1/8/2017 BruceLee:TheDivineWind

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DWForumIsthereaparticularpersonwhoseinsightandunderstandingofcombatyouadmire
morethanothers?Ifso,Ihopeyou'lltakethetimetogiveanexample.

JoeLewisIdonotadmireanyoneperson.Iseemyselfinmanyotherfightersandtrainers.Ilike
theexplosivenessofJackDempsey,(25firstroundknockoutsarecordtoday).Theelusivenessof
AliandthepowerofJoeLouisandMarciano.Fewguyscanknockyououtwithjustonepunchinthe
verylastroundlikethosetwo.EddieFutchhadabrillianttrainer'smind,andotherslikeRay
Robinsoncouldputitalltogether,speed,power,timing,brains,stamina,longevity,adaptability,etc.
EvenIhaditalloncebutinmyheart,Inevercaredaboutwhowaskingofthehill.

DWForumCouldyouanswermeononesimplequestionconcerningJKD?WhatexactlywasBruce
teaching?Imeandidhehavespecificwayoftreininghisstudentsormaybehejustsaid"well,we're
gonnalearnthisfromwingchun,thatfromboxingandthosekicksfromtaekwondo"?Werethereany
specificsonlyforjeetkunedo?So,haveyousparredwithBruceLee(becauseI'veheardmany
versionsofyourfightingrelationshipwithhim).

JoeLewisBruceandIwouldonlydodrillsrelatedtocombat.Wedidnotgivethemnames,such
asWingChunetc.IfitworkedweuseditandIhavealwaystrainedthatway.Idonotcareabout
namesorstyles,thatisallgarbageandImeangarbage.Eitheryourkickorchokeworkedorit
didn't:thestyledidnotcarryanysupermagicorextrapowers.

DWForumIreadastoryaboutBrucegoingovertoyourhouseandnotbeingimpressedwiththe
sizeofyourheavybagandcalleditagirlsbag,andIthinkheaskedHerbJacksonwasit,tomake
himamansizedman.Itweighed700lbsandifIrememberthestorycorrectlyyoualongwithBob
Wallsetitupforhimandthenhidinabush.Brucekickeditandlandedinaheap.IhopeI'vegot
thisallrightorelseI'lllooklikeabitofadipAnywaycanyourememberthisdayandwhatdidyou
thinkwhenhekickedthebagandlandedonthefloor.Didheevermovethebigbagatall,whatwas
hissidekickpowerlikeonthebag?

JoeLewisIdonotremembermuchaboutthat700poundbag.Itsoundslikeoneofthoseold
rumors.Brucehadagoodfastsidekickbutifyouwatchsomeofthoseoldatapes,youcantellhe
alwayslungedfromtoogreatadistance.Thismakesthebagmovebutthrowsyourtimingwayoff.
Youneedtobeclosetothetirgetwhenyoufiresoyourreactiontimeandyourresponsetimeare
quick,notjustone.Timeingspeedisboth.Youshouldneverworkwithabagweighingmorethanl00
pounds,andImeannever.Ifanyonetellsyoudifferent,theydonotknowwhattheyaretalking
about.Bannanabagsaredifferentforthelowcutkicks.

DWForumLatelyI'veheardthingslike"BruceLeecouldhitseventimesinasecond"...I
personallybelieveitiscrap.Imeanhowcouldanybodytestspeedofpuncheswithouttodaysfast
camerasandallthatstuff?I'mtoldmywingchuninstructorpunchessevenhitsonasecond(inthe
airofcourse).Haveyouheardofit?Iguessit'saproofofaquickness....maybeBrucetalkedabout
it?

JoeLewisPlease,dropallthestuffyou'veheard.Martialartsisfullofnonsense.Onlybelieve
whatyouhaveseenorcanprove.ShowmemorethanthreerealpunchesinasecondandIwillkiss
yourbutt.ONfilm,Ali'sjabtook7framestocomplete,andSugarRay'stook9frames.Asecondof
filmtakes24frames.Simplemathguys.Threerealpunchespersecondandthatisit.Lesstalkand
moreproof.Let'sgetintheringandshowoffsomeofthesesecrets.Theypaymillionsofdollars.
Thatbeatseatingriceallyourlifeandteachingmartialartsforeveranytime?

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DWForumCanyoutellabitusofyourtrainingdayswithBruceLee&BobWall?Howmany
trainingsessionsintotaldidyouhavewithBruce&overthatperiodoftime?Whatisyouropinionof
Bruceasafighter?Wouldhehavebeenabletogo10or12roundswithsomeonesuchasyourself
orChuckNorris?ItisrumouredthatBruceLee&ChuckNorrishadasparingsessioninthatChuck
Norriswasleftredfaced.Iassumethistomeanhelostandwasembarassed.Doyouknowothave
youanythingaboutthis?Isthereanytruthinit.CanyoutellusabouttheincidentwhereBrucekept
teasingyouaboutkickingagirlsizedbag(Becuaseyoukeptbusting100lbbagswithyourkicks).
Andyouguys(Bobwalletc)madehimamansizedbag(300lb).Didyouevermeetorhavea
chancetotalktoJimKelly?

JoeLewisIlearnfast.ImadeblackbeltinoneyearinOkinawainthreedifferentstyles.Iama
fastlearning.Icangetallyourstuffinamatterofweeks,andImeananybodywhocanfight.I
workedwithBrucelessthantwoyearsbeforewegrewapart.Weusedtoworktogetherfor6to8
hoursatatime.Iwouldbeathishouseatoneintheafternoon,andnotleaveuntilmaybetenthat
night.Isthatonelesson?Brucewasnotafighter.Hewasanactorandateacher.Hewasagreat
teacher.

DWForumThereisafellowfromIndiawhoalwayscallsBruceLee`MasterLee',andcapitalizes
anywordsreferringto`Him'.HehasalsoputsomeratherunflatteringremarksonhisIndianfanclub
websiteaboutyoubytakingquotesofyoursoutofcontextandsayingthatyouareessential
insulting`MasterLee'.CanyoutellushowBruceLeewouldrespondandtreatsomebodywhowould
callhim`MasterLee'outsideaformalclasssetting?DidyouorChuckorMikeStoneeverhavetocall
himsifuorsuch?OrdidLeetellyoutocallhimbyhisname?

JoeLewisBruceLeealwayscalledme"Joe,"andIalwayscalledhim,"Bruce."Brucetoldmehe
wasnotamasterbutratherastudentmaster.Hecalledhimselfthisbecausehefelthewasalways
stilllearning.Hejokedaboutsomewhocalledhim"sifu."Asfaraswhatsomeoftheseuninformed
peoplefromforeignwebsitessayaboutmeorBruce,Iwishtheywouldexercisebetterjudgment.
Younevertalkaboutapersonunlessyouhaveinterviewedhim,workedwithhim,orobservedhim
training.MostpeoplewhotalkaboutBruceandmyselfhavenevermeteitherofus,interviewed
eitherofus,orwitnessedustrainingtogether.Myonlyadvicetotheuneducatedwriters,who
saturatetheJKDworld,bringusalittlehonortoyourefforts,andinthefuture,asprofessional
writerspractice,doyourhomeworkfirst.Lastly,properethicsteachesyounottoattacksomebody
andtheninvitethemtocomeontoawebsitetodefendthemselves.Inresponsetoattacksagainst
menotbeingspiritual:Thespiritualaspectsofcombatnevermadesensetotherationalthinker.
However,IstudiedobjectivismandJ.KrisnamurtibeforeIevermetBruce.Heencouragedmeto
integratetheseideologiesintomytraining.BeforeKrisnamurtidied,Iattendedoneofhislecturesin
Ojai,California.Afterhistalk,heusuallyacceptedvisitorsintheprivacyofhiscompany.Igavehis
staffaposterandpicturesofBruceLeetopresentonBruce'sbehalf.ItoldthemthatKrisnamurti
wasoneofBruce'sidols.Tome,thiswasanactofprofoundspiritualism.Noothermartialartisthad
donethisforBruce.

DWForumAreyoustillincontactwithChuckNorrisandMikeStone?

JoeLewisIrecentlydidoneofChuckNorris'lastshowson"WalkerTexasRanger."Chuckisin
goodshapebutfocuseshislifeonacting.MikeStonelivesinthePhillipines.Sofarastraininggoes,
Ihavestayedinshapeandremainonthecuttingedgeofthebestknowledgeavailabletotop
fighters.

DWForumWhatwas/isthegreatestimpactthatBrucehadonyoupersonally,whetheritbefrom
aphysical,orspiritualsense?Also,whatareyourthoughtsonthefactthathe'sstillbeingtalked
aboutafterallthesedecades?

JoeLewisIhadstudiedthephilosophiesofobjectivismandJ.KrisnamurtibeforeImetBruce.His
ideascomplementedandencouragedasimilarideology.Heinspiredmetoembracethiswayof
thinkingandintegratedintomyphysicaltraining.Iadmiredhisabstractthinking.Thesearepeople
whothinkinprincipal.Wewerebothartistsinthesenseofbeingabletodrawandsketch.Although
hewasChinese,Isawmyselfinhim.

DWForumYouhavesaidonnumerousoccassionsthatBrucewasnotafighter,butatthesame
timeyousaythatBrucewasthefirstPh.Dinmartialartsfighting?Andyouhavealsowrittenabout
howwhenyoufirstmetBruceyouwerereallyprejudiceinthosedays,especiallyoflittleguysas
fighters,whatchangedyourmind?Youalsowritethatinthosedaysyoudidn'tcaremuchfor
talkers,yousay,"don'ttellmehowtofightifyouneverfought",yougoontosay"Iwasadoerin
thosedays,andIdidn'tcaremuchfortalkers.Inotherwords,don'ttellmehowgreatyouare,how
greatyourstyleis,orweatheryourstuffworksornot.Let'ssimplygetintheringandI'llfindout
withinamatterofseconds".WhatwasitthatchangedyourmindandbecomeoneofBruce's
students?Whywereyourclassesprivate,andwereChuckNorris,orMikeStonetaughtprivatly
also?

JoeLewisBrucetoldmehedidnotcareaboutcompeting.Hehadnointerestinit,andhesaidhe
felttherewasnothingtogainbyhimdoingso.Littleguys,inmyopinion,havealwaysbeenthebest
trainers.Thisisbecausetacticallyveryearlyintheircareerstheyfigureouthowtoconquerlarger
opponents.MikeStone,whoIrespect,convincedmetostudywithBruce.Martialartsdoesnothave
alonghistoryasdoesboxing.BruceLeewasawealthofknowledge.Nooneknewwhathehad.
BruceLeewasproudtobetheinstructorofthreeworldchampions,Norris,Stone,andmyself.With
privatelessons,hecouldcustomizeeachlessontofitandcomplimenttheattributesoftheindividual.
Iteachthiswayalso.

DWForumHowdoyouendafightwithmultipleopponentsinaveryquickandefficientway??(4
or5Opponents).AndWhoisyourhero?orarolemodel?

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JoeLewisAgainstmultipleopponents,youonlyfightoneatatime.Yourespondtotheclosest
firstandmaneuversothattheopponentyouareworkingagainstisalwaysbetweenyouandthe
nextnearestattacker.Ihavenomartialartsheroes.I'mattractedtoscientistsintheintellectual
arena.Abstractthinkers,notphysicaltypes,havealwaysappealedtomemost.BruceLeewasan
abstractthinker.That'swhyIlikedhim,notbecauseofhistechniques.

DWForumHaveyoueverconsideredputtingoutaBioofyoulifeduringyourtournamentdays.A
bookaboutyourstartinthemartialartsrightuptowhenyoubecameWorldKickBoxingchampion.
Iforonelikethesesortofbooksandthinkitwouldmakeagoodbook.Areyoustillinvolvedin
anywaywiththeUFC,Irememberacoupleofyearsago,maybeitwaslonger,youinterviewed
fightersaftertheirmatcheswhatisyouropinionofthesetournamentstoday?Doyouthinkthat
theywillevergetthesamerespect,ormediacoveragethatBoxingdoes?

JoeLewisSomedayagoodwriterwoulddomylifestory.Presently,wehaveascreenplayready
entitled,"TheOneToBeat."IdidcommentaryontheIFCevents.Theycanceloutsomuchthatit's
difficultworkingitintomyschedule.Idonotliketournamentstheyareboringandit'sfakefighting.
Inthe20s,30s,and40s,baseballandboxingwereAmerica'stwomajorsports.Itwilltakeyearsfor
themixedmartialartstoevercatchup.

DWForumHowcomeittooksolongtocomeoutwithabookaboutyourrelationshipwithBruce
Lee?

JoeLewisOvertheyears,therehavebeenmanystatementsthatothershavemadeaboutwhat
BruceLeeorIsaid.Icomefromalongchainofworldclassfighters,andwepaylittleattentionto
thosewhodothetalkingandonlygivecredittothosewhodotheirtalkinginthering.Iwantedthis
booktosettherecordstraightaboutmytruerelationshipandtrainingwithBruceLee.Thereviews
andfeedbackIhavebeguntoreceivefrommanyoftheearlyreadersofthebookhavebeen100%
favorable.Mosthavesaiditwasextremelyinterestingandlongoverdue.Mostofthematerialinthe
bookhasneverbeendisclosed.Itisamajorfirstinthehistoryofmartialarts.Tendifferentwriters
whoknewBruceLee,includingthreeofthetopkaratefightersofalltime:MikeStone,ChuckNorris,
andmyself,haveputourtruestatementsinprintforthefirsttime.

DWForumHaveyoureadDavisMillersBook'TheTaoofBruceLee'andwhatdidyouthinkofit?

JoeLewisDavisMillersbookreallyupsetBruceLeesfamily,andIunderstandwhy.Hemade
manystatementswhichIfoundextremelyoffensiveanduntrue.Severaltimesheattributed
commentstomethatIneversaid.Example:HestatedthatImadeacommentthatJeetKuneDo
practitionersweremorelikeGeekKuneDo.Ihaveneverusedthewordgeekinmylife.Itisnot
awordinmyvocabulary.

DWForumInDavisMiller's'TheTaoofBruceLee'herecountsastorythatyoutoldhimabout
howonetimeBrucesetyouupinfrontofsomeofhisstudentsDaviswrites,"We'retraininganda
coupleofhisstudent'sarestandingaround.Hesays,'Joe,firethatforehandstrikeyou'reworking
on.'Ifireditheslippedit,andhesaid,'ComeonJoe,doitagain.'Idid.Andhesays,'justonce
more,Joe.'ThethirdtimeIfiredthepunch,heslippeditandcamebackwiththattriplepunchyou
seeatthebeginningofENTERTHEDRAGON.Hegoesbababam,firesthethreeshots,hitsme
squarebetweentheeyes.Hesuckeredme.Andittookhimthreetriestopullitoff.NextthingI
hear,hisstudentsarerunningaroundsayingBrucekickedmyass,completelyshowedmeup."Can
youtelluswhichstudentswerepresentanddidBruceeverapologize?

JoeLewisThetwostudentsthatIhadmetonthisoccasionbehindBruceshousewerePeterChin
andTedWong.Theyearwas1968.Itwasnotaworkoutsessionoraprivatelesson.Brucewas
prettymuchjustgoofingoff.HehadTedandmyselfexecuteacoupleofdrills,whichhehadstaged.
WewerewearingboxingheadgearandKendogloves.Oneofuswouldfireaforwardhandstrike,
andtheotherwouldattempttoslipitordeflectit.Bruceaskedmetofirethepunchathim.My
punchwasveryquick,andittookhimacoupleofattemptsbeforehecouldtimehiscounter.Onthe
thirdattempt,hebrushedthepunchasideanddidathreepunchcounter,whichiswhatwesawin
themovie,EntertheDragon.WewerenotsparringasIhaveneversparredwithBrucenorhaveI
seenhimspar.IdontthinkanyapologyfromBrucewaswarranted.Ididntseeitasabigdealand
Istilldont.Hewasjustdoingalittletimingthing.IfBrucesstudentswererunningaroundsaying
Brucekickedmybutt,ofcourse,itisnottrueandIcouldcarelesswhytheywouldmakethisup.
ThisisanotherreasonIwantedtosettherecordstraightwiththisbook.

DWForumWhatwereyourexhibitionboutslikeagainstLeonSpinksandBill"Superfoot"Wallace?
Aremanyofyourfightsonfilmorwilltherebeinthefuture?IthinkIheardsomewherethatBruce
hadfilmofyoucompeting,ifso,doyouknowwherethatfilmis?

JoeLewisMyexhibitionboutwithLeonSpinkswasafiasco.Hismanageraskedmenottothrow
anylegkicks,andwhilewewereinthedressingroombeforethebout,theyapproachedmeasked
metotakeadiveandpretendLeonSpinksknockedmeout.Thatjustshowedmeagainhow
crookedboxingis.Ofcourse,Isaid,no.Thenjustbeforethebell,Leonsmanagerwalkedoverto
meandaskedmenottothrowanyheadkicks,andIsaid,Whydontyoujustputhandcuffsonme
andlethimbeatthehelloutofme?AgainstSuperfoot,theNevadaAthleticCommissionertoldme
twodifferenttimesbeforeIgotintheringthatifIstartedhittinghardhewouldpersonallystepin
theringandstopthebout.AgainstsomeonewhoisfastasBillWallace,howdoyouholdbackyour
powerwhileatthesametimebeingabletomatchhisspeed?Itisimpossible.Again,Ifelt
handcuffed.Exhibitionordemonstrationboutsareafarce.Itstooeasyforsomeonetosetyouup.
Iveseenithappenmanytimes.

DWForumCanyoutelltheforumwhatexactlyhappenedthetimeyoudemonstratedMartialArts
onMuhammadAli?

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JoeLewisMuhammadAliwasgettingreadytofightthewrestler,Inoki,fromJapan.Hewasatthe
OlympicAuditoriuminLosAngelesdoingapressconferenceintheboxingring.Isimplyaskedhim
whathewoulddoifawrestlerdidafakepunchathisheadandshotforhislegtotakehimtothe
ground.Hetoldmetostepintheringanddemonstrate.Thepresspushedmebetweentheropes,
andIfoundmyselffacetofacewithAli.Wewerebothinstreetclothes,andhehadhishandsup
shufflingsidetosideusinglateralfootworkmovementsagainstme.Ididashoulderfake,whichhe
reactedto,andshotforhisleg.TheinstanceIhookedhisleg,Ifroze.Iwastooembarrassedto
dumphimonhisbutt.Hebentforwardandwrappedhisarmsaroundmywaist,andIheard
everybodyintheplacelaugh.Ipickedhimup,didafiremanscarrytakedown,dumpinghimonhis
back,andpinnedhimonthemat.Everybodygrabbedmeandpulledmeoffquickly.Ijumpedup,
tellingeverybodywewerejustplaying.Alistoodupnexttomeandputhisarmaroundmy
shoulder.Atthetime,Iwasonlyabout180poundsbecauseIwaspursuingactingnotfighting,and
myweightwasreallydown.Alisfirstcommenttomewas,Youliftedweightswhenyouwere
younger,didntyou?ImsurehecouldtellIwasextremelystrongandhardasabrick.Thenwedid
thesamemovementagain,andIpinnedhimagainasecondtimeinarow.Thatswhenheshowed
mehowhewasgoingtofightInokiwithhisbackconstantlyagainsttheropes.

DWForumInyourbrieffilmcareer,whatmovieareyoumostproudofandifyouhadtotal
controloveraprojecttostarin,whowouldyoucastandwhy?

JoeLewisIamnotreallyproudofanyofmyfilms.IneverhadascriptoradirectorIcouldwork
with.Theywereallactiondirectorsandknewnothingaboutworkingwithactors.Iwouldliketowork
inaprojectwithsomeonelikeRobertDeNiroorJackNicholsonwhereIwouldplaysomeoneclose
tohim,suchasabrother.Iwouldprefernevertodomartialartmovies.Inthebeginning,myacting
coachestoldmetoneverdomartialartmovies.ThatwasoneofthereasonsIturnedBruceLee
down.

DWForumYouworkedon'TheSilentFlute'or'CircleofIron'withDavidCarradinehadBruce
livedwouldyouhaveworkedwithhimon'TheSilentFlute'movie,orlet'ssay'GameofDeath'ifhe
askedyouagain?

JoeLewisIamnotsurewhatpartIwouldhaveplayedineitherofthesemovieshadBruceLee
askedmetoworkwithhim.Inretrospect,Iwouldbeafoolnotto.

DWForumThefirsttimeyoumetBruceinlate1966inaparkinglotoutsideofBlackBelt
magazine,Brucespentabout30minutesshowingyouanumberofweaknessesinthetraditional
karatestylesandwhyhissystemwassuperior.WhatexactlydidBrucesayandwhydidn'tthat
convinceyoutostartworkingwithhim.WhydidyouconsideronlyaftertalkingtoMikeStonein
1967tocontactLee,whatdidMikeStonesaythatBrucedidn'ttoconvinceyou?

JoeLewisThisisactuallyagoodstory.BothMikeStoneandItalkaboutthisinthebook.Mikes
chapterisarealeyeopener.MikewasafighterandIrespectedhisopinion.

DWForumThereisnewfilmallthetimepoppingupforsaleofBruceLee'sbackyardworkouts.
DidBruceeverfilmanyofyourlessonswithhim?DoyouhaveanyphotosofBruceandyourself,or
filmofBrucethathavebeenstoredawayandneverbeenreleased?

JoeLewisNooneeverfilmedBruceLeeandItrainingtogether.ThephotoeditorofBlackBelt
magazine,OliverPang,shotanumberofrollsoffilmwithme,BruceLee,andLewAlcindor(Kareem
AbdulJabar)downinChinaTownin1967.WhenOliverwentblind,heturnedallofthoseshotsover
toBlackBelt,whichwereputinstorage,andtodate,noonehasseenthem.Inthefuture,my
website,JoeLewisFightingSystems.com,andMartialArtsBooks.comwillreleaseoldfootageofmany
ofmyfights,whichwereshoton8mandSuper8mbackinthe60s.

DWForumMr.Lewis,who,inyouropinion,doyouthinkisresponsibleforglorifying,orbuilding
upBruceasagreatwarrior,withexceptionalpowers?Themedia,thefansorthemartialartistsand
peoplewhoactuallymetandknewhim?

JoeLewisThatisaninterestingquestion.Moviescreateheroesandmyths.Thecombinationof
martialarts,whichissteepedinmythandthemagicoffilmhelpedcreatetheBruceLeethatmost
peopleimaginetobereal.Myimageisquitedifferent.Thiswasaguywhowassimplybrilliantinhis
concepts,confidenceanddrive.Illtakethatoverthemoviesanyday.Eitherwaywebothwin.Fans
ofBrucehavearealmartialartisttochampionandIhaveanexperiencethatnoonecantake
away.

DWForumWhatareyourthoughtsongroundfightingGeneLebellsaidinaninterviewoncethat
Bruceloveditand"wouldeatitup.DidBruceteachyouanygroundfighting,orwashemoreintoit
lateroninhislife?

JoeLewisIbeganmytraininginweightliftingandwrestlingasateenager.Ihavealwaysfelt
grapplingandweighttrainingprovidesthebestfoundationforafighter.BruceLeeandIdidnotdo
anygroundfightingwhenIwasworkingwithhim.Ithinkallmartialartiststodayshouldpractice
groundmaneuvers,suchashowtoshootforthelegs,acoupleofgoodrearchokesandfront
chokes,maybeatrianglechoke,andsitoutarmbar,andagoodstandingarmbar.Mostofthat
standingwristflexingandfingerlockingstuffdoesnotworkinarealsituation.

DWForumYoustatedbefore,thatyouthoughtthattheUFCandothertournamentslikethat,when
theyfirststarted,actuallypushedthemartialartsbackabout50yrsdoyoustillthinkthattoday,or
hasitimprovedinthelast4,or5yrs?

JoeLewisIneverstatedthatanyofthemixedmartialartseventspushedmartialartsback50
years.Initially,theUFCeventsweresetupasachallengetoothermartialartsstyles.Idonotplay
thechallengegame.Ifeelitisverylowclass.Ihaveneverpersonallymadeachallengetowards

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someoneoracceptedachallenge.Itsendsthewrongmessageinmartialarts.Peoplewhochallenge
othersseemtometobeinsecureabouttheiraccomplishmentsorhowothersperceivetheirstature
asamartialartist.

Thefighterswhohavelearnedtopunchmoreeffectivelyhavesurpassedthemixedmartialarts
fighterswhoonlyhavegrapplingskills.Whenthedaycomesthatthetopfighterscankickaswellas
punch,togetherwithexcellentgrapplingskills,thatwillbethebirthofagreatsport.

DWForumYoumetDanInosantoforthefirsttimeeveranddidaninterviewwithhimforyour
newbookwhatwasyourimpressionofhimbeforetheinterviewandwhatwasyourimpression
after?

JoeLewisBeforeImetDanny,Ihadknownhisdaughter,Diana,andherhusbandforanumber
ofyears.ContrarytotherumorsIhadheard,Dianatoldmethatherfatherhadgreatrespectfor
me.Ifoundhimtobeverysociable,charming,andtalkative.Itwasanextremelypleasantfirst
meeting.Ithinkthetwoofushititoffliketwooldkidswhohadgrownuptogether.Headdeda
greatdealtotheinsightandcredibilitytothebook.Manyofhisstatementsabouthistrainingwith
BruceLeewereidenticaltothoseIhadmadeaboutBruceoverthepast30years.Inparticularwas
thefactthatbothDannyandIstatedthatBruceLeewasconstantlychanginghisdefinitionofJeet
KuneDoandthecorrectapplicationofitsrespectedcombatdrills.Manyoftheseareillustratedin
thebook.

DWForumDoyouthinkthatBruceLeewasgraduallygoingtophaseouttrapping,wingchung,in
JeetKuneandincorporatemoreKickboxing?

JoeLewisNodoubt,BruceLeewasphasingoutmuchofthetrappingfromhisWingChung
training.HewasincorporatingalotfromkickboxingatthetimeIwasworkingwithhim.One
examplewaswhenhethrewhisroundkick.Hewasteachingpeoplehowtorollthehipintothekick
beforeyoureleasethekneeextensionatcontact.Anotherexamplewasthatinsteadofkickingwith
yourtoesortheballofyourfootontheroundkick,hebeganteachingmakingcontactwiththe
ankleboneandthelowerpartoftheshin.Hewasalsostartingtoaddmoreinandouttypeengaging
drills.TheoldWingChungpractitionerswouldpenetratetheiropponentsdefensiveperimeter,
engagewithacombinationbutneglecttopulloutordisengageattheend.Brucewascorrectingthis
tacticaloversight.

DWForumInyourgreatfightingcareer,whatwasyourgreatestmomentinthering?

JoeLewisIhadnogreatmomentsinthering.Ineverenjoyedbeatingupanotherperson.My
greatestmomentinmartialartswasthedaytheypromotedmetoblackbeltinOkinawa.Thatwas
40yearsago.

DWForumDuringyourtournamentdaysyouwereknownforyourpower,speedandfinesseasa
fighter,butyoualsodidn'tdrinkalcohol,coffee,tea,orsmokecigarettes,doyoustillpracticethese
goodhabits?

JoeLewisIstillpracticemycleanlivinghabitstodayatage60.Iwillcomparemybodyagainst
any25yearoldfightertoday.Idrinktea,butIneverlikedthetasteofalcoholorcoffee,andI
cannotstandcigarettesmoke.

DWForumTomBleekerwroteabookonBruceLeeandsaidinitthatBruceLeeusedsteroidsand
IalsoreadthatheuseddrugsduringyourtimewithBruce,didyouwitnessanyofthis,ifsowasit
once,twice,ornotatall?

JoeLewisIdonotknowanythingaboutTomBleeker,norhaveIevermethim.AsfarasBruce
Leeusingsteroids,Idontthinkitisanyonesbusiness.Steroidsmakefightersshortwinded,and
onlyafoolwouldtakethemunlessyouneedtogainweightquicklyforsomeprofessionalpurpose.
ThechurchthestateoranyofhispeersdidnotownBruceLeesbody.Hisbodywashisproperty
andhisonly.Therefore,itisnoonesbusinesswhathechosetoputinhisbody.Iwisheveryone
wouldrespectthisphilosophicalprinciple.

DWForumHaveyoubeeninanyknockdowndragoutstreetfights?Ifso,whatwasyour
toughestfightoutsidethering(ifany)?Pleaseexplainindetail.

JoeLewisIhavefollowedtworulesallmylife.Idonotdrink,andIdonothangoutwithother
guys.Whyhangoutwithmenwhenyoucanhangoutwithwomen?Ifyoufollowthesetwosimple
rules,lifeisnotonlyahellofalotmorefunbutitisimpossibletogetintostreetfights.Street
fightingisfortwopeople:kidsand/orhoodlumswhohavenorespectfortheprinciplesofbeinga
responsiblemartialartist.Streetfightershavetwocountsagainstthem:1)Theytrytosolve
problemsbyforce,and2)indirectlytheyreteachingothersthattheycondoneviolence.Ifullyreject
thispremise.

DWForumDoyoufeelthatastimegoesbyyouareabetterfighter(meaninginthestreetnot
tournamentcompetition)todaythenyouwereinyourprime?Orisjustamatterofadjustments,as
yougrowolder?

JoeLewisIhaveneverthoughtofmyselfasbeingabetterstreetfighterinanyrespect.Iknow
moretodayabouthowtoavoidthatkindofnonsense.Ihavenothingtoprovebygettingintoa
streetaltercation.Aswas30to40yearsago,ifpushcomestoshove,myfavoritemovehasalways
beentospinmyopponentintoarearchoke.Thatway,noonegetshurt,andwhenthecopscome,
therearenobruisesorblood.Streetfighterskeeptheirrecordsdownatthelocalpolicedepartment.
Iwantmyfightrecordstoremainwheretheybelongonlyintherecordbooks.

DWForumTodaythere'sdefinitelyahugemisunderstandingofwhatJKDactuallywas,wouldit
wouldbefairtosaythatthebasicaimofJKDwasmerelytobecomeanaturalmartialartistrather
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1/8/2017 BruceLee:TheDivineWind
thanamechanicalone?

JoeLewisThebestwaytoanswerthisquestionistoasktheseriousthinkingmartialartiststonot
onlyreadmybookbuttostudyandtouseitasaresearchmanual.Manyblackbeltsfromaround
thecountrywhohavealreadyreceivedtheirpersonalissuetellmethattheycarryitwiththem
alwaysasamanual.Inoneofthechaptersinthebook,IdiscussBruceLeesobsessionwith
teachingmartialartistshowtoavoidthistrapofduality.Asinactingoranyartisticendeavor,beit
combatoramusicianplayinganinstrument,onesexecutionofhiscraftmustalwaysbeinperfect
unisonbetweenhistechniqueandhiscurrentemotionalstate.Iexplainedinthebookhowthis
processcouldbelearnedandexecuted.Itisoneofthekeystounderstandingthecoreofthe
premiseofJeetKuneDophilosophy.

DWForum60yearsfromnow,whenpeoplementionthenameJoeLewis,howwouldyouwantto
beremembered?

JoeLewisIhaveseriouslynevergiventhisquestionanythought.Todignifymyeffortsandtobe
abletohavebeenknowntolivewithdignitywouldbemygreatestattribute.Ifeelthatfewofus
martialartistshaveeveraccomplishedthat.IhaveneverstatedinpublicthatIhavebeatenanyone
byname.IhavenevermisrepresentedmyrealranknorhaveIeverclaimedtowinatitlethatI
hadnot.AlthoughIfailedmyfirstgreenbelttestinOkinawa,ayearlater,whenIwashandeda
seconddegreeblackbeltcertificate,Irefusedtoacceptit.IamtheonlymartialartistinNorth
AmericathatIknowofwhohasnotonlytrainedineverycountryfromKoreasouthwardalltheway
toAustralia,butIamperhapstheonlyonewhoreceivedthelastrightsfromthesamemasterpriest
inTokyowhoadministeredthelastrightstotheKamikazepilotsduringWorldWarII.Ihavetriedto
makethestandardandthestatusforthatwhichablackbeltstandstoalwaysrepresentavery
nobleandworthyaccomplishment.Iwishotherswouldrespectandfollowthissamerule.Idonot
expectmorethanahandfulofmartialartiststoeverbeabletoduplicatemyexamples.However,I
trustthatsomewillbeabletoliveinthelightofdignity,whichIhavedescribedabove.

DWForumThanksagainJoefordoingthisinterviewwithus.

JoeLewisYourverywelcome.

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