Coaching confidence: fifteen years of House of Pain Wrestling Academy

Can you talk a bit about your journey into the world of wrestling and how House of Pain began?

I started wrestling in 2001. The UK wrestling scene was a very different place back then. I was based in London and looking to make my mark in the profession. As far as the Academy and teaching, it was actually an accident. I moved to Nottingham in 2004 and began helping at a local wrestling school as I'd already been performing myself for four years by then. One day around the end of 2005, I was told the main trainer couldn't make it anymore and was asked to step in. For the next four years I ran the school once a week for someone else, but in 2010 I decided I could make it even bigger and started running things myself.

I chose the name House of Pain as my performing name at the time was ‘The Heavyweight House of Pain’ Stixx, so it made sense. It's gone from once a week in someone else's facility to two classes a day, every day in our own well equipped gym.

Did you think at the time that it would be a fifteen year long enterprise?

To be honest, I didn't know what to think when I first took over, other than that these eager students needed help and guidance, but over those first few years I realised more and more that the lessons weren't just about wrestling. They were about community, confidence building, physical fitness and a welcome distraction from the stress of life. So in 2010 when I took over, I made it my mission to make it as successful as possible, and naturally I was hoping that it would last and continue to grow. 

In your years as a coach, how have you seen the sport affect wrestler’s lives?

It's truly a blessing to see and hear how the environment we've created has helped someone overcome or achieve something in their life. The stories are endless and to be a part of that really warms the heart. 

What have been your proudest achievements while running the school? 

I think the word achievement can be taken many different ways. From students from the school performing all over the world, to struggling students overcoming their fear, anxiety or limitations. My own personal achievement of building the academy to such heights and being able to do my dream job for the last fifteen years. You always want to feel that what you do and put out into the world matters and is making a difference and I’m proud to be able to say that we have.

What’s the process of training new wrestlers like?

From the outside, it seems like a simple process of starting with beginners, then intermediates, then advanced, but there really is so much more than people think that goes into it. We have to work on their confidence, co-ordination, fitness and charisma. Find what makes them unique and highlight those talents.

We've treated a syllabus for this to make sure that all bases are covered. We have a variety of teachers and classes at the Academy to motivate and push people in different ways and we bring in some of the best wrestlers from around the world to add to the teachings. Everyone is different and from a teaching standpoint that is a task I love - how to get the information across, how to get the most of the person and encourage without being demanding is something I've had great fun with over the years. 

What do you think the importance of wrestling is to Nottingham communities?

I think the key word is fun. Seeing people, whether it be at the academy or our local shows, all leaving with smiles on their faces after having a great time is something that cannot be taken for granted. If we've helped them enjoy themselves as a family or group of friends or made them forget about a problem or stress for a couple of hours, our work is done. People need more of that.

Are you planning any celebrations for the 15th birthday? What else do you have coming up in 2025?

I think the best celebration we could have is to do what brought us to the dance - continue to entertain, inspire, motivate and bring a good time to our students and fans is what got us where we are. To me, doing more of that is the best way to celebrate. 

We're constantly adding new classes to the Academy and we've got a newer venue in Sherwood that we'll be running every month as of 7 February. Brand new ones in Bulwell, hopefully East Leake and Radcliffe to add to our rotation of Hucknall, Beeston, Sawley, St Anns, Stapleford and Rainworth.

We're covering as much of Nottinghamshire as possible and looking to continue to put smiles on faces throughout.

Along with welcoming new students throughout the year, House of Pain holds numerous live events around Nottingham. To learn more and see the magic of wrestling, head to houseofpainwrestling.wordpress.com

@hopwrestlinguk