The head coach of a Mixed Martial Arts gym is urging people to give the combat sport a try – and find some inner peace.

A dojo may not be the place you'd expect to find much calm but based in the perhaps unlikely venue of a medieval church in Chatham, the club is instilling core values such as discipline, respect and determination.

Granite Gym, in Gundulph Road, is the home of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and Muay Thai in this part town.

Originally St Bartholomew's Chapel, the flint and rubble building with stained glass windows has a long history.

Founded in 1078 by Gundulph, Bishop of Rochester, it was built outside of the city's walls as leprosy sufferers had to be kept away from the public.

After its closure in 2016, it was taken over by Chris 'Bungle' Garnett, a professional fighter who had a dream of owning a gym. It has ultimately transformed lives.

Today, the Grade II listed building hosts classes seven days a week.

The 38-year-old said: "This is very much a boxing town, fighting town and I grew up with all of that.

"Boxing didn't really rock my boat, so I got heavier and deeper into martial arts and now I own an MMA and Muay Thai gym.

"We opened in 2017, so it's been a few years. I got into fighting, took a chance and thought maybe people would like to hang out with just me."

Muay Thai, which translates to Thai boxing, is the national sport of Thailand. It's also known as the "art of eight limbs" because it makes use of eight points of contact namely punches, elbows, knees and kicks.

MMA is a combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, which incorporates techniques from various martial arts around the world.

Chris, who is also the UK's first ever caged Muay Thai champion, said: "On the business side of things, it's stressful, hard, difficult but totally worth it. There's nothing better than trying to do your own thing in this world.

"I generally wake up around eight o'clock. I'll get down to the gym, there's classes in the morning, afternoon and evening, I cannot believe this is my life. If I died tomorrow, what a run – I couldn't complain.

"On the fighting side of things, it's made me a better human being.

"I know myself better, I don't lie to myself and I genuinely try to be as nice as possible to every single person I meet, because that's the right thing to do.

Chris, who is single, said: "In my spare time I watch fights, Jui-Jitsu, wrestling and I also like to read books, I have a small library that I'm quite proud of.

"My favourite book is Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield."

Chris is a nationally ranked fighter and has fought under top flight promotions including Lion Fighting Championship and UCMMA (Ultimate Challenge MMA).

He continued: "Making champions, making high level fighters is really fun and fulfilling, but the best thing is looking at someone and thinking 'he's going to be alright in life'.

"I don't mean he's going to be minted, I mean he's going to be able to walk down the street, look you in the eye.

"One of my young lads, Sean, I started training him many years ago and you know when you meet someone and they won't look you in the eye? You can feel they're a bit nervous.

"So we brought him into the fold and he's a big man now, he's a green beret [Royal Marine].

"He came to train the other day, his chest was big, [he was] looking me in the eye and he's a man.

"Forget the belts, if I could do that to lots of people I'd die happy.

"It sounds really counter-intuitive but the more people that could fight competitively or be in competitive settings, there'd be a lot less trouble, angst and social anxiety, it would be dealt with.

"I'm a full professional fighter, I've fought some of the best in the country and I'm truly peaceful.

"I like doing what I do. It's not about being a big man, I am truly happy in my soul.

"I recognise there's a lot of people in this world who don't even have water, and I get to do what I love all day.

"I get to make people fight, make people strong, it feels like a gift so I have to share it."

The gym is open to people of all ages, with the lowest age limit being around four years old.

Chris said: "I train kids from an age where they can understand me.

"It depends on the kid – some six-year-olds are like 10-year-olds and visa versa.

"Kids can start fighting at inter-clubs in the UK from around eight years old, much different to Thailand where they have full A class fights at the same age."

An inter-club is a friendly spar between gyms where competitors can gather to test out their skills.

According to the United Kingdom Muaythai Federation competitors aged 5-11 must wear full protective gear.

This includes a body shield, gum shield, shin guards, gloves, groin guard and head gear.

No head contact is allowed and rounds are five of one minute with the option of three rounds of 90 seconds for normal bouts.

This is in contrast to A class fights which are full contact with only groin guard, gum shield and gloves as protective gear.

Anthony English, 37, runs ETC (English Training and Coaching) out of Granite Gym.

He is also a wrestler who runs Genesis Professional wrestling in Maidstone, but also teaches the amateur side at the Chatham gym.

He said: "The biggest benefit I suppose is self confidence. Regardless of what you're facing from the hard training and gruelling sessions, you know you can pretty much face anything."

Genesis' next show is set to take place on July 31 at Ballin' in Maidstone. Tickets can be found here.

He continued: "If you take the discipline from your training and take it into your diet, into your real world, success is almost guaranteed.

"Some people use it as an outlet, not a lot of people use it for anger any more.

"There's a lot of joy to be had after a big workout and you've pushed yourself and you've achieved something or learnt something.

"A lot of people are happy with that, developing self confidence and self esteem.

"Chris is unique, he's confident enough to be himself.

"On a whole, the training in combat sports is safer than other training – you'd get hurt learning to Morris dance.

"Not many people get seriously hurt during training.When you start fighting, it's different but that's what the training prepares you for.

"Training builds the person, character and the body."

One of those who has also taken up the sport is family therapist Kate Thornton.

The 49-year-old said she has been made to feel "included" despite what people may believe about the roughness of the sport and her age.

She said: "My partner suggested coming down for a taster session. He had been interested in it and he just said 'come and give it a go'.

"I've never been anywhere near a martial art or combat sport or even watched a fight or anything.

"Chris was so friendly and welcoming that it made me want to come back.

"Training gave me a big adrenaline boost, it makes you really aware of your surroundings and what's coming at you. You block everything else out and you're just in that moment.

"And you're also just relying on yourself. I do a job where I have to think a lot and anticipate and be really thoughtful and reflective, where as here, I just need to rely on myself, my body and my muscle memory.

"I'm just pleased to feel included; I really like it that I can turn up and be part of it.

"Obviously if someone is training for a big fight then I might step back and let guys that are doing the fights work with each other.

"I just take something from each time that I am here."