Riv on the Record - Matt Williams

THIS week I had the great pleasure of being joined by Bones MMA owner and all-round great guy Matt Williams. Spin it!

Tell us how you got into martial arts. Where did it all start for you and what was that process like?

I started martial arts in Auckland in 2001 at a Muay Thai gym in an old wool store adjacent to the shipping yard downtown. I was really nervous about going to my first class and actually had two false starts, going all the way there and not walking in the door. On the third go, I walked in and that was one the most pivotal moments in my life.

It was the beginning of the path that led me to where I am now today. What really impacted me at that time was how the trainer promoted a way of living with healthy life choices, and of being tough but not being a ‘tough guy’.

The way he carried himself was so different to all those people I had in my circle at the time and inspired me to be something other than what society, to that point, had offered me in the way of role models.

Tell us about your success as a fighter?

I didn’t have any major accomplishments as a fighter but got to have some really cool adventures — fighting overseas, in some great venues and in alongside people who are now lifelong friends.

I won more than I lost, yet I measure success by the experiences, lessons learned and memories gained, rather than the wins and the losses. In that regard I am undefeated!

When did Bones come along and what was the reason for bringing it to Torquay?

Seven years ago, I was on the tail end of fighting professionally and made the move down the coast with my young family.

We loved it, but I missed coaching, as did my wife Lani, who was also a professional fighter. We spoke to Mark Phillpott at Surf Coast Secondary College, who was the wellbeing coordinator at the time.

We agreed that an after-school Muay Thai class on a Friday would be a good fit for some of the young people he was working with. This was how Bones MMA took its first steps, and that people first, community centric idea the program was founded on is still our guiding principle.

Who are your biggest inspirations in life or in business and why?

I am constantly inspired by Lani and the incredible careers she carved out in parallel with one another, as a Muay Thai fighter and as an owner of Windfall Jewellery, a custom engagement ring business.

Her business was started from a passion to create, in a spare room in our house in Footscray.

She encouraged me to quit a high salary career I had, and pursue something I loved, reminding me that true wealth is having purpose, meaning, and authentic connection.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your career?

The opportunity to be surrounded by good people sharing in a common purpose, to get to work alongside my friends, and the many adventures combats sports has taken our family all over the world.

Who are some of the local fighters we should be keeping an eye out for?

We have so many up-and-comers, but Kim Tran is leading the charge. She is fighting on the world stage on ONE championship. Her next fight is late November in Bangkok.

What’s good about where we live?

I love driving one minute to work and seeing five people I know on the way who all take the time to wave. I appreciate being close to nature and the simplicity our surroundings offer us.

I like that I can get a latte and some banter at The Kiosk, a Gabbagol from Goolies, toot at Pete the waving man on The Esplanade, then sit out at The Point no matter the weather and not want to be anywhere else on the planet.