THE DRAGON
By Peter Vuono
When we see or hear about Bruce Lee, most of us think about martial arts. To those of us who practice it, we think about how Lee was the originator of Jeet Kune Do or "The Way of the Intercepting Fist". Others think about the Green Hornet, or his cinematic battles with Chuck Norris in Return of the Dragon or with Kareem Abdul Jabar in Game of death. However, Lee's entire life was a continuous contribution to his fellow man.
Lee Jun Fan was born Nov. 27, 1940 at Jackson Street Hospital in SanFrancisco between the hours of 6:00AM and 8:00AM. This is both the year and the hour of the Dragon. The Dragon is the symbol of strength, power, good fortune AND HEAVEN. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Hoi Chuen were entertainers performing in SanFrancisco.The baby was Christened Lee Jun Fan because it means"Return Again". Lee's mom had always hoped that he would one day again return to America.
Although a nurse in the hospital nicknamed him "Bruce', his parents called him by a feminine name,"Sai Fon", which means "Small Phoenix".
In the Chinese culture, men are typically given feminine names to fool the evil spirits from taking their souls.
Bruce returned to America to Seattle as his mom had hoped and graduated from Edison Technical High School. He then enrolled in the University of Washington majoring in philosophy. In 1964 he would start teaching gung fu in Oakland and marry his college sweetheart Linda Emory.
Lee's life entailed so much more than just being a martial artist. He was a director, writer, artist and teacher as well as being a husband and loving father. However to this author two of his accomplishments warrant special note. Bruce Lee gave the Asian people a face. It was a face of strength, honor, pride and dignity. A face that has and will always endure. His other notable contribution was his philosophy of life. Lee, like many in the Asian culture believed in seeking the Tao(pronounced Dow), which is interpreted as the "Way of the Universe". In one of his published works- Striking Thoughts- Lee comments on every aspect of life from his personal interpretation of the Tao. I have found that reading and embracing what he has said has made me a better person.
There is a Chinese proverb that states,"If the dark element seeks to achieve a position in which it is not entitled and tries to rule instead of serving,it draws down upon itself the fury of the dragon".
I am convinced that any person who reads and embraces Lee's Striking Thoughts of philosophy will walk a path of righteousness which will ultimately lead to the paradise of the Dragon.
AFTER THOUGHT- The following is a letter of comfort from Bruce Lee to his closest friend Taky Kimura after Kimura had sustained an enormous hardship. Kimura would later become Lee's caretaker after Bruce Lee was laid to rest July 31, 1973 at Lakeview Cemetery in Seattle.
" Life is an ever -flowing process and somewhere on the path some unpleasant things will pop up- it might leave a scar- but then life is flowing on and like running water, when it stops, it grows stale. Go bravely on , my friend because each experience teaches us a lesson".
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Friday, July 11, 2014
GEORGE FRENN- TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY
By Peter Vuono
In 1975 I trained at the bob Backus Olympic Health Club in Pembroke Ma. This studio, which was one of the first of it's kind was the invention of Bob Backus who was an Olympian in 1952, a Pan Am champ in 1955 and a track and field hall of famer in 1965. Bob was kind and gregarious. This, coupled with his extraordinary resume drew strong men and super athletes from all over the country. Ken Patera trained there for the world's strongest man contest with club member Steve Sanderson, who in the 80's did an official 920 high bar squat!
The immortal Dave Draper visited and brought with him a magnificent bench made of driftwood that Dave constructed himself. This bench adorned the lobby and was admired by all. Gold medal winner Harold Connolly visited frequently as did Olympian Al Hall. Last but not least was the Californian superman whom Bob mentored in the hammer throw, George Frenn.
When it comes to strength, George was synonymous with legend. In 1967 he won the senior national powerlifting championships in York with Bob Backus and Bill West of the original Westside Barbell Club at his side. At this meet Frenn won his class, became the first heavyweight to squat 700lbs. and broke 9 American and National records in one meet, a feat which I do not believe was ever duplicated by any other man.
In July of 1970, his picture appeared on the front cover of Sports Illustrated and again in 1972 on the front cover of Strength and Health. George competed in the Pomona Police Officer's Power Meet in Pomona Ca. in 1971 at Garey High School. As a heavyweight(242) George bench pressed 520, squatted 853 and deadlifted 740 to become the first man to total 2100. Although only a heavyweight, George's record surpassed Jon Cole's superheavyweight record by 40 lbs.
Frenn went on to compete in the 72 Olympics in Munich in the hammer throw and competed in one of the early World's Strongest Man competitions. Perhaps one of George's most valiant milestones was that he was one of the first Olympians to compete in the very first Gay Olympics in 1982. Shortly thereafter, George retired from the school dept. after teaching Science for 32 years. He later received another well deserved accolade by being inducted into the California powerlifting hall of fame along side of the immortal Pat Casey.
I remember training with George in 1975 at the Backus Gym. I'll never forget the thrill of meeting an idol who would become one of history's greatest athletes. On June 26th, 2006, George Frenn's life abruptly, unexpectedly and sadly came to an end. There was much conjecture in the strength world as to how and why this occurred. I would rather dwell on the thought that George Frenn was an inspiration and a valiant warrior who insisted on being himself in a world that too often demands that we all become something else
"No one day will erase you from the memory of time"-Virgil
By Peter Vuono
In 1975 I trained at the bob Backus Olympic Health Club in Pembroke Ma. This studio, which was one of the first of it's kind was the invention of Bob Backus who was an Olympian in 1952, a Pan Am champ in 1955 and a track and field hall of famer in 1965. Bob was kind and gregarious. This, coupled with his extraordinary resume drew strong men and super athletes from all over the country. Ken Patera trained there for the world's strongest man contest with club member Steve Sanderson, who in the 80's did an official 920 high bar squat!
The immortal Dave Draper visited and brought with him a magnificent bench made of driftwood that Dave constructed himself. This bench adorned the lobby and was admired by all. Gold medal winner Harold Connolly visited frequently as did Olympian Al Hall. Last but not least was the Californian superman whom Bob mentored in the hammer throw, George Frenn.
When it comes to strength, George was synonymous with legend. In 1967 he won the senior national powerlifting championships in York with Bob Backus and Bill West of the original Westside Barbell Club at his side. At this meet Frenn won his class, became the first heavyweight to squat 700lbs. and broke 9 American and National records in one meet, a feat which I do not believe was ever duplicated by any other man.
In July of 1970, his picture appeared on the front cover of Sports Illustrated and again in 1972 on the front cover of Strength and Health. George competed in the Pomona Police Officer's Power Meet in Pomona Ca. in 1971 at Garey High School. As a heavyweight(242) George bench pressed 520, squatted 853 and deadlifted 740 to become the first man to total 2100. Although only a heavyweight, George's record surpassed Jon Cole's superheavyweight record by 40 lbs.
Frenn went on to compete in the 72 Olympics in Munich in the hammer throw and competed in one of the early World's Strongest Man competitions. Perhaps one of George's most valiant milestones was that he was one of the first Olympians to compete in the very first Gay Olympics in 1982. Shortly thereafter, George retired from the school dept. after teaching Science for 32 years. He later received another well deserved accolade by being inducted into the California powerlifting hall of fame along side of the immortal Pat Casey.
I remember training with George in 1975 at the Backus Gym. I'll never forget the thrill of meeting an idol who would become one of history's greatest athletes. On June 26th, 2006, George Frenn's life abruptly, unexpectedly and sadly came to an end. There was much conjecture in the strength world as to how and why this occurred. I would rather dwell on the thought that George Frenn was an inspiration and a valiant warrior who insisted on being himself in a world that too often demands that we all become something else
"No one day will erase you from the memory of time"-Virgil
Saturday, May 17, 2014
DON'T LOSE YOUR DINOSAUR
By Peter Vuono
DON'T LOSE YOUR DINOSAUR
By Peter Vuono
DON'T LOSE YOUR DINOSAUR
By Peter Vuono
On May 16th I took my 25 year old son to see, of all things, Godzilla. We didn't care in the least that movie reviews were not too favorable. We were just as excited to see this remake now as we were seeing the 1999 remake when my son was only 10. I'll never forget how excited he was when I immediately went out and bought him the lifelike doll. However, now, at age 61, I thought it odd that I still had this excitement.
I couldn't get enough of dinosaurs as a kid. Toys, games, play sets were my favorites as long as they were dinosaur related. I still have King Kong, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth, Planet of the Dinosaurs, One Million Years BC , Gorgo and the somewhat cheesy but endearing flick Dinosaurus. My favorite stories were without question Ray Bradbury's Fog Horn , Sound of Thunder and Other Than a Dinosaur, Whatta Ya Want to be When You Grow Up.
Similarly, Mike followed suit. He was just like me but I don't ever remember pushing this genre on him. He innocently fell into it just as I did. So here are two grown men, one a senior citizen who are driving down route 24 with great passion in our hearts for what we were about to see. I wondered if there something wrong with me and if I had erroneously imparted a fantasy onto my son that could be detrimental until I thought of a short YouTube clip that he showed me nearly a year ago.
Mike showed me a clip of a Will Ferrell/ John C. Reilly film entitled "Stepbrothers". I had never seen the film. However in a very poignant moment in the film, Richard Jenkins, who played the part of the father told Farrell and Reilly ,"Don't lose your dinosaur". He told them that as a child he wanted to be a dinosaur. When Jenkins' father heard of it he vilified and reviled his son. He told him to abandon childish thoughts and to get a job. Jenkins continued to tell his sons that he went on to get an education and a job but could never return to the mindset that once made him so happy.
Not losing your dinosaur simply means this: never lose your inner child. Children are more loving, less angry, more accepting and more generous than most adults. They don't start wars.In the New Testament, Jesus told his apostles" Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them. For unless you become like a little child, you will not enter the kingdom of God"
Not losing your dinosaur is a great way to walk on this path. For some it may be maintaining a love for dolls, or dresses or another childhood refuge.Remember Citizen Kane's Rosebud? However, it all means the same. To stay on this path is to stay on a road which will lead to both salvation and redemption.
ADDENDUM-
Some people will be dissatisfied that I didn't write about someone who was strong and brave so here goes; According to Dr. Jack Horner's book, The Complete T-Rex, the small and diminutive arms of Tyrannosaurus Rex were much stronger than one would think. The claws were turned up in a "curl" position and had bones in them as large as the largest bones of a race horse. Horner suggested that each arm could curl approx. 400lbs! Try this sometime in the gym on your bicep days. Of course it would help if you weighed between 7 and 8 tons.
On May 16th I took my 25 year old son to see, of all things, Godzilla. We didn't care in the least that movie reviews were not too favorable. We were just as excited to see this remake now as we were seeing the 1999 remake when my son was only 10. I'll never forget how excited he was when I immediately went out and bought him the lifelike doll. However, now, at age 61, I thought it odd that I still had this excitement.
I couldn't get enough of dinosaurs as a kid. Toys, games, play sets were my favorites as long as they were dinosaur related. I still have King Kong, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth, Planet of the Dinosaurs, One Million Years BC , Gorgo and the somewhat cheesy but endearing flick Dinosaurus. My favorite stories were without question Ray Bradbury's Fog Horn , Sound of Thunder and Other Than a Dinosaur, Whatta Ya Want to be When You Grow Up.
Similarly, Mike followed suit. He was just like me but I don't ever remember pushing this genre on him. He innocently fell into it just as I did. So here are two grown men, one a senior citizen who are driving down route 24 with great passion in our hearts for what we were about to see. I wondered if there something wrong with me and if I had erroneously imparted a fantasy onto my son that could be detrimental until I thought of a short YouTube clip that he showed me nearly a year ago.
Mike showed me a clip of a Will Ferrell/ John C. Reilly film entitled "Stepbrothers". I had never seen the film. However in a very poignant moment in the film, Richard Jenkins, who played the part of the father told Farrell and Reilly ,"Don't lose your dinosaur". He told them that as a child he wanted to be a dinosaur. When Jenkins' father heard of it he vilified and reviled his son. He told him to abandon childish thoughts and to get a job. Jenkins continued to tell his sons that he went on to get an education and a job but could never return to the mindset that once made him so happy.
Not losing your dinosaur simply means this: never lose your inner child. Children are more loving, less angry, more accepting and more generous than most adults. They don't start wars.In the New Testament, Jesus told his apostles" Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them. For unless you become like a little child, you will not enter the kingdom of God"
Not losing your dinosaur is a great way to walk on this path. For some it may be maintaining a love for dolls, or dresses or another childhood refuge.Remember Citizen Kane's Rosebud? However, it all means the same. To stay on this path is to stay on a road which will lead to both salvation and redemption.
ADDENDUM-
Some people will be dissatisfied that I didn't write about someone who was strong and brave so here goes; According to Dr. Jack Horner's book, The Complete T-Rex, the small and diminutive arms of Tyrannosaurus Rex were much stronger than one would think. The claws were turned up in a "curl" position and had bones in them as large as the largest bones of a race horse. Horner suggested that each arm could curl approx. 400lbs! Try this sometime in the gym on your bicep days. Of course it would help if you weighed between 7 and 8 tons.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
THE PRODIGAL SON
By Peter Vuono
One of the most magical times of my youth was certainly the 80's. It was a happy time where we were all bombarded with various types of creativity from the media. American households were flooded with with MTV, Nickelodeon, Madonna, Max Headroom and the B52's. We were given new heroes such as Mr. T, Hulk Hogan , Arnold, Stallone and the Karate Kid. Part of this culture was the hit TV show The American Gladiators. Larger than life regulars such as Nitro, Zap, Malibu and Gemini became household names.Dan Clark- a.k.a. Nitro tells of an amazing life in his book Gladiator, which is rife with money, fame and women .In addition, it is compounded with addiction and the inability to face the truth about himself.
Clark was born in Japan to a Japanese mom and an American dad. After spending only a few years in the states his parents divorced and Dan, along with his older brother and"protector' Randy, were taken to Viet Nam where their dad attempted to open a business.
Life did not go well there. To paraphrase Clark's story, by the time he was ten, he witnessed his father beating his brother, his father bludgeoning another man, his father writhing on the floor in the throes of a heart attack and his dad entertaining two prostitutes in the same bed where young Dan slept! This was exacerbated by Dan witnessing his beloved brother perish from an accidental electrocution. His father then sent him back to the USA alone. Upon arriving he sought a venue where he could excell and promote his self worth.He found it in football.
Dan played football in high school at Santa Ana High. From there, he became an lineman for Santa Ana Junior College . It was here that he sustained a hamstring tear. He was determined to come back and took a drug that he knew nothing about to accelerate his healing- anabolic steroids. He received a scholarship to San Jose State and then a pro contract with an Italian team.
Upon leaving Italy, he had a brief stint as a LosAngeles Ram. When his career was over, he stayed on steroids and auditioned for various movie parts. At 6'2'' with strikingly good looks, the handsome Clark secured several bit parts and finally won the part of the popular American Gladiator series playing approx. 95 episodes and coming back later as a commentator.
During Dan's tenure as a Gladiator, he had the kind of life that was so salacious, violent and gut wrenching that it couldn't possibly be made up by Hollywood's best script writers. At 6'2" his weight had risen to a solid 260lbs. of solid muscle. He had many a female companion and had brawls with people ranging from night club patrons to, strangers and best friends. He could bench press 500lbs for a double and was at the top of his world. Yet, he stated that he was never happy and could never figure out why. There was certainly a good man inside of the armor. He never refused a photo, autograph or conversation with a fan. And when a child of 5 was dying from cancer he asked that his hero"Nitro" come to visit him. Clark was at his side just days before he succumbed.
When the Gladiators ended, he could not get off steroids. He had bouts of depression and crying when he swore as a child never to cry. After he filled out a survey which suggested he was an addict he went to counseling.
Dan's councilor was a brilliant woman that told Dan that the root of his sadness was that he could not confront the mystery of himself. Dan realized that he tormented himself about why he survived when his 12 year old brother was killed.. He had to constanly prove his worth because he was living for two.
Once Dan made this realization, he had the courage to forgive his dad, rid himself of guilt and go off steroids. He continued to act, write screenplays and tour as a motivational speaker. Although he no longer was a user, the hunger never completely went away.
Dan's book- GLADIATOR- A True Story of 'Roids, Rage and Redemption is a book that should be read by all. It's not just a story of addiction, athletics or a Hollywood dream. Much more importantly, it's a story about the horror that we all must experience when we are faced with the mystery of ourselves.
It was reported in Dec. of 2013 that Dan Clark incurred a heart attack while working out. He blamed the years of steroid use in his football and Gladiator days. His artery was cleared and a new stent was put in.
He convalesced beautifully and went on to write about this experience in his self help book "F---Dying", which is highly recommended. He travels the nation lecturing and helping those who need answers. to quote Dan, "Big boys don't cry; but men do!".
" Son thou art always with me and all that is mine is thine.; but we were bound to make merry and rejoice for this thy brother was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found". Luke15: 31-32
" Son thou art always with me and all that is mine is thine.; but we were bound to make merry and rejoice for this thy brother was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found". Luke15: 31-32
Thursday, April 10, 2014
OTHER THAN JACKIE CHAN, SCORPION AND SUB ZERO, WHATTA YA WANNA BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? by Peter Vuono
I dedicate this article, of course, to my beloved son; to Ray Bradbury and Ray Harryhausen whose influence on me filtered down to Michael and to Michael's teachers- Master Steve Arsenault, Master Ian Bucklin, Master Brian Diffley, Master George Fumo and to the icons of martial science who inspired my son.
NOTE: The title is a revamping of a Ray Bradbury short story as a homage to the great fantasy writer.
OTHER THAN JACKIE CHAN, SCORPION AND SUB-ZERO, WHATTA YA WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
By Peter Vuono
November 7th, 1988 was a cool crisp sunny day. A beautiful late fall day that one could enjoy in any capacity. I however, was cold and gripped by fear of the impending birth of my second child. I should have been worried about the health and welfare of my wife and child but no; that was not the case; I was afraid of having a boy!
I was such great pals with my daughter, Amy that I just couldn't see myself as a father to a son. I had no confidence that I could impart the necessary"machismo" that every "man" has to have. However my gut told me that it was going to be a boy. Michael was born and my fears intensified.
Micheal was exceedingly laid back and never gave us trouble. At 4, he fell in love with video games. His favorite characters were those that projected power and strength. It was no surprise to us that he soon fell in love with dinosaurs. Ray Bradbury once rhetorically asked,"Have you ever met anyone who didn't like dinosaurs? I have not".Michael was certainly part of this club. He could name them all and, of course, his favorite was the Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Time passed and one day in his 9th year, he saw an advertisement for a movie entitled: Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. Mike asked me to take him to see it. I complied and thought nothing of it. Little did I know that Mike would ask me to take him 8 more times!!
After the 9th viewing, I brought home the original Mortal Kombat. The final catalyst, however, in creating a love affair with martial arts was "Rumble on the Bronx". Mike was in awe of the world's greatest stunt man, Jackie Chan and from that moment on I knew that martial arts were for him.
Mike was always shy and timid. Many of the dojos intimidated him and years went by without him consenting to joining. I then took him to see Master Steve Arsenault of New Bedford Ma. I had done a few magic shows in Master Steve's dojo and I was hoping Mike would take a shine to him. Mike did and agreed to join with a huge contingency. Mike stated ,"Dad, I'll join but I want private lessons and NO classes and YOU have to be there beside me". He was afraid of faltering in front of other students so he at age 15 and I at age 51, signed up together!
Nine years went by and on Sept 14, 2013, Mike was to be tested for the coveted Black Belt by the number one ranked Kenpo karate artist in the world, Master Larry Tatum of Pasadena. Mike was nervous. I was too but I refused to show it. I rather hit him with every reassuring movie reference I could think of from Visionquest to The Warrior and on to Lord of the Rings .I committed to memory and recited verbatim, Aragorn's speech at the Black Gate.
All the training, all the teaching, all the practice and all the prayers came to fruition- Mike passed; the Black Belt was finally his! There was something else, however, that occurred 6 months earlier which showed to me that Mike didn't just attain a physical milestone but he did something that showed me that he had the proper 'balance" that a martial artist should have.
Out of the blue, Michael showed me a movie clip showing actor Richard Jenkins talking to his fictional sons in the movie"Stepbrothers" withWill Ferrell and John C. Reilly. Jenkins told the boys that he always wanted to be a dinosaur. Later in life, his dad reviled him telling him to abandon childish thoughts and to get a job. Jenkins told his sons that he abandoned wanting to be a dinosaur but after his education and career were had, he could not return to it.He told them,"Don't lose your dinosaur"
I knew what my son was trying to tell me. He hadn't lost his inner "dinosaur" or in other words his inner child. I then had an epiphany.I remembered that Mike was born in 1988, the year of the Dragon and between 7 and 8 AM- the hour of the dragon. I recalled how Bruce Lee was also born in the year and hour of the dragon .Could this be an hour and year in which magical things can happen? I'll never know. What I DO know is that Michael had attained balance; his training was complete. I don't know where his final destination will lead to but I DO know that he has chosen the correct path in his journey towards it.
"Success is not the destination, it is the journey"- Lee Jun Fan- Bruce Lee
I dedicate this article, of course, to my beloved son; to Ray Bradbury and Ray Harryhausen whose influence on me filtered down to Michael and to Michael's teachers- Master Steve Arsenault, Master Ian Bucklin, Master Brian Diffley, Master George Fumo and to the icons of martial science who inspired my son.
NOTE: The title is a revamping of a Ray Bradbury short story as a homage to the great fantasy writer.
OTHER THAN JACKIE CHAN, SCORPION AND SUB-ZERO, WHATTA YA WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
By Peter Vuono
November 7th, 1988 was a cool crisp sunny day. A beautiful late fall day that one could enjoy in any capacity. I however, was cold and gripped by fear of the impending birth of my second child. I should have been worried about the health and welfare of my wife and child but no; that was not the case; I was afraid of having a boy!
I was such great pals with my daughter, Amy that I just couldn't see myself as a father to a son. I had no confidence that I could impart the necessary"machismo" that every "man" has to have. However my gut told me that it was going to be a boy. Michael was born and my fears intensified.
Micheal was exceedingly laid back and never gave us trouble. At 4, he fell in love with video games. His favorite characters were those that projected power and strength. It was no surprise to us that he soon fell in love with dinosaurs. Ray Bradbury once rhetorically asked,"Have you ever met anyone who didn't like dinosaurs? I have not".Michael was certainly part of this club. He could name them all and, of course, his favorite was the Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Time passed and one day in his 9th year, he saw an advertisement for a movie entitled: Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. Mike asked me to take him to see it. I complied and thought nothing of it. Little did I know that Mike would ask me to take him 8 more times!!
After the 9th viewing, I brought home the original Mortal Kombat. The final catalyst, however, in creating a love affair with martial arts was "Rumble on the Bronx". Mike was in awe of the world's greatest stunt man, Jackie Chan and from that moment on I knew that martial arts were for him.
Mike was always shy and timid. Many of the dojos intimidated him and years went by without him consenting to joining. I then took him to see Master Steve Arsenault of New Bedford Ma. I had done a few magic shows in Master Steve's dojo and I was hoping Mike would take a shine to him. Mike did and agreed to join with a huge contingency. Mike stated ,"Dad, I'll join but I want private lessons and NO classes and YOU have to be there beside me". He was afraid of faltering in front of other students so he at age 15 and I at age 51, signed up together!
Nine years went by and on Sept 14, 2013, Mike was to be tested for the coveted Black Belt by the number one ranked Kenpo karate artist in the world, Master Larry Tatum of Pasadena. Mike was nervous. I was too but I refused to show it. I rather hit him with every reassuring movie reference I could think of from Visionquest to The Warrior and on to Lord of the Rings .I committed to memory and recited verbatim, Aragorn's speech at the Black Gate.
All the training, all the teaching, all the practice and all the prayers came to fruition- Mike passed; the Black Belt was finally his! There was something else, however, that occurred 6 months earlier which showed to me that Mike didn't just attain a physical milestone but he did something that showed me that he had the proper 'balance" that a martial artist should have.
Out of the blue, Michael showed me a movie clip showing actor Richard Jenkins talking to his fictional sons in the movie"Stepbrothers" withWill Ferrell and John C. Reilly. Jenkins told the boys that he always wanted to be a dinosaur. Later in life, his dad reviled him telling him to abandon childish thoughts and to get a job. Jenkins told his sons that he abandoned wanting to be a dinosaur but after his education and career were had, he could not return to it.He told them,"Don't lose your dinosaur"
I knew what my son was trying to tell me. He hadn't lost his inner "dinosaur" or in other words his inner child. I then had an epiphany.I remembered that Mike was born in 1988, the year of the Dragon and between 7 and 8 AM- the hour of the dragon. I recalled how Bruce Lee was also born in the year and hour of the dragon .Could this be an hour and year in which magical things can happen? I'll never know. What I DO know is that Michael had attained balance; his training was complete. I don't know where his final destination will lead to but I DO know that he has chosen the correct path in his journey towards it.
"Success is not the destination, it is the journey"- Lee Jun Fan- Bruce Lee
Friday, April 4, 2014
The following story is dedicated to the memory of Colleen Cahill -1994-2014
"Remembrance is the only paradise out of which we can not be driven away".- Bruce Lee
BEAUTY AND STRENGTH-
By Peter Vuono
In 1977 I witnessed in Nashua NH the very first national weightlifting tournament for women. We were all in awe of these gifted women who were displaying a gift which is usually associated with men. I wondered what I would have done if I had a gift that could potentially make me an outcast.. Would I hide it? This is a story of a woman who decided not to.
Katherina Brumbach was born in 1884 in a circus wagon to performers Philippe and Johanna Brumbach. Katherina(or Katie as she would later be called) was the second oldest of the Brumbach's 15 children! All the children were requisitioned and trained in the family business of circus performance. At first, Katie was trained in acrobatics but as she entered her teen years she started to morph into something else. Katie's dad, Philippe was 6'6'' and 260 pounds. Katie took after him and gained a height of 5'11" and a solid weight of 210. With her size came strength which was not seen by any woman on the planet .
Katie was so strong that Philippe offered a cash prize to any man who could out wrestle her. Circus acrobat Max Heymann who was a mere 5'6" and 160 pounds was flat broke and gave it a try. Needless to say,Katie won handily but in doing so, she lost her heart to Max. They were soon married and went off together in their own strength act appearing all over Europe. The greatest bodybuilder in the world at that time was the Bavarian Eugen Sandow. A hundred years later, every winner of the Mr. Olympia contest was given the"Sandow Trophy". To honor Sandow, Katie changed her name to Sandwina and thus a strength legend was born.
Katie could break chains and horse shoes with her bare hands. She could withstand the pull of two horses and backlift two horses off a bridge which was held up by trestles. She could also juggle small cannonballs! During her act she would lift her husband Max above her head with one hand. Even when her older boy Teddy(who would become a pro boxer) reached a weight of 200, his mom, Katie could easily lift him overhead with one hand! Perhaps her best known feat was a record which stood for 77 years. Katie shouldered 264 pounds and jerked it overhead! This feat which was done in 1910 would not be broken until 1987 by New Jersey chiropractor, Dr. Karyn Marshall.
Katie was the epitome of the working mom and worked her strength act right up to the day she gave birth!! After a brief stint in America where they played the major vaudeville outlets such as the famed Orpheum, Katie and Max returned to Europe. It was here that they serendipitously met John Ringling who hired them on the spot. They returned to America for good and performed for Ringling Brothers and other small circuses.
Upon retirement, Katie and Max opened a restaurant in Queens where Katie would gracefully do feats of strength while serving her customers. She sadly passed away from cancer in 1952 but left behind one of the greatest of legends.
Most strength historians look at Katie Sandwina's strength when they think about her and that is all well and good. However her real strength came from within. She had a unique gift which could have caused her to be a pariah.She could have hidden it but rather, she boldly displayed it. In doing so, she became a legend but more importantly, Katie Sandwina was an inspiration and a beacon of hope to those of us who only want to be ourselves in a world that wants us to be everything but! Her life was truly a great example of brawn and bravery.
"Remembrance is the only paradise out of which we can not be driven away".- Bruce Lee
BEAUTY AND STRENGTH-
By Peter Vuono
In 1977 I witnessed in Nashua NH the very first national weightlifting tournament for women. We were all in awe of these gifted women who were displaying a gift which is usually associated with men. I wondered what I would have done if I had a gift that could potentially make me an outcast.. Would I hide it? This is a story of a woman who decided not to.
Katherina Brumbach was born in 1884 in a circus wagon to performers Philippe and Johanna Brumbach. Katherina(or Katie as she would later be called) was the second oldest of the Brumbach's 15 children! All the children were requisitioned and trained in the family business of circus performance. At first, Katie was trained in acrobatics but as she entered her teen years she started to morph into something else. Katie's dad, Philippe was 6'6'' and 260 pounds. Katie took after him and gained a height of 5'11" and a solid weight of 210. With her size came strength which was not seen by any woman on the planet .
Katie was so strong that Philippe offered a cash prize to any man who could out wrestle her. Circus acrobat Max Heymann who was a mere 5'6" and 160 pounds was flat broke and gave it a try. Needless to say,Katie won handily but in doing so, she lost her heart to Max. They were soon married and went off together in their own strength act appearing all over Europe. The greatest bodybuilder in the world at that time was the Bavarian Eugen Sandow. A hundred years later, every winner of the Mr. Olympia contest was given the"Sandow Trophy". To honor Sandow, Katie changed her name to Sandwina and thus a strength legend was born.
Katie could break chains and horse shoes with her bare hands. She could withstand the pull of two horses and backlift two horses off a bridge which was held up by trestles. She could also juggle small cannonballs! During her act she would lift her husband Max above her head with one hand. Even when her older boy Teddy(who would become a pro boxer) reached a weight of 200, his mom, Katie could easily lift him overhead with one hand! Perhaps her best known feat was a record which stood for 77 years. Katie shouldered 264 pounds and jerked it overhead! This feat which was done in 1910 would not be broken until 1987 by New Jersey chiropractor, Dr. Karyn Marshall.
Katie was the epitome of the working mom and worked her strength act right up to the day she gave birth!! After a brief stint in America where they played the major vaudeville outlets such as the famed Orpheum, Katie and Max returned to Europe. It was here that they serendipitously met John Ringling who hired them on the spot. They returned to America for good and performed for Ringling Brothers and other small circuses.
Upon retirement, Katie and Max opened a restaurant in Queens where Katie would gracefully do feats of strength while serving her customers. She sadly passed away from cancer in 1952 but left behind one of the greatest of legends.
Most strength historians look at Katie Sandwina's strength when they think about her and that is all well and good. However her real strength came from within. She had a unique gift which could have caused her to be a pariah.She could have hidden it but rather, she boldly displayed it. In doing so, she became a legend but more importantly, Katie Sandwina was an inspiration and a beacon of hope to those of us who only want to be ourselves in a world that wants us to be everything but! Her life was truly a great example of brawn and bravery.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
WILL THE REAL "DROPKICK" MURPHY PLEASE STAND UP.
By Peter Vuono
About 5 years ago, I entertained at a block party in the predominantly Irish part of Dorchester Ma. As I was setting up, I listened to a different and pleasant type of rock which combined Celtic roots and hard core punk. I asked the kids who was playing and they immediately said,"The Dropkick Murphys". I, of course, had heard of them being from the Boston area but I wondered if anyone who ever heard of the name knew from where it's true origin came.
John Murphy was born in Malden, Ma. a northern suburb of Boston on May 12,1912. As a young man he excelled in football but was later drawn to an academic route and entered the Mass. College of Medicine.
John graduated with an medical doctorate in osteopathy. John grew up tall and strong and had strikingly good looks. He had natural blond hair and in spite of his handsome and chiseled appearance he wasn't afraid to risk it and turned to boxing.
Although he was successful in this venture, his athleticism and fan appeal with the Boston audience caught the attention of Boston wrestling promoter, Paul Bowser. Bowser persuaded Murphy to train as a pro wrestler at the famed Boston Arena on St. Botolph St. Decades later this arena was renamed the Matthews arena and would host a complete AWA show staring the Road Warriors.
Murphy's good looks, athletic background and fan appeal took off and he wrestled all over the country and in Canada. He wrestled well named opponents in the 30's and 40's such as legendary actor/wrestler/stuntman Hard Boiled Haggerty, Lee Henning, Tarzan White and Baron Mikel Leone.
After garnering enough money, Murphy decided to expand his business pursuits and bought an estate at 40 Davis Road in Acton, Ma. It was called Bellows Farm and it was purchased as the new site of Dr. Murphy's boxer/wrestler training camp where Dr. Murphy, himself would do all the training. Much to his surprise, however, too many of the trainees would arrive hung over and far too frequently.
It was then that Murphy realized that perhaps his skills of being an MD were more important than his athletic enterprises. He turned Bellows Farm into a hospital for those with alcoholism. In those days alcoholism was considered a character disorder and not a disease. Therefore all clients who were serviced by Dr. Murphy and his wife were kept confidential.
Murphy abandoned wrestling completely to service those suffering with addiction. Bellows Farm remained in operation until 1971. Dr. Murphy passed on Oct. 17, 1977. The farm was removed and the only clue of it's existence is that a street in Acton is named Bellows Farm Rd.
Dr. Murphy left behind an amazing albeit unknown legacy. He was one of only two pro wrestlers to have a legitimate MD.( Dr. Sam Sheppard had the other and Dr. Big Bill Miler was a Vet, and Brit Baker is a DMD) and more than that, he abandoned his dream of a training camp to help service those who suffered.
Dropkick Murphy bass guitarist Ken Casey had mentioned that he heard many an old timer mention a dry out place named Dropkick Murphy's. He mentioned that he and the band loved the name even before they had a band. This author can tell you that the name Dropkick Murphy means a lot more than that.
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