“When I was a kid, my monsters were real”

Growing up on a Teesside council estate, Garry Bell faced years of violence, abuse and adversity that could easily have defined the rest of his life. Instead, he found strength through martial arts, using discipline, resilience and an unwavering mindset to forge a completely different path. 

In this powerful episode of Local Heroes, Garry opens up about surviving a traumatic childhood, building successful businesses from the ground up, becoming a multiple-time British and European kickboxing champion, mentoring others, writing a book, and stepping into the world of film and acting. 

This is a story about overcoming the odds, taking control of your future, and refusing to let your past determine who you become.