Martin was born and raised in Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland. He spent many years as a grassroots football and goalkeeping coach, volunteering with young children whilst working full-time in the sports and leisure industry. Having a stammer himself Martin knows first-hand how this can impact a coach which has inspired this story. Martin currently lives in Gateshead in the north of England with his wife Clare and their daughter, Jemima.