Matt Fiddes - From Being Michael Jackson's Bodyguard to Deca-Millionaire
In this episode, Jeannette talks to the martial arts expert Matt Fiddes, former bodyguard of Michael Jackson and serial entrepreneur. Matt explains how despite struggling academically at school he succeeded by tapping into his passion for fitness and martial arts and became a millionaire at 20. Matt's story reads like a Hollywood movie when he went on to work with stars like Stevie Wonder and became friends with David Blaine, Yuri Gehler and Britney Spears.
He talks extensively about the time he spent with Michael Jackson, providing an insider´s view of his life, the trial, and Michael’s attempts to recover afterwards, including the impact mass media has on the way we perceive things and approach life. He also shares how he and his globally based gym and fitness franchise owners managed to successfully navigate their way through the CoVid crisis, doing so even though the pandemic had a devastating impact on most of their competitors.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
At 17, Matt travelled to the USA so he could model his martial arts business on the way the multi-millionaire trainers ran things there. Matt learnt so much from his relationship with Michael Jackson that helped him grow as a person There are no limits, anyone can become successful in business. Matt could not write when he left school but that did not hold him back. Everybody has setbacks in their life no matter how successful they are. The more you put yourself out there, the more fans you have, but the more critics you have as well, which is something you have to learn to deal with positively. Educate yourself about finances - you need to know how to diversify and create long-term financial security for yourself. The people you associate with is critically important. Be especially careful about what and who you are exposed to via social media and your viewing habits. Take care of your health, make sure your body´s right. Money means nothing if you're not healthy. Be brave - take that first step - don´t procrastinate.BEST MOMENTS
‘In business, loyalty goes a long way´
‘Franchising any business is the quickest way to scale’
'Be brave and get on with it, tell everyone what you're going to do and brilliant allows you to inspire others'
This is the perfect time to get focused on what YOU want to really achieve in your business, career, and life. It’s never too late to be BRAVE and BOLD and unlock your inner BRILLIANCE. If you’d like to join Jeannette’s FREE Business Discovery Session just DM Jeannette on [email protected] or sign up via Jeannette’s linktree:
ABOUT THE GUEST
Matt Fiddes is one of the most respected experts in the international world of martial arts and fitness. Matt’s achievements have seen him honoured at the highest level, after being inducted into the UK Martial Arts Hall of Fame and presented with the prestigious ‘Martial Arts Superstar Award’. He is a 7th Degree Black Belt Master in Tae Kwon Do and holds Black Belts in Kickboxing and Kung Fu is now one of the most in-demand personal trainers thanks to front covers and interviews in newspapers and magazines worldwide. He has numerous celebrity clientele including actors, supermodels and singers. Undoubtedly Matt’s biggest client was superstar Michael Jackson. Introduced to Matt by his close friend Uri Geller, Matt was Michael’s personal UK bodyguard for over a decade before his tragic death in June 2009. He now runs a multi-million pound, international martial arts franchise which is the world’s biggest martial arts brand in the world. Matt also runs a successful property portfolio in Devon where he offers professional accommodation to 85 people.
Matt Fiddes - https://www.mattfiddes.com/
Matt Fiddes Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialmattfiddes/
Matt Fiddes Twitter - https://twitter.com/MattFiddesUK
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Brave, Bold, Brilliant podcast series
ABOUT THE HOST
Jeannette Linfoot is a highly regarded senior executive, property investor, board advisor, and business mentor with over 25 years of global professional business experience across the travel, leisure, hospitality, and property sectors. Having bought, ran, and sold businesses all over the world, Jeannette now has a portfolio of her own businesses and also advises and mentors other business leaders to drive forward their strategies as well as their own personal development.
Jeannette is a down-to-earth leader, a passionate champion for diversity & inclusion, and a huge advocate of nurturing talent so every person can unleash their full potential and live their dreams.
CONTACT THE HOST
https://www.jeannettelinfootassociates.com/
Email - [email protected]
Brave Bold Brilliant Podcast
Brave Bold Brilliant is where business leaders, entrepreneurs and their teams come to be inspired, challenged and equipped with the tools for growth and success.
Here on Brave Bold Brilliant podcast, Jeannette Linfoot talks to incredible people about their experiences in business and life, gaining first-hand insight into how they unleashed their potential to become Brave Bold Brilliant.
From the boardroom tables of big international businesses to the exciting world of entrepreneurs it's all about stepping up to the next level while staying true to yourself.
- No. of episodes: 514
- Latest episode: 2025-06-05
- Business Education How To Entrepreneurship
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