'Being able to teach wrestling is incredible'

Joseph Conners says he has wrestled professionally in 12 countries but is now teaching others

"We've seen people truly evolve in their personalities and also their athletic abilities," says professional wrestler Joseph Conners.

The 37-year-old has travelled the world during his 18-year career and is now passing on the skills he has learned to others.

Mr Conners is the head coach at the Elevation Wrestling Academy in Loughborough, which he describes as "a real passion project".

"There's people on our shows who, when I first met them, literally couldn't do a forward roll," he tells the BBC.

"Now they're performing in front of hundreds of people and doing a hell of a job doing it as well.

"That is something I'm immensely proud of and that's not just all down to me, that's down to the people themselves."

'I'm still learning'

The Elevation Academy has a 16ft (5m) professional wrestling ring which is surrounded by crash mats.

He said: "We've built it up since April. It was basically a place just spray painting cars and now it's our little mini wrestling performance centre."

Mr Conners says being able to pass on things that he has learned in a trade that he loves is "incredible", adding: "I'm still learning every day."

Elevation Wrestling is hosting two events over the weekend, first at Brockington College in Enderby on Saturday and secondly at Coalville Labour Club on Sunday.

The shows will feature former WWE UK stars such as the East End Butcher, Shar Samuels, Millie Mackenzie and tag team the Hunter Brothers.

Also featuring in the events are what Mr Conners describes as "Elevation homegrown talent" including Rory Davis, textbook Dave Breaks and Ricky Regan.

'Like a superhero'

Mr Conners says it has been "awesome" to see both young and older adults come through the academy.

"Wrestling very much projects confidence," he said. "But like a lot of people in today's society, even myself, we all suffer with forms of anxiety and self-confidence issues.

"But wrestling gives you that opportunity - it's a bit like being a superhero or a supervillain."

Mr Conners believes wrestling is not an easy skill to learn but the rewards and benefits are "amazing".

"It's like anything," he said.

"If you're learning to take a penalty in football and you put it through the net, it's the same hitting the ropes, learning how to fall, learning how to do a slam, all these kind of little accomplishments - and seeing people buzz from all ages, all walks of life, all backgrounds, all genders, that is what I'm doing it for."