An ex-gangland hood is expanding his safe-haven wrestling school in the heart of the Scots community he once terrorised – and where his mother tragically took her own life.
David McCallum, better known as wrestler Ravie Davie, set up the Glasgow School of Wrestling in Govan, Glasgow, in October 2022, in a bid to turn his troubled past into a lifeline for young people at risk of following the same path.
The gym, which operated six days a week at Park Villa Sports Hub, offered kids a haven from the streets. However, as of March 1, the school will move to a new permanent home in the former Linthouse Church and Sanctuary Gym. The new facility is a large venue with potential to become not just a wrestling school, but an entertainment hub and safe space for the whole community.
For David, the cause is deeply personal – he once turned to gangs, drugs and alcohol to escape the grief of losing his mother to suicide when he was just a schoolboy.
He said: “My Mrs and I met on this street as kids and it is also around the corner from the house where my mother killed herself.
“These are the streets that I hung about all throughout my childhood – getting into trouble with gang fighting and drinking. Now I am the one putting clubs on in the heart of the community to help keep those kids out of trouble.
“I got very emotional when this went through. I was in tears of happiness knowing that my nana, who took care of me after my mum died, would be proud of me. I am helping the kids of Govan and I am seen as a hero to so many kids and parents.
“People used to talk about me because I was a wee a*****le, but now I am the most respected person in the whole of Govan.”
Now, at 30, he’s determined to make sure that young people facing similar struggles have a better way out. David hopes that this larger space will allow him to help even more people after owner, Mamun Rashid MBE, recognised his good work in the local area.
“We already have a massive footprint in Glasgow and the west, and he’s seen that and wanted to help. We believe this is going to be our forever home,” David said. “This gives us the opportunity to offer a safe space to even more kids and teens.
“I want to help everybody, not just the weans. I’m looking at those with disabilities, adults with poor mental health, teenagers from troubled backgrounds and eventually set up a charity to help kids who have lost their parents, like me.”
With its massive space and endless potential, David has big plans, including hosting events for 500 to 1,000 people, offering gym facilities, and creating a hub for youngsters to develop discipline, fitness, and confidence. But the move comes at a huge “six-figure” cost, come the end.
He continued: “It’s the most exciting, yet scariest thing I’ve ever done. When it finally went through, my heart was pumping out my chest.
“This is the biggest thing we have ever done. The financial commitment is massive. We have never asked for help before, but we have now set up a GoFundMe page to help fund the flooring, toilets, gym equipment and fire damage repairs. It’s embarrassing having to ask, but it’s not for me – it’s for all the kids, teens, and adults that benefit from it.”
Behind David’s success is the woman who never gave up on him – his partner, Georgia Nisbet.
“My partner Georgia is the brains of the operation, I’m just the beauty,” he laughed. “At first, although she always supported me, she was pushing me to get a steady income. There would be some woman who would get fed up with constantly paying for their man’s dinner, but she always stuck by me.
“Most women would have pushed me to change my path. Her patience is the reason we are now able to help so many kids. ”
To donate to their GoFundMe, visit their page.
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