CUNG LE
As you might already know Cung uses Sanshou techniques to dominate his opponents. Sanshou means “Free Hand” or traditionally, Sparring is called Sanda which means “Free Fighting”. It’s a mixture of various Kung-Fu styles rolled into one. Kinda like how the Soviets created their Sambo or how MMA has evolved in North America.
Naturally, Kung-Fu practitioners gravitate towards Cung because of the connection. And we’re not any different. We’ve been following Cung’s career for a long time and always appreciated how well he applied the principles of Kung-Fu in competitions.
That said, when the opportunity presented itself to train privately and have him come down as a guest of honour at our annual Fight Camp, we couldn’t pass it up. With Cung’s help, we’ll be training and preparing our fighters for national level competitions and getting them ready for the Canadian Olympic Team try-outs for Sanshou.
Apart from Cung’s awesome skill, what impressed me the most about him is; he’s one of the most down to earth guys I’ve ever met. A true martial artist.
CECIL PEOPLES
Apart from being a referee and judge during many MMA events, he’s also doing a string of reality shows and trains alot of stars in the Los Angeles area. I’m talking about the one and only Cecil Peoples. Before getting to meet him, Bob Wall related a story about him during his early referee days.
He was a referee during a Thai Boxing match between an American and a Thai in which the American was winning. Nobody likes to lose to a foreigner especially when the sport you’re competing in is native to your country.
Out of frustration the Thai fighter started *accidentally* kicking the American Fighter in the groin. 2 Warnings later, Cecil stops the fight. Declaring the American, the winner. Out of anger the Thai Fighter tried to kick Cecil in the head. Cecil deflected it and knocked him out with one punch. Very seldom do we see the Ref doing the knocking out part. So that was my introduction to Cecil Peoples.
This guy is tough and has been there, done that. I was always taught to be immune to criticism or praise. Believing neither one was good for my development. But when a guy like Cecil compliments you on your speed & power in front of a group of experienced fighters, I can’t help but take it at heart.
What impresses me the most about Cecil is his magnetic personality on the teaching floor, his openness and approachability and the sincerity in his heart both on and off the mat.
DAN INOSANTO
Growing up my father exposed me to as many different masters as possible. You can say my upbringing was a little different than most kids my age.
The desk in my bedroom was stacked with books and tapes from various martial art masters from around the world since the age of 6. I was modeling Dan Inosanto in my living room while the other 6 years olds were playing with their G.I Joes.
You know what they say about a child’s mind and how fertile it is between the ages of 2 and 6. It’s the ideal time to teach them anything and they will absorb it like little sponges.
But I wasn’t learning arithmetic or a third language, I was expanding my martial art skills. My father instilled in me the importance of being a Self-Leader. Therefore I realized early on that my success as a martial artist was MY responsibility, my discovery, my journey.
I consider Dan Inosanto my friend because of the influence he had on me at a very young age. A teacher’s influence can go a long way, so far actually that the teacher can’t really tell where it starts and where it ends, and in my case, in another country, thousands of miles away.
His level of skill with weapons always amazed me. I can’t even begin to count the amount of hours I spent modeling him. Naturally when my father brought me to him back in 1986 I was very excited. I was the only kid there and I had a chance to work with him personally.
He taught me an energy drill that I would later expand into an 8 variation drill to dramatically increase hand speed and trapping hands skills.
I took what he gave me and ran with it. He taught me one concept and I applied it. Over the course of his career he has planted thousands of knowledge seeds, many I’m sure fell on infertile soil while others successfully bloomed.
Mine did and not a day goes by where I don’t metaphorically water it and preserve it. Your martial art skills need to be tended to daily or else they will wither away.
DON “THE DRAGON” WILSON
Even in his 50s he’s still moving like a 20 year old. So much for people saying: “Oh I’m too old to start martial arts” and often times that’s coming from a 30 year old’s mouth.
Don obviously gets it. It’s about the FEELING. After all these years, it still makes him feel good. And I hope it’s the same for you.
Martial arts training has a special way of releasing harmful stress, it builds confidence by learning how to control your mind and body, nobody likes to feel out of control especially when your weight is concerned and the same is true about your thoughts.
Training will simultaneously take care of both. It’s only a matter of time before regular, consistent practice torches fat off your body, rids it of stiffness and pain, replenishes your energy levels, and stops you from thinking you’re “too old” too soon.
Don can still step into a ring with a 20 year old and show him a good round. I absolutely love it.
In life you can either produce Reasons or Results. And we all know Reasons don’t count. You can come up with all sorts of reasons why you can’t do something. You can even go around telling people what you used to be able to do. Doesn’t matter. All that matters is the results you can still produce.
Thank You Don for the inspiration and leading by example.
MATT FUREY
People either love him or hate him. You know why people hate him? Envy and Jealousy.
Why? Because he actually took action and thought about promoting Bodyweight Only Exercises way before anybody else thought about it. He didn’t invent Body Weight Exercises I agree but he’s the one responsible for resurrecting it on a grand scale.
For 35 years we’ve been developing our Bodyweight Only Programs with great success in our schools but Matt took it a step further, he used a powerful tool to spread the gospel, and this way before anybody else: The Internet.
Matt has a knack for clearly communicating his message and predicting trends before they hit the main stream. I consider Matt a friend for inspiring me and acting as a catalyst to build our on-line presence and using the power of the mind to attract anything and everything my heart desires.
GENE LEBELL
Gene Lebell is the last of a dying breed. Before meeting him I could just imagine how the strongmen of old and the oldtime wrestlers would interact. Imagine no more.
I’m blessed and honored to know him and call him a friend. Dubbed the “Godfather of Grappling” there is no other authentic source for Grappler’s out there.
I can just imagine his level of skill and strength when he was in his 20s. What I like about this school is even within their grappling they do not limit themselves to one style. Not just Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or not just Judo.
They borrow from all styles aforementioned as well as Sambo and Catch Wrestling. Something else I found interesting is the way he’s always testing you. Testing your sense of humor. Testing if you’ll stand up for yourself.
A real character of a man, unique in every sense. When my father spent some time at his house in L.A. they spent most of their time arguing over which bike was the best. Gene says: Honda, my dad says: Harley Davidson.
I guess it depends for what you’re going to use them for. Just like martial art styles I guess. When I first met Gene and got to talking he told me something I’ll never forget: “You’re only young for a little while, then you’re old for a long time”. Seize the moment.
Train hard while you can and have no regrets. Thank You Gene.
LEO FONG
Leo epitomizes what a martial artist should look like in his 80s. Not just from a physical stand point but mentally and internally as well.
There is a very narrow window in the life of a martial artist where many men, and some women, have a desire to fight in a ring or cage to measure themselves to another person. Something Leo recalls quite fondly back in his younger Boxing days.
But at a certain point in your martial art training you grow out of that phase and into an another. The “Preservation Stage”. You want to focus on extending your life not cutting it short. I won’t go through everything Leo does but it has to do with energy work.
The kind that we teach in our Neigong Training. Remember some activites as well as some foods rob us of energy and some, replenish our energy supply.
Daily practice of key Neigong movements will make a great difference in how you feel, your level of power, calmness, and vitality. Leo sure does exude that. If I can move like Leo when I’m his age I’ll be really happy.
You’re an inspiration!
ANTHONY KLEEMAN
My father put a stick in my hands for me to learn as soon as I could walk. I felt right at home and comfortable working with Doce Pares Master Instructor, Anthony Kleeman. It was like meeting a close cousin, many of the concepts and techniques were very similar to Fang Shen Do.
Anthony has a world of knowledge when it comes to Filipino Weaponry and hand to hand combat (he’s also a Black Belt under Benny “the Jet” Urquidez)
My plans are to work with Anthony even more in the coming months and you might get to meet him at our next Weapon Camp coming up later this year.
NORBERT SHIFFER
Norbert is a close friend of my dad’s and runs the annual Budo Gala in Europe, one of the largest Martial Art shows in the world (with 32,000 spectators 2 years ago!), an event we will be presenting at next year.
He also owns most of the martial art magazines in Europe. Norbert personally knows Dolph Lundgren, Fumio Demura and Jean-Claude Van Damme as well as a host of other martial art Celebrities. Norbert will be my key contact for traveling to Japan next year to work with Fumio privately.
Having key people in place for your business is very important and the same is true of your training partners in the martial arts. Your results are directly related to the quality people you work with.
Make sure they are the very best. Danke schön dunke sheon Norbert!
JEAN-YVES THERIAULT
Jean-Yves Theriault is a class act and someone we respect as a fighter and what he has done for the sport of Kickboxing in Canada.
My brother Sifu Stephane runs a school alongside the Therien Kickboxing and Ju-Jitsu System in Orleans with special guest Jean-Yves Theriault as head kickboxing coach.
Throughout my travels around the world I always test Jean-Yves’s name in different circles and without a doubt he is still recognized and praised as being one of the best kickboxers the world has ever seen.
We wish him continued success and many more years of bringing our young fighters up through the ranks and becoming champions of their own.
MASTER GUANG XING
Thanks to Raf I finally got to meet the 14 th Generation successor to the famous monk Tie-Song Tzi: Master Guang Xing.
There’s something about those old masters, the glow in their face and their general sense of happiness and serenity that leaves you intrigued and wanting to know more. My time spent with him was very rewarding energetically.
I’ve planned for many more trips to China to repeat the experience and continue my apprenticeship as well as mastery of the art of Wudang Neigong. The gifts I’ve received from him and his wife hang proudly in my office and bedroom.
We will meet again soon.
BOB WALL
Bob Wall was one of the pioneers of martial arts back in the 60s. Along with his partner, Chuck Norris they owned 182 schools.
Bob Wall authored the first “Who’s Who in the Martial Arts” back in 1975. A sort of reference to martial art styles and instructors who’ve made an impact in the martial arts world.
You’ll find names like: Bruce Lee, Fumio Demura, Dan Inosanto, Chuck Norris, Bill Wallace, Joe Lewis, Gene LeBell, Al Dacascos, Jackie Chan, Cung Le, Benny “The Jet” Urquidez, Jean-Claude Van Damme and yours truly Sijo Jacques Patenaude on page 282.
Bob has met thousands of instructors, has studied with many masters, whenever he speaks or gives his opinion about something martial art or business related, I listen.
Every industry has a person that has “been there, done that”, someone that has lots of experience and is able to offer the right advice along with valuable feedback.
It’s the same as being complimented by Tiger Woods on your golf swing or Sidney Crosby praising your slapshot or Robert Deniro celebrating your performance on the screen.
You know that their feedback is real, unbiased and worth something. That’s what my father got when they happened to teach a seminar together in Germany a couple of years ago. After that many years studying martial arts, one can tell a person’s skill just by looking at them move, speak, or demonstrate.
Bob was impressed with my father’s accomplishments considering the lack of support from his first instructor proving once again that you are responsible for the kind of life you want to create for yourself. Turning 71 this year, he speaks and moves like a 30 year old.
He is living proof of what leading a martial art lifestyle can do for your health, strength and youthful demeanor. I don’t THINK martial arts can give you an edge in life, I KNOW it does. Listen to Bob Wall give feedback about Fang Shen Do and what he thinks about the Patenaude Family.
ROB KAMAN
Aggressive. Nothing fancy. To the point. Efficient. Sprinkled with alot of humor. That’s Rob Kaman.
With over 100 fights, the biggest feet I’ve ever seen on a man (which could easily kick through a wall) and precious tips on how to demolish your opponent and the kind of preparation that goes into getting ready for a competition were priceless.
Initially he found it interesting to hear about the Patenaude story and how our whole family trains together in martial arts. Rob’s private training with us mirrored alot of the Fang Shen Do philosophy and what we teach in our adult MMA/Sanshou classes.
I’m glad to have him in our corner and look for him as a special guest at our Fight Camp II later this year. Still a force to be reckoned with, even at his age, truly an inspiration.
You have all my respect.
JEAN-JACQUES MACHADO
Jean Jacques Machado is very cool. What a coincidence that we both appeared in the same magazine 17 years ago.
I think it was their first American magazine cover, “Martial Arts Masters” back in 1992 in which my father also had an article on close quarter attack and defense.
When I first met Jean Jacques I told him how I enjoyed the atmosphere in his school, there was no ego, everyone was friendly, and how I noticed everyone was open to other types of martial arts.
Whenever you search the internet and stumble upon something martial art related either on You Tube or a Discussion Forum there’s always someone studying Jiu-Jitsu that seems to have an attitude and tries to bash everyone who’s not studying or training in their art.
Jean Jacques knew exactly what I was talking about. “These people are giving Jiu-Jitsu a bad reputation” he says. Students are a reflection of their instructor, and bad attitudes are everywhere. Every man (or woman) you meet is superior to you in one way or another.
Live by this philosophy and you’ll always learn something, even when you think you know a particular area you feel comfortable in, no matter what it is, go back to a “beginner’s mind”, and get your ego out of the way.
Not only will you learn something, you’ll stay motivated longer and you’ll make it more interesting for yourself.
The secret to getting the most out of martial arts is… Actually DOING martial arts and sticking with it. Jean–Jacques emphasizes Full Gi, Pure Jiu-Jitsu for optimal foundation development, a philosophy I also adhere to every week during my Monday morning workouts with Sifu Patrick.
Like Bob Wall told me: “You’ll always feel welcome in a Machado School” I can vouch for that.
JASON C. BROWN
I had been following Jason C. Brown since 2006, secretly watching what he was doing and testing some of his training advice and tips before I would decide to meet him personally.
Jason is one of the very best in the world of Kettlebells and Sport Specific Training Programs for Judo, Jiu-Jitsu and Sambo Players.
I’m seen here receiving his Golden Kettlebell Award to which he hands out to one participant during his KB Certifications.
The criteria for the award was skill, character and my ability to modify, experiment and test different approaches to using the KBs. Jason’s Hybrid Kettlebell System is much like our Martial Art. Always evolving, learning and finding better ways to train our students.
Not being afraid to venture out and do the opposite of what other martial art schools do and refuse to jump in the same boat and become carbon copies of one another.
Some of Jason’s mentors include Pavel Tatsouline, Martin Rooney (from Team Renzo Gracie) and the legendary Steve Maxwell. Plans are already in place to work with some of these mentors and expand our already extensive list of friends in the industry.
Here’s what Jason had to say about the Patenaude Family and Fang Shen Do.
MIKE STORMS
Mike runs a very successful martial art school in Mandeville, Louisiana. He’s a USMC Marine, Black Belt in Isshin-Ryu Karate and a Black Belt under Filipino Escrima Master AJ Advincula.
Coincidentally Advincula was another Filipino master that I highly enjoyed watching and modeling so it was interesting for me to have this direct link to him through Mike.
He’s one of my first business mentors and helped us expand our network of schools across Canada. There are no coincidences, meeting Mike was a turning point in my life and in the FSD organization. Mike calls me a “relentless monster”, he surely had a part in creating that in me.
I appreciate everything you’ve done for us Brother, Bless you and your family.
GOKOR CHIVICHYAN
I believe he is one of the best grapplers in the world today.
His expertise and teaching prowess is unmatched on the ground and he follows the same idea of not getting stuck in a box when it comes to grappling styles.
That’s the kind of guy we wanted for our grappling division. Not limited to one art but being influenced by many, including but not limited to: Sambo, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu and Catch Wrestling. Anyone who’s involved in Grappling or knows anything about it knows who Gokor Chivichyan is. Gi or No Gi, you’ll find the best techniques to quickly and efficiently tap out your opponent if competition is your thing.
I’m the official Hayastan Representative here in Canada and I’m happy to assist Gokor in expanding the Grappling Arts around the world and through the FSD Network of Schools. Listen to what Gokor had to say about FSD and the Patenaude family.
EDDIE LEVINE
Eddie came very highly recommended by Cecil Peoples as a master at taking your existing game or skill when it comes to Boxing and tweaking it for optimal performance and efficiency.
Eddie is well acquainted and in the same class as legendary Boxing coach Freddie Roach (Oscar de la Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, etc…).
He’s helped alot of Boxers and Kickboxers improve their hand skills, among that list are fighters “Sugar Foot” Peter Cunningham, Kathy Long, Fernando Zuniga, Sven Paris, Samuel Lopez, Juan Carlos Gomez, Bridgett Riley and the list goes on.
One of the first skills our father taught us at a young age was boxing skills and Eddie could tell right away that we were very comfortable with our hands.
He liked the kind of power we were able to muster up in our punches as well as the strong work ethic we all shared during our workouts with him. No excuses. No giving up. No whining. And high intensity.
Eddie is a highly enthusiastic trainer and his enthusiasm is very contagious. He has an eye for detail and spending just an hour with him makes a dramatic difference in your technique. We use a lot of Eddie’s drills and our Fighters are way sharper because of them.
Here’s a video of me and him working the mitts:
TIM LARKIN
I don’t think there’s anybody out there that teaches the art of using violence as easily and to the point as Tim Larkin. Calm and composed, Tim makes carving out an eye ball or crushing a man’s trachea a very normal thing.
Mix competition techniques with street survival ones and you’re in for a rude awakening. As you know, a big part of our martial art system is based on effective street self-defense and working with Tim confirms that we’re on the right track.
Tim’s message is real and hits home big time if you have a family you need to protect or if your life is ever on the line, It’s not a GAME, you’re not going to win a trophy, there are no rules on the streets when you’re confronted with an attacker who wants to take your life. You need to do what’s necessary to survive.
Thank You for the opportunity.
JOHN THERIEN
My dad and Hanshi John Therien go back a long way.
Very seldom do you meet masters in the martial arts that are as genuine and egoless as John Therien. There’s an aura about him that says: “I love the martial arts and I’m willing to do anything to help promote the practice of martial arts”, put them together and they’ll entertain you for hours reminiscing and recalling past experiences and sharing future goals and visions they have for their respective organizations they’ve both built from scratch.
The values that John stands for are very similar to our own which is why we eagerly participate in the World Kobudo Convention Get-togethers and why we call Hanshi John Therien our friend. Respect.
ZHIWEI CHEN
I met Raf (his nickname) by chance through a mutual friend. There aren’t too many people like him in the world that has his kind of lineage.
And how lucky was I that he lived in my city, only a few minutes away from me? Raf was in Canada for school but on the side he taught a strange type of ‘internal’ martial art I’d never seen or heard of in all my extensive studies called… Wudang Neigong! It was something he’d spent the previous 16 years learning while living in Hong Kong. Raf’s teacher in Hong Kong and China was a 14th Generation Neigong Master, one of only 3 Masters in the world from his Generation, a lineage that goes straight to Lao Tzu.
To make a story short I ended up going to China with Raf to meet his master, become an official disciple of the art and share some truly wonderful experiences while following a type of pilgrimage through the mountains and temples of the orient. Making stops in various areas that were considered sacred and highly beneficial to practice our Neigong (Internal Work) there.
All in all it was a dream come true for any serious martial artist. I’ve learned a lot through his teachings and continually practice what I have learned. Xie Xie