I have a vision and I am working my arse off to achieve that vision, the world, the universe, it knows what I want but it’s been slowing me down for a reason. I don’t like sitting still, time waits for no-one and I would rather die trying than to live on a what if. Look it’s like this, call me crazy or call me stupid but, you know, you only find your limits by pushing them. Obviously, I worked up to this, I was in the gym five days after I was discharged from hospital. Heavy compound exercises, cardiac output, heart rate power intervals, combat training. When I reflect back on how much I actually did after my operation it is totally crazy, I mean I went from being practically dead to a super intense fight camp training twice a day 6days a week five weeks later. My neck hurt, my back hurt, my forearms and legs felt tight. I couldn’t extend either of my arms or the leg I had just injured. The following week I lost my appetite, I had inflammation throughout my whole body. The telling day was the morning that we did 2hrs of kickboxing, boxing and Jiu Jitsu (all sparring rounds) I popped my knee in the first half hour with a sweep kick and I knew that was my sign. Halfway through the camp my body unfortunately shut down.
I started my fight camp for that (the London fall) on the 26th Sep, that’s 5 weeks after my operation to save my arm and ultimately my life. That’s 5 days after I was discharged, and I aimed to be back competing by October.
They told me two months for a full recovery, I was back in the gym on the Monday. Things like this motivate me, it’s like throwing a bucket of petrol over my fire to compete. My white blood cell count for inflammation was 155, normal levels are between 0 - 5. I had part of my triceps and deltoid removed due to a serious (arm/life threatening) infection. 1.5hrs in surgery the 1st time and 2hrs the 2nd. Obviously, that didn’t happen, I spent 5days in hospital. I was meant to compete in the Spanish Nationals that weekend and then the British Nationals the weekend after. Leigh is hard as nails so the rest is his own words, I was Admitted to hospital after the 4th visit to A&E on June 15th ‘19 Removed left deltoid/ part of bicep 15/6/19ģ (complete) broken ribs left side March ‘18 By the way Leigh recently won 3 gold and 1 bronze medal at the Brazilian jiu-jitsu event held on Poland. Before we get into the details, here is his injury list to help set the scene regarding what you must potentially go through and overcome to reach the zenith in this sport.
Leigh is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete which is a martial art and combat sport system that focuses on grappling with particular emphasis on ground fighting. Leigh has navigated these obstacles and bares all in this NO HOLDS BARRED interview. Tapping into this source of strength can literally transport you out from a desperate situation, be that poverty, drug addiction, severe injuries, overcoming loss and even violence. When I heard Leigh’s story, I was compelled to share it with you all in order to inspire, motivate and cultivate a fighter’s spirit that I believe we all have. Stories of not being born with a silver spoon in the mouth come a dime and dozen – however subjective the story, few resonate and touch the soul.
Welcome the 1 st interview of 2020 and what a glorious awe-inspiring show we have for you to get you pumped up for not only the week ahead, but to serve a sustenance for the entire decade ahead.