Guro Rick Young - one of the best
Guro Rick Young is widely regarded as one of the most complete and well-rounded martial artists to come out of the UK. His ability to move seamlessly between striking, grappling, weapons work, and real-world self-defence has earned him international respect, not only as a practitioner but as a teacher and mentor to generations of martial artists.
Early Path & Martial Arts Evolution
Beginning his journey in Scotland, Rick built a foundation in Judo and traditional striking arts before expanding into Filipino Martial Arts, Jeet Kune Do, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and functional self-defence systems. His close training relationships with influential figures such as Guro Dan Inosanto helped shape a principle-driven approach that prioritises adaptability over rigid style boundaries.
Long before “mixed martial arts” became a mainstream concept, Rick was already demonstrating the importance of cross-training and integration and he was one of the first to be promoted to BJJ black belt in the UK. His teaching emphasises timing, distance, flow, and awareness - concepts that transcend individual styles.
Contribution to Modern Martial Arts
Rick Young has played a key role in shaping the modern European martial arts landscape. His seminars and instructional work have influenced how many academies approach training by:
Encouraging integration of striking, grappling, and weapons systems
Promoting realistic, pressure-tested self-defence concepts
Balancing traditional martial values with modern training methods
He is respected not just for his technical knowledge, but for his ability to make complex ideas accessible and functional for students of all levels.
Personal Influence on Empower
Rick’s influence on Empower is both technical and cultural. Our head coach Dan has been lucky enough to train with Guro Rick on numerous seminars, as well as spending a full week training at his academy. The experience of immersing himself in his approach to Kali, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai has had a lasting impact on the academy’s direction.
Being fortunate enough to also receive one-to-one sessions with Guro Rick provided deeper insight into his mindset, training philosophy, and attention to detail. These experiences helped reinforce key principles that underpin Empower’s ethos today:
Open-minded cross-training rather than style limitation
Focus on principles and attributes over memorised technique
The importance of humility, curiosity, and lifelong learning
Beyond Skill – The Human Being
While Guro Rick is widely recognised for his technical ability, those who train with him often speak most highly of his character, generosity, and genuine passion for helping others improve. He embodies the idea that true martial arts mastery is not just about physical skill, but about leadership, integrity, and positive influence and we're proud to display Guro Rick's photo as a main influence for Empower.
