A Journey to Greatness: The Untold Story of Shay Walsh.
Aug 1, 2025
Discover the untold story of Shay Walsh - the Lancaster-born MMA World Champion who whose career was cut short by a devastating injury.
In 2024, I directed & edited a documentary about the inspiring, untold story of Shay Walsh - the Lancaster-born MMA World Champion who whose career was cut short by a devastating injury.
This pilot documentary reveals a deeply human story of resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose beyond the cage.
Following a sold-out local cinema premiere and overwhelming community support, we’re now bringing Shay’s story to audiences worldwide.
The Road to the Pilot Documentary
A Journey To Greatness is the untold story of Shay Walsh. The Lancaster born MMA World Champion, was forced to retire early from the sport he loved after a career-ending injury. Our pilot documentary showcases a small part of Shay's powerful story.
Discover the events that got us here:
‘The Great Reopening’ - 28 July 2024
The day that started it all...
A once-in-a-lifetime occasion for Shay and his local community.
A celebration of Shay’s gym expansion, marked by the long-awaited visit of his good friend and 6x UFC Champion, Alexander Volkanovski.
Volk had been promising this visit for years, and now, it was finally happening. We knew this day would be special, but we didn’t realise just how special.
Our plan was simple: support the event and capture the moment. But as the celebrations wound down, we began interviewing Shay’s members.
Their words weren’t just about the day - they spoke of his impact, his legacy, and what this gym truly meant to them.
‘Discovering a Legacy’ - August - September 2024
Taking on a challenge...
When Zak began to look over the footage gathered on the day he was taken aback by the words from Shay’s community. He felt inspired to dig deeper—to truly understand Shay’s journey but was disappointed to find such little media coverage following Shay’s injury.
There was a much bigger story to be told… and he felt compelled to try his best to bring it to life.
So, we arranged another filming day at the gym, capturing more of Shay’s personal thoughts and memories. Then came the challenge of bringing it all together.
On 8 September, we held a private screening of the first draft with Shay and his immediate family. The film ran for 40 minutes.
Watching the story unfold with those who had lived it was emotional, moving, and deeply personal, a journey of sacrifice, resilience, and everything it took to get here.
Their response was overwhelming. This story wasn’t just for Shay—it was for everyone in his community. His family, his friends, his gym.
But how could we share it with them in the way it truly deserved?
‘Official Premiere’ - 17 October 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEpmJHgb9Fg&pp=ygUKc2hheSB3YWxzaA%3D%3D
Shay’s story deserved the big screen, a highly anticipated local premiere celebrating a hometown hero.
From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was electric. A red-carpet welcome, photos, and sealed envelopes set the tone before everyone took their seats.
As the film played, the room was silent - every eye fixed on the screen as untold moments of Shay’s journey came to life.
Then came tears, applause, and a standing ovation.
But the night wasn’t over. In a final surprise, the audience watched heartfelt video testimonies from Shay’s elite MMA network — coaches and fighters from around the world. Alexander Volkanovski closed with a message, calling Shay and his community truly incredible human beings.
Everyone left feeling moved, inspired, and personally impacted.
We are deeply grateful for the response this short film has received—but Shay’s story is far from finished and this journey is only beginning.
An Inspiring Human Story
Why This Documentary Matters
This is more than just a film — it’s a movement to tell authentic, untold stories in combat sports.
Finding Purpose We often see a fighters journey on their way to the top, but what happens when this chapter is forced shut?
Overcoming Adversity We all experience highs and lows in life, but how do we rebuild and redefine ourselves in the lowest of points?
Bringing People Together Our lives are influenced by the people around us, but what if there’s more to gain from giving?
Beyond MMA Fighting isn’t for everyone, but what if there’s far more to mixed martial arts than stepping into the cage and fighting for a world title?
In 2024, I directed & edited a documentary about the inspiring, untold story of Shay Walsh - the Lancaster-born MMA World Champion who whose career was cut short by a devastating injury.
This pilot documentary reveals a deeply human story of resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose beyond the cage.
Following a sold-out local cinema premiere and overwhelming community support, we’re now bringing Shay’s story to audiences worldwide.
The Road to the Pilot Documentary
A Journey To Greatness is the untold story of Shay Walsh. The Lancaster born MMA World Champion, was forced to retire early from the sport he loved after a career-ending injury. Our pilot documentary showcases a small part of Shay's powerful story.
Discover the events that got us here:
‘The Great Reopening’ - 28 July 2024
The day that started it all...
A once-in-a-lifetime occasion for Shay and his local community.
A celebration of Shay’s gym expansion, marked by the long-awaited visit of his good friend and 6x UFC Champion, Alexander Volkanovski.
Volk had been promising this visit for years, and now, it was finally happening. We knew this day would be special, but we didn’t realise just how special.
Our plan was simple: support the event and capture the moment. But as the celebrations wound down, we began interviewing Shay’s members.
Their words weren’t just about the day - they spoke of his impact, his legacy, and what this gym truly meant to them.
‘Discovering a Legacy’ - August - September 2024
Taking on a challenge...
When Zak began to look over the footage gathered on the day he was taken aback by the words from Shay’s community. He felt inspired to dig deeper—to truly understand Shay’s journey but was disappointed to find such little media coverage following Shay’s injury.
There was a much bigger story to be told… and he felt compelled to try his best to bring it to life.
So, we arranged another filming day at the gym, capturing more of Shay’s personal thoughts and memories. Then came the challenge of bringing it all together.
On 8 September, we held a private screening of the first draft with Shay and his immediate family. The film ran for 40 minutes.
Watching the story unfold with those who had lived it was emotional, moving, and deeply personal, a journey of sacrifice, resilience, and everything it took to get here.
Their response was overwhelming. This story wasn’t just for Shay—it was for everyone in his community. His family, his friends, his gym.
But how could we share it with them in the way it truly deserved?
‘Official Premiere’ - 17 October 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEpmJHgb9Fg&pp=ygUKc2hheSB3YWxzaA%3D%3D
Shay’s story deserved the big screen, a highly anticipated local premiere celebrating a hometown hero.
From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was electric. A red-carpet welcome, photos, and sealed envelopes set the tone before everyone took their seats.
As the film played, the room was silent - every eye fixed on the screen as untold moments of Shay’s journey came to life.
Then came tears, applause, and a standing ovation.
But the night wasn’t over. In a final surprise, the audience watched heartfelt video testimonies from Shay’s elite MMA network — coaches and fighters from around the world. Alexander Volkanovski closed with a message, calling Shay and his community truly incredible human beings.
Everyone left feeling moved, inspired, and personally impacted.
We are deeply grateful for the response this short film has received—but Shay’s story is far from finished and this journey is only beginning.
An Inspiring Human Story
Why This Documentary Matters
This is more than just a film — it’s a movement to tell authentic, untold stories in combat sports.
Finding Purpose We often see a fighters journey on their way to the top, but what happens when this chapter is forced shut?
Overcoming Adversity We all experience highs and lows in life, but how do we rebuild and redefine ourselves in the lowest of points?
Bringing People Together Our lives are influenced by the people around us, but what if there’s more to gain from giving?
Beyond MMA Fighting isn’t for everyone, but what if there’s far more to mixed martial arts than stepping into the cage and fighting for a world title?
In 2024, I directed & edited a documentary about the inspiring, untold story of Shay Walsh - the Lancaster-born MMA World Champion who whose career was cut short by a devastating injury.
This pilot documentary reveals a deeply human story of resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose beyond the cage.
Following a sold-out local cinema premiere and overwhelming community support, we’re now bringing Shay’s story to audiences worldwide.
The Road to the Pilot Documentary
A Journey To Greatness is the untold story of Shay Walsh. The Lancaster born MMA World Champion, was forced to retire early from the sport he loved after a career-ending injury. Our pilot documentary showcases a small part of Shay's powerful story.
Discover the events that got us here:
‘The Great Reopening’ - 28 July 2024
The day that started it all...
A once-in-a-lifetime occasion for Shay and his local community.
A celebration of Shay’s gym expansion, marked by the long-awaited visit of his good friend and 6x UFC Champion, Alexander Volkanovski.
Volk had been promising this visit for years, and now, it was finally happening. We knew this day would be special, but we didn’t realise just how special.
Our plan was simple: support the event and capture the moment. But as the celebrations wound down, we began interviewing Shay’s members.
Their words weren’t just about the day - they spoke of his impact, his legacy, and what this gym truly meant to them.
‘Discovering a Legacy’ - August - September 2024
Taking on a challenge...
When Zak began to look over the footage gathered on the day he was taken aback by the words from Shay’s community. He felt inspired to dig deeper—to truly understand Shay’s journey but was disappointed to find such little media coverage following Shay’s injury.
There was a much bigger story to be told… and he felt compelled to try his best to bring it to life.
So, we arranged another filming day at the gym, capturing more of Shay’s personal thoughts and memories. Then came the challenge of bringing it all together.
On 8 September, we held a private screening of the first draft with Shay and his immediate family. The film ran for 40 minutes.
Watching the story unfold with those who had lived it was emotional, moving, and deeply personal, a journey of sacrifice, resilience, and everything it took to get here.
Their response was overwhelming. This story wasn’t just for Shay—it was for everyone in his community. His family, his friends, his gym.
But how could we share it with them in the way it truly deserved?
‘Official Premiere’ - 17 October 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEpmJHgb9Fg&pp=ygUKc2hheSB3YWxzaA%3D%3D
Shay’s story deserved the big screen, a highly anticipated local premiere celebrating a hometown hero.
From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was electric. A red-carpet welcome, photos, and sealed envelopes set the tone before everyone took their seats.
As the film played, the room was silent - every eye fixed on the screen as untold moments of Shay’s journey came to life.
Then came tears, applause, and a standing ovation.
But the night wasn’t over. In a final surprise, the audience watched heartfelt video testimonies from Shay’s elite MMA network — coaches and fighters from around the world. Alexander Volkanovski closed with a message, calling Shay and his community truly incredible human beings.
Everyone left feeling moved, inspired, and personally impacted.
We are deeply grateful for the response this short film has received—but Shay’s story is far from finished and this journey is only beginning.
An Inspiring Human Story
Why This Documentary Matters
This is more than just a film — it’s a movement to tell authentic, untold stories in combat sports.
Finding Purpose We often see a fighters journey on their way to the top, but what happens when this chapter is forced shut?
Overcoming Adversity We all experience highs and lows in life, but how do we rebuild and redefine ourselves in the lowest of points?
Bringing People Together Our lives are influenced by the people around us, but what if there’s more to gain from giving?
Beyond MMA Fighting isn’t for everyone, but what if there’s far more to mixed martial arts than stepping into the cage and fighting for a world title?
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