Campbell was first attracted to taekwondo as a child after watching The Karate Kid but initially struggled at the sport.

[2] Campbell qualified for the Olympics after winning the Featherweight (under 68 kg) category at the 2007 Oceania Qualification Tournament and won the Korean Open in July 2008.

[7] In July 2009 Campbell and his business partner, opened a brothel[8][9] in Auckland so he could finance his training towards his aim of competing at the 2012 Olympics in London, England.

[10] Prostitution in registered brothels is legal in New Zealand and Campbell described what he was opening as a high class escort agency.

[10] Campbell planned to take 2 years off from taekwondo in order to work full-time before returning to training in 2011; however it was reported that his choice of business might count against him in being selected for the 2012 Olympics.