How long have you been doing X Training?

I've been X training since 1993 at the age of 29 – amazingly I won my 1st competition, the South East X Training Championships at Bromley.  I recall narrowly beating Steve Quick, who went on to win "Ultra Fit Magazines" National X Training Championships later that year.  I finished disappointingly in 5th position, a whole minute behind Steve!

What excites you about the sport?

Having tried my hand at numerous sports ranging from X country running to power lifting and not achieving the level of performance I would have liked, X Training was the sport where I was able to achieve this and to me this was very exciting.

Do you teach X Training to your clients?

In my capacity as a personal trainer and as a Police Force Support Unit officer I have encouraged individuals to X train knowing that this is the best way to develop and maintain all round fitness with a minimal chance of incurring injuries.

What are their views on Cross Training? X Training is superb in that the competitions are accessible to anyone no matter what your level of fitness; they are after all a good indication of your general fitness level.

Did you excel at sport at school and if yes, what sport?

I was useless at football, cricket and tennis and found sports where there was no ball preferablesuch as athletics.

How often do you train?

Generally I train around 6 times a week for usually no more than an hour at a time.

Do you compete in any other sport?

No, X training is the only sport for me – what else is there?

Have you competed in any other sport in the past?

Yes, I’ve competed in boxing (didn't like getting hit!), threw the javelin and pole vaulted at county level, competed in x country running and x country skiing whilst in The 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment and even resorted to power lifting in a desperate attempt to beef up!

Why do you find X Training so exciting?

It gives me the opportunity to achieve levels of performance I couldn't’t in other sports.

Who has been your biggest influence in X Training?

I can't say that anyone has influenced me in this sport, I suppose I only have myself to blame, although I have huge respect for Hywell Davis, who has achieved the Ultimate in remaining unbeaten since winning the title from Darren Robson in 1998

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What is your favourite exercise?

Favourite exercise, any form of boxing, such good stress relief, so long as I don't get punched back of course; bag work or focus pads.

What is your favourite food for training?

For training.. mm well the sensible answer would be some form of complex carbohydrate to give good sustained release energy, whole meal pasta perhaps?  However if the truth be known I am very partial to organic milk chocolate, bring on the quick fix!

What is your ambition in X Training?

Ambitions, err, well thankfully I have achieved what I set out to achieve in X training, featuring consistently in the top 7 positions in numerous national competitions over the last 13 years, winning "Ultra Fit Magazine's" XT Challenge in 1994 and "Fit Body Magazine’s" XT challenge in 1996. I would have liked to have stayed at the top for longer like Hywell but at the age of 42 I have to be realistic, my current ambition would be to remain in first place in the "UKXTA" men's masters category for as long as possible.

What exercise secret would you give a newcomer to cross training?

Don't spend hours in the gym, it's the quality of your work out, not the quantity, and don't be afraid to rest!

Would you ever compete in another sport?

I would not compete seriously in any other sport, although I don't mind participating in any sport for amusement.

How often do you rest?

I generally rest once a week, although I have learnt to "listen to my body" and if I feel under par I won't hesitate in taking an extra day off training.

Do you suffer from many injuries?

No. Like anyone, I have encountered the occasional niggles particularly when training hard for competitions. Now that I am a little older I ensure I incorporate warm ups, cool downs and stretching exercises within my training sessions which I believe helps me stay injury free.

Have you ever parachuted (sky dived tandem or solo) out of a plane. Would you?

Yes, I had the opportunity to complete military parachute training whist in "1 Para" which had the added benefits of being allowed to jump into the middle of Salisbury Plain in full chemical warfare kit, respirator and all.  Oh, and I was allowed to be thrown out of a Hercules onto a frozen lake in Voss, Norway when B company 1 Para decided it would be a terrific start to a NATO military exercise!

What is the one sport you have never taken part in but would love to have excelled in?

Having encouraged one of my three sons to take up Karate, I truly admire those who participate in such a worthwhile discipline. So yes I would have loved to have excelled in some form of martial art.

Did you ever see the footie match in the film Kes?

I recall watching "Kes" over twenty years ago so it must have been a good film for its day, don’t remember the football match though!

What is your favourite comedy film?

Favourite comedy, well I enjoyed watching "The Pink Panther" more recently, although I don't think you can beat the old classics such as "Faulty Towers", "Allo Allo" and "It Ain’t Half Hot Mum.

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What is your favourite action/drama film?

It probably sounds a bit sad but I recently bought the "Rambo" box set for my 10 year old son and I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, it’s wicked!!

If you could meet anyone in sport, past or present, who would it be?

I'd love to meet any of the female gladiators, they were HOT!

If you could invite 3 people to dinner from all of history, who would they be?

I'll have to get back to you on that.

Who is your comedy hero?

Comedy hero, that has to be John Cleese (alias Basil Fawlty).

What is your favourite book or magazine?

The little book of essential foreign insults is one of my favourite reference books.

What was the last CD you bought?

The last CD I bought was for my wife to chill out to, “Corinne Bailey Rae".

What radio station do you listen to?

I generally tune in to the radio whilst in the car and listen to any thing from my local Winchester channel to Radio 4 if I'm feeling in need of an intellectual boost!

Who is your favourite radio DJ?

The radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles is hilarious.

What is your fave album of all time?

"The Vault" by Def Leppard...though now days I have to be in the right sort of mood to enjoy listening to it!

Who is the coolest film character?

It's got to be Sean Connery, the ultimate "007".

Who is the biggest villain?

Arnie, "The Terminator".

What is your favourite sports film?

"Chariots Of Fire"

What is your fave TV show?

"The Blue Planet”, fascinating.

Do you watch soaps?

No, I can't say I've ever been into soaps.

Are you a “biggest baddest TV with the flattest screen and Dolby surround sound is the best” kinda person?

No, I don't have the "baddest" flat screen TV and thankfully don't feel the need to keep up with The Jones’.

What sport shows do you watch?

I enjoy watching athletics and the occasional boxing title fight.

Do you like UFC (Ultimate Fighting)?

On the few occasions I have seen "ultimate fighting competitions", I have really enjoyed watching them, but they are generally screened when it’s past my bed time!

Do you think the obesity problem in schools and the US can be controlled?

I think the government should do more to control obesity in schools.  Jamie Oliver seems to have instigated some significant changes in this country; it’s about time too!  It's all about education, which schools can help with, but ultimately this begins in the home – being a parent myself I know how easy it would be to allow my children to eat processed foods and snack on crisps, sweets and biscuits.  It actually takes a concerted effort and more money to prepare a good nutritional meal nowadays.  I am sure that in time when the hospitals become more saturated with people suffering from illnesses resulting from obesity there will be a knee-jerk reaction from the government. They will probably put health warnings on processed foods or something similarly useful!

What’s the one golden rule in weight management?

Exercise and eat healthily.

Do you know your BMI, BMR?

I don't know my BMI or my BMR; my body weight has remained the same for around 20 years and I am fit and healthy, so I don't tend to concern myself with such things.

Do you know your resting and maximum heart rate?

My resting heart rate is approximately 54 BPM.

Do you train with an hr monitor?
I do on occasion train with a heart rate monitor; I have got out of the habit recently though.