A former Royal Marine who took an unconventional career direction after leaving the military has made a success of his two very different businesses.

Adam Lison from Lympstone spent 22 years with the Marines and had never had to earn a living in the civilian world. But he is now running a clinic offering the Bowen Technique therapy, and a martial arts academy, teaching Brazilian Jiujitsu.

With no previous business experience, Adam admits that he had to learn as he went along, but a year on, both operations are now flourishing. The Devon Bowen Clinic, based near Topsham, now has more than 100 regular clients, receiving treatment for issues ranging from headaches and migraines to muscular and skeletal conditions. Mahara Jiujitsu, based in Lympstone Youth Hut, runs four classes a week, and has 20 regular students who attend up to three weekly classes.

He said: “I decided to do something completely different from what was the normal stereotype of what a service leaver does with work, ie going into tradesman work, health and safety, or project management.

“I have never been any good at DIY or building, and had had enough of project managing and the health and safety side of things from my time in the Marines.

“I had spent the first half of my career fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the second half of my career as a physical training instructor, a job that incorporates physical training programs, building management, event organisation and running a gym, so I wanted a job that took me away from the things I had previously done.

“I had no idea what company or business could provide this for me so I decided to become self-employed and do it myself.  

“I had no idea how to run my own business, but from sturdy guidance from friends and specifically my father (previously a business consultant for some big corporations like IBM and Raytheon, and my mother who has been in the Holistic Therapy space for nearly 20 years), managed to grow a successful clinic where I practise the Bowen technique and deep tissue massage/sports massage.”

He said the Brazilian Jiujitsu academy was more of a last-minute idea.

“I went on terminal leave from the forces in January 2022 last year. One of my good friends was leaving the military to take over the role as the head coach of one of the biggest MMA gyms in the UK, SBG Manchester. He suggested that I teach BJJ for a living as every Commando Unit I had been drafted to, I set up a Dojo so that I could train and teach Jiujitsu.

“I said that was a great idea, enquired locally for some spaces to set up in, luckily the Lympstone Youth hut was available and I started teaching my first class on 9 Feb 2022.”

Exmouth Journal: Adam with some of his Jiujitsu students

Adam said he would advise anyone leaving the forces to think about what they would really enjoy doing, rather than taking the easiest option.

He said: “Don’t be scared to step out your comfort zone and do something you would never normally do; life is about trial and error, if you don’t try then you will always regret not giving it a go.

“In hindsight I wish I had done something as a back-up in case everything I wanted to do fell down, so doing a few courses in other areas and  getting qualified will only amplify your skills.

“Be bold in your aspirations, think big, have a five-year or even a 10-year plan to where you see yourself in that time, and slowly aim and work towards it. In another three years for instance I would like to have increased my student and client base and opened my own BJJ facility and therapy space.

“At the end of the day your happiness and your life is dictated on your terms, don’t be scared to just do it.”

Exmouth Journal: Adam Lison at his Jiujitsu academy

For more information, visit www.devonbowenclinic.co.uk and www.mahara-Jiujitsu.com