Lucca’s story, “I first began training in martial arts from the age of twelve years old under my then instructor for many years Steve Truman, I remain thankful that he gave me the opportunity to join an adult class in which I was the only child. He is now teaching in Little Hampton and if you are ever in the area it is well worth checking out his classes.”

To help compliment his Martial Arts skills Lucca decided he wanted to further develop his understanding of the human body, so at twenty-four he travelled to San Francisco to attend an Holistic Lifestyle Coach course at the world-renowned C.H.E.K Institute. This gave him more of a complete understanding of the effects of stress on the human body and the role nutrition plays on our overall well-being. Upon returning to the UK Lucca also completed his Level 4 diploma in personal training and nutrition which gave him the necessary skills to develop functional training and nutrition plans for his clients he conveys how “Finding the right nutrition for us can make the difference between feeling lethargic and demotivated or energised and ready to go”.

Over a period of four years Lucca frequently travelled to Hong Kong to further his Martial Arts skills whilst also attending Martial Arts seminars in the UK and abroad. Lucca explains “I have been lucky to meet many pioneers in the Martial Arts world! I got to spend time with Bafta award winning writer, film maker, teacher and self-defence instructor Geoff Thompson, someone who had completely transformed his own life and who was a huge inspiration to me and many other people. Through speaking with him I became aware of how focusing on myself and persevering in what I love to do would lead me to better serve my students in their development too. I also travelled to Dijon to attend a seminar by DK Yoo, founder of Warfare Combat Systems where I learnt a great deal about the power of meditation which has obvious benefits in the management of stress.”

Lucca further reflected, “I was greatly interested in the work of Vladimir Vasilieve, master of Systema who specialises in a form of military Martial Art. His efficiency of movement and control of any situation under pressure is extremely impressive and this experience with him really blew me away. I then went on to spend time with inspirational and motivational speaker Elliot Hulse who founded Strength Camp, I was extremely lucky to spend two days in a small private group with Elliot where we received personal feedback and guidance from him and his team. During the camp Elliot held a dynamic meditation with over 500 people which was a profound experience for me!!”

The culmination of all of these experiences led naturally to the creation of OWOA Martial Arts, an holistic approach to teaching Martial Arts that focuses not only on self-defence but also the well-being of the practitioner, providing them with the tools to improve all aspects of their life. mind, body and soul. “After dedicating myself to Martial Arts I realised my real passion lies in teaching. Nothing pleases me more than working with people to help them improve, after all, Martial Arts is really about being of service. This is what keeps Martial Arts alive and relevant in today’s world.”