The Power of Community - Charlie Ash

I first heard about Shay’s short film documentary after The Great Reopening of Shay Walsh MMA. I was told it would include footage from The Great Reopening and some of Shay’s journey as a fighter. After watching the trailer, I was so excited to finally see the film. Seeing scenes featuring myself and my teammates, followed by Alexander Volkanovski’s UFC highlights, was incredible.

The Great Reopening at Shay Walsh MMA was a surreal and overwhelming experience. Having one of the greatest UFC athletes in history, Alexander Volkanovski, in attendance - promoting and endorsing the gym - was unbelievable. Watching him fight on TV, seeing Shay travel to numerous countries around the world as his training partner, and watching him compete had already been so inspiring. Actually meeting and speaking with Volkanovski in person was an indescribable feeling.

It was also amazing to see the impact The Great Reopening had on the community. The film captured everyone coming together to meet, ask questions, learn from Volkanovski, and celebrate the gym’s re-opening. I loved seeing people’s reactions to this incredible event and sharing some of the many memorable moments captured in the film.

The premiere itself was a massive success and a moving experience for all those in attendance. It had a huge impact on me and the entire community of Shay Walsh MMA, bringing everyone together and inspiring us all with Shay’s untold story.

Walking into the cinema was a surreal moment, and it was amazing to see so many people come together to celebrate Shay’s achievements and witness his journey - some of which had never been seen before. The premiere was held just two days before I, along with three others, competed at BMF 10. After watching the film, we were all incredibly motivated to give our best and make the community proud. This was because of how inspiring the story was.

The film highlights how athletes can fight through adversity, solve problems, and achieve so much even after retiring from competition. It’s a story about finding purpose despite the uncertainty of your current situation.

When the film ended, the entire cinema erupted in applause, and Shay received a standing ovation. He then spoke about his thoughts on the film and took the time to thank his family and friends individually for their support throughout his journey.

As Shay began explaining the roles his family played in his journey, seeing the raw emotion in that moment made the film truly special.

I look forward to watching the film once again on Friday 13 December for a repeat screening of ‘A Journey To Greatness: The Untold Story of Shay Walsh’. If you haven’t already seen the film, I can’t recommend it enough. This film is far more than fighting - it’s an inspiring story all about the power of community.

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Watch Trailer: