A former boxer and his wife have opened a health food store in Hammersmith which aims to boost both physical and mental health. Health Defence, based in King Street, offers whole foods and organic produce as well as housing a gym where people can fitness train.
The shop was opened by Max and Ruth Wallace and is intended to be about more than just boxing classes. It also provides counselling, healthy eating advice, health checks, workshops, and even boasts a tranquil massage room. They run women-only training sessions focused on self-defence, stamina, and confidence building “all at the same time”.
Max, who celebrates his 60th birthday in May, has trained three British kickboxing champions with his unique ‘health defence’ system that incorporates martial arts “without the cuts and bruises”. “It all makes for a better world,” says Max, who has a history as a light-middleweight boxer with 10 professional fights under his belt.
The gym, located behind the shop, is a testament to his boxing roots. The entrance to the health food store is at 132 King Street, directly opposite the evolving Civic Campus, but to get to the gym, you’ll need to head to Albion Place, right next to Albion Court, W6 0QT.
Inside, the walls are adorned with images of Max’s boxing idol, Muhammad Ali, and framed motivational slogans, not to mention the punchbags and racks of gloves that complete the scene. Max has been on quite the journey with a 16-year history of working at a community centre in Shepherds Bush and running a stall at the local market, he found his true calling helping at-risk youth.
“But I realised that I could help youths, making a difference to young guys who were at risk of going the wrong way,” he shared. Many he’s mentored have since thrived, with one even building five-a-side football pitches.
Max, a former light-middleweight boxer with 10 professional fights to his name, in the gym behind the shop
(Image: Hammersmith and Fulham Council)
Life threw some tough times Max’s way too. At 21, the grief of losing his daughter to meningitis struck, and in 2013, a life-threatening burst appendix landed him in hospital for a week.
“I thought I was going to die,” Max recounted, but credited his survival to his core strength and faith in a higher power. This resilience and belief spurred him to create Health Defence.
Meanwhile, Ruth, 54, a former social worker and co-founder of Bushwhacker, oversees their newly established shop. It boasts a range of healthy products including seeds, grains, nuts, legumes, organic bread and fresh produce, catering especially to vegan, gluten-free and wheat-free diets—many items are exclusively available at their store.
They also offer a selection of eco-friendly supplements and remedies. “Health is part of our religion,” she stated.
Health Defence, the natural successor to Bushwacker, an ethical fairtrade outlet founded by Chris and Sunita Shipton 40 years ago, has evolved into more than just a gym and health food store. Initially launched in Shepherds Bush (which inspired its name) before relocating to King Street 30 years ago, this unique establishment now screens films, offers massages, runs healing courses, and even teaches plant-based cookery.
Max, the owner and a talented pencil artist who designed the shop’s ‘fist’ logo, shares his drawing skills with others. In 2023, he was honoured with a QPR Unsung Hero award for his community work and credits the support from Suzanne Noble and Mark Elliott at the government-funded Startup School for Seniors—which helps entrepreneurs aged 50+ start their businesses—as “a godsend”.
You can find Health Defence at 132 King Street, W6 0QU, open Monday-Thursday from 10am to 6pm, Friday from 10am to 3pm, and Sunday from 11am to 5pm, but it’s closed on Saturdays.
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