Iron Minds Academy
The story behind
Iron Minds
Founded by Roy Bannister, Iron Minds Academy brings lived experience and practical activity together to help young people find a sense of direction.
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Who we are
Real experience.
A positive influence.
Iron Minds Academy was founded by Roy Bannister to put his own experience to positive use. He works directly with young people and shares what he has learned about changing habits, overcoming setbacks and finding something worth working towards.
Boxing and fitness offer a practical way to get involved. The purpose is to build relationships, make room for honest conversations and help young people see more possibilities for their future.
- Lived experience that gives the work its purpose.
- Boxing and fitness as a way to connect.
- Positive habits built through consistency.
Meet the founder
Roy Bannister’s story
A change of direction that became a reason to help others.
Roy Bannister
Founder, Iron Minds Academy
Finding a way to engage
Growing up in Wigan, Roy found school difficult. He struggled to connect with lessons and was eventually excluded. Discovering rugby as a teenager gave him something he enjoyed and wanted to commit to. Looking back, he sees that as an early sign of how the right activity can give a young person a reason to engage.
Building a different routine
Roy’s life went on to include addiction and time in the criminal justice system. He describes reaching a point when he wanted a different future and began rebuilding his life around health, family and purpose. Boxing and fitness became part of that change, helping him see the value of consistency.
Putting experience to use
Iron Minds grew from Roy’s wish to be a positive influence for young people. He uses boxing, circuit training and fitness as ways to get involved and begin building relationships. His own story is part of that work, shared with the purpose of showing that change is possible.
The purpose
Connection comes first
Roy wants young people to have opportunities to take part, be listened to and see their potential. His story and his practical work share that purpose.
Our work
We use boxing, fitness and lived experience to help young people build positive habits and find direction.
For organisations
Explore how Roy could work with your school, youth group or community organisation to support young people.