There is much to be learned from Neil Holden. The flyers he used to have with calorie burning comparisons and the credibility of private lessons were freshly plagurised by myself. I believe in using other peoples ideas as long as you admit and reference the source. Indeed I take Neil's comments seriously because he runs a serious gym with good fighters. If a guy produces good fighters and at the same times runs an efficient, well financed, tidy and organised gym then they are worth listening to. Even if you dont always agree with what somebody says, opinions are important to shape and mold what you do in your own gym.

I will readily admit to learning as much from peoples mistakes (including my own) as much as their good ideas. I act like a sponge when I am travelling around to different gyms all round the world. The ideas I create to improve training methods, cut weight, manage the gym, improve facilities, improve cornerwork come from actual expereince as well as travelling around. Any new ideas I pounce upon 'like a tramp on a pork pie' to quote Liam Harrison (i think). Constant evolution is real imortant and to instill this amongst your own students via grading or whatever system you use is even more important.

I am a perfectionist when it comes to gym appearance and outlay and never stop organising, building, rebuilding, changing systems. I have learn much from gyms like Sukhothai, Bolton, Warrington, KO etc in the gym outlay and much from peoples tranining tips and fight strategies. The truth is that only an instructor that can evolve and learn all the time can survive. Never stand still and keep passing the ideas to the students. The notion of Sports injury, Sports nutrition and teaching methods is as important as knowing the physical sport itself. To teach in this millenium period and survive full time without outside income is hard and few will make it. You have to be on the ball 24/7 and constantly evolve the gym. Every angle is required to generate income and retain the students you have. Yes, I have my strong opinions but I am always open to change, persuasion, withdrawal and admitting that I can be wrong. I have been wrong before and will be wrong again. Thats life!

I have made some serious errors in judgements when it comes to the gym and have learned from them. Even now I am considering major change to my entire system and moving gym. I have some more ideas and I hope that my students will in turn do the same. I hope that whatever system people use to educate their students will pass on the same kind of thinking. The point I am, making is that the grading system must apss on more than just how to Thai box! you need it all to win in this game over here!