Martial Attitude Voice

Physical activity is more than just exercise—it’s a pathway to confidence, connection, and well-being. In this episode, we discuss how movement, touch, and guided sport activities through participants’ experiences, but we’ll also understand better how complex it might be for them to access them. If you are visually impaired or blind, or if you know someone who is, and would like to take part to th...

How does culture shape the way touch is experienced? In this episode, we explore the stories of two participants, living in very different countries divided by two oceans but sharing similar discrimination and exclusion as they grew up. We will learn from them how taxing it can be to adjust to an inaccessible world, and we will reflect on how bullying shaped their relationship with physical contac...

Isolation, frustration, depression or a sense of bereavement are common experiences for visually impaired individuals, but physical activity and touch exchange can provide a way out. In this episode, we discuss how supportive, safe environments—like smaller gyms —help participants reconnect with their bodies, build confidence, and foster social connections. Discover how sport becomes a lifeline to...

Confidence doesn’t happen overnight—it grows incrementally, layer by layer, through repeated experiences. In this episode, we unpack how touch exchange fosters confidence by helping visually impaired individuals build skills, set realistic goals, and overcome challenges. Touch becomes a bridge to freedom, creating a powerful feedback loop of trust and self-belief. If you are visually impaired or b...

The second theme highlights the social dimensions of touch. In the right context, touch fosters trust, connection, and understanding. But when touch is uninvited or inappropriate, it can undermine autonomy. Join me as we explore the delicate balance between helping and overstepping boundaries, and how respecting context and consent can make touch a powerful tool for connection. If you are visually...

Touch isn’t just a physical act—it’s a way of making sense of the world. For visually impaired individuals, touch verifies reality, builds independence, and fosters connection. In this episode, we explore how participants describe touch as existentially vital: a way to affirm that the world is real and within reach. We’ll discuss practical examples and what this theme means when exploring the conc...

Curious about how this research came to life? In this episode, I simplify the process behind my study, from conducting semi-structured interviews to analyzing data using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. I’ll also discuss the diversity of participants and the ethical considerations taken to ensure trust, comfort, and respect. Whether you’re a student or researcher, this behind-the-scenes look will give...

In this episode, we dive into the psychological theory underpinning my research: Self-Determination Theory. Developed by Deci and Ryan, it highlights three key needs—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—that help us thrive. For visually impaired individuals, touch becomes a tool for achieving these needs, helping them connect with others, develop independence, and build confidence. Join me as I s...

I’m Mathias Alberton, your host and a sport psychology MSc researcher with a deep passion for exploring how we can break barriers and build confidence for visually impaired and blind individuals. In this series, we’ll be unpacking my research on the existential nature of touch exchange—how touch becomes a bridge to confidence and participation in physical activities. Together, we’ll uncover the th...

Over the years, I’ve worked closely with visually impaired and blind individuals, developing programs that focus on confidence, balance, and the profound importance of touch in everyday interactions. In this episode, I’m joined by a remarkable guest, Es Es, who has been part of our journey since the very beginning. As a teacher with nearly two decades of experience, Es Es shares his unique perspec...

Claire Fahey is an extraordinary trailblazer in the world of real tennis and rackets. With over 40 Open singles titles, six Grand Slam completions, and a record seven Ladies World Championships, her impact on the sport is really unique. In 2017, she became the first player—male or female—to achieve the remarkable feat of winning all four singles Opens, all four Doubles Opens, and both the Ladies s...

Today’s episode guest is John Colin Lumley, a British real tennis powerhouse born on August 7, 1992. Currently ranked number two in the world, John was practically raised on the court in a family of champions, with his father a two-time Australian Open winner and his mother a six-time Ladies Real Tennis World Champion. Now the assistant professional at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia, John faced...

Joining me is Andrew Jones, a dedicated participant in our Martial Attitude Training sessions. In this episode, we explore the physical and mental shifts that come with learning Kung Fu Wing Chun techniques in a non-visual format—where movement is felt, internalized, and then adapted to everyday life. Andrew shares insights on how this training has enhanced his confidence, spatial awareness, and e...

Camden Riviere, born in 1987, is a left-handed American Real Tennis player and current world champion. He first claimed the world title in 2016 and has since regained it twice, most recently in 2022. Camden, who started playing at age 5, has been ranked world number one since 2013, winning multiple international titles. In 2017, the South Carolina General Assembly honoured Camden for his 2016 Worl...

Slowing everything down in Real Tennis is essential because of the small margin of error. And when you start making mistakes, the most important thing to do is to go against your instinct and wind down the game, not to allow to spiral down endlessly into even more mistakes. Jon Dawes is now Head Professional at Hatfield House Real Tennis Club, and as a younger player won the Under 18 British Open....

I’m joined again by Juliette and Dominic, two individuals journeying through the tactile world of Martial Attitude ’s adaptive Kung Fu Wing Chun training. Together, we’re breaking down traditional martial arts movements into something powerful yet personal, designed to enhance spatial confidence—especially for visually impaired and blind individuals. We start with a fundamental question—what does...

The nuances of touch can be both a supportive and occasionally intrusive element in the lives of blind or visually impaired people, especially in public spaces. My MSc in Applied Sport Psychology research premise is that for blind individuals, uninvited or unexpected touch can be particularly distressing since it lacks the visual cues sighted people use to anticipate and contextualize physical int...

Members of The Queen’s Club have the unique opportunity to play Real Tennis on some of the country's most historic courts. The club, considered the heart of Real Tennis in the UK, features two courts housed in the oldest part of the Club, dating back to 1886. Head of Real Tennis at Queen's is Ben Ronaldson, former n. 10 in the sport, who comes from the finest family sport tradition with two champi...

Played in less than 50 places in the entire World, Real Tennis is very different from Lawn Tennis not just because it is the original "true" thing born many centuries ago and played by figures like Henry VIII. Real Tennis is played in an asymmetrical court, which many unusual features could make someone think about squash to a certain extent, and with hand made balls which are pretty unpredictable...

Coach Brandon is an incredible USA professional developing important and meaningful prompts to the visually impaired and blind community to fully access physical training at its best.  Brandon Piane  is a personal trainer and inclusive fitness trainer with over a decade of experience training individuals with various disabilities how to exercise effectively and safely.  With a BS degree in Exercis...

Martial Attitude met the Dream Team composed by Filip & Gabi and asked them what is dance sport and what challenges it poses to dancers. With more than 12 years of experience in Sport Dance and participation in international competitions, how does the Dream Team use their mental coaching approach to support their athletes? Also, how they position themselves with the idea of "experience being overr...

Martial Attitude Training and my MSc in Applied Sport Psychology research are happening! And they are introduced and complemented by a new series of short podcasts exploring how touch, exercise, and confidence are perceived in the visually impaired and blind community. The first guest is Takashi, a professional viola player based in London. He explains to us how there is a good and bad way to touc...

His nickname comes from his former trainer's pistol. More recently, he has been called "miracle man" by the international sport press following a grave accident occurred during his last fight on May 27th, 2023. Ludumo Lamati is a South African professional boxer aged 31, now retiring.    He always fought without fear, because "fear is a liar", as he clearly states in this exceptional Martial Attit...

He knows no fear, and he is coming to take it all. The man is Chris "2slick" Mbwakongo (Kongo), English professional boxer in the welterweight division with an important record of 14 wins (2 KOs) and 2 losses. Chris has a plan. He does not fail the plan. With the plan, there is no fear. Fear is not even contemplated, because it is not anywhere near the plan.  The championship is in the making and...

Come si diventa un radiocronista sportivo? Come si usa la propria voce nel farlo?   Ma soprattutto, quando si va a descrivere al pubblico le fasi concitate di uno sport cosi' veloce e complesso quale e' la boxe, come si ottiene il migliore risultato?   Infine, ma non per ultimo, perche' tutta questa passione per la boxe e come si percepisce e di cosa ha bisogno un grande campione nel pugilato prof...