Instructors

Stuart

My journey started in 1991. As a 17 year old I went from playing fighting video games to actually participating in real life kickboxing competitions. My whole perspective on life was redefined by my amazing instructors at the Mugendo martial arts gym where I started.

I then opened Paragon Gym with my two brothers in 1996. We were young, ambitious and hungry to create something special in the heart of Shoreditch. Being a part of Paragon has taken me further than I ever imagined. I’ve met so many amazing human beings from all walks of life that have enriched my life greatly.

I’ve won many titles (amateur and professional) over a 30 year career that consisted of more than 150 contests and had me crowned World Champion 3 times (with a 26 year range from first to last title win).

Now I enjoy sharing my knowledge with my amazing students at Paragon as well as taking seminars across the country and working on adverts and films from time to time. I’m also a qualified Level 1 England ABA boxing trainer and a level 3 personal trainer.

My classes are often fast paced, technical and above all fun. If you can get them to smile, you can get those extra reps out of them.

"The pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow."

Lisa

I started training in 2005 in the beginner kickboxing course after someone that I worked with recommended Paragon. I fell in love with the training, and with the community at the gym.

My classes are high energy combined with technical combinations - bringing fitness, technique and fun to every class. I teach beginner level and advanced classes.

I was awarded my Paragon black belt in 2014.
In 2019 I won the ICO British Ring Continuous Championship, and then went on to win the ICO World Championship Ring Continuous later that same year.

I’m an experienced PT (Level 3 qualified), and I teach boxing and kickboxing as well as strength training and conditioning. I can often be found running when I’m not at the gym!

“A ship in harbour is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for."

Keith

I came to Paragon when they opened in 1996 from Mugendo where we all previously trained. After 5 years of training and competing with them I started to teach boxing and kickboxing classes at Paragon.

I won numerous contests over the years, including 3 British kickboxing championships WAKO-ISKA-WKA (in light continuous and full contact), I’ve also won the prestigious WAKO veterans World Championship in light continuous in 2009. I’ve taken part in several professional bouts, which lead me to win the WKN British full contact title back in 2005. One of my biggest accomplishments to date has been my 4th Dan Paragon black belt grading over 10 gruelling rounds of public sparring at one of Paragon’s big grading nights. I still believe I haven’t finished yet…

male boxing coach holding pads for student boxing class kickboxing class

Alex

About a decade ago, I decided I needed to do some form of exercise, but I didn't like the idea of a regular gym.

I came across Paragon gym and took the kickboxing beginners class, I fell in love with it and started to improve my boxing and kickboxing abilities, to the point where I now compete regularly in boxing and kickboxing competitions. I have medalled in the ICO and WKU kickboxing competitions.

I like to make my style of teaching a mix of hard fitness training and effective fighting techniques but tend to push for the more flashy kickboxing movements. Overall, I like to have fun with it.

This sport, and specifically this gym, has shaped my life in ways I would never have expected, giving me a real sense of belonging and a great purpose to pursue.

Reece

I’ve been an instructor at Paragon for the past two years, bringing a mix of high-energy, technical boxing training with a fun and positive atmosphere. My classes are all about skill, movement, and making sure everyone leaves feeling good. I often spend extra time with students that need that extra bit of help.

To date as a competitor, I’ve won 2 World titles, 1 British title, and 1 English title in ICO competitions, and my current fight record stands at 6 wins and 1 loss. Whether you’re looking to sharpen up your technique or just get a great workout, my sessions are designed to push you while keeping the energy high!

Acknowledgement is like lighting a candle in the dark, all it takes is a hint of curiosity and a pint of kindness to igniting that person’s soul.

Mark

I have been with Paragon since 1998. I came to Paragon to challenge myself and find a new experience and I’ve been there ever since.

It’s become a big part of my life and I have made many great friends and trained many great students over the years.

I’m a Paragon black belt and have many years of kickboxing and boxing experience to call on.

I like to teach in a very practical way and give confidence to my students through repetition and movement drills. I have always concentrated on the small technicalities of movement and like to teach my classes in a methodical way.

I feel that anyone can get something from learning a skill like boxing or kickboxing as it gives us confidence in the control of our body and, above all, our mind.

Theo

I've been training in Muay Thai and kickboxing on and off from the age of 17.

I joined Paragon at the end of 2019 just before the pandemic hit, and I joined the Paragon team of instructors in 2022. From the get go, Paragon quickly became a home away from home from the moment I joined.

In 2023 I won a silver medal at the WKU in the K1 75-80kg category.

I teach both boxing and kickboxing.

I'd say my teaching style mainly focuses on tricky setups capable of delivering the finish blow at any moment.

The best bit of advice I have for anyone training is to always make sure it's fun. We learn better when things are fun and playful.

Olga

I've been at Paragon Gym since 2021, when a friend asked me to try a kickboxing class with her. She stopped coming after a while, and I found something special here and stayed. Now you'll find me in the gym most days of the week!

I teach boxing, and my style is well organised and structured, with emphasis on working the fundamentals and understanding the transition to sparring. I also like to sneak in a fiery abs or HIIT circuit - or 5! I'm very passionate about having female representation in boxing and empowering women to try things they don't think they can do.

Paragon is an amazing, supportive community. What I have learnt here is what I say to all my students: if you want something and are ready to work hard for it, you can do it.

Moses

I've always been a big fan of martial arts and grew up on Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movies, martial arts anime and of course Rocky! I heard about Paragon through a work colleague and decided to give it a go. I never imagined I'd be able to pull off any of the moves that I’ve learned along my training journey at Paragon, but life is a practice of making your dreams into reality.

My classes are loud, fun, uplifting and empowering, I strive to bring out the inner confidence and best in all my students.

In my first two years of competition I've won the silver medal at the ICO Four Nations Boxing Tournament 2025 & the silver medal at the ICO British Kickboxing Tournament 2024

I teach boxing, kickboxing and strength training.

"It's never too late to be better than you were yesterday, so show up and give your best, fortune favours the brave!"

Jose

Ten years ago I rented a flat right in front of Paragon. It took me a year to build the courage to go past the intimidating graffiti and the stereotypes in my head of the kind of people that train in these gyms. Little did I know that I would find a new family. The trainers at Paragon have the biggest hearts on earth, and this gym is all about helping people better themselves.

Once I was in I became obsessed, and started training 6 days a week, 3 hours a day. I completed the boxing program, then the kickboxing program, and then I did both again as a southpaw!

I was incredibly humbled and honoured when John (co-founder) and Stuart asked me if I wanted to become a teaching assistant (to which of course I said yes!) and after a few years building my skills I became an instructor.

My classes are hard! You'll leave the gym with just about enough energy to get back home. At the same time, I obsess about fundamentals and technique. I might have quoted a Newton law in class (not ashamed!)

Max

I first stepped inside Paragon for a couple of sessions to supplement my martial arts training with some time dedicated to boxing, but I was so impressed by the instructors and community I found that I never left, and Paragon became my dojo.

Over a decade later, my coaching journey has taken me to all sorts of places, from boxing clubs to football academies, from rehabilitation centres to athletics clubs, and I've had the privilege of working with some amazing people and learning a lot along the way. I'm so proud to be one of the Paragon instructors, giving back to a gym that has given me so much. You'll find me in both the boxing and kickboxing classes.

My coaching style is a bit of a paradox. I'm analytical and methodical, but I never grew out of being the class clown.

For me martial arts is a linchpin to the rest of my life. It teaches discipline, focus, humility, and the Paragon dojo is somewhere I can always go to see a friendly face and have fun hitting stuff with friends. Martial arts has also taught me a lot about consistency and perseverance.

"A black belt is just a white belt who never stopped learning."