Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee is one of my idols and he left behind a whole legacy. He died when he was 33 yet everyone knows his name. Not only to those of Asian heritage but he is a hero to many. I grew up watching his movies. He was not only a great martial artist but he was a pioneer, an innovator.

He knew that traditional martial arts was too rigid and formal to be effective in real combat. So he created Jeet Kune Do, the Way of the Intercepting Fist. It is not as much a martial art as a philosophy. It incoporated many things that traditional martial artists would not because of self set restrictions. Bruce Lee realized this and removed the restrictions to be the best that he can be. He cut out all the unnecessary movements and maximized efficiency. It is amazing if you think about it. Back then no one questioned the teachers. People just assumed that everything they were taught was the truth and the best. But Bruce Lee broke away from this and created for himself this philosophy of a style of no style. To be fluid like water, adapting to each situation. He inspires me to innovate also to try and be the best that I can be.