Nathan Leonard Richards opens MMA gym after changing lifestyle from ‘ex-gangster’ to business owner
An ex-gangster no longer wants to associate with his criminal past after opening a gym which aims to help young Sunshine Coast men.
Sunshine Coast
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A convicted criminal and “ex-gangster” who punched a security guard and spent almost two years in jail says he has turned his life around and wants to inspire young men.
Nathan Richards has recreated his image from a gun-slinging rapper to a mixed martial arts trainer no longer interested in the “tough guy” persona.
The 28-year-old was convicted for a one-punch attack on a Kawana Shoppingworld security guard in 2015.
While he never spent time behind bars for knocking the guard unconscious Mr Richards was later jailed for almost two years for breaching his parole after he said he was found in possession of a weapon and drugs.
Mr Richards said his life was unrecognisable now after he opened his first MMA gym at Bulcock Street, Caloundra earlier this year.
He said his goal was to inspire young men to not live a life of crime and to tackle their anger issues.
The former rapper and clothing designer whose lyrics boasted he was an “a-grade criminal” with “guns in his safe” says he stopped listening to rap and now plays country music in his gym.
Mr Richards described himself as an “ex-gangster” who was now ”an average bloke trying to do my best”.
“I still have a clothing brand but I completely changed the image of it,” he said.
“I destroyed the old logo and as for the music I shut down my record label about a year before I opened the gym.
“I don’t want to be associated with that life anymore.
“I think if you met me now and met me three years ago you wouldn’t recognise me as the same person.”
Mr Richards said within eight months of opening the gym he noticed a huge change in some of the young men who participated in the youth program.
“I tell them be humble, be polite and I try to discourage any tough guy image,” he said.
“That’s irrelevant here.”
He said criminal activity was not tolerated.
Zennon Mojsej, 23, began training at the gym six months ago keen to change the direction of his life.
He said he struggled with drugs and his mental health since he finished high school.
“I tried everything, I tried staying out of trouble, getting into trouble, literally everything to keep sane,” he said.
“The only thing that helps me do that is training MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
“Coach (Mr Richards) calls me to check up on me and he really understands me.”
He said attending the gym also helped him through his dad’s death earlier this year.
“When I came in here it made me really appreciate my dad, it’s helped me get on with my life,” he said.
“All the negativity I’ve focused on has gone, this has gotten rid of it.”
Mr Richards said he wanted to open a gym after he realised he was at his happiest when he was in his early 20s and training MMA full time.
He said he joined a kickboxing gym last year and worked hard to get his fitness back and eventually his mental health improved too.
“It’s the type of place where it doesn’t matter where you are outside of training,” Mr Richards said.
“We have ex crims getting along with police officers, people with different political views but once you’re on the mat you’re all the same.”