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1. What was your reaction when you first learned you had been chosen to be a
gladiator?
After an interview process at the camp where I am stationed, I was quite
surprised and pleased to learn that I had been chosen to perform the role of
a gladiator. Although I was not really that surprised as I had probably
given the impression that I had spent most of my life training to be a
gladiator of one sort or another. I had grown up in a rough neighborhood
where every day was more or less a fight for survival. This had led me to the
boxing gym where, after more than 25 years in the sport, I have gained a quiet
sort of confidence in my ability to handle most situations -- although I
hasten to add not by being overtly hostile, either. This sport then led me on
to becoming a physical training instructor in the Royal Marines Corps.
2. What do you believe was your biggest triumph as a gladiator?
My biggest triumph as a gladiator was simply my level of adaptation to the
challenge. I feel that despite my limited experience within the gladiatorial
arena, I very quickly became the warrior that I was supposed to be and could
quite happily have been the perpetrator of deadly deeds had the situation
arose where I was transported back in time to ancient Rome. I would have
had no qualms whatsoever with the idea of winning a duel to the death in a
"kill-or-be-killed situation".
3. What was your lowest moment as a gladiator?
My lowest moment as a gladiator was when I thought that I had hurt Jack.
Despite what I have implied in the earlier paragraph, I am a compassionate
man and realized that the training ring was not the time or place to start
"losing it" with a good friend of mine. This, however, was unfounded when Jack
was diagnosed with only superficial damage. I then thought that I would have
liked to have shown the viewing public just what I was capable of doing --
i.e., winning.
4. Overall, how would you rate your performance as a gladiator?
Overall, I think that my performance as a gladiator justified my earlier
bravado on the show when I claimed that every foe would be vanquished. This,
I feel, would have been the case had I been given the chance. The huge amount
of experience I have in boxing, and perhaps the superior footwork and timing
that this brings with it, would have shown that I was more able to meet the
challenge than the other guys on the show had the situation been real.
5. If you had to choose between daily life as a physical training instructor
or as a gladiator, which would you choose?
That's a tough question because both roles demand respect in male- dominated
environments. I would, therefore, relish the challenge of both environments.
The gladiatorial environment, however, had something else perhaps that little
bit extra. I feel every man would love to be able to give his all in the
gladiatorial ring. To be worshipped, envied, feared and respected. The
question of dying young in those ancient times was almost a matter of
course. This does not really appeal to me, despite the real chance that I
could be killed as a commando. I would, therefore, have to consider my
longevity in both scenarios before committing myself to a gladiatorial role.
Needless to say that I did not relish the culinary delights that "barley men"
had to endure, so it kind of sways the decision back towards Her Majesty's
Royal Marines physical training instructor.
6. Has your experience as a gladiator affected or changed any aspect of your
career as a physical training instructor?
My career as a Royal Marines commando is revered in this country as being
one of an elite type of gladiator anyway. We are known for our
professionalism and our ability to get the job done, while at the same time
using our own initiative. The similarities between the two professions are
really uncanny and should I ever be in a situation within my role as a
commando, then I feel that I would probably adapt to it in much the same way
as I did on the show. I will, however, look back on my experience on the show
as something to remember for the rest of my life.
7. Did your experience as a gladiator live up to your expectations?
My experience as a gladiator really lived up to all the expectations that I
had before the show. I had a good idea of what was expected having taken
ancient Roman history as a subject at school. This, however, was even more
surreal -- the very idea that I could literally become a gladiator, even if only
for the weekend.
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