I’ve been in the boxing and fitness game since 2012. I started exactly where many of you are—volunteering at my local club, obsessed with the technicality of padwork, and eventually working my way up to Head Coach. For years, I believed the gym was my world. I thought that without those four walls, the heavy bags, and the ring, I didn't have a business.
Then the pandemic hit.
In 2021, I found myself at a crossroads. The gym where I was Head Coach was closed, and the industry was in chaos. I had a choice: wait for the world to return to "normal," or use what I’d learned in my Philosophy and Literature degrees—critical thinking and narrative—to write a new chapter. I decided to bet on myself. I thought: "If anyone can make mobile training work, I can."
Four years later, I’ve met Mike Tyson, built an online library of 1,000+ combinations, and created a mobile business that spans London. If I could go back to that uncertain version of myself in 2021, here is the "map" I would give him.
1. Identify the "Time-Poor" Professionals (The City, Southwark, & Westminster)
My academic background taught me to look at the "narrative" of a person's life. In central London, the narrative is often one of high-pressure and zero time. These clients don't want a "gym routine"; they want a technical escape that fits into a 60-minute gap between meetings.
What I Learned: Since the pandemic, the home or office has become the new frontline. By bringing the pads to them, you aren't just a coach—you are a stress-relief valve.
The Mission: Use your technical expertise to keep them engaged. They don't want "off-the-shelf" workouts; they want the "Famous Knockout" combinations you’ve studied.
2. Find the "Fitness Deserts" (Outer Boroughs like Enfield & Barnet)
I’m based in East London, but I’ve learned that the further you get from the "boutique" hubs of the centre, the more people are crying out for high-quality, technical coaching. In places like Enfield or Redbridge, people have the space—large gardens and parks—but they lack access to the elite coaching found in North London gyms.
What I Learned: You don't need a ring to teach world-class boxing. My "Virtual Padwork" project taught me that technical precision can be taught anywhere if your communication is clear.
The Mission: Bring the "Head Coach" standards to their doorstep. Show them that they don't need to commute to a gritty basement gym to learn the Sweet Science properly.
3. The "Quiet" Residential Hubs (Haringey, Islington, & Walthamstow)
These areas are full of people who want to train but feel "out of place" in traditional gyms, parents, teenagers, and even older adults. They are looking for a coach who is "technical without being complicated."
What I Learned: My reputation became my biggest asset. In a mobile setting, your personality is your brand. Being patient and methodical is more valuable than being a drill sergeant.
The Mission: Build a community. One successful session in a Haringey park leads to three more through word-of-mouth.
My "Post-Pandemic" Wisdom for the Next Generation
If you’re stepping out on your own today, here is my advice:
1. Don't Rely on the Four Walls The pandemic taught me that your value is in your capability, not your facility. I am a member of UK Coaching, NRPT, and CIMSPA because I believe in professional standards, not gym memberships. Carry your expertise in your head, not just your kitbag.
2. Every Session is a "Narrative" Use your mind. Don't just hold pads; explain the why. My background in Philosophy makes me a "stickler for form," and clients love that. They want to understand the coordination and the strategy. Treat every session like a lesson, not just a workout.
3. Embrace "Failing Forward" I tell my clients this all the time: mastery requires the "short-term humiliation" of being a beginner. This applies to your business, too. When I launched my online program in 2025, I had to learn new skills from scratch. Don't be afraid to look silly while you’re learning how to be a business owner.
The Final Round
I’ve been coaching for over a decade, but I only truly found my autonomy when I went mobile. London is a massive, complex city, but it's full of people waiting for a professional to help them reclaim their health.
If you have the discipline to show up (punctual, patient, and prepared) this city will reward you. See you on the road.
