Zak Sylvester

Founder, Beyond The Cage

Beyond The Cage is a platform that connects inspiring male role models with schools, councils, and communities, giving boys the belonging, resilience, and purpose they need, while helping institutions and funders deliver real impact.

About Zak

Zak is a consultant, filmmaker and social entrepreneur dedicated to tackling the crisis facing young men today. His career spans elite sport psychology, education, and storytelling, giving him a unique ability to connect institutions, funders, and communities.

As the eldest of four siblings, Zak has always cared deeply about offering the best guidance possible to those who look up to him. He has been fortunate to have incredible role models in his own life, and believes strongly that prevention is better than cure, using positive stories and lived examples to inspire young men to make good choices.

  • Founder of Beyond The Cage – building a national platform that connects male role models with schools, councils, and funders. Featured projects include, Fighting Chance Fridays - a partnership with Morecambe FC Community Foundation & Shay Walsh MMA to reduce anti-social behaviour and build youth resilience.

  • Director & Producer of Social Impact Films – including A Journey to Greatness, the acclaimed documentary on MMA World Champion Shay Walsh, now used as a resource in schools and youth programmes.

  • Background in Elite Sport – Zak has worked directly with professional athletes, coaches, and sports organisations, shaping projects around resilience, purpose, and identity. He is a black-belt martial artist in kick-boxing and the founder of EA5 Guided Audios for Athletes - giving athletes a safe space to relax, reflect, and recover.

  • Consultant & Facilitator – experienced in advising institutions, athletes, and community organisations on brand, culture, and career transition, with a focus on helping young men find belonging and direction. Zak delivers keynote addresses and school talks.

  • Advocate for Male Wellbeing – Zak graduated in Psychology from the University of Birmingham and focuses on aligning BTC with academic research (British Psychological Society Male Psychology Section) and grassroots initiatives, ensuring programmes are evidence-led and community-rooted.

How We Work

Every community is different. That’s why all of our programmes are designed in partnership from the start. We begin by listening and taking time to understand your community, your goals, and the challenges young men and boys are facing. We then curate the right role models and co-design programmes that fit your needs, whether that’s workshops, mentoring, or long-term pathways. We bring authentic voices into your setting and track outcomes carefully, so you can see the real impact being made.

"I very much look forward to speaking with you about how we can help to create real impact in your community"

Zak Sylvester

View Our Resources

Creativity and Courage: Finding Meaning Through Making

Explore how creativity builds courage, confidence and connection. Director, Editor, and former Musician Peter Bromfield joins Zak Sylvester to discuss finding meaning through making.

Creativity and Courage: Finding Meaning Through Making

Explore how creativity builds courage, confidence and connection. Director, Editor, and former Musician Peter Bromfield joins Zak Sylvester to discuss finding meaning through making.

Creativity and Courage: Finding Meaning Through Making

Explore how creativity builds courage, confidence and connection. Director, Editor, and former Musician Peter Bromfield joins Zak Sylvester to discuss finding meaning through making.

Creativity and Courage: Finding Meaning Through Making

Explore how creativity builds courage, confidence and connection. Director, Editor, and former Musician Peter Bromfield joins Zak Sylvester to discuss finding meaning through making.

Life Beyond the Cage: Finding a Greater Purpose

Explore life after a career-ending injury - and how resilience, support and community helped Shay Walsh find a greater purpose beyond the cage.

Shay Walsh

Life Beyond the Cage: Finding a Greater Purpose

Explore life after a career-ending injury - and how resilience, support and community helped Shay Walsh find a greater purpose beyond the cage.

Shay Walsh

Life Beyond the Cage: Finding a Greater Purpose

Explore life after a career-ending injury - and how resilience, support and community helped Shay Walsh find a greater purpose beyond the cage.

Shay Walsh

Life Beyond the Cage: Finding a Greater Purpose

Explore life after a career-ending injury - and how resilience, support and community helped Shay Walsh find a greater purpose beyond the cage.

Shay Walsh

Life After Sport: Navigating Identity and Purpose Beyond Competition

Explore the identity crisis athletes face after sport and how to rebuild purpose, belonging and meaning with psychologist Steven Sylvester.

Steven Sylvester

Life After Sport: Navigating Identity and Purpose Beyond Competition

Explore the identity crisis athletes face after sport and how to rebuild purpose, belonging and meaning with psychologist Steven Sylvester.

Steven Sylvester

Life After Sport: Navigating Identity and Purpose Beyond Competition

Explore the identity crisis athletes face after sport and how to rebuild purpose, belonging and meaning with psychologist Steven Sylvester.

Steven Sylvester

Life After Sport: Navigating Identity and Purpose Beyond Competition

Explore the identity crisis athletes face after sport and how to rebuild purpose, belonging and meaning with psychologist Steven Sylvester.

Steven Sylvester

Why I Started: Conversations That Matter

Zak Sylvester shares the personal story that inspired Conversations That Matter, a new webinar series honouring Ricky Hatton’s legacy through real stories and honest conversations.

Zak Sylvester

Why I Started: Conversations That Matter

Zak Sylvester shares the personal story that inspired Conversations That Matter, a new webinar series honouring Ricky Hatton’s legacy through real stories and honest conversations.

Zak Sylvester

Why I Started: Conversations That Matter

Zak Sylvester shares the personal story that inspired Conversations That Matter, a new webinar series honouring Ricky Hatton’s legacy through real stories and honest conversations.

Zak Sylvester

Why I Started: Conversations That Matter

Zak Sylvester shares the personal story that inspired Conversations That Matter, a new webinar series honouring Ricky Hatton’s legacy through real stories and honest conversations.

Zak Sylvester

Taking Action Daily: A Real Community For Young Men

Founder Zak Sylvester shares the vision behind Take Action Daily, a community helping young men build resilience, purpose and belonging through daily action, reflection and support.

Zak Sylvester

Taking Action Daily: A Real Community For Young Men

Founder Zak Sylvester shares the vision behind Take Action Daily, a community helping young men build resilience, purpose and belonging through daily action, reflection and support.

Zak Sylvester

Taking Action Daily: A Real Community For Young Men

Founder Zak Sylvester shares the vision behind Take Action Daily, a community helping young men build resilience, purpose and belonging through daily action, reflection and support.

Zak Sylvester

Taking Action Daily: A Real Community For Young Men

Founder Zak Sylvester shares the vision behind Take Action Daily, a community helping young men build resilience, purpose and belonging through daily action, reflection and support.

Zak Sylvester

Sport as a Safe Space: Inspiration as Intervention Series

The literature is unambiguous: sport can provide the safe spaces young people need to thrive, but only if programmes are intentional and relational. Positive role models with long-term development pathways are the cornerstones of effective intervention.

Zak Sylvester

Sport as a Safe Space: Inspiration as Intervention Series

The literature is unambiguous: sport can provide the safe spaces young people need to thrive, but only if programmes are intentional and relational. Positive role models with long-term development pathways are the cornerstones of effective intervention.

Zak Sylvester

Sport as a Safe Space: Inspiration as Intervention Series

The literature is unambiguous: sport can provide the safe spaces young people need to thrive, but only if programmes are intentional and relational. Positive role models with long-term development pathways are the cornerstones of effective intervention.

Zak Sylvester

Sport as a Safe Space: Inspiration as Intervention Series

The literature is unambiguous: sport can provide the safe spaces young people need to thrive, but only if programmes are intentional and relational. Positive role models with long-term development pathways are the cornerstones of effective intervention.

Zak Sylvester

Why Doing Less Can Help You Achieve More

World Champion and physiotherapist Robbie Wells shares how doing less, more often, can transform consistency, movement, and mindset ahead of his upcoming Beyond the Cage webinar.

Robbie Wells

Why Doing Less Can Help You Achieve More

World Champion and physiotherapist Robbie Wells shares how doing less, more often, can transform consistency, movement, and mindset ahead of his upcoming Beyond the Cage webinar.

Robbie Wells

Why Doing Less Can Help You Achieve More

World Champion and physiotherapist Robbie Wells shares how doing less, more often, can transform consistency, movement, and mindset ahead of his upcoming Beyond the Cage webinar.

Robbie Wells

Why Doing Less Can Help You Achieve More

World Champion and physiotherapist Robbie Wells shares how doing less, more often, can transform consistency, movement, and mindset ahead of his upcoming Beyond the Cage webinar.

Robbie Wells

Movement as Inspiration: An Interview with Ambassador Robbie Wells

Discover how movement sparks transformation in young men. Ambassador Robbie Wells shares why the 7-Day Physical Commitment Challenge inside Take Action Daily is the perfect entry point for support, accountability, and real change.

Robbie Wells

Movement as Inspiration: An Interview with Ambassador Robbie Wells

Discover how movement sparks transformation in young men. Ambassador Robbie Wells shares why the 7-Day Physical Commitment Challenge inside Take Action Daily is the perfect entry point for support, accountability, and real change.

Robbie Wells

Movement as Inspiration: An Interview with Ambassador Robbie Wells

Discover how movement sparks transformation in young men. Ambassador Robbie Wells shares why the 7-Day Physical Commitment Challenge inside Take Action Daily is the perfect entry point for support, accountability, and real change.

Robbie Wells

Movement as Inspiration: An Interview with Ambassador Robbie Wells

Discover how movement sparks transformation in young men. Ambassador Robbie Wells shares why the 7-Day Physical Commitment Challenge inside Take Action Daily is the perfect entry point for support, accountability, and real change.

Robbie Wells

Beyond Recovery: A Conversation with Robbie Wells

”Physiotherapist and World Champion Robbie Wells reveals why resilience comes from values, patience, and support, lessons that go far beyond recovery.” - Online Webinar

Robbie Wells

Beyond Recovery: A Conversation with Robbie Wells

”Physiotherapist and World Champion Robbie Wells reveals why resilience comes from values, patience, and support, lessons that go far beyond recovery.” - Online Webinar

Robbie Wells

Beyond Recovery: A Conversation with Robbie Wells

”Physiotherapist and World Champion Robbie Wells reveals why resilience comes from values, patience, and support, lessons that go far beyond recovery.” - Online Webinar

Robbie Wells

Beyond Recovery: A Conversation with Robbie Wells

”Physiotherapist and World Champion Robbie Wells reveals why resilience comes from values, patience, and support, lessons that go far beyond recovery.” - Online Webinar

Robbie Wells

Connecting research to real-world solutions for young men

“Beyond The Cage connects role models with young men, tackling a crisis of belonging with evidence-backed solutions that deliver real impact.”

Zak Sylvester

Connecting research to real-world solutions for young men

“Beyond The Cage connects role models with young men, tackling a crisis of belonging with evidence-backed solutions that deliver real impact.”

Zak Sylvester

Connecting research to real-world solutions for young men

“Beyond The Cage connects role models with young men, tackling a crisis of belonging with evidence-backed solutions that deliver real impact.”

Zak Sylvester

Connecting research to real-world solutions for young men

“Beyond The Cage connects role models with young men, tackling a crisis of belonging with evidence-backed solutions that deliver real impact.”

Zak Sylvester

Why I Coach

Discover Andrew’s philosophy of Embracing the Friction, how leaning into life’s challenges can build resilience, clarity, and calm.

Andrew Zair

Why I Coach

Discover Andrew’s philosophy of Embracing the Friction, how leaning into life’s challenges can build resilience, clarity, and calm.

Andrew Zair

Why I Coach

Discover Andrew’s philosophy of Embracing the Friction, how leaning into life’s challenges can build resilience, clarity, and calm.

Andrew Zair

Why I Coach

Discover Andrew’s philosophy of Embracing the Friction, how leaning into life’s challenges can build resilience, clarity, and calm.

Andrew Zair

Fighting Chance Fridays: Morecambe FC Community Foundation x Shay Walsh MMA

Beyond The Cage helped Shay Walsh MMA and Morecambe FC Foundation transform pilot funding into Fighting Chance Fridays - reducing anti-social behaviour and building youth resilience.

Shay Walsh

Fighting Chance Fridays: Morecambe FC Community Foundation x Shay Walsh MMA

Beyond The Cage helped Shay Walsh MMA and Morecambe FC Foundation transform pilot funding into Fighting Chance Fridays - reducing anti-social behaviour and building youth resilience.

Shay Walsh

Fighting Chance Fridays: Morecambe FC Community Foundation x Shay Walsh MMA

Beyond The Cage helped Shay Walsh MMA and Morecambe FC Foundation transform pilot funding into Fighting Chance Fridays - reducing anti-social behaviour and building youth resilience.

Shay Walsh

Fighting Chance Fridays: Morecambe FC Community Foundation x Shay Walsh MMA

Beyond The Cage helped Shay Walsh MMA and Morecambe FC Foundation transform pilot funding into Fighting Chance Fridays - reducing anti-social behaviour and building youth resilience.

Shay Walsh

A World Champion Mindset: A Conversation with Corey Cain

“World Champion Corey Cain shares how martial arts builds resilience, discipline, and confidence, lessons that go far beyond the cage.”

Corey Cain

A World Champion Mindset: A Conversation with Corey Cain

“World Champion Corey Cain shares how martial arts builds resilience, discipline, and confidence, lessons that go far beyond the cage.”

Corey Cain

A World Champion Mindset: A Conversation with Corey Cain

“World Champion Corey Cain shares how martial arts builds resilience, discipline, and confidence, lessons that go far beyond the cage.”

Corey Cain

A World Champion Mindset: A Conversation with Corey Cain

“World Champion Corey Cain shares how martial arts builds resilience, discipline, and confidence, lessons that go far beyond the cage.”

Corey Cain

Official Documentary: A Journey To Greatness - The Untold Story of Shay Walsh

Discover the untold story of Shay Walsh, Lancaster’s MMA World Champion, who turned a career-ending injury into a journey of resilience and purpose.

Shay Walsh

Official Documentary: A Journey To Greatness - The Untold Story of Shay Walsh

Discover the untold story of Shay Walsh, Lancaster’s MMA World Champion, who turned a career-ending injury into a journey of resilience and purpose.

Shay Walsh

Official Documentary: A Journey To Greatness - The Untold Story of Shay Walsh

Discover the untold story of Shay Walsh, Lancaster’s MMA World Champion, who turned a career-ending injury into a journey of resilience and purpose.

Shay Walsh

Official Documentary: A Journey To Greatness - The Untold Story of Shay Walsh

Discover the untold story of Shay Walsh, Lancaster’s MMA World Champion, who turned a career-ending injury into a journey of resilience and purpose.

Shay Walsh

UFC Champion Alexander Volkanovski on A Journey to Greatness - Inspiration as Intervention Series

“UFC Champion Alexander Volkanovski reflects on Shay Walsh’s journey, praising his purpose, identity, and lasting impact beyond the cage.”

Shay Walsh

UFC Champion Alexander Volkanovski on A Journey to Greatness - Inspiration as Intervention Series

“UFC Champion Alexander Volkanovski reflects on Shay Walsh’s journey, praising his purpose, identity, and lasting impact beyond the cage.”

Shay Walsh

UFC Champion Alexander Volkanovski on A Journey to Greatness - Inspiration as Intervention Series

“UFC Champion Alexander Volkanovski reflects on Shay Walsh’s journey, praising his purpose, identity, and lasting impact beyond the cage.”

Shay Walsh

UFC Champion Alexander Volkanovski on A Journey to Greatness - Inspiration as Intervention Series

“UFC Champion Alexander Volkanovski reflects on Shay Walsh’s journey, praising his purpose, identity, and lasting impact beyond the cage.”

Shay Walsh

EA5 App | Guided Audios for Athletes

Relax deeply, recover faster, and stay composed under pressure with audios built for sport and life.

Zak Sylvester

EA5 App | Guided Audios for Athletes

Relax deeply, recover faster, and stay composed under pressure with audios built for sport and life.

Zak Sylvester

EA5 App | Guided Audios for Athletes

Relax deeply, recover faster, and stay composed under pressure with audios built for sport and life.

Zak Sylvester

EA5 App | Guided Audios for Athletes

Relax deeply, recover faster, and stay composed under pressure with audios built for sport and life.

Zak Sylvester

The 5-Day Mindset Antibiotic: Tackling Panic and Anxiety in Modern Football

Chartered Psychologist Steven Sylvester presented his 5-Day Mindset Antibiotic at the ECA Women’s High Performance Advisory Group meeting at Paris Saint-Germain, a breakthrough approach helping footballers overcome panic, anxiety, and perform with freedom.

Steven Sylvester

The 5-Day Mindset Antibiotic: Tackling Panic and Anxiety in Modern Football

Chartered Psychologist Steven Sylvester presented his 5-Day Mindset Antibiotic at the ECA Women’s High Performance Advisory Group meeting at Paris Saint-Germain, a breakthrough approach helping footballers overcome panic, anxiety, and perform with freedom.

Steven Sylvester

The 5-Day Mindset Antibiotic: Tackling Panic and Anxiety in Modern Football

Chartered Psychologist Steven Sylvester presented his 5-Day Mindset Antibiotic at the ECA Women’s High Performance Advisory Group meeting at Paris Saint-Germain, a breakthrough approach helping footballers overcome panic, anxiety, and perform with freedom.

Steven Sylvester

The 5-Day Mindset Antibiotic: Tackling Panic and Anxiety in Modern Football

Chartered Psychologist Steven Sylvester presented his 5-Day Mindset Antibiotic at the ECA Women’s High Performance Advisory Group meeting at Paris Saint-Germain, a breakthrough approach helping footballers overcome panic, anxiety, and perform with freedom.

Steven Sylvester

Embracing Fear

"We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Robbie Wells

Embracing Fear

"We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Robbie Wells

Embracing Fear

"We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Robbie Wells

Embracing Fear

"We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Robbie Wells

We Are Psychologists: A Film Celebrating Curiosity, Compassion, and Care

Chartered Psychologist Steven Sylvester reflects on the honour of featuring in the British Psychological Society’s film We Are Psychologists alongside his son Zak, celebrating compassion, curiosity, and the power of psychology to create real-world impact.

Steven Sylvester

We Are Psychologists: A Film Celebrating Curiosity, Compassion, and Care

Chartered Psychologist Steven Sylvester reflects on the honour of featuring in the British Psychological Society’s film We Are Psychologists alongside his son Zak, celebrating compassion, curiosity, and the power of psychology to create real-world impact.

Steven Sylvester

We Are Psychologists: A Film Celebrating Curiosity, Compassion, and Care

Chartered Psychologist Steven Sylvester reflects on the honour of featuring in the British Psychological Society’s film We Are Psychologists alongside his son Zak, celebrating compassion, curiosity, and the power of psychology to create real-world impact.

Steven Sylvester

We Are Psychologists: A Film Celebrating Curiosity, Compassion, and Care

Chartered Psychologist Steven Sylvester reflects on the honour of featuring in the British Psychological Society’s film We Are Psychologists alongside his son Zak, celebrating compassion, curiosity, and the power of psychology to create real-world impact.

Steven Sylvester