My Story
My Martial Arts Journey: A Path of Growth, Discovery and Transformation
The beginning of my martial arts journey was rooted in curiosity and camaraderie. In the early 2000s, my close friend Frederick Loo and I started training with a humble yet highly knowledgeable man named Rolf. From the start, I realized that Wing Chun was a highly effective style for self-defense. Life was busy, though—work, friendships, and other responsibilities often took priority. After a few months of training, my focus shifted elsewhere. However, those initial sessions planted a seed in me that would eventually grow.
In mid 2005, I received an invitation from another friend to train at the Midland Academy. This re-ignited my interest, and I started to dedicate more time to martial arts training. Just over a year into my training, and I had the honor of meeting Grandmaster William Cheung. His mastery and deep understanding of Wing Chun opened my eyes to new possibilities, and it marked a pivotal point in my development. I knew then that I had found something more than just physical training—this was a lifelong pursuit of mastery, both internally and externally.
In 2007, I travelled to Melbourne with Fred to attend William Cheung’s Summer Camp. This was hel a few hours drive outside of the city in Falls Creek. This was an incredible experience. The serene setting, surrounded by nature, only enhanced the profoundness of the martial arts training. Looking back at the photos from that time, I can see the joy and growth on my face. I was learning not just about martial arts but about myself. The calm, natural environment helped me connect more deeply with the art, fostering a balance between physical movement and mental clarity.
Later that same year, on July 1st, 2007, I participated in the National All Styles competition, held at the Belmont Oasis Centre. Winning multiple trophies was a validating experience for me. It gave me the confidence that my training was working—that my skills were functional against other martial artists. Pressure testing in the competitive environment was crucial for building that self-belief.
Following this, I continued training under Peter Guy in Midland, where he was running classes full time. Around the same period, Graham Anderson began teaching closer to my home, and I found myself gravitating toward his approach. I trained regularly with Graham on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Morley and Dianella, and over time, he became more than just a teacher—he became a father figure to me. By 2010, I had earned my Green Sash, but with the Midland Academy closing, I made another trip to Melbourne for an Intensive Training Week, followed by a Summer Camp hosted by William Cheung. It was at this camp that I earned my Gold Sash, signifying the rank of Sifu. This was a deeply meaningful milestone, representing not only my progress in martial arts but also my readiness to teach and share my knowledge with others.
Reaching Level 10 ignited a deeper drive within me to put the skills I had honed at the summer camp to the test and continue advancing on my martial arts journey. I became committed to competing regularly in National All Styles Tournaments, pushing my limits and refining my techniques. A few years later, this journey culminated in my first full-contact fight, a pivotal moment that not only challenged me physically but also reinforced the importance of discipline and perseverance in martial arts.
Later in 2010, the Perth Wing Chun Academy was reformed in Bayswater with four partners, Peter Guy, Graham Anderson, Nathan Davis and myself. Our goal was clear—to build a strong martial arts community and provide quality training to our students. In 2012, my seven-year-old niece began her Wing Chun journey at the academy. This made me even more determined to ensure that we had a well-structured kids’ class, just as we did in Midland.
September of 2012 was another pivotal moment when William Cheung came to Perth for his first workshops in years. It was a great turnout, and another opportunity for me to refine my skills. Just a month later, in October, a group of us from the academy travelled with William Cheung to China for a two-week tour. Being in Deng Feng, surrounded by other instructors and practitioners from around the world, started opening my mind to the possibility of creating an immersive training environment. Nature, self-improvement, and community—all tied together by martial arts—became a vision I wanted to explore further.
In 2013, William Cheung returned to Perth for another weekend of workshops. This event was followed by another trip to China, where we celebrated the unveiling of the Wing Chun Plaque with instructors from all around the globe. It was during this period that I started to focus more deeply on the practical effectiveness of what I was teaching, especially in terms of self-defense. I was inspired to develop Reality-Based Training workshops, which included women’s self-defense classes. These workshops were based on realistic scenarios, and the feedback from participants would lead to continuous improvements. It became clear to me that martial arts was about more than just forms and drills; it was about functional, adaptable skills that could protect people in real-life situations.
By this time, I had completed the traditional grading curriculum, but I began noticing areas that could be refined. I applied the same methodology from my workshops to the grading system, continuously looking for ways to enhance the knowledge and abilities of my students. Competing in full-contact tournaments during this time helped me understand the importance of pressure testing and inspired many of my students to do the same.
Teaching kids’ classes gave me the chance to share valuable lessons with the next generation. Over the years, the format evolved based on feedback from friends who were teachers, insights from visiting schools, and input from parents requesting specific exercises. The structure typically included meditation, games, technique training, and practical self-defence. I placed a strong emphasis on teaching practical life skills, encouraging students to test each other’s boundaries in a safe environment. While I pushed the kids at times, my goal was always to shape them into lifelong martial artists.
Around this time, my good friend Fred assisted with rebranding the business and designing a new Perth Wing Chun logo. The logo was simpler, more modern, and dynamic, embodying the spirit of William Cheung’s original design while giving us a unique identity. This fresh look helped set us apart from many other schools in Perth at the time, reflecting our evolving approach while staying connected to our roots.
As the academy grew, so did its reputation. By 2015, we had more staff than ever before and a larger student base. That same year, I was invited to teach a group of dancers my form of Kung Fu, which they incorporated into a production. On July 12, the first show was held at the Health Ledger Theatre in Perth—a unique fusion of martial arts and performance.
Between 2015 and 2017, I travelled extensively, visiting schools across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand to train with other instructors. This broadened my understanding of martial arts, challenging me to think outside the box. Meeting Alan Orr in 2017 was a major turning point in my Wing Chun journey. I had the opportunity to train with him in New Zealand, and the experience was humbling. Despite more than a decade of training, I felt like a beginner again, as Alan’s approach to Wing Chun was so refined and effective. It was a lesson in humility and growth—one that fueled my passion for continued learning.
Alan Orr later came to Perth for a seminar, which helped build even more momentum within the academy. Many students went on to compete in sparring, forms, and weapons demonstrations, earning medals for their efforts. However, by 2018, I was starting to feel burnt out. After nearly eight years of pushing the academy to its limits, I was losing my passion for martial arts. My focus shifted toward meditation, nature, and the philosophy behind martial arts, rather than the physical aspects.
During this time, I took great comfort in watching younger practitioners develop their skills. The morning classes I had introduced became my favourite, as they allowed me to train more realistically with a core group of dedicated students. I knew then that my time at the academy was drawing to a close. My journey was taking me in a different direction.
In 2020, I made the difficult decision to leave Perth Wing Chun. After years of growth and development, both personally and professionally, I realized that the universe had other challenges waiting for me. The last few years have been a time of immense growth, not only in martial arts but in my approach to life. Looking back, I now see martial arts with the same sense of wonder and excitement I had when I was just starting out. It has been a journey of self-discovery, and I believe that everything has unfolded as it was meant to.
The experiences, challenges, and connections I’ve made throughout my martial arts journey have all contributed to the person I am today. Martial arts is more than just physical training—it is a way of life, a path of continuous growth, and an opportunity to connect with the deeper aspects of oneself.
