Meet Paul Lapsley | Martial Arts Instructor, Actor and Fight Choreography

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paul Lapsley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paul, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
My Wife, Family, Friends and Teaching. My wife is the best thing in my life and makes me smile each day. She is always there for me and stands by me in what decisions l make. I have lots of love and support from family & friends in my life.
Teaching my Karate students makes me happy, seeing them progress and do well when they are training.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started karate training when l was 7 years old. My dad had a friend at his work that did Karate and told me about it. I was very keen and interested as l had seen clips of Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris on the TV so l started karate training. I then got introduced to the legends in Karate, Sensei’s Tommy Morris and his son Steven Morris with the Kobe Osaka. This helped with a lot of life skills and focus. Helping me to overcome challenges in life.

My acting career started in high school. In 1992 started doing work as an extra while l studied Acting. From there l started getting talking parts.

In 1993 I had a serious hand injury at work and in 1995, l had a cancerous tumour removed from my abdomen. However, l didn’t let that get me down. I kept myself positive and started training again and in 1996 l achieved my black belt and restarted competing again in National and International events.

Through my martial arts l signed up with a martial arts agency. This was exciting as they supplied martial artists to feature films. I had photographs taken and was on their website, however due to some miscommunication l missed out on two big film productions. l decided to stop acting and concentrate solely on my martial arts training. This was very successful as I was winning medals in National and International events. I became Scottish and British Karate Champion.

In 2011 l became a world champion and from this l was approached to do a promo mini trailer for a graphic novel. This rekindled my passion for acting. I then put together a big fight scene and from this other directors have complemented me on my work. I have now done several short & feature films that have won awards world-wide.

2019 myself and my business partner Steven opened a full-time martial arts centre, which has been a dream of ours for years. It has been a hard path to where we are, but now it’s just so amazing to say l run a full-time martial arts centre. Later that year I was cast to play the role of Ryan in the film Rage after having a chat with Gary. Gary also wanted me to be the fight choreography for this film.

2021 we filmed Rage as it is a multi-award winning short film now that shows the impact of drugs and domestic violence. It was great working with Gary and all the cast in Rage. Right after filming Rage, l went on to film another feature film called The Defender which is directed by multi-award winning Gary Hewitt. l was cast in it and was the fight choreographer too.
I have been told my fight scenes in Scotland are being talked about and l have been given a lot of amazing feedback. My ratings have increased as l am being asked to do more.

2022 has been exciting as Rage is doing well at film festivals. I’ve also been cast in a new tv show and l have a few other projects coming up. I also achieved my 6th Dan in Karate.
I started writing a few shorts scripts and l am working on a feature film script. One of my shorts scripts just now is in planning to get made into a short action film.

Each day brings something new and exciting, l have learned a lot through life. For me l always try to stay positive and try not let things get me down. If you fall you get back up or always ask for help. There is always support, you just have to ask.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would start with a coffee and chat at my house before we did a tour of my hometown. We would then go and see the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies. Then a tour of my martial arts centre and meet the other chief instructors. We would have food at mine as l have a tasty Chinese take way in my area. The next day we would go to Stirling and see the castle, visit Wallace’s Monument. Then have a drive to Loch Lomond and see the scenery as Scotland has lots to offer.
If they were visiting just now, the Edinburgh festival fringe is on and it’s the greatest celebration of arts and culture. We would spend a couple of days as there is so much to see. Starting at the castle and seeing the Royal Military Tattoo, walk the Royal mile, going to the Grassmarket seeing all the market stalls, watching some of the street shows.
Scotland has some great foods and its always funny introducing a friend to Haggis, which is national dish and is one of my favourite meals. Then let them try it and tell them about the ingredients after.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Well to start with l would like to dedicate it to my beautiful wife Tracy. I owe her so much as she’s always stood by me with my martial arts & acting, supporting me in so many ways. Knowing her love for me keeps me going strong. Finn McGregor for rekindling my passion for acting and Frank Gilhooley for helping me break through some life barriers on his acting master class. For my martial arts l dedicate Sensei’s Tommy Morris and Steven Morris for all the support, encouragement and the knowledge they have giving me through the years to help me get to where l am today.

Website: www.paullapsley.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paullapsleyactor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/paullapsley

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paullapsleyactor/

Other: https://www.spotlight.com/9258-8949-4308 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6608432/ https://www.tiktok.com/@paultheninja

Image Credits
Picture credits – Robert Pereira Hind Miroslaw Czubaszek Chris Quick Michael Gillen