In September 1994 I was in imminent danger of expanding out of my clothes, requiring the replacement of much of my wardrobe with the next size up. Drastic measures were called for - I was going to have to do some regular exercise!

Enter Bob and Elizabeth Kane, who were running a Shotokan Karate club in the sports pavilion at Leicestershire County Hall as a satellite to Sensei Conroy's club at St. Matthews in Leicester. An added bonus was that the Kanes worked in the same department as I did at County Council - maximum benefit, minimum effort - job's a good 'un!

Not the highest-minded motivation with which to embark on my spiritual journey, but before I knew it the wardrobe was rescued and I was down at St. Matthews taking my 9th Kyu grading.

I kept going, with the unfailing support of Bob, Elizabeth and of course Sensei Conroy, and in the face of my wife's conviction that I was bound to end up in Intensive Care. Although training slowed a bit when my son Thomas was born in 2000, I finally got my Shodan grade in March 2002, and am now attempting to focus on my Nidan.

I am sure that a significant part of the reason for my staying with the discipline is that Sensei runs his clubs not for his own benefit, but for that of his students, making allowances for all their personal circumstances in their training regime, coupled with great insight into what they are capable of if challenged. This results in highly motivated students who train not only for themselves but for him, and so stay with the club and achieve more.

Therefore, not only am I now able to wear considerably older clothes than might otherwise have been the case, but I am healthier, have more self-confidence and lower stress levels - I'm not planning to give up any time soon!