An ambassador for karate, for the arts and for living with purpose: Alton Brown is taking time out of his Olympic preparations this year to help our special project in India. Here’s some insight into the man himself!
Alton’s visit to India is being crowdfunded as part of our 2019 development plan. If you’d like to donate please go to http://www.gofundme.com/FairFightIndia2019. If you’d like to book Alton for an Olympic/FairFight seminar please contact him alton@teamalton2020.com
To contribute directly to Alton’s Olympic bid please use http://www.gofundme.com/teamalton
Tell us about representing Jamaica in karate.
The transition to representing Jamaica in karate has been a roller coaster of a journey. That said, it has proved to be the most exciting, rewarding and meaningful journey I’ve ever been on. To think, karate would reconnect me with my roots in the Caribbean and take me all the way into the Gleaner offices in Kingston Jamaica, the Jamaican newspaper I used to run out to the shops to buy for my dad as a child. Alongside my new team mates, we’re on a mission to put Jamaica karate on the map, and provide opportunities for the next generation that just never existed before. That’s what gets me up in the morning.
What’s been the highlight of your competition career so far?
The highlight of my career has and always will be the first time I won the European championships as a junior athlete. 
I’d broken my jaw not long before the event at national selections and was taking a huge risk competing. I’d had the worse pre-training camp ever in terms of my performance, was battered left right and centre by team mates, but the result was a dream come true.
Why have you become involved with Fairfight?
Who wouldn’t want to be involved in something like this? It’s a bit of an honour to have the opportunity to use my skills and my art form to support the ambition and development of others. Personally I’m all about supporting the development of young people, providing new opportunities to gain new insight, raise aspirations and have more control over their journeys. I’ve done this for the last 15 years through my career within arts education, as well as through my sport in the UK.
What are the benefits of karate, in your opinion? Instead of answering this question in the traditional way, I like to think of the opportunities and experiences I’ve been fortunate enough to have as a result of karate. As a young boy aged 11, karate gave me a real sense of ownership over my destination, and how much I could achieve in life provided I put in the work. It also gave me an opportunity expand my horizons and get out of East London, to travel the world, meet new people from countries I’d never heard of (still happening) and has taught me resilience in a way that has supported success in every area of my life. Those are the benefits of karate.
Girls of Disha House, Varanasi, India. This safe house provides a home and education for impoverished and vulnerable children. They learn karate with FairFight to build their confidence and resilience.
What keeps you going when you want to stop?
Depending on which day you ask me this, you’re likely to get a different answer. It’s a combination of things but the most important parts are: My wife and two daughters, memories of my little brother Dwayne, absolutely my faith and the fact that I actually enjoy hitting and being hit – I know it sounds strange, but hey – it is what it is. I like to think I’m here for a reason, and that’s to do something incredibly positive and inspiring with the tools that I have.
Name 3 things you like to do to relax?
I love chilling out in coffee shops (just discovered a nice place on the 1st floor of the National Portrait Gallery), dreaming whilst awake again preferably in coffee shops and doing things that take me a step closer to achieving my dreams.
Apart from your family, what would you rescue first in a house fire?
Notebooks. I love a good notebook and very much addicted to buying new ones. I’d also grab a team Jamaica track top to remind me just how far we’ve come, wow!
What’s your favourite pizza topping?
I love a BBQ sauce base on a pizza and definitely swapping out the bitter green peppers for the sweet red ones.
What music do you listen to?
I love a bit of chill out/ easy listening. Currently well into Chronixx, but also love Ben Howard, Amos Lee and a lot of gospel. Although if the kids are around it doesn’t matter what music I like, it gets replaced with cartoon soundtracks. I have to say though, we love a good dance off in the kitchen at least 3 times per week. My eldest does a serious robot dance impression!
What’s the best mistake you’ve ever made?
If I answered this now I’d offend too many people, so I’ll skip this for now. Wait for the autobiography. Lol!
What animal would you be?
Squirrel because they’re quick, crafty and my daughters are fascinated by chasing them.
What setbacks have you had to overcome in your life to get to where you are now?
The death of my father when I was 19 and the death of my 21 year old brother have by far been the toughest setbacks I’ve had to overcome in life. I wouldn’t go as far as to say I’ve overcome them, but definitely found motivation, inspiration and meaning in them. I continue to do what I do to the best of my ability in tribute to them.
What’s one thing people should know about you that would surprise most of us?
I almost died in a fire aged 4, which I actually set myself trying to burn a fly on the sofa. At my church they call me the boy who walked through the fire. It should be the boy who set the fire and was lucky to get out!
How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition?
Success for me is running my race, achieving great feats with the tools that I have and enabling others as a result of that work. In that regard I am absolutely successful, but I haven’t done it alone. There have been a lot of people who have helped me along the way. I’d consider these my role models in life/martial arts.
To name just a few, Joe Anderson & Terry Daly who made it possible for a young boy to train, travel and stay motivated despite the financial barriers, Wayne Otto whose input and mentorship took me to a whole new level, Raphael & Patricia from Veras Academy whose belief in what’s possible has had no limits, Natalie Williams who has consistently been a positive force since we were kids, William Thomas whose immense knowledge and experience have guided me greatly in recent years, and Nathaniel Peat who entertained a conversation about a dream, and has consistently given new life to that dream since. There are a few more, wait for the autobiography!
What are your ambitions after the Olympics?
Oh wow! That’s a tough one. Definitely dedicate much more time to my family, especially my wife and two children. They’ve made some serious sacrifices for me to continue within my sport – my turn to give back in the way I’d really like to. I’d also love to coach a national team and continue to develop young people and have real impact in supporting others to achieve their dreams. One step at a time.
Alton’s visit to India is being crowdfunded as part of our 2019 development plan. If you’d like to donate please go to http://www.gofundme.com/FairFightIndia2019. If you’d like to book Alton for an Olympic/FairFight seminar please contact him alton@teamalton2020.com
To contribute directly to Alton’s Olympic bid please use http://www.gofundme.com/teamalton
Some dived. 
Tomorrow we start early with a meeting to discuss opening a club in a nearby school.
