Tony Somers

Stop Hiding and shine!!

2011-01-16T07:02:00.000-08:00

The new year is well and truly up and running.I keep hearing in the news usually Sky News which prides itself on repeating the same news every 15 minutes. That this is going to be a tough year but so far its just like any other year.Why do the news reporters love negative news? They thrive on it!
January is normally a quiet month in the gym world but this year it has started with a bang, are people sticking two fingers up to those negative reporters?
We have big planes for the real combat system, we are starting a new advanced master class in April which we intend to make very powerful, hard but powerful and most definitely life changing.
The gradings are going well and we are getting some quality people into our system, standards are high but that's how we like it.
I think maybe we should make this a year where we stand up for ourselves and don't be afraid to say how good we really are. I meet people all the time who are amazing, they have fantastic stories to tell but for some reason they just don't see it, why is that?
With this in mind I would like to share one of my favourite quotes with you. Nelson Mandela used this in one of his awesome speeches but it was actually written by Marianne Williamson.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us most.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous. talented and famous? Actually who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people wont feel insecure around you. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within is. Its not just in some of us, its in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

I think that says it all really so lets shine!!!!

Endings and Beginnings

2010-12-11T09:29:00.000-08:00

Once again Christmas is nearly upon us and I do love this time of year. For me it symbolises birth with the birth of Jesus and therefore new beginnings. Whats done is done there is nothing we can do about the past except maybe learn from it. The future to a large extent will be determined by what decisions we make in this present moment. The past can often cause us to feel guilty or ashamed where as the future can cause us to feel fear but in the present moment or in other words the here and now we are usually just fine.
As the year comes to an end I often find myself reflecting on how fast my life seems to be going by. I am 48 years old now, I don't feel it, its not until I look in the mirror that the realisation of my age hits me, the grey hair is a bit of a give away!
How ever I must say life is good, the real combat system is going from strength to strentgh and is taking the world of self defence or self protection by storm. How many systems have John Awesome Anderson as a black belt? We run master classes that change life's and gradings as well as fantastic work shops.
Matty Evans and myself realised very early on that people really want to feel confident in every day life. Studying the arts or self defence is one way of working towards that state of confidence.
We live in a world where depression, sadness, guilt, anger seem to be the norm. All of these things or feelings are natural but they can be changed and they don't have to be the norm.
We aim to help people to change their perceptions which in turn will change the way that they feel about themselves.
We certainly can change our lives but to do so we must go inside, journey to our core and this can be painful. We must unravel old scripts, negative scripts and replace them.
After all if we accept that we have scripts (which we all do) then how did these scripts get there? Who put them there? The exciting thing is, if we have old scripts then surly by taking the same action in reverse we can create new scripts.
So why not start now and write some new scripts for 2011, go on!! you can do it!!
Have a great Christmas and thank you all for your support in 2010
God Bless
Warm Regards
Tony Somers

THE BLAME GAME

2010-11-29T06:23:00.000-08:00

Once again November has been a great month, the weather did affect our last workshop but we still had great numbers and a good day was had by all. John Awesome Anderson went over pre-emptive strikes as well as Matty and myself doing our regular teaching.
Geoff Thompson and Peter Conserdines course was also a good day with Peter picking out one of our black belts (Robbo) for special praise.
The next grading in the Real Combat System will be December 18Th early booking is recommended.
Recently I have been working very hard on my internal game and a big part of that is not blaming others. The only thing that I can control is me! if I am trying to control you then that is completely wrong and usually comes from a place of fear.
Notice when ever you point a finger at someone how many of your fingers point back towards you.
Its all about me or in your own case its all about you, I can only control me and even that is hard sometimes.
You may not like me but I cant help that its important that I like me, if you call me a twat and deep down I believe that I am a twat then your words will hurt. However if I know that I am not a twat which by the way I do then your words or accusations will roll of my back like water off a ducks back.
Its more important how I see myself and to do that I must learn to understand myself and then to love myself and also to forgive myself. We are all human and humans make mistakes.

2010-11-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

October has been a busy month for The Real Combat System, our gradings are going from strength to strength and the level of those people grading has been fantastic.
The work shops are amazing, how many places can you go to train where you have the likes of John Anderson, Aarron Clamp, Mark Chambers and many more of that ilk helping you to get the techniques right?
We have been up and running for just over a year now and it has been a real learning process for Matty and myself but we feel as though we have learnt allot in a short space of time and we are really proud of the system that we have created.
I think you take our students and place them in any system any where and they would hold their own, which is a great testament to them and the system.
It is a self protection system and as we always say good self protection is about not getting in dangerous situations in the first place. I also have a personal policy of its nice to be nice and I am a big believer in building rapport with people. The logic being that if people like you then they are not likely to want to attack you.
Of course as the old saying goes "shit happens" so its always good to be prepared and have confidence in your own ability to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Next year promises to bring more of the same with the Real Combat System spreading far and wide as our instructors take the system to a national and hopefully international level.
We will also be starting a foundation course in Real Self Protection that will leed to a grade in our system. This foundation course will leed on from our very successful master class and include the latest physical and psychological techniques to improve your life in every area.
Lastly a big thank you to all of you for your continued support we could not have done this without you.
Best Regards
Tony

CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE

2010-10-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

In my DVD Embrace your Fears I have carried out several interviews with people who have managed to over come or should I say cope with dramatic events in their lives.
As a trained counsellor I deal with people on a daily basis who are facing or have faced traumatic events.
A lot of people when they first come to see me blame everybody else for the things that are going on around them and sometimes the people around us are a pain in the backside. However the only thing that you can control in your life is you. Let me say that again, the only thing that you can control in your life is you. To be more specific the only thing that you can control in your life is your attitude towards life it’s self.
One of the guys I interviewed on the DVD was Steve Smith. When Steve was forty years old and working as the head of a scaffolding gang, he fell and injured his back. Steve went from being a very fit, independent, happy go lucky man to a disabled, depressed guy in a wheel chair paralysed from the waist down.
By his own admission the first two years of life in a wheel chair were very hard and he went through a spell of grieving for his old body. After two years Steve decided that this was his new life and he could either accept it and get on with it or spend the rest of his life in misery, pining for what once was.
He is now one of the happiest people I have ever met; the first thing you notice about him is his big smile and raucous laugh. He has gone from being a scaffolder to a computer genius, having studied many various aspects of computers.
Steve realised he had a choice and although it must have been a very difficult choice, he chose to make the best of what he had left. There is a saying that God will not close a door without opening a window.
Steve is a great inspiration to all of us, but how many days do you get up and something goes wrong? You spill your coffee, you can’t find your keys, and you are late.
What happens to your attitude? Do you let that spilt coffee ruin your whole day? You argue with your wife, you admonish the kids, you fall out with your work colleagues or customers and why? Was it the coffees fault? Your wife’s fault? Your kid’s fault? Or was it down to your own attitude?
Remember you always have a choice.

What Is Normal?

2010-09-30T09:31:00.000-07:00

I went to see a nutritionalist recently, which was a very enlightening experience. I personally believe that our diets are a very important factor in our lives. I am not too sure about the old statement “you are what you eat” but diet does have a big bearing in how you feel on a day today basis.
This column is not about diet so I wont go into the details from my visit to the nutritionalist. However one of the things that she did say was, that a large section of our society do have very poor diets.
This is a generalisation but a lot of people work all day, probably snack on poor food. They then go home and have their tea, which might be a good healthy meal. They then have a few beers or glasses of wine in the evening; go to bed and wake up feeling tired, lethargic and with no energy. These feelings may last for the first few hours of the day. I am sure we have all gone into work and said to our colleagues, “I’m feeling a bit tired or rough today, I drank too much last night”
The worrying thing for me is that for a large section of society this is happening on a very regular basis. The point the nutritionalist was making is that this behaviour is normal for lots of people. For most people this is just normality, to wake up feeling a bit rough, tired, lethargic and with very low energy levels is normal.
I would take this even further a large section of our society get up every morning and go and do a job that they don’t like or are even in a relationship that they don’t like and this is their normality.
Most people don’t even realise that they can change; this doesn’t have to be the norm.
Now I am not saying here that people should start leaving their jobs or their partners for that matter. However if you are not happy then you don’t have to accept it as your normality, you can change. One of the easiest ways to start this change process is through your diet (its not easy but easier), Ghandi said people want to change the world but they cant even change themselves.
Here is a little test for you, it’s obviously your choice as to whether you do it or not. Just for a few days don’t have a drink and also eat healthily. There are big debates about what is a healthy diet but most of us have a rough idea about what are good and bad foods.
The second part of the test requires you to change your perception. Every time you turn on the TV you are bombarded with bad news, death, destruction, the economy, abuse etc, etc.
Why not start your days with the gratitude sheet? So instead of focusing on things like the bad things in life and all its negativity (the media love this) Why not focus on the good things in life and instead of looking at what you don’t have, why not concentrate on what you do have?

Gratitude sheet
List at least two things that you are grateful for in your life in these areas-no matter how big or small.
My Health
My relationships
My Finances
My Career

Do this exercise every day.
Until next time focus on being positive
Warm Regards
Tony Somers

SELF BELIEF

2010-06-25T08:44:00.000-07:00

I was listening to a great interview recently in which a famous person was speaking about a particular time in their life.
This man went through a very traumatic birth in which forceps were used to help to deliver him into the world. However the use of the forceps left him with a slightly deformed face and he talked with a slur.
Growing up his dream was to become an actor but because of his looks and the way he talked he was often ridiculed and faced more than his fair share of rejection, but he would never let go of his dream.
He eventually grew up and got married and managed to get the odd walk on part in a TV show which normally only lasted a few seconds.
Times were hard and his wife understandably would nag him to get a job, as money to put it mildly was in short supply. He although racked with guilt refused to get a nine to five job, believing that if he did, he would be sucked into the rat race and never achieve his dream of becoming an actor.
This put tremendous pressure on his marriage the final straw being when he pawned his wife’s jewellery to buy some much needed food.
Now living alone in his flat he became desperate and out of pure desperation he decided to sell his most prized possession in the whole world, his dog!
All he wanted was $50.00 for his precious friend, he eventually sold his dog for $25.00 and walked away distraught at what he had done.
To get warm he used to sit in a local library and read Edgar Alan Poe books eventually becoming an expert on the man.
While reading his books one day he had a brain wave, why not write a film script? That night he watched Muhammad Ali give a white boxer a terrible beating for 15 rounds, but the white boxer would not give up.
This inspired him to write his script and the Rocky film script was born, the young mans name was Sylvester Stallone.
But that’s not the end of the story, in fact far from it. He took the script to as many agents as he could find and all but one rejected it saying it was rubbish, predictable, boring etc.
The one who did like it offered him $1500, which was a lot of money back then especially to a guy who had nothing. He was tempted by the money but said you can have the script as long as I can play the lead role, at which point they laughed at him and told him to leave.
He walked away feeling lower than ever. A week later they called him back, “right Mr Stallone we will give you $20000 for the script (a tremendous amount of money) to which he replied as before you can have the script as long as I can play the lead role. This time they didn’t laugh but were angry with what they saw as his stubbornness and told him to leave.
A week later they called him back and offered him a $100.000 that would have made him a rich man but he just said the same thing you can have the script as long as I can play the main role. At this point they withdrew the money and said, “ok you can play the lead role but we will go back to our first offer of $1500 dollars which he gratefully accepted.
But the story doesn’t end there; he waited on the corner of the road where he had sold his dog for three nights in a row. On the third night he saw his dog with the man who had brought him. Sylvester told him what had happened and offered to double the mans money and give him $50.00 to buy his dog back. The man refused he ended up accepting $100 and a role along with the dog in the first Rocky film. The rest is history!

The moral of the story hang on in there and follow your dreams.

For one to one counselling/coaching call Tony on 07708273376 or go to www.tonysomers.com

Latest News

2010-06-03T01:26:00.000-07:00

Once again I have to apologise for not updating the blog for ages and its the same old excuse "to busy" Here we go again.
So far this year has been a fantastic start for the Real Combat System. Our workshops have been getting great reviews which I suppose is not surprising when you look at who is teaching on them. John Awesome Anderson has been a regular teacher and its a real privilege for Matty and myself to have him along side us.
The gradings are going from strength to strength with over 50 members now, and the standard of those grading is just amazing, I can honestly say that so far the real combat system has exceeded our expectations, with people travelling from all over the country to grade.
The master classes are my own personal favourite has they have such a dramatic effect on people lives, we are starting a new one on the 12Th of June.

I am about to start a new course with my good friend Paul Regan from all about addictions in Coventry. The course will run over six weeks covering anxiety and stress, something that effects us all. The class sizes will be strictly limited because of the topics covered. It promises to be a real eye opener and a fantastic experience not to be missed if you want to improve your life.
We still have places left so please get in touch if you are interested.

The whole area of anxiety and stress is a fascinating one and raises lots of questions, why are people so stressed? Stress is recognised as one of the biggest killers in the world today.
I personally think that one of the reasons it is so prevalent is that society creates pressure on people by telling them how they should be. For example men should be tough, macho and woman should be WAGS. Even the self help industry can be accused of setting unrealistic goals in so much as every body should constantly positive which is virtually impossible. But if you don't feel positive then the danger is that you can start to feel as though something is wrong with you. You start to feel different, however you are not different, you are normal its just that you don't realise that millions of other people feel the same way.

Have a great summer keep in touch via our excellent news letter
Warm Regards
Tony

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

2010-02-06T06:40:00.000-08:00

A woman qued for hours with her young son to see the great Ghandi, when she eventually got to see him she said,
"sir I am worried about my five year old son he wont stop eating sugar and is getting very fat"
Ghandi looked at her and paused for a while before saying, "bring your son back here in three weeks time"
The woman was a little annoyed to say the least but trusted that Ghandi knew best so off she went.
Three weeks later she qued to see Ghandi again. After several hours she eventually ended up before Ghandi. "Sir I came to see you three weeks ago about my son, who keeps eating to much sugar"
Ghandi told her to bring her son forward. When the boy stood in front of him he looked him straight in the eye and said quite sternly "stop eating sugar" and then turned a way.
The woman was really annoyed now and said "Ive waited all this time and been here twice for you to just turn around and tell him to stop eating sugar. Why didn't you just say that three weeks ago?"
Ghandi replied "madam three weeks ago I to was eating sugar"

I love this story because it really brings home to me the fact that we should practice what we preach and I wonder how many of us do that.

The real combat system is going really well, we are getting more and more subscribers to our news letter. The training days and first gradings have been a great success. The next training day is on the 20Th February and the next grading is on the 13Th March.
I would highly recommend the training days as everyone who has attended them has said how good they are. There is no ego allowed and they are a day for personal growth.
I think sometimes in life it is hard to keep pushing yourself but perseverance pays great dividends. Patience is a bitter plant that bears a sweet fruit.

Until next time God Bless and keep persevering.

2nd GRADING REAL COMBAT SYSTEM

2009-12-09T08:50:00.001-08:00

The Real Combat System is truly up and running with our 2ND Grading having taken place on Saturday 5Th of December.

The standard was once again amazing which continued on from the first grading. We were very honoured to have John Awesome Anderson and Brian collier taking their black belts with us. They both gave presentations as this by their own admissions was where they felt most uncomfortable. Both guys have graced the real pavement arena many times and having a fight would not be very hard for either of them. Both were very nervous about giving a presentation and especially as the presentation was about themselves. How ever when they had finished the respect in the room for these two guys was enormous and bearing in mind it was very high to start off with, this was some achievement. Matty and myself were very proud that they wanted to grade in our system its a real honour to have them on board.

Arron Clamp had to fight very hard to get his Black belt, which he did to a very high standard. Aaron showed great tenacity and courage accompanied by a good level of fighting skills and came through the grading with flying colours. We now have 5 black belts, Steve Deehan, Mark Chambers, John Anderson,Brian Collier, Aaron Clamp, a fantastic array of talent.
Everyone at the grading was fantastic and congratulations to them all on passing their particular grades.

The gradings are designed to take people out of their comfort zones (I think from the look on peoples faces we achieved this)
All growth takes place in the discomfort so keep it up!! Its easy to stick with what you know after all we all crave certainty, but with freedom comes uncertainty and that's scary.

Thank you to everyone for all of your continuing support, have a great Christmas and new year with love from Matty and Tony

REAL COMBAT SYSTEM

2009-10-03T09:43:00.000-07:00

At last Matty Evans and myself have relaunched the REAL COMBAT SYSTEM. This system was originally set up by our good friend and mentor Geoff Thompson. After years of training our students in classes, master classes and one to one lessons and being continuously asked to grade people, we have done it!!
The first grading which was only open to our students was a massive success, the standard of all of those people who attended was amazing(42 people attended). Which is not surprising really when you think most have them have been training for years with out taking a grade for which we did and do apologise.
Now that we have started the next step is to get news letters and a Webb site set up, which is being done as you read this blog.
We feel there is a gap in the market for high level self protection. Matty is with out doubt one of the best all round martial artists in Britain and I bring my expertise in the so called soft skills arena, although I also think I am a pretty good Martial artist myself!! Also with my expertise in counselling and NLP we aim to help people to develop both physically and psychologically as well as spiritually.
The next grading is on the 5Th of December in between times we will be running work shops on striking, grappling, conflict resolution and many more topics, please join the news letter for all of the dates.

I am in Ireland again this month with my good friend Aidan Carroll(hard target) running a level 2 master class. If the level 1 is anything to go by it should be a great experience with great people.

I was in Scotland last month and once again surrounded by great people a big thank you to all of those who attended the seminar. A special thanks to Craig Penman , Vinnie and Gary brilliant people and very inspiring.

The new Webb site for REAL COMBAT SYSTEM should be up and running in a couple of weeks. I am also working on a new site for tonysomers.com which will be more about motivation, inspiration and counselling etc. Great things are happening so watch this space!!

To finish I would just like to say a big thanks to you for all of your support.

Take care and warmest Regards
Tony Somers

THE BUSY BEE

2009-06-15T06:51:00.000-07:00

A few days a go I was sitting alone in my house catching up on some reading. It was a nice sunny day and all of the windows and doors were open allowing the glorious weather to enter my property.
As I sat in total silence I became aware of a quite loud buzzing sound. The buzzing was getting louder and louder I looked through to the kitchen and saw a bee buzzing and bouncing off the kitchen window in a vain attempt to escape to freedom.
Again and again he would crash into the window, he was obviously using vast amounts of energy and once in a while he would pause. There would be silence for a few seconds until of he would go again there he was bouncing against the window once more. The kitchen was empty so the sound of his buzzing and his body crashing into the glass echoed around the whole room.
As I watched him I wondered why he didn't just take a step back (or even fly back) and then he would see that the kitchen door was wide open and freedom was just a few inches a way.
Then I thought how often do I do that? How often do we keep going down the same path, getting the same old results over and over again and then wonder why.
Sometimes all we need to do is to step back and see the bigger picture, sometimes a slight adjustment is all that we need and then just like the bee freedom is waiting for us.
If you are trying the same thing over and over again and don't like the results that you are getting, try a different approach. Sounds obvious doesn't it? but I guarantee that most of us just keep repeating old patterns and just like that Bee end up feeling trapped and frustrated when only a few inches a way is a gigantic door way leeding to flowers, grass, sunshine, cool air, FREEDOM!!

IRELAND MASTER CLASS

2009-03-10T09:22:00.000-07:00

The first master class in Dublin with my good friend Aidan Carroll has ended. I think I can safely say that it was a great success. As always endings are very sad, the people on the course were amazing it was a fantastic group of people and I felt very proud to be amongst them. Many of them said they would be on the level two which is another first in Ireland and I really look forward to seeing them again.
Aidan and myself will be launching a new level 1 class in June the dates are on www.hardtargetselfdefence.com we are already getting allot of interest in this course. Aidan will be moving into his new premises very shortly unfortunately the down side of this is that the master classes will have to consist of smaller groups so places will be limited to a first come first served basis.
Matty Evans and myself have just started a new level one class which is now full, so things are in full swing.
After finishing the class in Ireland Aidan and his wife Debbie took my wife and myself to the Wicklow mountains. This area of Ireland which is apparently called Ireland's Garden is just so beautiful, lakes, rivers and yes you have guessed it mountains. It actually snowed which just made the mountains look even more amazing.
Whilst we were there I thought about how some of the best things in life are free. Friends, fresh air beautiful scenery they are there for us all. All we need to do is just be in the present moment and realise that everything is as it should be and that we will be ok.
Take care warmest Regards
Tony Somers

EMBRACE YOUR FEARS

2009-02-20T06:38:00.000-08:00

I hope you are well, this year promises to be very exciting. Matty and myself are now both 5th Dans with the BCA. Our next master class starts on the 28th Feb and we still have a couple of places left. I would urge you not to miss out on these classes they are second to none in content and quality. Jeff Monson said after grappling Matty that he should be on the world stage his levels are that good. My own coaching skills have been forged in the real world through working in such arenas as hospices and also areas such as mental health and much more. Between the two of us we bring a unique mix and we believe the best of both the physical and psychological worlds. I also bring several years of teaching conflict resolution training to front line NHS staff (doctors nurses) and Fire Fighters to the course.

The master classes I run in Dublin with my good friend Aidan Carroll (Hard Target systems) has been an overwhelming success. Because of this we will be launching new level 1 and 2 dates very soon. Why not come to Dublin to do a master class?
My Good friend Tyson has kindly reviewed my new DVD and has written this fantastic review that I want to share with you all. The review is posted on the Bohemian cafe webb site.

"This DVD will save souls" - Geoff Thompson Embrace Your Fears DVD - By Tony Somers Tony Somers - Embrace Your Fears DVDToday, Tony Somers explodes onto the self-improvement market. With his first ever DVD, he aims to elevate the inquisitive mind to embrace the arena of life and strike a blow into the stomach of failure and doubt. He urges us to stay in the arena, turn, and come face to face with and defeat our fears. To prevent the last gasping breath suck the life from our hopes and dreams. He wants us to remove the suppressing fingers that holds the beach ball of childhood fantasies under the tentative surface and allow the coiled energy to burst free. His commitment and passion in knowing how to help us release that energy is bottled and released onto the small screen. He shows us how to uncover and shake off the dark shroud which hovers above our unwritten gravestone. A graveyard is an unusual place to start but this is where we are first introduced to Tony Somers. As the DVD’s first scene unfolds he quickly explains why he is there. ‘Start with the end in mind,’ Tony reminds us as he quotes Dr Steven Covey, the great motivational speaker. This is to draw us to the fact that to succeed in life we need to visualise where it is we need to be. As most people are afraid of dying worrying what friends, work colleagues, family and partners would say in a funeral monologue he challenges this by exploring the deepest of all our fears but also reassures us that in good Dickens’ style that if we don’t like where we are then before the clock strikes one we have time to change. Its this belief that flows through the entire DVD. The belief that you can dispense with the old and venture in the new. We see this clearly when Tony stands outside Coventry Cathedral. The Cathedral is a perfect example of the old and the new joining as one. It was the night of the 14th November 1940 that would be forever etched in the minds of Coventry’s inhabitants. As daylight faded an ignition of deathly fireworks detonated into the cold air, choked thick with wide eyed fear. The reapers gunpowder continued on throughout the night as the never ending scream of Luftwaffe bombing struck over Coventry skylines and brought the cathedral to its knees. Yet, as day broke and the sun climbed tentatively into the sky carefully stroking the dust and rubble in an orange glow, a decision was already being made to rebuild the cathedral. It was not a reflex knee-jerk decision based on defiance and animosity, rather it was a decision based more on a sign of faith, trust and hope for the future of the world. The cathedral was rebuilt but twined the past to its arms as it rang in the bells of a new century. On the front of the cathedral is the statue of St Michael. This gives us an insight into the mind of Tony Somers as he uses this statue to front the cover of his DVD. He explains why he chose to use this profound image. ‘St Michael was an archangel. A leader of God’s army. To me St Michael represents courage and the devil represents fear.’ He then gives us some strong words of comfort. ‘If you knew who walked alongside you on this journey, you would never be scared again.’It seems apt for a man that has taken on and defeated many of his own personal fears that Tony Somers chooses St Michael to front the cover of his brand new DVD. But he is quick to say this path is not easy. ‘Risk does exist,’ Tony explains, ‘there is an arena of life where most people will sit outside and watch from the aisles. Denial their biggest friend. If you decide you are going to step into the arena, you will stand out. You will get hit, hurt and knocked. Accept it will happen and say bring it on.’ This is good news for those who are living on the sidelines of life watching the traffic spin past too frightened to pull out among the Ferraris and Jaguars. Afraid we don’t stack up that somehow our bodywork is not good enough or will never be enough to succeed at the motorway of life. The thought that there is more to life then what you have.As you walk around the cathedral one thing that strikes you is the passion to make use of the things of the past and channel them towards the rays of the future. Jock Forbes, the cathedral stonemason who rebuilt the cathedral, noticed two charred medieval roof timbers that had fallen in the shape of a cross. He set them upon an alter of rubble and inscribed the words ’Father Forgive me’ on the sanctuary wall. Within this DVD we are introduced to people who have turned their life around. People who have taken the torture of sad hours lived and breathed revenge choose instead to cloak themselves with the highest transcendence of forgiveness. They have taken this sheltered intention and created their own place of safety and chiselled the actions of mercy into their hearts and shook off and left behind 35 years of persecution. In 1902, Pope Leo XIII, offered a special prayer to St Michael, ‘Defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. Help the battle against the forces of darkness and against the evil spirits of the world.’ Through this DVD Tony Somers dives into the pool of fear. He swims through the mechanics of fear and identifies why our fears leave us trembling at the feet of these dark forces. He dares us to step into the arena and gives us knowledge and techniques that will push us forward, help us achieve our dreams and ultimately to embrace our fears. Tony Somers DVD[ 19. February 2009, 07:50 PM: Message edited by: Tyson ]

Thanks Tyson, I have had great reviews from people who have already purchased the DVD it has already had a dramatic effect on many people

Embrace Your Fears

2009-01-15T06:27:00.000-08:00

The new year is well under way and I am guessing that many new year resolutions are already broken I would suggest that beating ourselves up over these things is never wise just move on and start again. Gandhi said that every day was a new start and in a way a new year so just go again.

My new DVD Embrace your fears is now out and getting great reviews I hope it will help allot of people. Geoff Thompson said it is the best thing he has seen on fear for years and will save souls. You can purchase it on this site.
Talking of Geoff I was at the premier of his new film a few days ago. It is really good and what a fantastic achievement from a guy who started to write it years ago in the toilet of a shitty factory. Geoff is living proof of what we can do and achieve. We were all there mixing with pro boxers and film stars all thanks to a thought in Geoff's head.

The master Classes in Ireland are going really well and we are getting great feedback from the guys and girls who are on the course. They are a fantastic group of people and working with Aidan Carroll is just a fantastic experience, the guy as well as being a great human being has a great knowledge of the self protection world. I predict and this is an easy one he will be massive, watch out for his Hard Target self defence system.

Myself and Matty Evans finished a level 2 master class on Sunday. I hate endings and once again what an amazing group of people, I always feel privileged to share my time with them. The last session was all about presentations and they were all fantastic so a big well done to every body involved.

The next level 1 master class will be starting on the 28Th February and we still have a couple of places left so please let me know if you or anyone you know are interested. These courses are blowing people a way and we are very proud of them.

The big thing I learnt from doing the DVD which I will go into more at length another time is, and its an old cliche face your fears don't deny them. Denying them only makes them stronger in the short term it may be harder to face somethings but in the long term you will be so glad that you did.

Warmest Regards
Tony Somers

CHRISTMAS

2008-12-19T11:12:00.000-08:00

Christmas is nearly upon us once again, where does the time go? I don't know the answer to that question but its enough to know that time is rapidly passing and what are we doing with this precious commodity?

It has been another great year, hard at times but still great. I was reading a famous poets work the other day (that famous I cant remember his name) he said joy and woe are woven into all of our lives. I think this is true we do seem to have highs and lows but accepting this can make things easier, in so much as I know that both the highs and lows will end.

I have said this many times what you focus on will grow. At the moment most of the world seems to be focusing on recession and guess what the recession seems to be getting worse. Take a look at your own life for a moment, and ask what am I focusing on now and most of the time. I guarantee you that if you are feeling crap then you will be focusing on something crap and visa versa if you are feeling good then you are focusing on good things. You are your thoughts in other words you are what you think about all of the time.

This year has been amazing for me, another year a way from the security of a full time job I have found that freedom is the opposite to security. It is a great feeling but definitely scary at times but well worth the fear.
I have spent many hours teaching in Ireland with my good friend Aidan Carroll who I hold in very high regard not only as a martial artist but as a human being. I hope that the new year brings more of the same the people over there are fantastic and I have said before I think Aidan will be a big name in the world of self- protection. The master classes in Dublin are going really well and I can only see them going from strength to strength.
I have already been invited back up to Scotland next year to teach for my good friends Vincent maguire and Craig Pennman once again great people.
My self and Matty Evans have been talking about making our master classes bigger and hitting a wider audience. The master classes have exceeded all of our expectations in the way that they have affected peoples lives. I honestly believe and I don't mean to disrespect anyone else out there but what we have in these master classes is unique.
Matty is working on a grading syllabus and we will be grading all those that have attended these classes, and I must say a big thank you to them all. Every one who has attended these classes has been amazing and it is a real honour to have met you all.

My fear DVD will be launched within the next couple of weeks and I am very happy with it. I think it will have a very powerful effect on allot of people. It is not really a fighting DVD but I look at how normal every day people have tackled some very big fears. It will be controversial I talk to a very inspirational guy who lost the use of his legs as well as a fantastic guy who suffered sexual abuse as a child. There are some great people on the DVD.

That's it really for now I hope you all have a great Christmas. Thanks for your support, keep watching this space for new developments next year looks very exciting.
My kids used to sing these words in the school nativity play and I have never forgotten them
"Remember Christmas isn't Christmas until it happens in your heart and some where deep inside you is where Christmas really starts."

MASTER CLASS IRELAND DAY 2

2008-11-21T08:40:00.000-08:00

Review of 2nd Master Class 1/11/08

Another great training day in the bag. Only the second session and everyone in the group is now striking with great accuracy and power. The group are now starting to look more relaxed, with many of their initial fears of signing up for the course having been dispelled. We looked at taking the aggression testing to a higher level, and all in attendance preformed really well. The main phase of the course dealt with impact development and restricted punching. I explained to the group the importance of correct body mechanics to develop maximum punching power, and after a few minutes of tuition – all were hitting with full bodyweight. We then progressed into restrictive punching, this was done from your back (ground fighting), from your back-side, from your knees and finally standing- with your back flat to the wall (which restricts your body mechanics), ultimately forcing you to use massive speed and power to create a knock-out shot. All students were asked to be extremely guttural during all impact development drills, when they triggered this mental state the power in the strikes was awesome.

For the next drill we took them out of their comfort zone with some realistic pressure testing drills. I took to the middle of the floor to play the role of the bad guy! Tony was making notes on the side-lines. Each student was then taken into a situation of being asked a series of brain engaging questions (a very common pre-cursor before attack) by me (playing the predator). Some drills where done with a very low level of aggression (to begin with) and then the aggression level was progressed, either very rapidly (exposing the student to adrenaline dump) or very slowly or intermittently. This exposed the students to the ‘Flight or Fight’ mindset.

Each drill presented a different problem, and solution. It was obvious to myself and Tony that some students still had a problem with controlling the situation and pre-emptive striking. However by the end of the session all in attendance were looking sharp.

During the session we invited two students - Deva and Ken to present short sections of the class, both lads have vast experience and their teaching skills and enthusiasm was very impressive. We now have 7 trainee instructors on the Hard Target instructor’s course and I am looking forward to them progressing through their grades in the New Year. Well done lads.

Our next master class is scheduled for December 6th. From this class on, all students will be asked to deliver a speech to the group on dealing with fear control, and how they themselves experience the negative and positives aspects of controlling fear.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank my great friend Tony Somers for helping me out recently. He took the time out of his busy schedule to help out on a government contract I am working at the moment. This contract covered 10 different counties, instructing over 300 government officials in various aspects of conflict resolution and hand to hand combat. Your help (and your friendship) – as always is very much appreciated mate.

Keep an eye on www.hardtargetselfdefence.com for new monthly work-shops and combat conditioning classes which will be starting very soon. Tony will also be releasing his second DVD titled ‘FEAR’ in the New Year; I highly recommend this film to everyone. We all have fears, and this new film from Tony will be invaluable to all us who want to lead an opulent, happy and healthy lifestyle.

This DVD will be available to buy from www.focusfitness.ie www.hardtargetselfdefence.com and from www.tonysomers.com

Until next month, train hard, rest well and remember, to achieve our dreams we must be relentless, there is no substitute for hard work. In absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia.

Stay safe

Aidan Carroll

Review of Master Class with Aidan Carroll & Tony Somers: (Day 1)

2008-11-17T11:15:00.000-08:00

We had a great turn out for our first ever master class (in Ireland) on 18/10/08. Over 20 students arrived at 9am for the first training day. We have people from 8 different counties and various martial art back-grounds, as well as some beginners on the course too.The day started with introductions from my good friend Tony and me.

Each student was then given a piece of paper and a pen and was asked to write a few words on any fears they may have on their first day of training. They were then asked to put their piece of paper in a circle on the mats. Tony and I also wrote down our fears. We also asked the students not to sign the paper; this was an excellent exercise that Tony introduced. It has two real advantages- one is that it allows each student the opportunity to address their own fears, and the other advantage is that we also get each student to individually read out someone else words (introducing the student to public speaking).

This anonymity allows the student to be more open about how he or she may be feeling.Some of the feed-back was amazing. Many had feelings of not being fit enough, not being qualified enough and many had a massive feeling of fear - just walking through the door to the training area.One gentleman who spoke to the group told us how he had trouble finding the venue, and was just about to turn back for home. He then went on to say how he knew in his heart that he was just not looking hard enough, and in actual fact was (by his own admission) reaching into the depths of his mind for any excuse not to turn up for training. He did make it to the venue and had a fantastic days training.

This gentleman, like all of us will consciously or subconsciously put up barriers or excuses when we know what lies ahead will take us out of our comfort zones.On the drive from my house to the venue Tony also spoke about the adrenaline he was feeling, knowing that this is his first (but certainly not his last) time to present a master class in Ireland, I knew exactly what he was going through.Over the years both myself and Tony have tested ourselves to the max (mentally & physically) and continue to step out of our comforts zones on a regular basis.We know (as I am sure many of you who read this article) the fear never leaves us, but we continue to test ourselves on a regular basis, because we understand (without any doubt) that there is growth in the discomfort.

The students were then put into two groups and lined up at opposite ends of the room. They were then asked to approach their training partner and be as aggressive (verbally & animated) as possible.This is what is known as the ‘situational control’ drill from the Hard Target syllabus. Some students found it hard to access this aggressive state of mind, others found it very easy.We then demonstrated how to control the aggressor with a FENCE. We wanted to see how many remained switched on after we showed the correct way to set up your fence and line-up the aggressor.

The next drill done showed Tony and myself how many students got completely caught up with the aggressor’s dialogue - brain engaging/aggressive posturing. We explained we always assume there may be another attacker/attackers involved and also always to assume that the aggressor/s may be carrying or concealing a weapon.We then armed half of the group with training blades and asked them to deploy the blade at the point when they had accessed massive aggression. Almost all of the opponents were stabbed, thus proving that “Action beats Reaction” every time.This then lead us nicely into the controversial subject of pre-emptive striking. After a brief discussion throughout the group regarding self defence and the law with regard to pre-emption, it was obvious that all in attendance where realists, and within a few minutes all where hitting the pads with massive amounts of controlled aggression.A small number had some problems with accessing a combative mind-set.

Tony and I lead the way by falling into our Oscar winning roles (very convincible!) as crazed predators. Some seemed a little shocked by our display. I think the word ‘shocked’ is the best description, because when I asked did anyone have any questions or comments, one gentleman asked for a change of underpants -but I think they got the idea!It wasn’t long before Tony and I would be looking for a fresh pair of shorts - after a few drills all in the group looked like extras from the Sopranos!Over the last 20 years of cross training, I have worked with some amazing instructors from all over the world, but I have to say Tony Somers is in a class of his own.

It is a complete pleasure to work with Tony and I am very honoured to have him as great friend. I believe we are all blessed with a handful of people who come into our lives and change it for the better. Some people are blessed with this great energy, and Tony has it by the bucketful!I am really looking forward to the next 5 months on the master class.

I will keep you posted as it happens.Until next month, train hard, rest well, eat clean, tell someone you love that you love them everyday, take one hour out of each day chasing your dreams, and above all show respect to others, and your karma will be good to you.

Stay safeAidan Carroll

HUMILITY

2008-11-17T11:11:00.001-08:00

Looking around the martial art world or in particular the world of self defence one thing seems to be missing in a big way at the moment and that is humility.

My own journey through the arts started with me as an angry insecure young man however I would like to think that as my self confidence has grown so has my humility. And yet I see people who are undoubtedly very tough and very good bragging about their physical powers and slating everyone else at the same time.I cant help thinking that they have missed the point here!!

Surely as you grow you lose the need to brag and tell the world how great you are but then maybe that is the answer, have they grown? or underneath their bulging biceps are they still the little man with low self worth?Life is a journey and it is a never ending journey of self development and personal growth, if you are at the point in your life where you feel you have learnt it all, weather that be in any area including relationships, martial arts etc, then you have missed the point. There is always something new to learn and everyone you meet is both teacher and pupil.The old martial arts masters by all accounts were the most humble people you could ever meet, not for them the bulging biceps and LOOK AT ME MENTALITY!! remember David Carradine Kung Fu?

Now I know he was only a TV character but what a character. Great political and religious leaders are all humble. Look at George Bush, is he humble? No, Does he have a swagger? Just a bit! But will he be remembered as a great leader? I don't think so!As your inner confidence grows then so should your humility and if you think that is a sign of weakness then respectfully I suggest you go back to the drawing board and start again.I have just finished another master class In Ireland with my good friend Aidan Carroll once again it was a fantastic class full of great people.

The level two classes here are now well under way and are going very well. Stephen Smith a member of the class has written a great review which I have sent to MAI and will be on this site very soon. I have also posted some of the filming he has done on to you tube, so have a look.Matty and myself are running a training day on November 29Th just for people who have been on our master classes it will be very good.New master classes, level one and two will be starting in January we will keep you posted for the dates.I am working on a new fear DVD at the moment which is looking really good, it should be ready for release in the next two to three weeks.

It is not a fighting DVD but has some very powerful content including an interview with the man himself Geoff Thompson.Take care and my warmest Regards to you and remember to be confident but HUMBLE!

ARE YOU WORTH IT?

2008-10-07T08:20:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I was teaching in Scotland which once again was a fantastic experience, thanks to all of the lads and lassies up there especially Vinnie and Craig.
In a couple of weeks 18th October I am off to Dublin to start a master class with Aidan Carroll a top guy www.hardtargetselfdefence.com.
Matty Evans and myself still have a level one and level two master class going on at the moment. The next date for all of you on the level two is 19th October.
A new venture for me is courses based around facing our fears, I have run a few of these at the Red Corner gym for business men and woman who really enjoyed them. With this in mind we have decided to open them out to the public. The first one will be at the Red Corner gym on 26th October, places will be strictly limited to 10 people on a first come first served basis. Contact either Glen at the Red Corner or myself for more information on what we are sure will be something big.

Something that came back into my life recently was an old fear that I thought I had said goodbye to along time ago. It was all around setting goals and reaching for new horizons. I was given the lesson (for the umpteenth time) that whats important is how you really see yourself at a deep level. For example if deep down you see yourself as working class and worth a certain amount of money and that is your lot then that is what you will aim for subconsciously. Now there is nothing wrong with this but change will not take place until at a deep level you realise that you can change and that you are worthy of achieving your new goals. So many times we set goals and fail and I think this is why because at a certain level we feel that we are not worthy of achieving our dreams and until we change these deep seated beliefs we wont be able to change anything
So my question to you is are you good enough to achieve your goals and ambitions? Do you deserve more out of life? Are you living the life you are meant to live? or are you living the life that someone else said you should live?

Take care warmest Regards
Tony

FOCUS

2008-09-08T07:16:00.000-07:00

Our latest master class ended on Sunday and once again it was a very powerful last session. The people on the course were all amazing, so much so that at times I forget who is teaching who. Then again I have said many times that we are all teachers and students. Everyone who sat in our little grappling room or torture room as some people call it had a fantastic talent, they were all great people.

It is often the case that other people can see our skills and talents and yet we cant. Maybe we don't want to see how good we really are because then we will have to do something about it and that's scary. Or maybe we have been put down so many times in the past that it is hard to accept that we do indeed have talent. I think if you tell someone they are stupid or useless enough times then they will believe that fact. But what if its not true? What if they were wrong? What if they were the stupid useless ones and not you? Once again I have said this many times, what you focus on you will get and I believe that with all of my heart. If you are not happy then ask yourself "what have I been focusing on?" you will see that it has been negative so why not change it? Now I know this sounds very simplistic and wishy washy but its true!! If you focus on not being good enough and believe what you were told, only God knows how many years ago, then guess what? You will feel stupid and useless and you wont even know why. What have you got to lose by taking my advice and changing your focus? This may take time and you may find yourself slipping back into old ways but if you persevere then you WILL change your life.

Once again thanks to those brilliant people on the last master class.

Take care
Warmest Regards
Tony

CATCH UP

2008-08-10T05:33:00.000-07:00

Our latest master class started on the 26Th of July, I trying to be clever over booked it as it is not unusual for at least one person to pay and then not turn up. Those old pre-fight nerves can get the better of most of us at one time or another. However on this class everyone turned up which was great but just a little bit crowded but like I have said many times before I always feel very honoured that people travel from all over the country to listen to what I have to say and teach. We will be starting a new level one class on September 21st and a level two class starts on September 14Th which is filling up very quickly. I am doing a seminar in Scotland on September 27Th which is a great place full of great people and I love going up there. On October 18Th I start my new master classes with my good friend Aidan Carrol in Dublin which once again I am sure will be fantastic. So at the moment it is all go I have written over 25000 words towards my book and hope to get that finished within the next few months.
The buzz word that is around for me at the moment is perseverance I know that from my own experience I have often felt like giving up and going backwards but by just keeping going and having faith 99 times out of a hundred things work out fine. My heroes are people like Gandhi and Martin Luther King so when I talk about perseverance they had it by the bucket load. I guess they must have felt like giving in many times but just look at what they achieved by persevering we definitely give in to easily often as soon as things start to get hard we want to be em up out of there.
It was my dads anniversary on the 8Th of this month , while I was thinking about him I remembered the words from an old Paul McCartney song which said "drink to me drink to my health you know I cant drink anymore" my dad liked a drink!! It made me think about all those people that have died and cant do the things that we take for granted every day. I am not saying that we have to go out and drink all we have to do is live because there are millions upon millions of people who have died and cant do what we can do any more so lets do it for them!!
Take care, remember those who think they can and those who think they cant are both right,
Warmest Regards
Tony

REAL LIFE SELF PROTECTION

2008-07-06T08:35:00.000-07:00

Yet another master class comes to an end and what an ending it was. Myself and Matty always feel a little sad when these classes end as we get to know the people on them very well. Saturdays group were fantastic and a big thank you to them all Alex, Gary, Craig, Robby, Mark, Michael, Ryan and Tom. It is great to watch people change over the six sessions of the master class and see how their confidence levels rise. On the last session all of the participants have to teach for between ten and fifteen minutes and they all have something different to offer which makes the whole occasion fascinating.
At the moment Matty has a knee injury and cant train but although this frustrates him he is using the time to develop new ideas. Or should I say old ideas that we meant to do ages ago!! Never mind we are looking at this as a new opportunity to grow our own products such as the master class. It is my own belief that what we have developed through these classes is unique. I know there are lots of master classes out there but I think what we have is a bit special. The blend of cutting edge self protection techniques and also the ability to help people look at their personal development issues.
One of the things matty has been looking at is getting our own self protection system in place in which we can grade people. We are both 4th Dans in the BCA so we will be setting up training days for people who have completed the master classes and we will be grading them accordingly in our own Real Life Self Protection system. This is a big step for us (a long over due one) but we are really excited and look forward to having some top quality students on board in what we are determined will be a top notch system.
Our next level one master class starts on July 26th and we have one place left. The next level two will be starting on September the 14th so please book on now if you are interested like I say it will count towards a grading if you wish it to do so.

Take care, remember those who think they can and those who think they cant are both right.
Warmest Regards
Tony Somers

BELIEF !!!

2008-06-23T08:15:00.000-07:00

Once again sorry for the delay in updating this blog and its the same old excuse I am just snowed under. Since the last entry I have given a talk to some business people at the red corner gym on fear. It was a three hour talk which was very well received, the end result being they have booked two more for later in the year. Myself and Glen smith spoke for three hours and I must admit to being very nervous beforehand. Allot of the nerves were around them being business people and me being from a very working class background. It tapped into my own limiting beliefs around not being clever enough or good enough to mix with these type of people. To be fair they were really nice, had the same fears as the rest of us and some actually had worked their way up from working class backgrounds so that was a lesson about pre-judging people. But yet again I faced another fear and was really proud of myself for doing so and yet again once I faced the fear I found that it wasn't that scary at all as is the case with most fears. I have found that once I step into my fears they start to melt away, it can take time but they always go.

I also gave a talk to the Fire service on conflict resolution which was also nerve wracking as I knew allot of them from my time in the job. The talk was on a Saturday afternoon which until recently was their free time. So as you can imagine they were not to happy about being there. Once again to be fair after a bit of banter which I was expecting (and thought would have been allot worse) everything went well. Out of around thirty five people we got one negative feedback form (the is always one) which was great.

I am still buzzing from my good friend Steve Bendalls English title win on the Amir Khan bill this Saturday just gone. Steve was up against Paul Smith who had done really well on the American contender series. Indeed Sugar Ray Leonard a hero of mine was raving about him. He had an American trainer in his corner who had trained two world champions at different weights. Just to add to this he is viewed as a very hot prospect having won all of his previous twenty fights. Steve was the under dog in every ones eyes except his own and he only went and tore up the bloody script! winning a points decision after ten toe to toe rounds what a star!!! I have spoken about this word before but Steve had it in abundance on Saturday and it really paid of. The word is BELIEF!!!

Up and coming events a new master class is staring on the 26th of July. Matty is working on a grading system for people who have done the master classes. I have just had a week away in Spain to work on a book that should help people based around belief and fear. So watch this space.

So keep believing stay focused on the positive and go for it.
Take care
Warmest Regards
Tony

Think Big

2008-05-05T08:32:00.000-07:00

Dream what you want to dream. Go where you want to go. Be what you want to be.
Because you have only one life and one chance to do all of the things that you want to do.
When you were born you were crying and everyone else was smiling. Live your life so that at the end of it you are the one who is smiling and everyone else is crying.

I have just had an e-mail from my daughter who is trekking some where in the Malaysian jungle. She is definitely making the most of this great opportunity we have all been given and I am really proud of her she is living life to the full. Last year I went to les Vegas and was sitting in a rotating restaurant 107 floors up above the ground and I just sat there and thought about the conversation the guy who came up with this idea must have had. It probably went something like this. " Hey Joe Ive just had this great idea I am going to build a restaurant 107 floors above the ground with the fastest elevator in the world to take people up to it and whats more I'm going to put some roller coasters on top of it!!!" Joes on the floor pissing himself at this point along with half a dozen by standers who over heard the conversation. But I sat in that restaurant and had one of the nicest meals I have ever tasted in my life. That's what I took from Vegas its a place that proves dreams can come true, the Grand Canyon, Hoover damn, out of this world casinos and hotels and its all in the middle of the desert and I was there, a kid from wood end top nobbing it in Viva Les Vegas.
Every thing starts with a thought and what I am constantly telling myself at the moment is to think big!

As usual I am snowed under at thew moment but loving it, I trained with my very good friend Justin Gray yesterday. He was there all the way through the animal days and is one of the nicest but toughest people I ever met, it was great to be back on the mat with him. On Saturday and Sunday we had master classes which went really well and are full of fantastic people. What an honour it is to be in the same room as these people I know that I learn so much from them and I am supposed to be the teacher!!

I am off to Dublin in the morning to meet up with another top guy Aidan Carrol with a view to teeming up with him and teaching in Ireland again fantastic people I love it!!

Take care until next time and remember it all starts with a thought so be careful what you think about.
Love Tony

LOOK IN FIRST

2008-04-20T06:48:00.000-07:00

We started a new master class last Sunday and once again we had eight great people on it. As usual everyone was nervous to start with. I always remind them that this is a good thing. The fact that they are nervous but still turn up is a credit to them and they should be proud of that fact. One of the things I like about grappling is that it forces me to do the very things that are unnatural to me. For example there are certain positions where I am naturally tempted to turn away from my opponent to escape. However in doing this I will be playing right into my opponents hands. What I need to do is to go against the grain and turn into my opponent. This is so true of life to get the answers we have to go in. While we look out and blame everybody else nothing will ever change. We have to go in and take responsibility for our own actions. I always say to my self how did I allow this situation to happen, how did I cause it? The only thing I can control is my own attitude and I choose to be happy and to live and love my life and if I have to go against the grain and turn in then so be it. A friend sent me this saying from Carl Jung last week.

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside dreams, who looks inside awakens.

I was talking to my mum yesterday, she is one of my idols, I know I am by est but she is a fantastic human being. She said to its a pity the university cant give you more work (I work two days a week there as a counsellor). I said mum they offered me a full time job and I turned it down. She was absolutely gob smacked and asked me why I did that. I laughed and said mum I am living the life that I was put here to do and its fantastic. She just smiled and nodded in agreement. I have turned away from the traditional get a job mentality but to do this I really did have to turn in and go very deep for all of the resources I needed to go against the grain.
People have been giving me great credit recently for my one to one counselling/coaching work which is really nice. But I believe everyone has the answers to their own problems within themselves and this in a way makes it easy for me to help them Because they already know the answers they just don't know that they know yet! So look in first, take responsibility and then look out at others with humility and compassion because after all we are all trying to make a path through this life.

Don't forget to buy a copy of mine and Matty's DVD Real Life self protection we are getting great reviews from everyone who has watched it so far. The details are on my Webb site.

Take care for now, warmest Regards Tony

It Can Pay To Be Soft

2008-04-06T07:19:00.000-07:00

Once again I find myself starting this blog with an apology to all of you who take the time to read it and the apology is for the delay in updating it, but here goes. Once again I have been very busy doing conflict resolution courses in the NHS amongst other things. I am on a break from my counselling at Coventry University as it is still the Easter holidays. I have started to do some counselling work for the psychiatric unit at a local hospital which involves working with the families of people who have lost someone through suicide and all I can say is that this is the equivalent of animal day but in counselling. It is very distressing and very hard work, my hat goes of to any one working in this area and my heart goes out to everyone who has ever been touched by such loss.

At the moment we have two master classes up and running with another about to start. One class has in fact just finished. Today was their final session in which they all had to give a talk or demonstrate a technique and they were all excellent. I hate endings as I really bond with the people on the class and it is a privilege to watch them grow and to share in their journeys. They were all nervous about this last session and two even dropped out which is not unusual but those that completed the course loved it and the general opinion was that they had all grown in confidence and want to do the level two course starting in September.

Yesterday we had a class which were on their third session once again a great group of people and a privilege to teach. One of the areas that came up over the two days was about being soft and relaxed in the face of aggression. This is really hard to do but has great benefits. Far more power is generated in a technique that is relaxed rather than tense. It is often beneficial as taught in allot of martial arts to deflect a persons attack and use their own force against them. This is also true in life, I had an instance this week where someone was very under hand in a business sense and tried to step on my toes. Some of my Friends gave me advice like "give him a slap" but I decided to stand back (which was hard) and see what happened. In this instance other people could see what he was doing and stepped in on my behalf which in this situation was ok. As it turned out the guy made himself look really bad and made me look good. My good friend Geoff Thompson always told me that competition was good. His reasoning being that the competition will either force you to up your game or make you look good. In this case both points were true for me so a big thanks to my under hand friend.

I remember hearing a story about Mother Theresa in which she was asked to march against war and she said no but if you have a march for peace I will be there. Sometimes we need to be careful with our energy if I had responded in an aggressive way to the guy who was doing the dirty on me I would have just been giving him energy but by ignoring him I gave him nothing. I gained by not wasting my energy and he gained nothing. So the moral of this story is be very careful what you put or focus your energy on because like I have said before it will grow. Don't let other peoples negative energy drag you down because they will if you let them but you do have a choice as to whether you let them or not. Sometimes we need to rise above other peoples negative expectations of us!
Until next time take care, warmest Regards
Tony

A Fresh Start

2008-03-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

I am writing this on Easter Sunday afternoon. I'm not a religious person although I do believe in God and that bigger things than us are at work in our universe. Thinking about Easter Sunday and its relevance to me, I have decided to look at today as a chance to make a fresh start. Now I do believe that every day is a chance to make a fresh start, in fact every second of every day is indeed a chance to make a fresh start. But there are certain days that seem more significant than others for example new years eve and like I say today. If as the bible tells us Jesus rose from the dead to save mankind and give us hope, then why cant we use today to start over again. Let us metaphorically speaking rise up and start over again. Put the past to bed because after all it is gone and lets create a new future. You can do it! the choices you have made so far have gotten you to where you are now and the choices you make today will decide where you are going to end up in the future. And its not as if you have to go through Crucifixion like he did to start again all you have to do is change your thoughts and then your life will also change. Any way enough of my ranting I am just stepping off my soap box.
I am feeling slightly sluggish at the moment the reason being I am just getting over a heavy cold (man flu)I haven't been able to train and I really miss not training.
Counselling wise I am busier than ever especially in the area of bereavement which is always sad. Some body once said to me life is about loss, I'm not so sure but there is certainly allot of loss in all our life's. Nothing stays still and things and people come in and out of our life's sometimes at an alarming pace.
We did another master class last week it was their 5th session and went really well, they are now in training for their last session which will involve them teaching for at least ten minutes. We do this deliberately to put them under pressure, and the students usually do find this the hardest part of the course. Public speaking is one of the biggest fears in the world.
My good friend Aidan Carrol who is based in Dublin is about to launch the biggest reality based training club in Ireland. I really like this guy and rate him very highly his Webb site is www.hardtargetselfdefence.com check it out!

The next level one master class starts on the 13th of April and we still have a couple of places so please get in touch if you are interested as they will undoubtedly go very quickly. I also had an article in this months Martial Arts Illustrated with Geoff Thompson on restricted punching and will be doing another one with him in the next couple of days.

Take care, be lucky warmest Regards Tony Somers

Keep Going

2008-03-10T09:32:00.000-07:00

My Intentions of updating this blog once a week are like many of my good intentions falling by the way side, so it might now be a case of when I can get the time but I will keep going.
I have been having lots of doubts recently as to the direction of my life. There are a few doors open to me and the tempting ones are the easy ones, which makes sense. How ever on my good days I know the road less travelled is the one for me. My doubts I have come to realise are the old parts of me. The parts that are scared to change, the parts that tell me I will fail, but they are the old parts and I have to let them go. But they are not going down with out a fight that's for sure. The answer is to KEEP GOING and that's certainly what I am doing.
In my counselling work I see so many talented people being held back by their old self's or for want of a better word, their past. I have come to realise that our beliefs can be empowering but equally and more than likely the case dis empowering. It is important to remember that they are just beliefs one of my favourite sayings is that those who belief they can and those who belief they cant are both right. So why not choose to belief that you can? What have you got to lose?
On Saturday 8Th Feb we did a master class which was the groups second class. Like all the groups so far this one is full of great people some of whom have travelled along way to attend the sessions. We worked on things like the line up and then got them to tap into their own aggression. This is scary to see but vital that people do in a self defence situation. When you get attacked it is not going to be nice and cosy like in the do Jo. You are going to be scared, tired and you will need to switch on in order to survive and this is what this part of the course is all about.
This coming Sunday we have another master class and this is this groups 5Th class another great group of people.
All in all things are going from strength to strength and like I say new doors are opening all the time but to get to the doors you will have to keep going!!!
Take care, warmest Regards
Tony

CHAMPIONS

2008-02-25T06:50:00.000-08:00

Yet again its been a very hectic few days, the time just seems to fly by. Last Saturday 16th Feb we had our final session of the level two master class. On this session which everyone finds very tough we get all the guys and girls to talk about themselves. It was pretty powerful stuff, I wont go into peoples private stuff but it is my belief that everyone has a story to tell and it certainly showed in this class, there were some powerful stories and some people have managed to overcome some very hard times. I just want to say a big thank you to everyone in the level two class they were a fantastic group of people who I am sure will go onto bigger and better things , they are all champions.

On Monday the 18th Feb Glen Smith and myself went down to Tony Terranovas club in Cheltnham to do a seminar on boxing. It was Glens first seminar out side of the Red Corner and he was understandably nervous. I started the class with an introduction and Glen took over, Tony T and Alan run a great club full of really nice people and they loved Glen. His knowledge of boxing is just amazing and he was a big success.

Then last Friday the 22nd Feb I went to London to get Steve Bendall ready for his shot at the middle weight commonwealth boxing title against Darren Barker. Myself Glen Smith and Paul Hudson spent the day with Steve. He was in great condition both physically and psychologically for the fight. Unfortunately Steve got off to a bad start being knocked down in the first round but he is a very tough guy and slowly but surely edged his way back into the fight. Unfortunately there was a clash of heads in the 7th round and Steve sustained a really bad cut to his left eye which required two layers of stitches and led to the referee stopping the fight. We were all gutted Steve is a top guy and we really thought he would get his just rewards and win the title but it wasn't to be. All I can say it was a pleasure to work with Steve and be a part of his team the fight was on sky TV and was a big step up for us all. Steve will always be a champion in my eyes to stay at the top of a sport like boxing for so long is a great achievement.
In between all of these events I have been doing my private lessons and still counselling at Coventry university which is also a great experience. The next master class is now due to start on the 13Th of April we have three places left so hurry if you want to book on.

Until next time take care, best Regards
Tony Somers

High Energy

2008-02-14T10:18:00.000-08:00

The last few weeks have been my busiest yet. Last Saturday we started a new master class which was full and could have been filled twice over. Because so many people were disappointed we are now running a new master class which will start on the 2nd of March at the moment we have two places left so if any one is interested I suggest that you book now as we do expect this class to sell out as well. Then on the Sunday we had a master class in which the group were on their fourth session as usual it was a great class some of these guys had travelled from as far as Shefield and Bristol to attend. They are now punching like steam trains and lov`ing every minute of the class.

On Monday I was running a conflict resolution class in the NHS which went really well. This really is the area in which alot more people should be focusing as most conflicts could definetly be avoided with just a little bit more thought. Most of it is common sense but unfortunatly common sense is not always common practice. After the course which was in Cannock it was drive home quick cup of tea, banana and of to the Red Corner for my private lessons, this was then repeated on Tuesday. Wednesday I was counselling at Coventry university and from next week I will be there two days a week.

Thursday was an unexpected day off which was most welcome. I managed to meet up with my good friend Paul Browning who has just released a book on his time in the police force, it is a great read by a great guy. Pauls work ethic is fantastic and he has got some bottle, the book is called THE GOOD GUYS WEAR BLUE he is doing a book signing at Borders book store, Coventry on saturday 1st March 12.pm 2.00pm for more information go to http://www.goodguyswearblue.com/

I also had a great session with Steve Bendall who is boxing at Bethnal Green next Friday 22nd Feb for the middle weight Common wealth title. I have been working with Steve on the mental side of his game and he is in a great place and I am sure he will be the Red Corners first profesional champion which will be fantastic. I will be spending a few hours with Steve just before the fight which is being shown on Sky.

The topic of the week for me so far is energy David Hawkins in his book POWER VERSUS FORCE talks about vibrating at a high energy levels I have been practicing this and it is just fantastic. Its definetly true that when we get ourselves right every thing becomes right around us, yes its true we really are that powerful, give it a go! See good in everything and everyone but first of all see it in yourself and watch what happens. I see it in my counselling all of the time, you can actually sense it when people are feeling low, they give of very low or even negative energy. I usually do some reframing with them and I can actually see them change in front of my eyes as their energy levels increase, they perk up, get a bit of colour in their cheeks, their whole physiology changes its great to see, they actually become energised. I suppose its really a choice as indeed every thing is, so you can either choose to feel energised or choose to feel flat. Not much of a choice really but hey dont let me sway you. Make your own choices!!!
Take care and remember those who think they can and those who think they cant are both right.

Dont Sabotage yourself

2008-02-03T04:34:00.000-08:00

Another week is over, where does the time go? My goal of just doing my teaching on a Monday and Friday certainly hasnt worked. I am just geting busier and busier and am having to teach on other days as well, which is a good thing really. I am making time for my own training which is really important as I found that at times last year because I was so busy I didnt train as much as I would have liked. I actually started to feel a bit sluggish and put on about a stone in weight. My diet is spot on at the moment and I am training quite hard and feeling so much better and lighter!

Its my belief that excersie and diet are vital to our well being. I have noticed when working with people who are depressed that nine times out of ten their diets and excersise regimes are abysmal. Its really important to get these basics right, because if you dont you are really giving yourself a big handicap to contend with as well as every thing else that life throws at you. We need to be physically and mentally strong and diet and excersise are a good starting point.

Its strange but true that in my counselling work people tend to come to me with similar problems at certain times, I am talking about random people here who have never met each other but have similar problems. Recently I have been amazed at how many people are sabotaging themselves. These people have so much going for them and maybe about to achieve some great fete and then they sabotage themselves. They will often blame other people or certain circumstances for their sudden demise, but it doesent take us long to work out that they are doing it to themselves. The most common reason I have found for this is that they have either experienced failure in the past or been ridiculed for trying something new, so as a way of protecting themselves or staying safe they sabotage themselves normally subconciously just as they are about to have a go. I have heard it said that fear of failure is the biggest fear in the world. But is failure real? Can you really fail? Something for you to think about.

Next weekend 9th we start a new level 1 master class and still have one place left if any one is interested please let myself 07708273376 or Matty Evans 0789002091 know as soon as possible, the courses are fantastic you wont be disapointed. We are also starting a new level two class in March so all of this week has been spend contacting those people who have completed the level one class. Vitually evcrery one I have spoken to wants to attend which is fantastic.

Untill next week take care and good luck to you all,

Best wishes

Tony

The beginning

2008-01-22T05:48:00.000-08:00

Its been a year now since I left the fire service and what an adventure I have had. Giving up a good job with decent pay, good pension and health benefits was one of the hardest if not the hardest decision I have ever had to make. In my martial arts career and indeed as a fire fighter I have experienced lots of fear which as we all know is accompanied by our old friend adrenalin. Leading up to my departure date I experienced lots of adrenalin usually in the early hours of the morning, I would wake up heart pounding and drenched in sweat, a slow release of my old friend the dreaded A.

Like I say its been a year since then and much has happened, its with out doubt been very scary and I have experienced massive self doubt and fear but also massive personal growth. I started running Master classes with my old friend Matty Evans and they have exceeded my wildest expectations. The idea was to put a course together that would stretch people both physically and psychologically and boy have we succeeded. We hold the classes at the Red Corner gym in Coventry. The feedback has been fantastic, these courses are changing peoples life's. To see the change in some of the participants has been fantastic, Some people credit the course with saving their relationships some people have left bad relationships and jobs. We even had to run a level two course because the demand was so high from people completing level one. We have had students travel from all over the country to attend and I thank you all for your fantastic support. Our intention for this year is to make the master classes even better and get them out to more people. The next level one class starts on the 9th of February and we have two places left. To book a place go to paypal on my site or give me a call on 07708273376.

During the year I have done seminars all over the country including Scotland, Dublin, London and many more. In Dublin I met a fantastic guy Aidan Carrol who runs a KravMaga club this guy is going to be a big name. In Scotland I met and an old friend Vinncent Mcguire and Craig who run a fantastic club in a place called Denny again brilliant people. Its surreal to get on a plane fly to the other end of the country do what I love to do, which is teach lovely people, get paid and fly home again. I also met up with another great friend Tony Terranova who along with Alan Macdonald are running a club called Fighting Fit Martial Arts in Cheltanham. They invited me to do a two hour session at their club which once again went very well and I got some really nice feed back from those that attended. The great thing for me is that they have all invited me back!!! On February the 18th Glenn Smith who runs the amazing Red Corner gym and myself are doing a boxing class for Tony and Alan at their club in Cheltanham all the details can be found by following the links to the club on my Web site.

I have met some great people in the world of martial arts. As always I am fortunate enough to meet up with Geoff Thompson on a regular basis who I class as not only my mentor but close friend. I also met John B Will a Ju Jitsu legend in Australia and had a roll on the Matt with him and Matty Evans at the Red Corner. John did a seminar at my good friend Richard Yeomans Combat and exercise gym in Nuneaton and then stayed at my house what an amazing guy we talked about martial arts and life well into the early hours. I have met Jeff Monson a UFC heavy weight fighter, several times at the Red Corner. I have spent many hours with my old friend Bob Spour a remarkable guy talking about training and NLP, I even did a slot on Ker rang radio with Bob.

Ive also done a DVD with Matty Evans which we are both really pleased with, you can also order this of my Web site.

My one to one sessions at the Red Corner are going really well, I have been teaching grappling, striking and all round self defence. Due to time restraints I am now only teaching on a Friday and Monday. The Red Corner is a real credit to Glenn Smith it must be the friendliest gym in Britain with out doubt.

My counselling is also going very well and I am now doing one day a week at Coventry University which is great. The counselling team there are fantastic and I love working with the students they have great energy. I have also stumbled into the world of sports psychology using mainly my NLP skills. I have worked with professional boxers, speedway riders, rugby players and have got fantastic results. I will go more into this in future blogs, but I must mention Troy James, Jacob Vagg and Joe Sherriff all young boxers at the Red Corner. I have worked in the area of strengthening the mind with all of them and they are all brilliant and have great careers in front of them.

This week I got back on the matt with my old friend Justin Gray but I will talk more about my training in next weeks blogg watch this space. Take care warmest regards Tony.