I am a lucky guy. Seriously. Over the last few years I have been fortunate enough to train, study and learn with some fantastic people. From Steve Cotter, Ken Blackburn, Dan Inosanto, Marcus Houston, Jonathan Lewis, Mark Davies, CJ Swaby, Andrew Usher, M.c. , Mark Cheng, Scott Sonnon, Karl Tasnwell, Matt Thornton, Pavel Tsatsouline…not to mention all the cool people I have met and friends I have made at workshops, certifications and seminars.

Lucky, lucky, lucky…

Or maybe not. Actually, no, luck has nothing to do with it. Presented with opportunities to meet, train and learn from some of the worlds most gifted teachers, I have simply jumped at the chance. Whether it is attending a workshop or hosting an seminar or certification, I have always been confident that there are enough like minds and interested parties out there to sustain our continued progress.

Lord knows, I have heard it often enough, folk complaining about cost and time and travel and…blah. So we’ve hosted events here in Scotland to the point where we have a fantastic, dedicated group of coaches, trainers and individuals who support these efforts.

So, if you have the chance to make your own luck, work with some like minds, push your boundaries and make some friends -sieze it! I can’t tell you how much these  events have repaid themselves in terms of experience, understanding, personal development, community and friendship. Where else do you get physios, fighters, mums, dads, office workers, athletes, coaches and trainers all rubbing shoulders?

As I get older I want to do more, not less. I want to refine my knowledge and skills, a constant work in progress.

This month, August 21st & 22nd, we have Strength and Conditioning legend JC Santana here in Edinburgh teaching the IHP MMA S&C Certification. Two days of non-stop learning and training. I recieved the course material today, a brick of a manual and two DVDs. This certification is going to deliver. They say the fittest athletes in the worlds are fighters. If you are interested in finding out why and how to train that effectively, this course is for you.

The following weekend, August 29th, Alvaro Romano, creator of Ginastica Natural, will be here in Scotland for a 3 hour workshop on the foundation this extraordinary physical art. Combining elements of yoga, martial arts and natural human movement, this is an exceptional opportunity to learn something new and exciting.

In September, Steve Cotter returns to teach a CKT Level 2 Kettlebell Certification for those fortunate enough to have trained with the IKKF and certified level 1.

In February 2011 Mike Mahler will visit the UK for the first time since 2002, teaching two workshops back to back.

As long as the interest is there, we will host, present and share the very best learning and training opportunities we can. I appreciate it is easy to preach to the 5%, the folk who live and breath this stuff. But spread the word, we need to get everyone moving more, a lot more. In the next couple of weeks we will launch ONE HUNDRED REP CHALLENGE online. A free training resource with contributions from coahes, bodyworkers, martial artists amd trainers – aimed at anyone, all levels, all welcome, who wants to add a little movement to their day. Remember…