Testimonials
On this page, you will find testimonials from people who Matthew has been honoured to help, teach, train with, and train under.
“Matthew Sylvester is a true 21st century martial artist. His enthusiasm for the martial arts and his research into keeping them relevant to the modern world should serve as an inspiration to all.” - Iain Abernethy 5th Dan
Real Life, Real protection
“Truly Amazing - Having training in martial arts since 1995 it’s quite amazing and yet profound to be encountering new concepts even now. Traditional training just doesn’t prepare you for reality and how it really happens. I’m very glad to be attending the classes and learning all the time.
I’d recommend anyone who thinks they “know” to come along and open their eyes to the simplicity and practicality of the system and the way it’s taught.
Looking forward to the next class as always” - Phillip Miles - Student
“Seriously mate, I had my reservations about today’s class beforehand. But I really enjoyed it and actually learned stuff. Especially now that I’m back home and reflecting on what we did. I’m grateful that everything in the lesson was relative to me. Was kind of (very) comforting that most of the other attendees were as new as me.
It’s so much more effective than the gym, I’m looking through my gym contract for loopholes so I can cancel. The class is probably one of the few things in life that I’m happy to pay for. I’m sure everyone else enjoyed it to the point that they’ll be coming back, I know I did.” - Zakaria Choudhury - First-time Student
“I really enjoyed my first ever Martial Arts class!! Thank you Matt! I was worried about the physical contact side of things and working so closely with other adults but Matt’s teaching style really put me at ease!
Not only did I get a great workout but I learnt a lot of things to help keep me and my friends and family safe. I also had a great deal of fun!!
I’m really looking forward to the next class, I can take on board the reality side of the training and like the idea that I’m not just going to be learning lots of set moves but have and will learn lots of things to help me protect myself!!
Thanks again and see you next Tuesday ” - Chrissie Gard - Female First-time Student
“I’ve known Matthew Sylvester since 1998 and in that time I’ve watched him grow as a martial artist. It is true to say that Matthew embraced the ideal that his training was to be a journey full of mountains to climb and deep valleys to cross. Now he seems to have found a plateau and is excelling in an area that few of us dare to tread. That’s not to say that Matthew has given up on his own journey, indeed he realises that he has many mountains left to climb. It is his sheer enthusiasm in which he attacks each path’s knowledge that has helped him become a true Guru.
His mastership of technique has helped him obtain an understanding of the deeper applications hidden within his beloved art of Tae Kwon Do. At times just talking to Matthew about the arts enthuses you to go off and train, his willingness to venture where others have failed and try anything and everything to uncover, document, test and report on his findings is his finest asset. It is with great pleasure that I can refer to him as Martial Arts Buddy, Friend, Colleague and Brother.” - Adam Merton, 5th Dan Shunryu Genpo Ryu Kempo Karate, 1st Dan American Kenpo [LTKKA]
“When I met Matt about 4 years ago now, it was like meeting a long lost brother. We instantly found points of common interest. A lot of what we had been thinking about before we met was along the same lines.
His work and research in martial arts is exhaustive. But also his practical approach to everything he does shines through. There are not many people in the martial arts that would put so much work into their style.
Anyone who has an interest in expanding their horzions in Self Defence and Martial Arts should take a class with Matt and realise their potential.” - Paul o’Leary 4th Dan JungShin Mu Do - Ireland
“I have known Matt for many years now. He was the man who helped me ‘find’ martial arts.
Whilst I had spent years blinkered and just training in the same dojo day in day out, it wasn’t until my instructor left me in charge, that I realised I needed to learn much more.
Matt and his Practical Martial Arts association helped me meet many different people from many different styles, and helped me find my passion for the grappling arts.
Matt is very much an open minded martial artists, keen to hear and learn from everyone from every style out there. Matt is always keen to give advice and help people out. If it wasn’t for Matt I don’t think I’d be where I am today.” - Paul Carthy - Torbay Brazilian JuJitsu & Sombo club
“Matthew is the most down-to earth-Instructor there is. He has a lot of time for everyone, and his skill is very high. It’s great to have him as a friend.” - Renshi Dave Baker Aikoushin Kobujutsu Renmei
“I read that you felt humble when I compared you to Abernerthy and McCarthy. You deserve to be compared to them. I say this for two reasons.The first one is because you’re generous. I watched some of your videos and I was impressed by how much material was contained in 8 minutes of film. I thought all techniques were great even though I found some a bit difficult to understand, mainly because of some angles that made it difficult to see all actions. The instructors at the “McDojo” who know how to fight are often too greedy to share applications for katas and strange moves found in the kihons so they spend a lot of time on line training. You were willing to share a lot of your tricks with anybody who had access to youtube.
The second reason is because you are passionate about martial arts. The story about the boy named Matthew sounds similar to my story. The fact that you bothered searching for a meaning to what you were learning proved that martial arts mean a lot to you. For the videos, I can tell you did a very effective research. Your work is also of good quality because you delivered the goods with the videos I saw. Keep up the good work and you will convince Koreans that Tae Kwon Do is a British art!
Keep up the good work and I hope you’ll become an icon in Tae Kwon Do.” - Krammy, Kyokushinkai Canada
“One of the good guys.
I have been involved in the Martial Arts for over 28 years now, and in that time i have met some great Martial Artists and sadly some not so great.
It is of my opinion that Matt Sylvester is a Great Martial Artist in the making, with revolutionary new ideas, with bags of energy and enthusiasim which really is quite rare nowadays.I recommend Matthew Sylvester and the EPMA to anyone seeking realistic, practical and street styled self defence Martial Arts. You will not be disappointed.“ - Nigel Lee, OKKO Karate Jutsu