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User:Evian987/Matt Fiddes

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Matt Fiddes
Born
Matt Fiddes

(1979-05-18) 18 May 1979 (age 45)
Swindon, Wiltshire, England
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)Fitness Trainer, martial arts artist
ChildrenMaddison, Lola, Savannah

Matt Fiddes, (born 18 May 1979)[1] is one of Britain's leading martial arts and fitness trainers to the stars. He has worked with some of the world’s biggest names including, most famously, Michael Jackson. He is often seen on TV working out with his celebrity mates. [2] Matt also runs one of the world’s biggest professional martial arts schools. [3]

Early career

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Matt Fiddes was born in Swindon, Wiltshire, the son of John Fiddes, an engineer and Majella Fiddes, a lawyer, with four children. Matt’s grandfather, Sean Norris, was a hugely inspirational figure in his life – an eight time All-Ireland Senior Weightlifting Champion and the winner of the Munster Masters Championship for the over 70s in 2002. [4] Sean was the first Irishman to win a British weightlifting title and was asked to represent his country at the Helsinki Olympic games in 1952. He trained with Arnold Schwarzenegger, a world bodybuilding champion at the time. A tribute to him has been placed in Dungarvan, Ireland, where Sean trained regularly. [5]

As a schoolboy growing up in Swindon, Wiltshire, Matt was bullied and turned to martial arts to protect himself. By the age of 11, Matt was a black belt martial artist. In 1997, at the age of 17, Matt opened his first martial arts school in Barnstaple, Devon, with only £100 [6] Within six months his school was the largest Martial Arts School in the UK. [7] Matt proved himself to be a successful businessman and went on to develop a multi-million pound, international martial arts franchise and brand. [8]

Matt Fiddes Martial Arts

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The Matt Fiddes Martial Arts brand is now based at over 500 clubs and has over 40,000 members. [9]

Fiddes' franchise has four different categories: Mighty Matts, Junior, Adults and Ladies Only.

Matt's success as a leading martial arts artist and fitness trainer [14] has resulted in him being featured on the front covers of martial arts magazines around the world: Martial Arts Illustrated (MAI), Mat Magazine, Body Media, Workout, Health Club Management and Combat. Bob Skyes, MAI editor, said “there is no doubt that Matt Fiddes is an incredible martial artist” [15] and Mat Magazine stated that Matt has soared “to new heights”. [16]

Matt specialises in a range of martial arts; he holds a Black Belt in both Kickboxing and Kung Fu and he is a 6th Degree black belt master in Tae Kwon Do. [17] In 2007 Matt won ‘Instructor of the Year Award’ from Martial Arts Illustrated Magazine [18] With all of his credentials he has been recognised by John Graden, President of the Martial Arts Teacher Association (MATA), as an "inspiration" [19] Graden is the founding member of MATA which includes notable members such as Joe Lewis, who trained with Bruce Lee. [20]

Michael Jackson

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Matt Fiddes was first introduced to pop sensation Michael Jackson through Fiddes’ good friend Uri Geller in 1998 and was quickly thrown into Jackson’s inner circle. [21] Fiddes eventually took over as Jackson’s unofficial bodyguard for Michael’s frequent visits to the UK. [22] The pair bonded over their love of martial arts and spent time watching Bruce Lee films together. [23] Matt counted Michael as a personal friend and claims that Jackson called his mother regularly, who was battling breast cancer, to cheer her up [24] The relationship between Matt and Michael was strictly professional and he refused to ever use Jackson for press or publicity shots [25] Matt is quoted as saying that Michel was "the most misunderstood man in the world". [26]

Celebrity Clients

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Matt Fiddes has trained several celebrity clients extending from actors, models, musicians and professional footballers. Roxanne Pallett, [27] Peter Andre, [28] Jessica Wright Matt Fiddes has trained several celebrity clients extending from actors, models, musicians and professional footballers. Roxanne Pallett, [29] Jermaine Jackson, [30] Tito Jackson, [31] Michael Jackson, [32] Uri Geller [33] and Danielle Lloyd [34] are just a few of the celebrities he has trained.

Personal Life

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Matt is an avid reader of non-fiction and thoroughly enjoys weight training in his spare time.

Fiddes was married to Marcia Louise Loscombe, before divorcing from her in 2010. They have three children together: Maddison, 8; Lola, 5 and Savannah, 4. [35]

Other projects

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Matt Fiddes, a victim of bullying when he was at school, began his own campaign in 2007 aimed at educating children from a young age that bullying and racism have detrimental affects on the lives of themselves and the people around them. The NOBULL campaign [36] has gained the support of many influential people; in particular Jermaine Jackson, who suffered from bullying and racism while on Celebrity Big Brother 2007. [37] The NSCFC (National Society for Children and Family Contact) has also backed the NOBULL campaign. [38] Fiddes hopes to show children the importance of self-respect and treating others with kindness. Matt and Jermaine Jackson have travelled to many schools in the London area delivering their messages to school children.

Fiddes, in addition to his extensive work with creating the Matt Fiddes Martial arts brand, has built up the company Fiddesrooms. [39] Fiddesrooms aims to supply accommodation for those in the North Devon area.


References

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  1. ^ Matt Fiddes' Website
  2. ^ Hallett, Joe. "Towie Stars Come to Yeovil", "Infinity Martial Arts", London, 17 February 2012. Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
  3. ^ "Matt Fiddes Martial Arts". Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
  4. ^ "People in Waterford History", "Waterford County Museum". Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
  5. ^ Scanlan, Lyndsay. "Sean's talents led to success", "Swindon Advertiser", 29 June 2006. Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
  6. ^ Lowe, David. "I was Jacko's UK bodyguard" “The Sun,” 16 January 2008. Retrieved on 4 April 2012.
  7. ^ "Matt Fiddes Martial Arts Schools". Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
  8. ^ "Matt Fiddes Martial Arts". Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
  9. ^ Iles, Mark. "Mark Iles: Matt Fiddes & Michael Jackson", "Mark Iles' Blog", 16 June 2011. Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
  10. ^ "Might Matts"
  11. ^ "Juniors"
  12. ^ "Adults"
  13. ^ "Ladies Only"
  14. ^ Love, Emma."Rising Star: Matt Fiddes", 22 April 2007. Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
  15. ^ Skyes, Bob. "Martial Arts Illustrated", September 2011.
  16. ^ "Matt Fiddes and the Media". Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
  17. ^ "Martial arts instructor speaks out over Michael Jackson controversy". "The Wiltshire," 29 September 2010. Retrieved 04 April 2012.
  18. ^ Love, Emma. "Rising Star", "The Observer", 22 April 2007. Retrieved 04 April 2012.
  19. ^ "Testimonials" "Matt's Official Website". Retrieved 04 April 2012.
  20. ^ "The Martial Arts Teachers' Association", "MATA". Retrieved 04 April 2012.
  21. ^ Wells, Tom. “Geller to Jacko: You will die " "The Sun,” 02 July 2009. Retrieved 04 April 2012
  22. ^ Jackson, Peter. "UK bodyguard's tribute to Jackson" 26th June 2009. Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
  23. ^ Lowe, David. "I was Jacko's UK bodyguard", 16 January 2008. Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
  24. ^ Lowe, David. "I was Jacko's UK bodyguard" “The Sun,” 16 January 2008. Retrieved on 4 April 2012.
  25. ^ Iles, Mark. Michael and Matt. “Martial Arts Illustrated,” February, 2012. Retrieved on 04 April 2012.
  26. ^ Jackson, Peter. "UK bodyguard's tribute to Jackson", “BBC News.” 26 June 2009. Retrieved 04 April 2012.
  27. ^ Littlejohn, Georgina. "I'm happy knowing I can look after myself': Roxanne Pallett learns self-defence after terrifying ordeal at the hands of train thugs". 27 March 2012. Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
  28. ^ Begley, Katie. “Celebrity Big Brother 2012: Nicola Mclean Blows Big Job” “DailyStar,” 1 February 2012. Retrieved on 04 April 2012
  29. ^ Littlejohn, Georgina. "I'm happy knowing I can look after myself': Roxanne Pallett learns self-defence after terrifying ordeal at the hands of train thugs". 27 March 2012. Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
  30. ^ "Town weaves spell on Jackson’s former bodyguard" “Times Gazette,” 20 July 2011. Retrieved 04 April 2011.
  31. ^ Smit, Martina. "Michael Jackson's family seek Devon hideaway", "The Telegraph." 13 March 2008. Retrieved 04 April 2012.
  32. ^ Lowe, David. "I was Jacko's UK bodyguard" “The Sun,” 16 January 2008. Retrieved on 4 April 2012.
  33. ^ Lowe, David. "I was Jacko's UK bodyguard" “The Sun,” 16 January 2008. Retrieved on 4 April 2012.
  34. ^ Lazzeri, Antonella. "Jacko's minder for Danielle", "The Sun", 31 October 2011. Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
  35. ^ "Martial arts instructor speaks out over Michael Jackson controversy" "Swindon Advertiser", 29 September 2010. Retrieved on 4 April 2012.
  36. ^ "NOBULL". Retrieved on April 2012.
  37. ^ "Shilpa was bullied, says Jackson", "BBC News", 5 February 2007. Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
  38. ^ "NSCFC". Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
  39. ^ "Fiddesrooms". Retrieved on 2 April 2012.
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Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:People from Swindon

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