The Bongo

I guess you're in the UK? If so, do college. At your age it's free. As for after college, do what youth allows. Have a go at fighting. You pay for uni whatever age you are. Nothing wrong in doing something in uni in your mid -20's+. I did a second degree in my 30's. I would not have been held back by a career as a fighter earlier on. As you get older, you begin to regret the things that you didn't do, far more than the things that you did. Good luck in your fight career!

Whatever the art, only you can truly answer your question. I'm 49. I train twice a day, twice a working week. With no work I'd be fine training twice, but then I've always had decent stamina. I train 9 to 10 1/2 hours per week with a physical job of 20+ hours hard physical work. If you have a desk job, build your strength with resistance training. You'll be amazed at what you can do.

Your instructor is a fool. Pad holding is a serious technique in its own right. He should have taught you how to kill the power in a kick with movement.

Excellent thread. We are us. We should express this; whoever we are. Explaining how we can do this through the medium of a sport we all love is invaluable.