The Eagle’s Nest

The Eagle's Nest - Episode 1: Batman Origin Story

Episode 1: Batman Origin StoryEvery hero has an origin story even if ours involve less Gotham City and more bruised shins.
In our first episode, we dive into how we met, how martial arts pulled us in, and the training paths that shaped us into who we are today. From childhood inspirations and questionable early techniques to the teachers, dojos, and turning points that made martial arts a lifelong obsession, this is where The Eagle’s Nest truly begins.
If you’ve ever wondered why your hosts chose a life of kicks, chokes, and chaos… here’s the whole story.
Topics in this episode:
How Alex and Cameron first crossed paths
Our earliest martial arts memories
The teachers who shaped us (for better or worse)
Training progression: white belt to where we are now
Why martial arts is still the centre of our lives
What you can expect from future episodes
Welcome to the Nest. 🦅

The Eagle's Nest - Episode 2: Belts, Banners, and bulls**t: How to choose a legit martial arts school

How do you know if a martial arts school is actually good or just good at marketing?
In this episode of The Eagles Nest, we break down what really matters when choosing a martial arts school. We cut through the belts, banners, and bulls**t to talk honestly about instructor quality, school culture, training environment, and long-term development.
We discuss:What a good martial arts school should have (and what it doesn’t need)The pros and cons of different school structures and teaching stylesCommon red flags that signal poor instruction, unsafe training, or ego-driven leadershipWhat a healthy, high-standard culture actually looks like on the matWhy the instructor matters more than the styleHow to choose a school that builds skill, character, and longevity, not just beltsWhether you’re a beginner choosing your first dojo or an experienced martial artist reassessing where you train, this episode gives you a clear framework for making the right call and avoiding costly mistakes.
Train smart. Choose wisely. Your future on the mat depends on it.Show Links: Jackie Chan Tower Fall - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guh4J7ATGoc
Jackie Chan Fan Catch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOS51qpUoCc
Jackie Chan Chopstick Trick - https://youtu.be/F3Z2MmdVaDE?si=ejlQ9t6Jo-QWT3lM&t=1756
 

The Eagle's Nest - Episode 3: We interview Thiago Stefanutti. Onya Mate!

Our very 1st Guest Thiago Stefanutti, Is Alex Tse's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) coach, mentor and the head of the ONYA Brazilian Jiu-Jistu association. Thiago holds a four degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. His students have won multiple World Championship titles and under his instruction, leading the first Australian team to ever win a IBJJF World Championships team trophy, the most prestigious Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition in the world. His current focus is training world class BJJ practitioners as well as sharing his knowledge through is teachings to the wider BJJ community. Thiago was born and grew up in São Paulo-Brasil. According to Thiago, São Paulo was not a very safe city when he was growing up so learning martial arts a natural way to learn how to defend himself. Thiago moved to Melbourne when he was offered a position to teach, the club that hired him helped him relocate to Melbourne where he trained for almost 10 years. He now lives in Brazil where he continues teaching to this day. Thiago visits Australia often to reenforce his teachings for ONYA's Australian branch, and to hold seminars and gradings.

The Eagle's Nest - Episode 5: Martial Arts Movies & Our Top 5

In this episode of The Eagle’s Nest, we take a break from serious talk and dive into something that shaped us long before belts and dojos — martial arts movies.
We talk about the films that got us hooked, the scenes we still remember frame by frame, and why martial arts cinema played such a big role in how we viewed training, discipline, and movement. Along the way, we spend a fair bit of time celebrating our shared love of Jackie Chan — his creativity, work ethic, and the influence he’s had on generations of martial artists.
Eventually, we narrow it all down and settle on our Top 5 martial arts movies, with plenty of debate along the way.
If you grew up rewinding VHS tapes, practicing kicks in the lounge room, or still judge movies by their fight choreography — this one’s for you.

The Eagle's Nest - Episode 6: Food: IYKYK

In this episode of The Eagle’s Nest, we sit down and talk about food how we think about it, how our approach has changed over time, and why it plays such a big role in training, performance, and everyday life.
We touch on general ideas around calorie targets, macros, and balance, but mostly this is a relaxed conversation about habits, routines, and the realities of eating well while still enjoying food.
It’s not a nutrition lecture just honest discussion shaped by experience.
If you know… you know.

The Eagle's Nest - Episode 7: Competing (BJJ + Martial Arts Competition Stories)

In this episode of The Eagle’s Nest, we talk competition, why we do it, what it teaches you, and what it’s really like stepping onto the mats when it counts.
Cameron shares his limited but meaningful BJJ competition experience and what it’s taught him so far, while Alex breaks down his much longer competition history  from his early days as a colour belt through to competing as a black belt. We also touch on Alex’s earlier Hapkido demonstration competitions and what those experiences added to his martial arts journey.
If you’ve ever competed, are thinking about competing, or just want an honest look into the mindset and realities of it, this episode is for you.
Hapkido Demo Videos (worth the entry price alone):
https://youtu.be/zETbYwPSx8c?si=R5_4szEFUFK0GMu5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1NhPdnQK0Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3eWcHGZmJw

The Eagle's Nest - Episode 8: Interview with Scott Walters - 6th Dan Hapkido Master

Episode 8: Scott Walters (Hapkido 6th Dan)
In this episode of The Eagle’s Nest, we’re joined by Scott Walters (Hapkido 6th Dan) for a deep dive into his martial arts journey and the early history of Hapkido in Melbourne.
Scott takes us back to his early years training Taekwondo, his move from Tasmania to Melbourne, and the experiences that shaped his path including studying in Korea. We also talk about the early days of teaching Hapkido in Melbourne, training through injuries and the birth of Eagle Martial Arts out of the old Scout Hall in Glen Waverley.
A great episode for anyone who loves martial arts stories, lineage, and the roots of the communities we train in today.

The Eagle's Nest - Episode 9: Goal Setting & Actually Sticking To It

Everyone talks about goals. Way fewer people actually follow through.
In this episode of The Eagle’s Nest, we dive into goal setting in the real world not hype, not motivational quotes, but the mindset and habits that help you stay on track when motivation fades.
We talk about:
Why most people quit early
The difference between wanting a goal and committing to one
How training in martial arts shapes discipline
Balancing ambition with real life responsibilities
Small habits that make long-term progress possible
Whether your goals are in training, work, health, or life this episode is about building the kind of consistency that actually moves the needle.
🦅 Welcome back to the Nest.

The Eagle’s Nest: Episode 10- Hapkido

Hapkido. What It Is, How It Works, & Why It Matters
 
In this episode of The Eagle’s Nest, we dive deep into Hapkido the art, the principles, and what makes it different from other martial arts.
 
We talk about:
What Hapkido actually is (and what it isn’t)
Core principles like balance, control, and adaptability
How Hapkido fits alongside other martial arts
Why it remains relevant for self-defence and real-world application
How training evolves over time as your understanding deepens
Whether you train Hapkido, are cross-training from another art, or are just curious about its place in modern martial arts, this episode gives honest insight from lived experience.
 
🦅 Welcome back to the Nest.

The Eagle's Nest: Episode 11 – Martial Arts vs Real Violence: What Self Defence Actually Looks Like

This episode is a serious one.
We talk about real situations involving friends and students who were attacked, and what those experiences reveal about the gap between training in a dojo and dealing with real-world violence.
We break down:
The difference between martial arts and true self defence
Why pressure testing matters
What “realistic training” actually means
Key self defence principles that apply outside the gym
The role of awareness, mindset, and decision-making
Self defence isn’t about flashy techniques. It’s about preparation, clarity, and understanding what violence actually looks like.
If you train, coach, or care about keeping yourself and your family safe, this is an important conversation.
🦅 Welcome back to the Nest.