Matt Stait

My journey up the mountain Matt Stait

I have just woken up with last night's half-eaten cheese and ham baguette stuck to my face. Pushing myself up from the sofa, I am greeted with my Gi being thrown at me. "# It's 5.45 am get up!" Hungover and with a broken big toe I will be expected to complete a six-mile beach run in fifteen minutes as part of my grading. Matt Stait author of the best-selling book Modern samurai tells of his journey from a sickly bullied kid to a multiple black belt, world champion gold silver and bronze medallist, bouncer, bodyguard, security trainer and multiple hall of fame instructor. Many years ago, I was told by one of my instructors that the road to black belt is like climbing a mountain. There are many paths that lead to the summit, and each one is different. While on the journey it is your responsibility to help others on the path. Those nearer the summit will reach back to offer support and guidance, those below will reach upwards for that help. We are not alone on this journey and we could not walk it without the help of others. We must respect everyone's individual pathway, as without them we could not grow. As the years have gone by, I have seen the truth in this. The students need each other, the instructor needs the student. The instructor needs to remain a student. It is a circle, and each time the summit appears as the clouds break, tantalizing close, yet just out of reach, we realise there is always more to learn. Each peak opens out to a new vista where more summits rise into a new horizon. There is a wonderful saying that goes. Sometimes a teacher, always a student. This is my journey. I wanted to write this book for a long time as my story is an eclectic mix of styles and systems, with many interesting characters along the way. Never a straight road which I suspect this mirrors the journey of others. Martial arts to me is a passion and hopefully will remain so for the rest of my life. I have been doing it so long it is hard for me to picture a life without it.