I began my journey in 1983, and every step I have taken since carries the lessons of those who came before me. The wisdom of my teachers is woven into everything I do, their voices guiding me even now. Some are no longer with us, yet in every movement, in every lesson I pass on, they remain. Their influence endures—not just in memory, but in action.

A true teacher does not simply instruct; they shape the mind and spirit. They push us beyond our perceived limits, showing us what we are truly capable of. The best of them do not give us all the answers; instead, they lead us to find them ourselves. Through patience, discipline, and challenge, they prepare us for things we do not yet understand.

In life, we all walk paths laid down by those who came before. Our teachers—whether in the dojo or beyond—light the way, but it is up to us to continue forward. The lessons they share are more than techniques; they are insights into perseverance, resilience, and self-mastery. Their greatest gift is not knowledge alone, but the understanding of how to seek it.

Some of you may one day become teachers yourselves. When that time comes, know this: your students will not simply follow you; they will walk the path you lay before them. Every word of guidance, every correction, every lesson will shape their journey. It is a great responsibility, for what we pass on extends beyond us. It lives in those who come after.

We are all links in a chain, bound together by the wisdom of those before us and the dedication of those who follow. Our achievements are never ours alone. They are the echoes of our teachers, the results of their faith in us. And one day, those we teach will carry our lessons forward, just as we have done for those who guided us.

Now, the path I walk is my own, but it is built upon the foundation my teachers gave me. I have proven my understanding and ability to them, just as they once did to theirs. This is the way of all true learning—it is tested, earned, and then passed on.

Conquest Martial Arts School in South London

There is a line from Enter the Dragon that has always stayed with me:

"We are unique, gentlemen, in that we create ourselves… through long years of rigorous training, sacrifice, denial, pain. We forge our bodies in the fire of our will. But tonight, let us celebrate. Gentlemen, you have our gratitude." – Han

So let us honor those who have walked before us, and in doing so, prepare the way for those who follow. Let us train, teach, and live in a manner worthy of the knowledge we have been given. And perhaps, through this, we will reach the same heights as our teachers—and that some still do.

The pictures are of some of my Dan grades who I hope will carry on lessons and wisdom that I am giving them

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