The Untold Impact of Martial Arts: Knife Crime Awareness with Morecambe FC

This conversation captures the heart of a powerful knife crime awareness event hosted by Morecambe FC Community Foundation. Alongside Beyond The Cage ambassador Shay Walsh, Robbie Wells shared how martial arts offers more than physical skill. It provides direction, confidence, belonging, and a pathway into positive community circles.

The day included workshops led by local partners, lived experience speakers, the police, and a moving performance by poet Nathan Parker, who crafted and delivered a full poem in real time to honour every story shared.

In this video, we explore:

• The purpose behind the knife crime awareness event

  • Why prevention, inspiration, and positive role models matter

  • The untold impact of martial arts on young people

  • Rob’s lived experience and the journey from being inspired to giving back

  • The community initiatives shaping hope across Lancaster and Morecambe

This is a reminder that real change begins with conversation, support, and the courage to create safer spaces for our young people.

Links to everything mentioned can be found below. If this resonates, please like, comment, and share to support the movement.

🎥 Watch A Journey To Greatness Documentary: https://beyondthecage.co.uk/ajtg/jointhejourney

🎧 Listen to Nathan's Poem: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRSCw09CXag/?hl=en

🥊 Read Robbie's article: https://beyondthecage.co.uk/resources/embracing-fear

📲 Follow Nathan Parker: https://www.instagram.com/parkerwords/?hl=en

🌍 Visit Shay's Gym: https://shaywalshmma.com/

🌍 Join our Community - Take Action Daily: https://www.skool.com/take-action-dai...

🎧 Listen to the Daily Gratitude Challenge: https://zaksylvester.com/daily-gratitude

💙 Support Men’s Mental Health:

Explore our support of the Ricky Hatton Foundation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eRlHgTVoD8&t=47shttps://www.rickyhattonfoundation.com/

#knifecrimeawareness #martialarts #mensmentalhealth

Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction

Setting the scene and overview of the knife crime awareness event at Morecambe FC.

0:20 – Inside the Event Rob shares how the day was put together, the partners involved, and the impact of lived experience testimonies.

1:14 – The Untold Impact of Martial Arts Workshop Why Rob and Shay delivered a martial arts session and how it challenged common misconceptions.

2:38 – Nathan’s Real Time Poem Watch the powerful poem written and performed on the day, capturing every workshop and story.

7:12 – Reflections on Prevention and Community Rob talks about why prevention is the only path and the importance of supportive partnerships.

10:17 – Martial Arts as Inspiration and Support Rob explains how martial arts shaped his life and how it was presented to the young people at the event.

16:28 – Inspiration as Intervention Rob and Zak explore how martial arts redirect young people with purpose and positive structure.

17:59 – Fighting Chance Fridays and Local Initiatives An introduction to the community programmes supporting young people across Lancaster and Morecambe.

18:24 – Shay’s Documentary and Community Storytelling Context on the documentary, the gym, and the wider impact of Shay’s work.

21:12 – Role Models and Full Circle Moments Rob shares his story of being inspired by Shay as a teenager and now giving back to the same community.

27:35 – Mental Health, Movember, and Awareness Linking knife crime awareness with men’s mental health and the importance of talking openly.

29:27 – Final Reflections and Call to Share Stories Rob encourages martial artists to share their experiences and Zak closes the conversation.