“I’d like to start a movement for athletes and trainers to understand how the body works and honor its mechanism, versus pushing past limitations”
With Kung Fu Master Sifu Matthew
I would like to add a new dimension for athletes, trainers, and all those looking to excel past limitations. This dimension is about understanding a deeper science of how the body works and how to honor its mechanism, versus pushing past limitations without understanding the long term damages that can be incurred. We can excel in fitness and fail at wellness, which are two different animals. I would like to see a unification of the two that covers the actuality of living in balance versus the idea of it.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Sifu Matthew the founder of The Martial Arts of Wellness (MAOW). Sifu is a Kung fu Master who is known as The Injury Whisperer for his ability to heal injuries and regenerate body tissues rapidly. Some of his clients include professional athletes, celebrities, top tier executives and dogs. He works with top executives worldwide on performance, strategy and wellness. He is taking part in study on rapid healing at a Major Scientific institute.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! What is your “backstory”?
I was extremely fortunate to start training in the Martial Arts when I was three years old. At first, I just remember having a lot of extra energy to move and play as many little boys do. As I matured in my studies, I was deeply moved and inspired by both the mental warriorhood discipline aspects, as well as the graceful and powerful movements that taught me how to fight, be alert and respond to challenges.
What ultimately became my passion was a seed that was planted in my early training that took many years to cultivate into action. In my earlier Judo classes, I remember the distinct moment of being grabbed and choked by a partner and becoming aware, not just of the move itself that I was trying to get out of, but of all the sensations coming off of the other person’s body that I could feel. For example: the heat on one side of their body, the nervous sensations coming off of their heart, and the heaviness in their legs due to gravity. I could not put my finger on what the exact meanings were of these sensations that I felt, but I had an innate sense that these feelings and impulses were somehow keys to the language of our body’s electrical activity.
I started to follow different paths of the sensations. For example, when a person felt hot to me, I would push up on their body and they would always lift. When a person felt cold or damp in a certain part of their body, they would not have the power to respond when I applied force to that area. All the sensations coming off the body became a map to the person’s strengths and weaknesses, which if followed closely, could affect combat dramatically. I realized I was picking up on imbalances in their electrical system.
As I developed my skills, I became more interested in helping them heal, rather than to harm or win in combat. This analysis or core listening, along with my ability to harness force and energy, became the groundwork for making great strides in healing injuries and conditions rapidly. I began to not only help many others heal, but also used this wisdom to heal my own body of several injuries and ailments that were non-responsive to other forms of treatment.
What was a major influential story or event that happened in your life?
I was speaking at a convention when a young man who was part of the staff approached me. He had a horrific injury — a car lift had fallen on his foot six months earlier. He was still on crutches, bound to pain killers, and his foot had a severe non-stop burning sensation. He could not move his big toe and he had not slept well in months due to the severe pain. Doctors had wanted to surgically open his spine and place an electromagnetic stimulator within it in order to gain the motion back in his foot. He did not believe he could heal but was willing to try.
After I worked on him, within a relatively short session, he had a miraculous recovery. His toe was moving again, the pain decreased dramatically, and he no longer needed painkillers. I had seen many amazing healings in the past, but had not witnessed something to this degree. I was moved to tears, but beyond those feelings, I had a sense of responsibility to go forth and offer my abilities without holding back. I understood the science of what had happened and why. However, the experience of witnessing a condition change that quickly and having such a tremendous impact on another human, altered my perception of reality forever. I realized the body was capable of doing far more than the mind could ever imagine.
What contribution would you like to make in the world of fitness performance and wellness?
I would like to add a new dimension for athletes, trainers, and all those looking to excel past limitations. This dimension is about understanding a deeper science of how the body works and how to honor its mechanism, versus pushing past limitations without understanding the long term damages that can be incurred. We can excel in fitness and fail at wellness, which are two different animals. I would like to see a unification of the two that covers the actuality of living in balance versus the idea of it.
Success and mastery are often born through struggle and challenge. What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it.
The biggest challenge I overcame was learning to disintegrate the abusive pattering and beliefs I was imprinted with as a child. These beliefs manifested in not seeing my fullest potential and not respecting my authentic feelings to the core. The stripping away took place when I was ready to embrace a level of honesty and integrity to be myself fully, and not bend to anything that did not come from within. A new powerful resolve was born from being willing to feel my failures and witness myself as the cause of my life.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
I am currently working on getting programs into prisons. I am also working on a healing study at a major medical institution. The results will be used as a template to educate the medical community on scientific ways to avoid sickness and stimulate rapid healing.
What are some inspirational tips you wish to share with the readers?
- Always listen before you make a move or you will travel down the same pathway as before.
- Identify what you are listening to in neutrality.
- Listen to people’s hearts and you will know their intentions
- Know your heart. It is the commander of action and listening.
- Never disregard a feeling.
Some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
I would like to meet with VC firms, Sports Team owners and top athletes to introduce them to the concept of Dynamic Regeneration. Through this science, high levels of burnout, injury and illness can be prevented and repaired creating a pathway for higher output and a profound sense of wellness.
How can our readers follow you on social media?