In the centre of town, Cheltenham Martial Arts owner and principal instructor Matt Rudman continues to improve the lives of local people through keeping fit and having fun.
On his website, you learn that Rudman started his journey in martial arts at aged eight, driven by a desire to bring the enjoyment of the disciples to all the generations.
“I think the fun element is important. Obviously, depending on what they’re doing, they’re here to learn,” he says. “So, they have a bit of a giggle, but they’re also taking it seriously at the same time. They do get a bit annoyed at my stupid dad jokes.
“But yeah, the fun element is a really important factor because that’s really the last thing I want someone to remember because in terms of mental health as well, it’s releasing those endorphins and they’re having a great, great workout as well.”
Rudman clearly has an enthusiasm to improve the lives of Cheltenham locals; besides the fun side of it all, ensuring participants of his range of classes leave with better self-control and energy is equally pivotal.
“We’re installing things like discipline and focus and a lot of personal development. So, it’s quite a juggling act and you can’t be, you’re trying to be fun without being, like we don’t want to be funny – we’re not clowns.
“So, in terms of the instructors, you know, we’re forever trying to come up with, you know, updated teaching techniques and, you know, how to improve and understanding diversity, you know, with more things, children and even adults that are coming into here.
“So, it’s a tough question. We don’t get it right all the time because we’re human.”
Part of being human and improving facilities and classes is to allow as wide a range of people as possible to go along to classes and improve themselves at their own pace.
A very healthy scope of participants already attend, as Rudman explains: “Anyone can do this. Like the oldest member we got is 70 years old. So, we got from four, you know, we cover all generations.
“And of course, like everyone’s ability is different. Everyone’s fitness is different. If you’re joining a fitness class, of course, you’re not going to be fit yet. You might be and that’s okay. And if you’re not, that’s still okay, because that’s what it’s for.
“This evening, a lady came in and she said at the beginning, I’m a bit limited on what I can do today. Is that okay? Yeah, of course. It’s fine. So, the odd member, it’s a certain, they do have certain limitations. So, we’ll say this is what we’re doing.
“So, for the fitness, for example, this is what we’re doing. And away you go. And every now and then, I got a knee injury. I can’t do squats today or whatever. So, okay, let’s try this. So, I struggled with a push-up at the moment.
“Okay, well, you can put your hands on the wall, you can go off your knees. So, we’re not, we’re here to get some, take people to the next step. And most often from there, you know, things improve.
“We’ve had, we’ve had people with, you know, unfortunately, missing limbs that have come in and trained and we will adapt it as best we can. I remember years ago, there was a lady – it was quite sad. She’d had cancer and was unfortunately in a chair, but she just wanted to be active.
“So, her husband would bring her in and we’d carry her up the stairs. So, we did like some private sessions with her, but she just wanted to be active. She wanted to be taking part. But yeah, sit on a chair at the back, let’s get you moving, let’s see what you can do.
As for the younger ages, helping kids become accustomed to their peers with differences to them is something that has given Rudman some great reviews from parents.
Impacting lives away from the class is evidently one of the most rewarding parts of doing what he does: “I think in the world today, especially with children, children need to learn how to be around children with, you know, diversity. I think that’s really important, rather than just forgetting about it.
“So you know, the odd class, we might have someone that’s just really struggling and the kids have now learnt how to let that crack on and get that person some space, and let them regulate themselves a bit. And then they’re back in and they’re training. And for those children, they’re able to, we find after a few sessions, they’re able to really regulate their emotions.
“It’s not going to be perfect because no one strives for that, but they’re much better. And, you know, parents have come back and say, you know, we’ve seen great improvement at home and everything else and at school.”
