170: The Good Listening To Show with Chris Grimes and guest Tony Rice!

170: The Good Listening To Show with Chris Grimes and guest Tony Rice!

Curious about how others handle confidence, community and wellbeing all in one place? This conversation on UK Health Radio brings together host Chris Grimes and martial arts master Tony Rice for the first part of Tony’s founder story. Tony, a fifth Dan Choi Kwan Do practitioner, shares how Yarm Martial Arts evolved into what one parent memorably called “a confidence-building factory”.

He explains how children can “come in without confidence, and within six months, they’re walking out with confidence”, and how that comment became the pebble in the pond that shaped his whole approach. You’ll hear how his academy acts as a kind of sanctuary for both children and parents. Tony talks about teens who, overwhelmed at school, walked out and headed straight to the dojo because it was “the only place where they really, truly be themselves”.

Parents describe it as a second home, with a family room, chatty reception, and even favourite chairs for those precious 50 minutes of peace. The chat also goes deeper into Tony’s personal story: losing his father as a teenager, being told at 14 that he was now “the man of the house”, and realising through one stranger’s small act of respect at the funeral that “there will always be somebody there to help you”.

That idea runs right through how he leads his team and cares for his students. There’s humour too, from the “dojo mojo” to a dad jokingly complaining that “someone sat in my chair”. Underneath it all sits a clear purpose: to build a community where eye contact, kindness and a simple question – “How can I make your day a better day?” – shape every interaction.

If you’re interested in safe, value-driven spaces that build confidence across generations, this one might get you thinking about what community really means in your own life.