About me
My name is Neil Walker, I’m 44 years old Purple Belt, married with four children. I’m an avid martial arts fan who grew up watching too many subtitled films and martial art movies.
Early Years
I started training in Martial Arts at 16 (1996) studying a traditional mixed martial arts (A combination of Karate, Wing Chun, Boxing, Judo & Japanese Jujitsu and self defence techniques) under Sensei Joe Wray (7th Dan British Karate Association). 3 years later I then went to University where I dabbled in Kung Fu and Taekwondo.
I then had a break from any formal training and after the birth of my second child I went back into Martial Arts in 2010 initially with Kick boxing and then returning to train under Sensei Joe Wray (Sensei Joe Wray is Tony Mousah’s Sensei who is a 5th Dan Black Belt and Striking Coach to PFL world champion Brendan Loughnane.) Under the guidance of Sensei Joe Wray, Tony Mousah and the other Sensei’s I received my Shodan 1st Dan Black Belt in 2016.
Still training and now assisting teaching unfortunately the school lost its base in Rusholme, Manchester, UK and the school disbanded after 35 years.
Back to White belt
Over this journey I’d had a major heart attack at 28 years old and then another minor heart attack at 36, I looked for other training places but had to be careful with striking, but I also felt a natural affiliation to grappling and jujitsu.
So in late 2019 I walked into Hybrid Mixed Martial Arts and MMA, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy. It was ran by Jamie Lester an ex Pro MMA Fighter and BJJ Brown Belt under Steve Campbell Stealth BJJ and Lloyd Clarkson.
I received my BJJ Blue Belt in August 2022 from Steve Campbell and then was awarded my Purple belt in 2024 under Mat Condon (Stealth BJJ Manchester).
Over 40s BJJ
I’m a bit of a training Nomad my home base is Hybrid MMA and I’m also a member of Stealth HQ. Through kids and work I’ve cross trained at Sukata Warrington (Kojak) and Warrington Submission Wrestling (Rob) for 12 months (2023-2024) and then in Liverpool at Sukata HQ (2023-2024).
Now I regularly train at Hybrid MMA and Stealth HQ and been over to Mano A Mano Bjj Torrevieja (Spain) (2022).
I’m more of a hobbyist than a competitor but did achieve a recent silver at the British Open 2024, in Purple Belt Masters.
Next Steps: I decided to create something I feel is really useful https://submissionsearcher.com/
Feel free to get in contact with me if you have any questions.
