A kickboxing coach in Jersey is drawing on his life experiences to help island children build resilience.
Matt Collins has authored a book focused on coping with setbacks and negative experiences, inspired by significant events in his life. After being mugged at gunpoint in Nepal in 2005, Collins reflected on how the ordeal affected him and how kickboxing played a crucial role in his recovery.
With over three decades of kickboxing experience and a 3rd degree black belt, Collins teaches hundreds of students across Jersey while also supporting parents dealing with issues like bullying and grief. He emphasised that the mugging was “pretty intense,” stating that kickboxing has become “a real focus for my physical and mental health.” “You will encounter challenging moments in life, and sports like kickboxing offer children a way to prepare for them,” Collins explained.
He founded Samurai Kickboxing, which provides training for students in Jersey and the UK. Among his students is 9-year-old Jasper, who shared, “I learn kicks and punches and play fun games in class. I feel safer and know what to do if something bad happens.”
Another student, 7-year-old Evie, noted, “I’ve been learning a lot and practicing many fun techniques. Kickboxing teaches you how to deal with loss because you experience defeat often in the sport.”