Martin was born in Birmingham, and educated at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School and the University of Northumbria. Whilst playing for the Tunbridge Wells Minis, Martin got his first taste of rugby, which led him to play for Newcastle Gosforth and Bristol Bears. In 1997, Martin then moved to Leicester Tigers.
As one of Leicester Tiger’s integral players, he directly influenced their success in the early 2000s, including the Heineken Cup finals in 2001 and 2002. After the former captain’s retired, Martin took up the role in 2005, leading to his retirement in 2009. Whilst under his leadership, the team won the Premiership three times. Internationally, Martin’s dominant playing style led him to captain England for two Six Nations matches.
In 2007, Martin was a member of the Ashton's Rugby World Cup squad, in which the team made it to the final, hosted in Paris. Two years later, he announced his retirement from professional rugby following the 2008 and 2009 season. Martin’s final contribution to rugby was captaining the Barbarians to a 33 - 26 victory, on the 30th of May, 2009.
Over the course of his career, Martin earned 64 caps for England and was an integral figure of the English World Cup winning squad in 2003. Celebrated for his leadership qualities, he was honoured for his contribution to rugby with the 2004 Professional Rugby Players Association Player of the Season Awards. Within the same year, he was awarded an MBE for his services to sport. Popular on the motivational speaking circuit, Martin’s passion for rugby and personal development is palpable through his speeches. Audiences who are privileged to his story, come away with an enlightened view of the journey to success, as Martin offers his personal strategies to cultivate peak performance.
