About Dr Phillips
Mark brings a unique mix of experience to the leadership of our academy that is reflected in our practical approach to self defence. His experience as Criminal Psychologist and Security Consultant makes him unique in his teaching approach.
Dr Mark Phillips is an expert in violent behaviour. A full-time professional martial arts and self-defence instructor and security consultant.
There simply isn’t anyone else in the UK who has Dr. Phillips complete skillset encompassing his vast knowledge of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (4th degree black belt), Judo (brown belt), Sanda Kickboxing, Wing Chun (40 years experience). In addition to offender profiling, knowledge of violence, and the psychology of criminal behaviour. He believes that there is a difference between learning a martial art and knowing how to defend yourself. He teaches practically. Wherever possible, he focuses on the student’s mindset, security awareness and the psychology of people and violence, and importantly, how to apply martial arts techniques to modern-day, real-life situations.
"I believe that being truly prepared for self defence means being able to fight anywhere at anytime. On your feet, on the ground, you don't get to choose your fight."
Although he started Judo in 1984, he eventually stopped for some years, only to return in 2003. With a new ignited passion for grappling, he earned his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 2013. Awarded by Professor Marc Walder (5th Degree) with whom he began training in 2006.
As well as holding a Ph.D in Criminal Psychology from the University of Liverpool, he has taught martial arts, self-protection, and criminal psychology in over 20 major cities worldwide. Countries including the United States, Hong Kong, China, and South Korea have been privy to his vast experience. He is now the Head Instructor at Origin's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team in North London.
“I teach holistically, addressing the needs for learning a martial art and the psychological preparation for applying it. My approach is based on being a creative fighter.”
Dr Mark Phillips opened the Academy in 2003, which was one of the first full-time martial arts schools in London. The Academy was the first place to offer a range of martial arts combined with functional fitness training. Now, many schools across the country model their teaching structure on what he pioneered at the Academy.
Dr Phillips is known for his 'thinking outside the box' approach to fighting, having trained and worked with many amateur and professional mixed martial arts competitors and boxers. He coaches creative patterns for striking to a high level, which, when combined with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, makes a formidable Mixed Martial Arts team. He currently presents Fight Science TV a popular YouTube channel with nearly one million followers worldwide.
Trained at multiple gyms around the country and have never experienced the level of technical teaching and also a supportive, friendly environment that you’ll find here. Dr Mark Philips (PHD Criminal Psychology) has a unique approach to martial arts that covers all aspects of self defence and all of the other instructors are incredible teachers and human beings. Also the levels here are generally much, much higher than other gyms. Come roll with the white belts and you’ll see.
A sure sign of a good, collaborative, teaching environment is when total beginners are welcomed and supported by the members of a class. No big egos in sight here (as is often the case in martial arts; traditional and applied).
I found the induction course a great intro. Definitely recommended for a new starter to get your bearings and learn simple self defence concepts, before moving on to the beginners classes. The experience and quality of the Professor and all the instructors across all the martial arts at the Academy is very high with a great frequency of classes to train hard and regularly. Considering what the membership costs, it’s blazing value for money for what you get in return!
Great environment to be apart of! I have been a student for over 5 years, and what I will say is, the coaches and people here are hard-working plus great people to share the mats with.
As well as great skills you can gain here, you can also build real strong connections with the people here.