Somewhat like you, I fell in love with the concept, and at a vulnerable time in American history. Bruce Lee was till alive, and Kung Fu was a big hit on television.

And for several years I tried. But two things destroyed the glorious image. During a class, an experienced fighter with arms like trees was paired against this 5 and a half foot 114 pound orange belt in a punching/blocking exercise. To this day I believe his intention was to hit me hard enough to stop my heart, and thus brag about it for the remainder of his career. (No doubt I’d be bigger and stronger in his account.) Perhaps the only thing preventing it was my weight. Instead of absorbing all his strength with my chest, I simply went flying through the air. Nothing was ever said or done to my knowledge, and perhaps he had greater “success” later.

But what caused me to leave was my instructor’s instructor. He told us that his goal, if ever attacked, was to kill.

Suddenly the art and discipline of Bruce Lee mattered little or nothing.

Best to you, and especially safety.