Ted Pollard Ultimate Fitness

Gymnast, Martial Artist, Stage Performer, Sports Techniques Coach ...

"What has Ted done to make him such an expert?"

This is question which I know is often asked.

I hope some of the following goes towards answering it.

These are taken from my “Ultimate Fitness Techniques” book.

A more full answer can be found in my autobiographical "Escape from Barbados".

Even at the age of 7, the way in which people walked and performed different movements fascinated me. The human brain is truly amazing. It has almost unlimited capabilities and yet very few people ever make the effort to develop that potential which lies dormant in all of us. I was very interested in achieving excellence and was always trying to push the limits of what my body could do. Initially this was purely in physique but it soon began to encompass gymnastics, most forms of sport, stage performances and, throughout it all, the martial arts. This wide experience, over many decades, gave me an understanding of what I was capable of and also where I could, and did, improve.

The photographer asked,

“Can you do a Bruce Lee pose?”

I think I managed it OK.

I went into Wrestling from Shoot Fighting, which is a continuous fight for submission.

Jack Dale finally booked me for a professional wrestling match at The Borough Assembly Hall in Aylesbury, Bucks and I was up against Joe Queseck.

To this day, I can still hear my sister Dolly screaming at the top of her voice, “Ansley, you can beat him!”

I was “The Good Guy” and “From Aylesbury” – so of course I won!

For many years I was a stage performer, incorporating all the gymnastics and fight techniques to wow audiences around the world. Initially in a comedy Duo, then part of a Trio and finally as “The Ansleys” with my wife.

Bruce Lee’s brother Robert told me he had watched the epic “Way of the Dragon” fight scene which Doug Robinson and I re-created (originally between Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris) and set in the Coliseum. To my surprise Robert invited me to join him on stage and ad lib what I thought Bruce might have done to the song “Jeet Kune Do”. Of course I was delighted to share the stage with Robert Lee. The audience loved the unannounced surprise.

Visiting and performing in Japan was always high on my list because it was so different and martial arts was such a large part of my life.

Chance encounter with a man on a pole. This flying kick from a Martial Artist just happened at a photo shoot in London, it was not planned.

Lorenz Zatecky was the first fashion photographer to combine modelling and the martial arts.

Neil Adams 8^th Dan, MBE, demonstrates the perfect arm lock position, trapping the left arm. Note how he stepped back into an open and well balanced stance. He was a tough guy to train with on the Judo mat.

Also, Neil joined me for a show at the BBC: Larry Grayson's Generation Game (Click on image to see)

Ultimately, Gym work is not all about lifting heavy weights.

Always build in flexibility techniques as these are what give you life-long fitness.

Dare I suggest that I am living proof of that ?

Part of a golf series from Asaki Golf Monthly, Japan. This particular training drill was to correct “casting” the club during the change of direction.

With Gary Player at the Senior Open Palm Springs (1988)

(Left to Right) Malcolm Needs, Nat Rasasco my dear late friend, Gary Player,

Me and Ronnie Rascia

See Ted in action in these short video clips:

Ted demonstrates Nunchaku at Littlehampton

Golf Club

Amateur video from audience – Click to view

Ted Pollard playing Jackson in the "Wood" opposite Jason Wing

For a while I was tempted by the Body Building aspects and was actually in the 1968 Mr Universe, along with one Arnold Schwarzenegger. (See above)

No prizes for guessing who won that year!

However, I already realised that this was a route which would not be good for anyone who wanted a healthy body.

Mr Teenager, Barbados

Want a sneak preview of Ted's new book? Just click on the cover

Practicing at David Leadbetter's Champions Gate Golf Academy, Florida, under the watchful eye of Matt Richardson.

Golf became another major part of my life. There were many similarities between training for Martial Arts and the flexibility essential for playing golf, especially at a professional level.

I travelled the world, coaching, training and giving physio to the top players, including the European PGA Annual Golf Training School.

Now on YouTube – Click image for Video

NABBA Mr Universe 1968

Professional Lineup..

Back Row ..L-R. Jacques Louvier 3rd Tall Class, Arnold Schwarzenegger Winner Tall Class And Overall 1968 Professional Mr Universe, Nicolas Kleber , John Bubb 2nd Professional Tall Class, Theodore Pollard.

Front Row .. L-R .. Ludwig Ingebregsen, John Citrone Winner Short Class, Serge Jacobs, Friedrich Weimer, Moktari Abdelsalam, Abe Jordan, Freddy Ortiz. 2nd Short Class.

Kneeling- Everard Meyssain, Yves Permal 3rd Short Class.