Fit Bits: Meet karate champ Nato Ficarra who helps students gain confidence

Nato Ficarra is a karate champion who has achieved 10 British titles plus three European Golds and is chief instructor of Cambridge-based Ficarra School of Martial Arts

My fitness story

I’m a Seventh Dan black belt in Wado ryu, Second Dan black belt Shotokan and a Master in Kung Fu with an unbeaten record of 120 fights and zero losses. In my career I’ve achieved 10 British Titles and three European Golds, fighting for Great Britain.

What I do

I run Mixed Martial Arts classes for children and adults across Cambridgeshire. In my clubs we work on fitness, stretching and toning as well as the techniques required to achieve black belt status. We also work on self-defence, weapon training and confidence building, which is also taken into schools as part of an anti-bullying campaign that has now been running for more than 10 years. I do this in both my own clubs and in various after-school clubs. I have been running these clubs for more than 30 years.

Why I love my job

I pride myself on working with students who have no self-belief at the start of their journey with me, to then witness them reaching their black belt status with their self-esteem intact and their outlook on life more defined.

My go-to quick workout

This would be to jump on the treadmill and combine variant walking and jogging to increase the heart rate, which works well for maintaining a steady metabolism. I’d follow this with a sequence of sit-ups and stretching to ensure I maintain flexibility and suppleness plus the sit-ups encourage core strength.

My favourite feel-good long workout

For a longer workout, I either like to chuck on my walking boots and go for a really long walk or get into the pool and swim for an hour.

The energy-boosting snack I swear by

I find a nutritious fruit smoothie works well to aid muscle recovery and strength after long workouts. I also always have a banana to hand for energy levels and drink plenty of water on a daily basis.

My indulgent treat food

Who doesn’t love a kebab?

How I kick back and relax

I like to head to our place in Norfolk with my wife and son Antonio so that we can go to the beach and walk through the woods.

My top tip for anyone who needs motivating to start exercising

Don’t procrastinate and remember: it is never too late to make a difference. Life is short, you only get one chance at this, so don’t waste it! I know how difficult this can be as I myself sustained a serious knee injury aged 17 and was told I would never do martial arts again. I refused to accept this and worked hard for the next two years to get myself back to fighting fitness again and made it into the England A squad for the first time at the age of 20.

Find out more by emailing forchie7@gmail.com