20 Questions with Peter Holmes

Peter Holmes is a seeker — a man with an insatiable thirst for knowledge for not only the arts he practices, but also life itself!

He is another one of those rarities whom in the UK we call a “proper bloke”! Softly spoken, he oozes that knowledge both, on and off the mats.

Although widely regarded as a point striking [Dim-mak] specialist by many, you quickly learn that his range of martial knowledge is phenomenal with a skill to match. He can take a technique and show you how to improve upon it in seconds with humility.

Pete runs his own successful school — Immortal 365 — just down the road from me in Peterborough — as well as giving seminars around the world. If you are ever in his neighbourhood or he is in yours… my advice is to attend his sessions. You will certainly leave the venue informed.

So, we’ll get started on the twenty questions…

Pete, Welcome to Lift Hands Magazine brother! Please tell us a little about your background in the martial arts?

My martial arts started at the age of 8 until 1 was 12 at Sawtry Judo club. I then took a break until I was 16 and then took up Lou Gar Kung Fu. I then started college so, my martial arts was put on hold again until I was 21. This time I took up Tang Soo Do and whilst doing Tang Soo Do, I started to study Martial Science under the Dragon Society International, where I have reached a certified instructorship.

My Lineage for Tang Soo Do was under Master J. C. Shin and my Dragon Society lineage is direct through Rick Moneymaker and Tom Muncy.

LH: Thank you for that Pete!

Well, if you are ready for your questions, let us begin - If you could have personally witnessed anything, what would you want to have seen?

PH: The fight between Bruce and Chuck!

LH: What would you do if you were invisible for a day?

PH: If I invisible, I’d walk inside area 51.

LH: As a child, what did you wish to become when you grew up?

PH: I'm an old cowboy!

LH: What animal best represents you and why?

PH: A Bear, as I'm big and cuddly!

LH: What is your greatest strength or weakness?

PH: Both… being too caring!

LH: What is your favorite memory of any one of your grandparents?

PH: So many, but flying a carpet in my grandma's lounge and visiting places all around the world.

LH: Lol… that must’ve been one hell of a carpet! How do you want to be remembered?

PH: Fondly!

LH: What have you always wanted and did you ever get it?

PH: Knowledge and skill… and no!

LH: Do you know your heritage?

PH: My martial heritage… Yes, Tang Soo Do, under Grandmaster J. C. Shin and Dragon Society under Rick Moneymaker and Tom Muncy!

LH: Are you still learning who you are?

PH: Yes, we should always continue to learn!

LH: What, if anything, are you afraid of and why?

PH: Afraid is a big thing, our own mind makes us afraid, being nervous is a good thing, being afraid is not!

LH: What is the most memorable class you have ever taken?

PH: At Adaptive Martial Arts in Cambridge, teaching with my daughter Alysia, it was amazing!

LH: What book has influenced you the most?

PH: I struggle reading, I have read lots of bits of books. The only book I have fully read is Shogun.

LH: What ridiculous thing has someone tricked you into doing or believing?

PH: To fly a 19 metre power kite in a field near trees. It was very painful!

LH: Who or what has been the greatest influence in your life?

PH: My dad, as it should be!

LH: What is the craziest thing one of your teachers has done or made you do?

PH: Dude, I am old school so too many to mention!

LH: When did you screw everything up, but no one ever found out it was you?

PH: THAT HAS TO STAY A SECRET!

Peter Holmes with his daughter Alysia at Adaptive Martial Arts UK & Ireland

LH: If someone made a movie of your life would it be a drama, a comedy, a romantic-comedy, action film or science fiction?

PH: I am too boring!

LH: Boring? I find that hard to believe! If you could select one person from history and ask them one question — who would you select and what would the question be?

PH: The ancient Egyptians… to find out how they actually built the pyramids, or was it aliens?

LH: How would you describe your art in ten words or less?

PH: The missing bits to martial arts — Martial Science!

LH: Thank you so much Pete! Some very insightful answers for our readership. We hope that we will continue to benefit from your expertise and knowledge in future issues of Lift Hands.

PH: I look forwards to hearing from you soon. Take care my brother!