From a very young age Rob's father, a long serving Royal Marine Commando, passed on knowledge that started him on this martial journey and helped to forge his warrior spirit through tough physical challenges and hardship.
As a youth Rob quickly found himself getting into a lot of fights, using his martial arts training to his advantage to deal with problems on the street. He had more than his fair share of violent encounters in his teens and 20's. These incidents involved many challenges; people intoxicated by drink or drugs, multiple attackers and a range of different weapons. He believes if it wasn't for his background in martial arts he wouldn't be here today to tell the stories and pass on the lessons of his experience.
Through these challenges he matured, learnt a new mindset and the ability to keep a cool head in the face of danger. He has since worked in Private Security as a Bodyguard for clients in the entertainment industry which resulted in many situations where his martial arts training came into play. It proved to be an interesting testing ground that allowed him to learn how to adapt and fine tune techniques to be effective in todays ever-changing modern world.
After 3 decades of training in the Martial Arts, Rob decided that to teach full time and dedicate his life to sharing wisdom and empowering others was the logical next step.
In his martial career so far he has trained in many different systems: Close Quarter Combatives, Judo, Karate, Western Boxing, Kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Wing Chun, Pencak Silat, Chen Taijiquan, Yang Taijiquan, Shaolin Nam Pai Chuan, Ba Gua, Malaysian Sil Lum Pai Qin Na, Qigong, Luohan Quan, Capoeira, Mizongquan, Ninjutsu, Black Flag Eng Chun, Kali/Escrima, Panantukan, Jun Fan Gung Fu, Jeet Kune Do Concepts, Mande Muda Silat, Ghost Elusive Combat, Savate, Mastro Defence System, 4D Combat, Urban Combatives, Rapid Arnis, Silat Suffian Bela Diri, Rapid Assault Tactics, Self Defence and a multitude of different weapon disciplines. Some of the above were never pursued at any great length and have only had a slight influence, while others have been obsessively trained to Instructor levels and still continue to be trained under the guidance of great teachers to this day.
He now works as a full time Martial Arts Instructor and is the Founder of Practical Combat Methods. He is an obsessive practitioner of external conditioning, a tried and tested empty hand fighter and an expert in Chinese and Filipino weapon disciplines.
His personal belief is that if a fight can be avoided than it should be. If a situation can be resolved without violence then it should be, but if attacked, act decisively and do whatever it takes to win.
He is still dedicated to learning and always looking for different methods to add to his current skill set. Always looking for new ways to improve the old, and always searching for new perspectives to allow himself to grow as a martial artist and instructor.
