Building character at the Warrior Academy: The high-performance zone

SEBASTIAN BATES INTERVIEW WITH FREDDIE PULLEN

Sebastian Bates suffered a serious base jumping accident in the Swiss mountains, which rendered him unable to walk properly for over a year. Today, his Warrior Academy teaches around 4,000 students every week. In conversation with Freddie Pullen, he delves into the profound influence that martial arts has on character development.

In the heart of Dubai, a city known for its dynamic growth and multicultural landscape, the name Sebastian Bates has become synonymous with Character Development. As the founder of the Warrior Academy, an organisation that combines martial arts with character development, Sebastian’s journey from a passionate martial artist to a renowned business owner, extreme sports athlete, bestselling author, and philanthropist is nothing short of inspiring.

Sebastian’s story began in 2010 when he began his mission that would change countless lives – he started the Warrior Academy. This venture was rooted in his deep-seated passion for martial arts, a passion that had been nurtured during his travels through Asia, where he trained in Thai boxing clubs. Upon returning to the UK, he decided to take a new path and enrolled in a personal trainer course in Bath, UK

His career as a personal trainer began in a humble setting – teaching Thai boxing in a rundown gym in the city. Most of his students were adolescents and young adults from underprivileged backgrounds, facing a myriad of challenges, including difficult family situations, substance abuse, and domestic violence. For these individuals, the Thai boxing club Sebastian ran became more than just a physical outlet; it became a refuge from the harsh realities they faced.

Within just one year of training under Sebastian’s guidance, these young men underwent a remarkable transformation. Their initial boisterous behaviour gave way to discipline and respect. They started bowing upon entering the gym, shaking hands with each other, and addressing each other with a respectful “sir.” It was a metamorphosis that took Sebastian by surprise.

What he initially perceived as a venture into martial arts coaching soon revealed itself as a journey in character development, using martial arts as the vehicle for this transformative process. This insight inspired Sebastian to consider the long-term impact he could have on character development from a young age. He envisioned planting the seeds of a black belt character early in life, understanding the potential for these seeds to compound over time.

With this vision in mind, Sebastian expanded his efforts to work with younger students, starting with a small kids’ club in a Somerset village school. In a school with a hundred students, twenty signed up for his class – the beginning of a journey that would eventually span continents.

The Warrior Academy’s influence reached international shores when it expanded to Dubai, where it currently stands as the largest martial arts academy in the UAE. With six offices in Dubai and three in Abu Dhabi, the Academy touches the lives of around 4,000 students every single week across three continents. What’s even more remarkable is that half of these students are on scholarships, providing opportunities for personal growth to those in developing countries.

Sebastian’s Warrior Academy is more than just a martial arts school; it’s a beacon of hope, character development, and empowerment. His journey from a martial arts enthusiast to a thought leader in character development through martial arts serves as a testament to the transformative power of passion and dedication. In a world that often presents formidable challenges, Sebastian is a shining example of how one person’s vision and commitment can make a difference in the lives of many, planting the seeds of character and resilience that will bear fruit for generations to come.

One pivotal moment in the Warrior Academy’s journey was the “Not A Retreat” staff event held at the beginning of 2022. This retreat, rebranded to emphasise its true purpose, brought together the Academy’s global team from the UK and UAE. Over three inspiring days, they delved deep into the Academy’s core values: “Team First,” “Think Big,” and “Take Risks.” This event marked a turning point, aligning the entire team with a shared vision and strategy for the year ahead.

For Sebastian, this alignment marked a significant step in the Warrior Academy’s evolution. It highlighted the importance of a shared vision and the power of a united team, setting the stage for a year of cultural transformation, strategic growth, and structural enhancements within the organisation.

What sets Sebastian apart is his ability to translate the principles he developed at the Warrior Academy into broader contexts. He introduced the concept of the “three C’s” – Confidence, Conduct, and Concentration – as the fundamental areas of character development. These principles, originally designed to help children in Dubai and the UK, have found resonance in various other settings.

Sebastian’s big vision goes beyond the boundaries of character development. He emphasises the importance of defining a clear purpose and method in business and personal development. By articulating the pain points of clients and offering a structured solution, he believes individuals can cut through the noise and distractions that often hinder progress.

In the realm of character development, Sebastian recognised a common challenge: the ambiguity surrounding what character development truly entails. It’s often viewed as a vague concept, encompassing soft skills such as confidence and resilience. To address this, Sebastian’s approach is to simplify character development, making it actionable and measurable. Through assessments and scoring, parents are given a clear picture of their child’s character growth, removing confusion and paving the way for a predictable path to development.

Sebastian’s insights extend to the realm of resilience, an essential trait in both personal and entrepreneurial success. He understands that courage is cultivated through regularly pushing oneself into the “high performance zone,” a space that feels uncomfortable but is within one’s abilities. This practice not only builds courage but also fosters self-respect and confidence.

Furthermore, Sebastian’s dedication to discipline is evident in his own life. He knows that discipline isn’t just about motivation; it’s about consistently implementing changes. It’s about not tolerating the negotiation that often happens within us when we face difficult choices. Instead, it’s about setting clear standards and respecting oneself enough to uphold them.