if at all possible.

That said, if push comes to shove, and the fists start to fly you had better have some tools in your repertoire to get you through. At Steve’s you won’t stand on ceremony, nor will you learn unrealistic and overly complicated routines that you will forget in an instant, and never pull off in a real fight in a 1000 years. What you will get is at times raw, but always effective.

However, it is only not the brutal efficiency of the techniques, or the sincerity of the work ethic that will impress you. It is the manner of delivery; the sincere friendliness; the lack of ego; the laughs; and the warm and welcoming nature of the session that will keep you coming back for more. The occasional bruise seems a small price to pay in the circumstances……

I know that my training has been enriched by Steve, and I know he has also had a huge influence on hundreds of others over the years. I personally find it an inspiration how he has kept his enthusiasm for training and learning over his (many) years in the arts, and that enthusiasm is infectious.

He could have rested on his laurels; he could still be teaching the same traditional Japanese system he graded to Third Dan in all those years ago; but instead he has expanded his horizons; sought out new systems, new techniques, new instructors, new training partners and new challenges.

As a result; here we have a guy who has been exposed to a huge myriad of differing styles, perspectives, techniques and personalities. What has come out the other end is a vastly-experienced teacher; and also a very capable martial artist.

For a variety of reasons I no longer have the time to train with Steve as much as I would like; but I have no hesitation at all in recommending him to anyone looking to train in reality based combat; with an instructor that you would also be proud to call a friend.

Steve is a gentleman and a scholar……. but make no mistake he is also a fighter.