About Deniz Ates

Growing up in the 90s and early 2000s, I was surrounded by a pop culture of action heroes, martial arts, and combat sports. I remember the excitement around Mike Tyson vs Frank Bruno, the impact of When We Were Kings, and the gritty inspiration of Rocky. I was mesmerized by fighting games like Mortal Kombat, films like Bruce Lee’s Game of Death, and books like Sun Tzu’s The Art of War.

In 2005, The Contender, hosted by Sylvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard, sparked a new level of inspiration. For two years of university, I dedicated myself to boxing training alongside my studies, though academic responsibilities eventually led me to set boxing aside.

After graduation in 2008 and a few years of work, I resumed training at a local boxing club. In 2012, I seized an opportunity to volunteer as a trainer, pursuing certification under England Boxing. Obsessed with improving my padwork, I was soon employed, and later advanced to head coach.

What began as a hobby became my career, and I consider myself fortunate to have found a path in the fitness industry. As a coach, it's a privilege to be part of someone’s personal development, and I'm excited for what the future holds.

My career came full circle in 2025 at an event in Ireland, where I had the privilege of meeting Mike Tyson. It was a meaningful moment that underscored how far passion and hard work can take you in the boxing world.

My previous role as head coach of a boxing gym ended during the pandemic. I had to reflect on my experience, re-think my values, and take a new course of action. I learned an important lesson: an institution cannot give you security - your knowledge and skills are your only security. For me, becoming self-employed was the only path forward.

Thankfully, I was able to contend with the uncertainty. I was highly experienced and connected in the fitness industry, having worked as a boxing coach since 2012. I had also learned to be resilient from years of studying Literature and Philosophy, which taught me to question narratives, examine assumptions, and view every situation from multiple perspectives.

I decided I no longer wanted to rely on a gym. I thought, "If anyone can work as a mobile trainer, I can." I had the experience to rebuild myself. So in 2021, I packed my pads into a bag and did exactly that.

What started on the streets of London quickly expanded into the digital space. In 2023, I launched a series of virtual padwork videos that captured global attention, building a community of over 70,000 followers.

What I like most about coaching is the opportunity to make a positive impact. I enjoy helping people move from 'I can't do that' to 'I can do that'. I believe this mental shift while learning movement skills inspires success in other areas of life.

I also enjoy the continuous learning that coaching provides. Every learner develops in their own way, making them teachers in their own right. This mutual process of teaching and learning has been fundamental to my growth as a coach.