Tuesday, 27 April 2021

Joseph Shepherd- Fitness For Autism

Hey everyone, my name is Joseph Shepherd and I am 22 year old strength athlete from the UK.
I have competed in powerlifting and strongman,
I look forward to contributing content for Fitness for Autism and showing the world that while we may be neurodivergent that doesn't stop us from achieving our goals and chasing our dreams.

I am a 22-year-old autistic athlete. If you knew me growing up the phrase “athlete” is something that you wouldn’t associate with me. My life forever changed when my mum bought me a fifty kg barbell set, I don’t think I’d be where I am today if it were not for this. Due to lifting weights and taking part in sports like rugby and Brazilian Jiu jitsu, I have had many great experiences, ranging from being apart of the discover your gold campaign to starting a university powerlifting club in my second year of university.
If I were to give advice to coaches working with neurodivergent athletes, I would say these two things.

*Be creative – neurodivergent athletes will be different to anyone you have ever worked with. We learn differently and require a different set of skills. BE CREATIVE, why you might be able to teach someone how to deadlift or throw a punch one way, chances are that will be different for the neurodivergent. Get creative and think outside of the box. While at times it may be slightly frustrating, it will be immensely rewarding when it pays off.

*Set no limitations – This me speaking from first-hand experience, the moment you set a limitation of what they are capable of even if it’s just in your mind, they will be able to tell. Encourage them to go as far as they can, and they will surprise you. Growing up I was told I would never ride a bike, swim or be a healthy weight. Now I can ride a bike (just about), swim like a fish and I’m the healthiest I have ever been. The support I’ve received from my mother, powerlifting coach Mark and close friends has helped push me to heights many people would never think possible, all this comes from growing up without any limitations on what I can do.


All the best 
Joseph Shepherd
Fitness For Autism 
(A Division of Fighting For Autism)

Thursday, 22 April 2021

An Interview With UFC fighter Nathan "Mayhem" Maness, by Fighting For Autism Ambassadors Nick, Seren, Andre and Reese

Fighting For Autism, have been so incredibly fortunate to have some amazing ambassadors from around the world take time out of their schedules to take part in interviews with our Junior Ambassadors, whom a large percentage of are on the autistic spectrum themselves and are thriving through an activity, art or something they love taking part in. Having prominent professionals who share a common interest with the person conducting the interview, or them being from a sport, art, activity that the interviewer can relate to, not only helps to build confidence and develop social skills, they are also fantastic to read, if you would like to take part please get in touch via our website www.fightingforautismeurope.org

This blog features an interview With Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight division fighter and Fighting for Autism For Autism Fighter Ambassador Nathan "Mayhem" Maness.

Nathan, who trains and fights out of Tag MMA and Nice Guy Submission Fighting,  holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu  and and outstanding 13-1-0 record as a professional mixed martial artist, with his impressive last win  over the unbeaten Luke Sanders in November of 2020 with the UFC that saw him earn "submission of the night" and is looking to continue on his trail to the very top in 2021.



 Some of our Fighting For Autism Junior Ambassadors were asked if they would like to interview Nathan, and we were overwhelmed by their response, here is the interview.


First to ask some questions was Reese "Cottonmouth Bailey from Las Vegas, USA

1)When you are in the middle of a fight, is it a blur or does everything seem to slow down because all the training you've had?

"Earlier in my career it was definitely a blur. Out of a 9min fight I could maybe remember a few minutes. Now I'm alot better at being in the moment".

2) what's tougher, training camp or a weight cut? 

"I think they go together. It's hard pushing yourself through camp while being on a calorie restriction diet".

3) what is your training regime like when you are not training for a fight? 

"I'm still in the gym 4-8 times a week depending on what I have going on that week".

4) what motivates you to keep fighting after you've gotten hit really hard?

I'd honestly take a beating for the whole fight if I could pull it out in the end. Im just here to win. The shots don't bother me.

5) what's the most motivational quote you've ever been given from a coach?

 "I don't think I could narrow it down to a quote. My coach is the ultimate winner and he passes that down to me through his words and actions".


Next to ask some question was Seren Grant from the United Kingdom

1. How did you feel in your first fight in a ring? Did you win?

 "I was very nervous but had a great time once it was over. I won a unanimous decision".

2. How did it feel the first time you lost a fight (if you have ever lost one!)?

"I have lost one. It was a learning experience. I had won 20 in a row prior to that, so it was tough for sure".

3. What is it you love about your sport that keeps you involved?

"You can never be the best at every aspect of  MMA. So there is always room to grow and that keeps me motivated".

Next to ask some questions was Fighter Ambassador from the Missouri USA  

 Nick "The Tornado" Turnbo


1- Does wrestling help you in MMA? 

"Absolutely. Wrestling helps you decide where the fight takes place. Either on the ground or to stop take-downs and keep It standing".

2- Do you prefer ground or stand up? 

"Earlier in my career it was more on the ground and wrestling. Today I'm more of a fan of the stand up. It gets the fans and myself more excited".

3- What weight do you walk at?

 "I was anywhere from 155 to 165. I fight at 135".



And finally to ask Nathan some questions is Junior Ambassador from Basingstoke, United Kingdom

Andre "The Reaper" O'Leary  

1. Who are in your personal top 5 pound for pound list in the UFC?

 "GSP. Jon Jones. Anderson Silva. Demetrius Johnson. Khabib".

2. MMA has many disciplines and I really like boxing, wrestling and Muay Thai. What are your 3 favourites as a mixed martial artist and why? 

"Wrestling. I love a good double leg take-down and the control. Kickboxing. The mixture of good boxing and some of my favourite kicks like the teep and high kick. BJJ. If you want to take guys down you have to have solid top jiu jitsu to stay out of subs and land good ground n pound".

3.What advice do you have for young fighters looking to have a career in MMA/UFC?

 "Show up to the gym, even on days you don't want to. Half the battle is just deciding to go".


From everyone at Fighting For Autism, we wanted to say a huge thank you to Nathan "Mayhem" Maness for taking time out of his schedule to answer some questions, and a massive thank you to Andre,Nick,Seren and Reese for asking awesome questions for the interview.

Nathan can be followed on instagram at www.instagram.com/natemayhem1 

Until next time Dare To Be Different, Shine Through The Spectrum, and as always keep 

Fighting For Autism 😉

 

Saturday, 3 April 2021

Matthew's Story- Autism and Football.

Fighting For Autism, have been so incredibly fortunate to have some amazing ambassadors from around the world take time out of their schedules to take part in interviews with our Junior Ambassadors, whom a large percentage of are on the autistic spectrum themselves and are thriving through an activity, art or something they love taking part in. Having prominent professionals who share a common interest with the person conducting the interview, or them being from a sport, art, activity that the interviewer can relate to, not only helps to build confidence and develop social skills, they are also fantastic to read, if you would like to take part please get in touch via our website www.fightingforautismeurope.org


This is Matthew's Story.


Matthew with one of his favourite team shirts 

Matthew is 16 years old, and received an autism diagnosis at quite a young age, like many on the autistic spectrum, Matthew's Autism is often described as quite complex owing to various diagnosis he has that go alongside it (Anxiety Disorder, Dyspraxia, Hyperacusia, Learning Difficulties to name but a few, there are many more)  So sometimes the world can be a challenging place to be for Matthew. Matthew is reliant on routine and regime, so changes in timetables, or an unexpected change to his routine can have a real detrimental impact and as Matthew has problems sensory processing and explaining his feelings it also becomes a frustrating and upsetting experience for him.                                                                                                       

As Autism may does not have a look it can be deceiving to someone who is not familiar with Matthew or his needs, get to know him and speak about something he is passionate about and you gain a lifetime friend, get to see him overcoming adversity and he becomes an inspiration. In Matthews case  he his highly reliant on supervision and assistance and a lot of the things we take for granted Matthew needs a considerable amount of help with throughout his journey.                                    

Over the years we have found that Matthew learns through things he is passionate about and as parents we have always encouraged the learning process through Matthews passions whether that's going to comic conventions where Matthew got to meet his favourite characters and take part is activities arranged by the incredible Immortal 365 Martial Arts academy in Peterborough UK right through to walking around The Royal Air Force Museum dressed as Captain America and Iron Man , what started off with Thomas The Tank Engine, which evolved into Comic Book Superheroes has now evolved into Football (Soccer) Matthew learns through a series of social stories, PECS (picture exchange communication system) , routines and regimes so planning things for Matthew has to be done with military precision and if there are changes to his day they can have a real impact on him socially and emotionally, so getting Matthews agreement into an activity is quite hard ( near on impossible) unless its something he really enjoys. 


Sitting in a world war 2 fighter jet at the Royal Air Force Museum

Matthew with his friends at Immortal 365 Martial Arts Academy 




Matthew has absolutely fallen in love with what is described as "The Beautiful Game" both supporting and also with an incredible all abilities football club called Everett Rovers Inclusive Football Team, he is beginning to become more tolerant of social situations and movement by playing football (soccer) I cant speak highly enough of Mark, Steve, Tom, Nick and everyone involved with the running of Everett Rovers All abilities teams, working alongside youngsters and adults of all ages giving encouragement and enabling them to compete against other teams from around the country has been incredible for all of those who take part, the confidence levels have risen along with the social interaction in Matthews case, the sense of being included and accepted is one thing that as a family we will cherish and grab with both hands. As a family it can be quite daunting, as other family members or friends may not comprehend how challenging things can be, by having people who are aware, understand and accept owing to their own experiences does make a help. 

Everett Rovers Inclusive Football Team are currently looking for sponsors to enable more youngsters of all abilities to get involved with football, a truly awesome club with amazing coaching staff.


Matthew with his friends at Everett Rovers inclusive Football Team 

Supporting wise, Matthew has visited many clubs to watch games, his ambition is to watch games at as many different football grounds around the world as he can, he collects shirts from clubs from around the world and in a variety of different leagues too. For a young gentleman that is so incredibly sensitive to noises and sounds, its a real mystery how when he goes to a match he joins in with the cheering and the chants. Matthews highest points have been meeting some of his favourite players even recognising a premier league football manager and asking if he could have his picture taken with him.                      

There's a certain kind of magic involved I'm sure.  

and then COVID occurred.....

The worldwide pandemic turned Matthews world upside down and pretty much a large extent of the planets too, with the restrictions imposed it has prevented Matthew from doing what he loves most and that has had a knock on effect with Matthew, to a sense where he began to regress and become withdrawn, the battles he faced daily became harder as his outlet had been removed owing to the pandemic.. He explained as best as he could about how sad he was about not being able to attend the football grounds to cheer on his favourite teams and players, seeing Matthew become so upset and with very little that could be done with the situation a brainwave emerged. We explained to Matthew that the players and teams must also be sad that the fans aren't there to cheer them on, and that the players sometimes get their strength through the cheers of the fans.

Remember the magic I mentioned earlier?

Matthew then started to ask for help writing handwritten letters to send to his favourite players, We were getting to work on Matthews writing and social skills, he was researching more and more about the clubs and the players , so when he was writing the letter was written as if Matthew was talking to the person, it cost a small fortune in stamps and envelopes, the effort and attention that Matthew put into writing these letters from a parents standpoint made me incredibly proud.                                       (If you are lucky enough to receive a letter from Matthew please cherish it, he doesn't even write letters to me and I'm his Dad hahaha) 

 And then Matthew started to get responses, so far he has received letters from Cesar Azpilcueta and Thomas Tuchel from Chelsea Football Club, Troy Deeney from Watford Football Club, he has received autographs from Frank Lampard (former Chelsea Manager), Jurgen Klopp from Liverpool Football club, Harry Winks from Tottenham Hotspur Football club too as well as responses from Arsenal Football Club,Southampton Football Club and Everton Football Club. 


Matthew sitting Proudly with the responses hes received from various Football Clubs

The difference these letters has made to a young mans life has been amazing (although Matthew now waits by the window for the royal mail delivery person daily waiting to see who else he hears a response from next), until a time when he can get back to cheering on his favourite teams and players again, and kicking a ball around with his friends making his parents proud wherever he goes. Matthews journey 

A letter written to Matthew by Chelsea Football Club Manager Thomas Tuchel

Matthews not the only one, there are thousands if not millions of youngsters and adults that if given the chance to shine, they will make you proud. it might mean by becoming more aware of Autism and the conditions or disorders that are associated with it, but by become more understanding  and accepting that's where the real magic happens, whether its through awareness drives or developing acceptance and inclusion strategies that are accessible to all the change could make the world of difference, so as a charity we offer our hand in friendship to any team that would like to make the world a more aware, understanding, accepting, inclusive place to be.

Fighting For Autism Europe- would love to hear from you if you would like to know more


Many thanks Paul & Matthew Greany 

It only takes a minute to be more Autism Aware, but the response of an understanding and accepting person can have an impact that could last a lifetime, if you would like to know more about Autism or find how you can help please get in touch or have a look at our website. www.FightingForAutismEurope.Org