A minute with: Andrew Sofos (Sofocleous) martial arts instructor

Where do you live?
I live in Brookmans Park Hertfordshire with my wife of nearly 40 years Tatiana.

What did you have for breakfast?
Tea/Coffee Fruit, yogurt, poached eggs,

Describe your perfect day
Going for a morning walk in the local woods, meditating, training martial arts including Tai Chi, spending time with family and friends.

Best book ever read?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho sends a powerful message about trusting our instincts and hearts, seeking natural omens that occur in our lives, and it put a smile on my face, changing my direction in life.

Best childhood memory?
My Dad won the football pools (not much) but provided us with two holidays to Cyprus when I was 9 and 11 years old, the first time I travelled abroad. I loved meeting all my family than, sadly they have all passed to another realm.

What is always in your fridge?
Me and Tatiana always buy fresh local produce, and on family weekends of course our souvla shopping list with a chilled bottle of good wine.

What music are you listening to in the car at the moment?
Classical, LGR, but listen to sounds of the 70s,80s, and soul stations

What’s your spirit animal?
Black Panther, it’s tattooed on my left shoulder. I was told this by one of my kung fu teachers in the 1980s because they possess certain characteristics being typically strong, have flexible bodies, a powerful mind, and sharp reactions.

What are you most proud of?
Having a multi-cultural martial arts academy, with people from different backgrounds, gender, age, ability and ethnic beliefs. In nearly 40 years we have not had any conflicts in the training halls. I am a strong advocate of fairness and righteousness

What movie scene has really stayed with you?
Gladiator end scene and the death and afterlife of Maximus it is incredibly emotionally effective, meaning it is rewatachable for the fact that it always closes out Gladiator on a very strong note. Also, Miracle on 49th Street – a Christmas classic. The core message of this film is that a person’s priorities can be changed by love, and that a family can be formed in unconventional ways.

If you could pick anyone at all (alive or dead) to go out for the evening with, who would it be?
Our Greek hero Odysseas. We would discuss his intelligence, resilience and unwavering loyalty to his family, despite his flaws. He was a complex and realistic character who endures great hardship for the sake of home and family.

If you could time travel when/where would you go?
I was told by a shaman in South America I had a past life, and my soul is old, but I would love to travel back to ancient Greece and the time of the Spartans, and relive the days of the battle fields.

What is your greatest fear?
Losing a loved one!

What would you say to your 18-year-old self?
Patience is a virtue, you cannot conquer Rome in a day. Ego tarnishes your character.

Name the one thing that would stop you dating someone.
If my heart was not 100% committed.

If the world is ending in 24 hours, what would you do?
As a Greek, gather family, food and drink would be on the agenda and of course music. I would spend the last precious time with family and close friends, telling them what they mean to me, and having no regrets.

Andrew Sofocleous is a martial arts instructor at SAS Martial Arts Academy in London and manages four martial arts centres. Follow him on Instagram