Bristol's Catley wants to be sporting inspiration

Bristol's Glenn Catley is setting up in the business of inspiring the region's sportsmen and women.

Recently qualified as a clinical hypnotherapist and psychotherapist, the former World super middleweight boxing champion plans to use his experiences in the ring to deliver a series of motivational talks.

Although Catley embarked upon a speaking career four years ago, he now plans to establish his business on a professional footing, starting with a performance talk to an audience of 250 people at the Filton Campus College crackerjack.co.uk/bristol/theatre" target=_blank>theatre on November 18.

He explained: "This is something I feel very passionately about. I want to pass on some of the things I learned during my career in sport and encourage people to reach their potential.

"I was never the most skilful boxer in the world, but I made up for that in terms of dedication, desire, guts and sheer determination.

"Initially, I want to deliver talks for people involved in sport, but there's no reason why it should not work for politicians, educationalist and businessmen."

Catley first discovered the benefits of hypnotherapy when working with David Newton, senior practitioner at the Clifton Practice. The pair collaborated prior to Catley beating Neville Brown to win the British middleweight title in January 1998.

"I've brought David on board to help with this latest project and he'll introduce me to the audience at Filton next month," said Catley.

He added: "I'd give these talks in clubs, schools and academies and people would come up to me afterwards and tell me how much they had enjoyed it.

"It was those people who suggested I should do it professionally.

"I know these techniques work, because I used them myself and became world champion.

"The night I fought Neville Brown, I don't think anyone would have beaten me." Catley is charging £10 for a three-hour talk, after which he will take questions.