Probably the most important thing I have ever learnt from my Kung Fu training is that it's possible to be good at anything you do - all it takes is hard work.

You can't be naturally talented at everything, but through learning and self-discipline you can acquire the skills to be successful at anything you need to do: not to make excuses, but to do what needs to be done, and as my teacher, Chief Instructor Ngo says, "to do the right thing".

Whilst studying Engineering at Imperial College, London (back in the early 1990's) I became two times British Heavyweight Kung Fu Champion. From there, I went into an Engineering career, working my way up the corporate ladder, becoming a Chartered Engineer, and getting promoted into a senior management position.

Having gained a lot of valuable management expertise as an employee, I resigned and started running my own business - one of the clubs within the Fujian White Crane organisation. This was in April 2001, and since then the City & Islington Club has gone from strength to strength. At the same time Fujian White Crane has grown to become what I believe is the best martial arts organisation in the world.

The skills you develop if correctly taught as a martial artist are directly transferable to any other part of your life including your career and relationships. Kung Fu teaches you the pursuit of mastery, and this is just as applicable to any other priority you may have as it is to your body. It teaches you to be a general, a master strategist, not just a foot soldier.

A true martial arts instructor will teach you to be good at kung fu, but also to be an exceptional person - a good man or woman, and will strive to be this himself.

This is one of the reasons that so many young professionals are turning to Fujian White Crane Kung Fu whilst their colleagues are pounding the treadmill of the latest gym fad. They understand that learning a traditional martial art is progressive and develops the person into something fitter, healthier, stronger, more intelligent, a more rounded individual, helping them to become something great.

The "right thing to do", for me, was to leave my job and teach others what I have been taught myself. My ambition is that my teachings to my children and my students will have as great an impact on their lives as my Master's teachings have had on mine.