Gary's Martial Arts Training has taken him all over Europe, the United States, Thailand, the Philippines and the Middle East.

His career started at 8 years old when he took a keen interest in Amateur Boxing. By the age of 12 he had added Karate to his training regime, inspired at this early age by reading about Bruce Lee's concept of cross training Martial Arts. At 16 he had attained a Black Belt 1st Dan in Shukokai Karate under Shigeru Kimura Sensei 8th Dan and had competed in the ring over 20 times. When Gary became 18, he decided to add some ground fighting skills to his repertoire and began his study of Japanese Ju Jitsu.

More competition followed, but now to include grappling as well as stand up, Gary attained his Black Belt 1st Dan in Ju Jitsu at 22 Years old under Steve Mortimer Sensei 3rd Dan. Next came Kickboxing where in competition Gary could combine his Boxing and Karate skills.

At 23 Gary met Colin Sherred who became his instructor for the next 8 years until he tragically died. Under Colin, Gary practiced the concept of Jeet Kune Do and obtained instructorship in Muay Thai, Kali, Panantukan, Jun Fan Gung Fu and Jun Fan Kickboxing. By this time the decision to continue his learning focusing on instruction had been made.

During his time under Guro Colin Sherred, he was encouraged to travel and obtain insight in to other teaching and training methods. Training was undertaken by Sifu Rick Faye, Guro Dan Inosanto, Sifu Larry Hartsell, Sifu Marc McFann, Guro Burton Richardson, Ajarn Surachai, Grand Master Leo Giron and Marco Ruas, Jean Jacques Machado to name but a few.

Since Colins death and to date, Gary continues his ever learning under Sifu Rick Faye in the United States and also at the Gary Baker Academy in the UK. Gary has undertaken further studies in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu under the instructorship of David Onuma who is a black belt under Ricardo Vieira and 3 time European gold medal winner. Gary also studies advanced Mixed Martial Arts techniques with the UFC's coach Greg Nelson. Nelson was trained by the world famous Pedro Sauer who has some of Martial Arts highest accolades and who was trained by Rickson Gracie himself!

With a devotion to Martial Arts, working within the security sector was an easy step to make. Starting in Nightclub Security, Gary has been involved in Various projects in the Homelands and the Middle East. His assignments included teaching Unarmed and Edged Weapon combat to Special Operations Groups within the Armed Forces. He was also a Close Protection Officer for the United Arab Emirate Royal family as part as a PMC for the U.A.E Army. He continues to work in the Executive Security Industry as an instuctor and combat consultant.

Although qualified to teach 8 Martial Arts, Gary believes the current curriculum at the Academy is a sound base from which his students can develop but takes influence from all his learnings both in and outside of the Gym environment.

The emphasis at the Gary Baker Academy is in learning a rounded set of techniques and Skills so that you are at an advantage whatever the combat situation you find yourself in. Gary's dedication to the Arts, his belief in the constant training of the basics, his impressive attention to detail and his enthusiasm are evident in his teaching. The results of his work ethic are obvious in both his Art and coaching style.