Steven Attfield (Assistant Instructor)

I’ve been a member of 5 Elements for a few years now and in that time I’ve developed far more than I set out to do. I started when Sifu Tony was only teaching Kung Fu, at this point martial arts was just a hobbie something fun to do with my mates. When Sifu Tony opened his Kickboxing and Eskrima classes I tried them out and was hooked. I was never the sporty kid at school, so don’t think you have to be to learn martial arts. I was bullied a lot as a kid and a teenager, struggled in school with learning difficulties and was an extremely angry child, once I started training I got the direction I needed, I became a lot more focused, confident and happier.

I asked my parents if they thought I’d be who and where I am today a few years back, both said they didn’t. I’m now a teaching assistant at a local infant school but more importantly to me I’ve become a martial arts instructor under Sifu Tony teaching both kids and adults, I got the confidence to stand up in front of a class of student much older than me and teach them new techniques or increase their fitness and I have also won a British Silver and Bronze medal in Full Contact Kickboxing, not bad for the kid everyone picked on at school.

The classes and lesson are very different from any other style of martial art or gym I have been to, these styles for everyone from stand up striking, grappling and weapon work. Also we have had many seminars from TOP martial artist form around the country come to visit us and give us a chance to train with them. I’ve come to think of 5 Elements as a second family now Tony Willis and Kelly (his wife) have been nothing but amazing to me, and I STRONGLY recommend ANYONE remotely interested in Martial Arts or fitness training to come and see us.

The schools not all hard work and sweat thou, we have had BBQ’s every summer at Sifu’s house, Christmas Meals and other social nights events. If I asked myself did I think I could ever be the person I am today I’d have said no, right off. In many ways 5 elements has changed me and my life for the better.