STICKY...

"Hold Tight"...Sticky

I wanted to do a special shout out to a dude called Sticky...
Sticky is a true inspiration
He's currently undertaking 1000 miles of Parkour to raise money for MND (Motor Neurone Disease)..

He's already run over 800 miles! Meeting up with folks along the way and Freerunning with them through their home cities...
Sticky made me appreciate the pleasure in taking up a challenge and the fun that can be had from pushing yourself. Even at his lowest points he is full of optimism and enthusiasm. He has embraced the real spirit of Parkour which is all about adventure and exploration, both of the world around you and of your own limits and abilities.
He made me see the positive in pushing things past your comfort zone...

I've been following Sticky's progress for a while now...the accompanying documentary that is being made about him as he undertakes this challenge is one of the most innovative and exciting films i've seen..
I had the good fortune to meet and to interview Sticky when he came to Newcastle, and he completely inspired me...

Sticky is a true warrior and like all good warriors he's fighting for a good cause...

Please go donate some money...

thanks

Andy

A LIFE IN PICTURES...

"You know i think that camera freaks me out more than getting hit with a bloody stick" - Andy Talbot Smith

So I'm getting filmed...a lot...
I'm slowly getting used to it. I must admit it helps a lot when i know i'm in safe hands.
These amazing photos were taken by my old amigo Sheriff Mitchell
Sheriff has been a close friend and work buddy for years now (he filmed Life on the Edge along with Herod Mchugh in 2008 when i first met Lynn)...
He's an exceptional photographer, and these pics are just more proof of how awesome he is.

Sheriff came along to the NKC Instructors camp on Sunday to watch me sweat.
I'd been invited to attend and to train alongside potential future instructors, to see how hard they train and to get some useful tips on technique with the Kettlebells.
It was an honour and an eye opening experience. I've never seen human beings work so hard!
Each person there went through their own personal hell as they experienced true hardstyle kettlebell training from one of the best..the beast that is Phil Earley.
I managed to train alongside them (with much lighter weights) for 6 hours..
As you can tell by my face...it kicked my ass!



Sheriff then joined me for a Stick Fighting lesson in The Fridge with Mr Ben Creighton (otherwise known as Bond St Boxing)
Ben is a truly exceptional Stick Fighter, trained in Doce Pares, Inosanto, IKEAF, Phoenix Blend, Balicki Blend (MARS) and Lameco Escrima amongst others he is incredible at what he does.
He is also an old friend and a great guy...but that didn't stop him from beating the holy heck out of me for 2 hours on Tuesday night...



Sheriff also returned to the warehouse of pain that is the Fridge last night for my boxing class with Dr Iain Brownlee. It was a scorching hot training session which i found very tough (boxing scares me quite a bit). I'm looking forward to seeing how those photos came out too...

I can't say how honoured i am to have such incredible coaches and such an amazing crew coming along with me for this ride. I really believe the team who i have supporting me are world class..
I'm a lucky guy

More photos to come

Watch this space

Andy

LIFE ON THE EDGE...

This is the first film that I made (in 2008) and the first time I met Lynn in person...
It was important to me from the outset that I let Lynn's actions and Lynn's words speak for themselves (hence no appearances or voiceovers on my part).

The original crew comprised of:
Me (Writer, Director, Producer)
Leonie O'Moore (Asst Producer)
Andrew "Sheriff" Mitchell (Camera, Edit, Stills)
Gerry "Herod" McHugh (Camera, Edit, Stills)
Peter Hartley (Audio)

For this extended 10 min cut, I had the pleasure of working with Nick Light (Editor) and Katie Connon (Edit Asst) as well as a new audio mix by Peter Hartley
Nick is now the Co-Director and Editor of Is it 'cos I'm Fat? and has been working with me on several projects now for over 2 years...

It's a little controversial (especially to a UK audience) but i'm exceptionally proud of the film and i genuinely see it as a turning point in both my life and my career.

I had previously interviewed Lynn for a UK martial arts magazine and had several phone conversations with him and his team (gaining access for this documentary). I have now spent the best part of 6 years getting to know Lynn, Cold Steel and their Warrior Lifestyle.

Obviously since then Lynn has challenged me to take up aspects of his Warrior Lifestyle myself (the current film) and all I can say is my eyes have once again been opened...

The adventure continues

Andy

SUPERCHARGED...

"If you're comin' on.....Come on!" -Harold Howard

I'm feeling pumped.
Something has kicked into place...
My new training schedule has kicked into overdrive just in time for things to get really busy in the day job. I'm training twice a day, six days a week and working a minimum of 10 hour days in the office...i'm exhausted all the time, i haven't shaved (so i look ridiculous - like a mouldy peach in nerd glasses) and i'm hurting all over...but i'm kinda loving it.
Maybe it's the stress of the tight deadline at work (that has everyone pulling extra hours) but my lunchtime workouts are going great (and providing much needed release).

I'm missing the odd Kettlebell class due to the job (which is frustrating) but i'm making sure i don't get rusty by doing sets whenever i can.
I've taken on the "RKC 100 swings challenge" on facebook in a fit of foolishness (on top of everything else) but i'm loving the pressure...

I'm really enjoying spending time with my coaches (Phil Earley, Ian Brownlee and Ben Creighton) and i'm looking forward to training with a few sparring partners and assistants in the future too...

The exact details of my workout change all the time, but i did promise to share as soon as things started getting into a routine...
At the moment, this is my week:

MON
Lunch - 100 Hardstyle Swings (16kg), U.S.A set, Footwork drills, hit car tyre
After work - RKC Kettlebell class

TUES
Lunch -100 Hardstyle Swings (16kg), U.S.A set, more kettlebells, Footwork Drills
After work - Weapons Training

WED
Lunch - 100 Hardstyle Swings (16kg), stick fighting (TBC)
After work - RKC Kettlebell class

THUR
Lunch - 100 Hardstyle Swings (16kg), U.S.A set, Footwork drills, hit car tyre
After work - Boxing

FRI
Lunch -100 Hardstyle Swings (16kg), stick fighting (TBC)
After work - Weapons Training

SAT
Morning - RKC Kettlebell class
Afternoon (TBC)

SUN
rest....

I'm tired just typing it!
I will go into more detail for the martial arts or kettlebell nuts when i have a more set routine.

Back to work

Andy

PORTRAIT OF THE FILMAKER AS A WARRIOR...

Proof I'm not taking all of this too seriously
This is an epic life changing adventure that is pushing me well out of my comfort zone...but I'm still a nerd who can never resist looking like a goof for a photo opportunity

Photo by Leonie

BREAK STUFF....

A new "tyre man" constructed by the ingenuious Brian Watson (with wheels and steel plates galore) sits next to my awesome Queensberry 12 Butchers Bag...

The adventure continues!

Andy