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Mentors
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“Mark is hugely insightful and cuts straight to the heart of where every improvement can be gleaned, not just technically but physically and mentally too.” 

- Joseph McCallum

Mark Gilbert has been coaching sword fighting since 1991 to beginners and advanced fighters. He has taught workshops in many places in the UK as well as Norway, France, Belgium, and Canada. He's been a key figure at Fight Camp since 2008 and leads the Riddle of Steel, a weekly sword fighting club for all ages.

 

Mark also has significant mentoring experience in education and the workplace. He has mentored many students with disabilities, enhancing his ability to meet various learning needs. He holds a range of certifications in mentoring, life coaching, and understanding autism. A degree in Psychology and Biology adds further depth to his holistic approach.

 

In competitions, Mark has an exceptional record with 69 wins in 135 tournaments. His achievements include winning 19 gold medals at the international Fight Camp event. He competes and wins with many different weapons and in varied tournament formats.

 

At HEMA Enhance, Mark's extensive mentoring experience and comprehensive HEMA skills come together. He provides HEMA support that focuses not only on sword fighting technique but also on the importance of well-being.

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Jon has given me a love of fencing and an ever-increasing range of skills; bettering my competitive form with each lesson.

 

- Rich

  

Jonathan Middleton is head instructor at Wivenhoe HEMA, a professional neurodiversity coach, and one of the founders of the Wessex League and Albion Cup, the UKs flagship tournament events. He brings over 15 years of experience in HEMA, as well as a background in other martial arts, including kickboxing, escrima, and taiji. 

 

His competitive record includes gold medals at Fightcamp, English Sidesword Open, and the May Melee across a range of different weapons, but mostly he appreciates tournaments as a forum for fencers to share their skill, passion and camaraderie.

 

He enjoys experimenting with different training methodologies, comparing systems and sources, and learning from diverse influences. He has an eclectic approach to the historical texts but his fencing is particularly influenced by his study of Fiore dei Liberi and George Silver.

 

As a neurodiversity coach, he loves collaborating with clients to make the most of their strengths, find solutions and work towards their goals.

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Gaz has been tutoring me in HEMA for nearly a decade, but his advice has extended far beyond mere swordfighting techniques into many areas of my life. He is not only patient but his enthusiasm for learning and growth is infectious

                         

- Gus

Gaz Ffitch is a Clinical physiologist, health writer and health educator as well as teaching 18th century British martial arts.

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His coaching specialises in physiological and health coaching to improve mental and physical performance. Working on diet, exercise, sleep habits and daily routines with serious competitors and fencers who feel they want to improve their health and energy. 

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He’s a gold medallist in single hand cut and thrust using the broadsword, has 10+ years clinical experience and writes for a popular weekly health newsletter. He’s taught both 18th century HEMA and health for performance in gaming, esports and fencing around the globe.

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His sleep coaching and seminars are especially popular, and he expects to convince at least one person to avoid phones before bed any day now. 

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