Brian Sterling-Vete (aka Brian Sterling, Brian Vete) (born 22 August 1958) is an English author, Guinness World Record Holder, motivational speaker, TV broadcaster, Director, Stage, Film and Television actor, stunt performer, martial arts expert, fitness expert and entrepreneur.
Early life
Brian Sterling-Vete was born in the Rusholme/Moss Side district of Manchester, England. He attended school at Heald Place County Primary and then Burnage High School (listed as notable alumni) before taking a 3-year degree course at Manchester Polytechnic, now Manchester Metropolitan University.
Prior to working in the TV and film industry, Sterling worked at multiple jobs including: selling books, as a demolition rigger, a nightclub bouncer, builder's apprentice, insurance sales, as a martial arts instructor, and as a gym instructor. Sterling bought a derelict gym in Rochdale, England and opened it as the Olympic Gym in 1980. This was successful until it was lost due to divorce in 1983.
Sterling began his career as a strength athlete in 1976 at the Apollo Gym on Deansgate in Manchester under senior bodybuilding coach, John Cupello. Sterling found some success in drug-free bodybuilding, competing in the National Amateur Body Building Association (NABBA) Junior Mr. North West, Junior Mr. Britain and Mr. Britain contests. Sterling set some acceptable lifts as a drug-free power lifter and strength athlete at 200 lbs bodyweight in 1980: squat 665 lbs x 1 rep, dead lift 525 lbs x 1 rep, bench press 405 lbs x 1 rep, seated press behind neck 225 lbs x 1 rep.
Career
Stuntman
Sterling began working as a TV & Film Stunt Performer when offered work on projects by the Mancunian author, songwriter, composer and film producer Cliff Twemlow. In 1987 and 1988 Sterling set new world records in fire stunts for part body burns with gasoline. The first successful world record attempt in 1987 was set at 2 minutes, 24 seconds and the second successful world record attempt in 1988, was for 2 minutes, 53 seconds. Both records were set at the Armalite (now Armatomic) research laboratory under the direction of Craig Mills, the inventor of the pre-burnt carbon fibre multi-layer stunt suit system.
Martial Arts
Sterling began martial arts training in 1970 at the Chi Yun Kung Fu Woy club in the Houldsworth Hall on Deansgate in Manchester under Sifu George Taylor (later under Master Chan), as part of the British Kung Fu Council. Sterling began training Muay Thai under Master Sken and Toddy from 1975 to 1980 and during that time he was instructor at Master Toddy's club in Rochdale, England. Sterling also trained in Aikdo, Dim Mak, Yawara and Karate.
Sterling currently holds 4 Black Belts, is a national, international and World class referee and team coach. He was entered into the Bushido Martial Arts Roll of Honour; and given a Lifetime Achievement award by the World Karate and Kickboxing Council. His grades and awards are in the following chronology: Pak Mei Kung Fu Black Sash Hsiu Lung Tao Kung Fu 1998 Senior Instructor World Karate and Kickboxing Association: 2002 National Coach, Class A 2004 International Referee, Class A Bushido Martial Arts Association 2009 5th Degree Black Belt 2011 Honorary Fellow World Karate and Kickboxing Council 2010 World Coach Class A 2010 World Referee Class A 2011 8th Degree Black Belt 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award Senior Coach to the English National Team for the World Championships 2013 International Referee Class A
Wrestling
Sterling travelled to Iceland in 1985 to wrestle the then 1-time winner of the World's Strongest Man contest, Jón Páll Sigmarsson. This was to promote a production of Claire Luckham's play, Trafford Tanzi produced by the Icelandic National Theatre. As a specialist strength and martial arts coach, Sterling helped to coach his new friend Jon Pall Sigmarsson in the martial arts and strength for another 3 World's Strongest Man wins.