Jordan Garnett’s life had reached its lowest point.

He had fallen out with his family, was increasingly getting into trouble and was facing a very bleak future.

In his words: “Life was rubbish for me.

“I got to the point where I was suicidal and struggling with my mental health really badly.”

And then he thought back to his teens.

Watching movies starring Jackie Chan, the Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist and stuntman, had inspired Jordan to take up martial arts from the age of 12.

He trained hard and ended up fighting in local and national events, notching up a number of successes.

Jordan said: “It was the only time I was happy and in control of my life.

“Back then it was to be cool, now it was to be able to look after myself.

“I decided to go back to my old gym and just get involved.

“It was to make myself feel better and try and improve my life.

“Something had to change and it was the only thing that was going to save me.

“It turned out I had learned quite a lot in my teen years and it wasn’t long before I was coaching classes and travelling around the UK competing again.

“I picked my life straight back up.

“The next thing I knew I had a team of 20 or 30 guys following me around saying ‘we want to compete, you taught us this, you taught us that’.

“Very quickly I was teaching most of the classes at my old gym and we had proper athletes at this point.

“I don’t know what happened but somehow I started to create gold medallists.

“They needed massages, protein and really looking after.”

Four years ago Jordan, who’s now 27, founded The Combat Lab.

Just under two years ago the martial arts and fitness centre relocated to a former bar in St Thomas Street, Weymouth.

Jordan said: “I went around every possible estate agent, person and friend until I found someone who was willing to trust a bunch of youngsters who were all depicted as cage fighters.

“Luckily, we found just such a company.

“We literally demolished the whole place and then rebuilt from the ground up.”

Today The Combat Lab, which also includes a health inspired cafe, recovery centre and massage room, has more than 200 members and welcomes thousands through its doors.

Its classes range from Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and NoGi wrestling to boxing and Muay Thai (ThaI boxing) including children’s and women’s classes.

It also has an abilities class arranged with Dorset Abilities Group and another run through The Lantern Trust helping vulnerable individuals.

Shelley Cunningham, Certified Massage Therapist at The Combat Lab.

Apart from wracking up an increasing number of medals for its members, The Combat Lab has established itself at the heart of community and – says Jordan – is turning around lives.

He said: “It’s just got busier and busier, especially since lockdown ended last year.

“We’re doing amazing things for the community every day.

“Outside of our local sportsmen and women winning on a national and international scale, we have huge effects on our community, the mental health and homeless sectors and working with young people to help them achieve goals.

“We turn our students into good members of the community and then they go out and achieve things.

“I’m influencing people, they’re influencing people and we’re turning lives around.

“It’s like a ripple effect.

“I call it the cream in the coffee and the cream is just floating to the top.

“You get in a room like this and see the dentist is on the floor having a chat with someone who’s got a court date next week.

“You think that those two would never speak but now that young lad who’s been getting into trouble has just been offered a job by the dentist.

“I just love it.”

The busiest times at The Combat Lab are Mondays to Wednesdays, after 4pm.

In addition to Jordan, other key members of the team include Paul Hines, Head Coach, who was formerly with London Shootfighters Gym, regarded as one of the world’s top mixed martial arts and combat sports gyms, and Ceri Walker, Head Thai Boxing Coach.

Despite its community track record Jordan said funding is a constant challenge for The Combat Lab.

He said: “It’s a nightmare and we’re constantly fighting for funding.

“We don’t get offered any.

“No-one rings us and says: ‘Oh I think what you’re doing is amazing.’

“We literally fund from our own pockets.

“We’ve just set up a CIC (Community Interest Company) so we can apply for a few more grants but it really is a battle.

“I’m a young businessman and I’m still learning, and that includes reaching out to the right people for funding.

“I admit I wasn’t the best kid growing up and that I was a mess.

“But I’ve sorted my life out and feel incredibly passionate – and proud – at what we’re doing here.”

• The Combat Lab is on Facebook and Instagram.