Pragmatic Martial Arts

What do other martial artists say about Adam?

Steve Smith - website

Leader/ inheritor of Fook Yeung Chuan

There are very few people in the world who I am willing to recommend people to for training and Adam Chan is on the Short list of that Short List. Adam Chan's skill in personal self defense, traditional and non traditional martial arts is exceptional and his caring for society at large puts him at the top. As one of Adam's students a person can expect to develop exceptional ability in methods that will work in the real world, (almost too well). If you are interested in developing that kind of skill and are open to think about the moral side of training you would have to go far to get comparable training.

Sifu Lamar M. Davis II - website

Founder of HARDCORE JEET KUNE DO

I would highly recommend Adam Chan and his teaching/learning materials to anyone who is interested in learning serious self defense! Adam is a great instructor, and can not only teach it, but more importantly … DO IT! His approach to teaching and training is very similar to Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do. Similar enough, in fact, to catch my attention, which is not an easy task as long as I have been in the martial arts! If you get the chance to train with Adam, by all means do so! I highly recommend it!

Micheal Quijano

Muay Thai Champion, Wing Chun Sifu

I want everybody to know something here. I am not saying this because of any politics whatsoever. Adam, is a great young martial artist. He reminds me in many ways of Tommy Carruthers, Mike Lee, Bruce and a few others. Adam, is on the verge to becoming a great martial artist period. People who train with him or know him are blessed. I learn from his postings and the things that he demonstrates, but most of all, he is a class act. He knows what martial respect is all about. What a bleesing in our generation to have such a true martial artist not afraid to test the waters himself, yet maintain respect for his teachers and others. I always wish him the best in all of his endeavors.

Tom DeFelice

Great Practitioner in methods of Jesse Glover and the Late Ed Hart (students of Bruce Lee)

Adam is a highly innovative martial artist with the ability to take simple ideas and make them functional. Through hard work and persistence, Adam has reached an impressive level of skill while developing his own "way" and applying it to real self-defense. Most importantly, Adam is a humble guy without a giant ego. I highly recommend Adam’s instruction to anyone who is looking to learn realistic and effective self-defense.

Michael Banaag

Instructor of James DeMile Tactics(student of Bruce Lee)

When you look in places like youtube, or in martial arts in general, there are always people, even big names in the martial arts world that try to talk big, try to sound knowledgeable, and portray themselves as “the man” with all the answers. Then you see what they look like when they actually execute technique and it’s not very impressive. Adam IS impressive! His technique is straight to the point, no non-sense, and just sharp! What makes him even more impressive is that his thought process regarding not just martial arts, but more importantly self-defense, mirrors his technique – straight to the point, no non-sense, and sharp! And the greatest part about Adam, too, is that, to me, he’s never come across as the guy who has to act like he’s got all the answers. There’s a humility that rings with a saying I remember being taught growing up, “those who DON’T really know speak loudly. Those who DO know, don’t have to speak.” Luckily for the martial arts and self-defense world Adam is willing to share and speak, but ultimately…he doesn’t have to.

Sifu Mike Smith

Yi quan / Natural Gate Boxing , 30 years experience

Adam Chan. Of all of the hundreds of people I have trained in my life as a teacher of applied combat skills, you have excelled beyond anyone. If either of us was concerned about lineages and stuff it would be all on you.

Ian Sinclair

Hsing I, Ba Gua, Tai Chi Instructor, 9X Push Hands International Champion

ONE OF THE GREAT MARTIAL ARTISTS OF HIS GENERATION!
This is one of those guys who has trained and researched 10 hours per day for twenty years and continues to evolve.? His material is concise, effective, and applicable to every style.

Shane Escher

Champion Golden Glove Boxer, MMA

I come from a family with mixed martial art backgrounds but my primary focus was on boxing due to the nature of the sport and its simplicity when it comes to picking up techniques and putting them to immediate use. I boxed competitively for many years and although I enjoyed the competitive nature of the sport, my primary initiative when joining was for discipline and self-defense.

Adam is well versed in martial arts and takes a pro-active approach in training. Many of times, you find yourself in a bully or multiple assailant situations. Unlike a competitive sport, your primary focus is to beat your opponent to the punch and get to a safe place to avoid further altercations.

Adams approach is just this. His style and techniques are unique and 110% effective. Upon initially meeting with Adam, I fell prey to his demonstration! Having a boxing background, I was over confident and immediately thought size does matter when I implemented my boxing skills. Adam implemented a counter-attack and I did not know how to react. His flow and style was always a step ahead and prior to me initiating an attack, he had already implemented his counter strike!

I was very impressed with his methods and became a true believer in what Adam is trying to teach. He [Adam] is no nonsense and picks his students wisely. He is not willing to train those who do not have the desire to learn or are just interested in becoming fit or getting a good workout. For this, you can go to a fitness center. Adam's interest is in picking individuals who have a keen interest in learning effective self-defense and discipline skills.

Pierre Hartmann

Instructor of Jesse Glover's Non Classical Gung Fu

I do not know Adam personally, but from what I've seen, his ability in martial arts is awesome. I am impressed with his accuracy, speed and direct moves. But especially his skill on efficiency for his size. It seems his personal style fits perfect for his body type. Keep it up !!! you already got great skill.

Kevin Desrochers

Former Boxer, Kali Stick Fighter, Hsing I Chuan, Wing Chun man

I first met adam in nov 1997 after looking at virtually every school I could find in the Lower Mainland(Vancouver Area). I just happened to mention to a friend at work what I was looking for, to which he said you should call this guy - "he is like Bruce Lee super good and a great guy." I called Adam that very minute. After a quick chat on the phone we set up a time. I had a hard time finding his house and was late for our first meeting,(not a good start). He buzzed me in I walked up the stairs and knocked on the door, and a 5'2 kid with glasses and a crew cut answered the door, I followed him into the kitchen/livingroom. I guess the look on my face showed my doubts, and Adam just said "hit me any way you can, as fast as you can". Now, after going to other schools with the whole "ok attack me with your right hand, at this angle please and at this speed" thing, I looked at him like "come on now", Adam said "really...just go for it". I did and the next thing I know, I saw a flurry of punches and I was tied up in a knot with Adam looking down at me. I had a look of disbelief on my face and he said "ok then, do it again". This time I tried even harder to hit this little guy to teach him a lesson, well the result was the same thing as before. Before I could move I was hit and the next thing I knew, I was somehow kinda under his kitchen table. Well I was sold, I asked if I could join he said "yes" and 14yrs later I am still with him.

As a martial artist he is unlike anything I have ever seen. How far he has come with hardly any real teacher other then a pen and paper and me as a training dummy for all these years is really incredible. He can gain insight from watching or doing something completely non martial arts related and put it into his art and improve it leaps and bounds. He improves with age and makes his art better and better each year. His insight into the arts is really something, how he can look at something and break it down, and explain it. But most of all his uncompromising dedication to his art and unwillingness not to sell out his art or anyone else's is something that is a rare thing. I have many times seen him kick out students when he hardly any money for food and needed the monthly dues, but his art and his integrity comes first and foremost.
As a teacher you could not ask for anything more having someone care that much that you understand and actually improve is something not many students get that luxury. So as it goes he is an actual martial artist not just a martial fighter but luckier then that I get to call him my friend of fourteen years now.

John Disteso

15 yrs World War 2 Combatives and Kickboxing

I've trained on and off for 15 years with several very experienced teachers. When I began my studies with Adam I was astounded by his phenominal personal skill in realistic street self defence. He is lightning fast, powerful and gives true meaning to the term, 'martial artist.' He is the most dedicated and well rounded fighter I have ever trained with and he has given me a new confidence in my abilities. It is an honor to be his student. I highly recommend him to anyone who wants to learn the realities of street self defence.

Jeff Meadows

Reality Based Self Defence Instructor 20 years experience

Adam Chan is very good martial artist this is apparent to expert and novice alike. Over the many years that I have studied the arts I have trained with many teachers. So with a qualified voice I can say that Adam is rare and is the type of teacher I seek. The qualities I look for is are a genuine interest in there students both in and out of the training hall. A teacher that continues to learn and grow on there own. After all if they dont how will the continue to teach you? A teacher that ask themselves the hard questions and find the answer then help you to find the question. One that is not bound by tradition but bound by the truth. Adam is all these things and more. I have every confidence that he will be one of the greats in our generation of artist. If you have a chance to learn with Adam seize the chance and consider yourself blessed.

Jo Amaral

Wing Chun, Natural Gate Boxing / Yi Quan practitioner

An extraordinary man and Martial Artist, Adam's simple, direct approach to combat and 'No question is too stupid' training philosophy has helped many surpass their preconceived limitations. I would urge anyone looking for practical, effective combat training to train with Adam. One of the best.

Tyler Chiu

Former practitioner of Capoeia

Adam is one of those rare people who actually give a damn about what he does. He is very serious about his art has therefore never failed to help his students accomplish their goals. I have trained with him for over 5 years,and I think of him as a mentor, a teacher,and as an older brother. Training with him, I feel fully capable of defending myself . But in all honestly, what I have learned from him (and am still learning from him) goes far beyond being able to fight.He makes good people better and installs a confidence that one rarely finds on his own. Fighting ability is just a by-product.

Gary Hundle

Former Boxer

I more than ever motivated to learn from Adam, and continue his art form. His stuff his real and practical and it works!!

Tyler Basu

Former Practitioner of Shotokan Karate

I am fortunate enough to be learning from Adam and what he has taught me in just a few months is amazing. Also, his book Climbing Mountains and Eating Punches is a must read.

Tom Westmoreland

PMA student

Learning Adam's methods have change the way I look at conflict. I am alot more confident in my ability to deal with a hostile situation. Adam is the most honest and has the most integrity out of anyone that I have ever met. He demonstrate that the stuff works and he has proven it over and over again. His system gives one the ability to defeat an average attacker in a few seconds.

Adam Chan

If I had to write about my martial arts background, then I think using this opportunity to post a tribute to my teachers would be better:

Joeseph Boychuck - I trained for 2 years in Classical Moy Yat Wing Chun. You will never meet another man more loyal to Wing Chun than him. I didn't know when I was 11 that Wing Chun was gonna be the basic tool that I would use for the rest of my life. I feel that no matter how much I change I still think like a Wing Chun man at heart. It was Sifu Joeseph Boychuck who gave me that(Wing Chun) root and I am sure I wouldn't have progress to any length without him. I have lost contact with him and I hope he's doing well wherever he is. Although I know that I don't have the talent to fight like a classical Wing Chun man, I know I think like one and for that I am grateful.

Mike Smith - I was there for 2 years. Physically, it would be impossible in a short post to write about all the things that Sifu Mike did. He had experience in Karate, different versions of Wing Chun, Ba Kua Chang, Natural Gate Boxing, Northern Shaolin, Yi Quan, Hsing I Chuan, different styles of Tai Chi, Kali, etc. It was Mike who got me out of "the best" mentality by letting me see how different arts approach things and by showing me that things are about universal principles not fragmentation of "style". I most definitely do not have the personality nor skill to fight like Sifu Mike but he inspired one of the most important thing in my mind - individuality and creativity. It was shocking and inspiring to see how inventive he was and I am sure he still is. THANK YOU Sifu!

Jesse Glover and the late Ed Hart - Around the time that I met them, I was confused with too many techniques in my body and waaay too many ideas in my mind. The worn out martial arts words of Simplicity, Directness, Efficiency needed to be drilled into me once again. I was only there for 2 months and I ran out of cash,(I was living on bread literally, taking the bus 4 hours there and 4 hours back just to train for 2 hours a night). Because of this, I only scratched the surface and I cannot do a lot of the things that NCGF does. However, they gave me a chance to see a method that fitted my personality. For the first time in my martial arts life, I felt like I was being myself. They taught me HOW to train and how to learn and how to research, which in my mind was what I needed - it gave me the courage to find my own answer. How do you pay someone back for that? Without them I am sure I wouldn't have found out what really worked for me. Even nowadays at 74, Jesse is still researching and evolving his art, he teaches humility without words. Jesse is the one guy who really drove home the essential practice of critical thinking and self acceptance - do what work for YOU!

Ed particularly inspired me to be better person. Ed was 73, I think, when I met him but he was as excited as a kid when he was teaching haha. Ed once said "This stuff changes people, I don't know how and I don't wanna mess with it.". That reminds me of buddhism's "authentic presence" - Ed never TALKED philosophy, the way he treated others WAS philosophy, he lived it. He told me "It takes a willing student and a willing teacher, if you are willing I promise to make you good" and he stuck out his hand. SHIT I almost cried. Well we never got the chance because he died shortly afterwards but I can never forget that degree of generosity - he natually without trying, made people wanna be better human beings simply by the way he treated others. Even though he didnt want to "mess with it" he made a big difference - how can anyone be an ass without extreme guilt after knowing someone like Ed? Nowadays who cares this much, I go into a MA school and they are usually bragging and trying to sell me before I even have a chance to blink.

And the integrity he had...he could have sold out and cash in on his friendship with Bruce Lee but, like Jesse, he never did unlike a lot of Bruce's "friends". One time in class we joked with Ed how if he advertised and get a lot of guys he would defintely make a lot of cash. Ed got dead serious and said that if you commericalize it, you will lose quality. Quality, that's what the man was all about. He was content teaching undeground.

For new readers, Ed was a seasoned street fighter, a judo guy, was once a young 240 lbs pro boxer and later he was the second student of Bruce Lee and later learned from Jesse. Aside from his excellent fighting method and how truly creative he was, his instruction paid a lot of attention to the psychological side of real conflict - he's been there plenty of times in his life. Jesse stated "Ed was as good in street fighting as Bruce was in gung fu". Rest in Peace Ed, I miss that old guy!

In the end, names and styles do not matter. Most commercialized martial arts styles are very sports oriented today and they would not work without some kind of modification. A lot of things I do is based on trial and error. There is a huge difference between training for a sport as compared to training for real situations such as an ambush, close quarter confrontations, multiple attackers, fighting in a dark environment, dealing with weapons, rescue third party etc. One should study how criminals behave and start attacks. This study of self-protection can easily encompass more than what most would call a martial art. This research has led me into the basic ideas of criminology, sociology, psychology, sport-science and physics. That is why I always think it's funny when people ask me what style I do, I mean where do I start?

People that I have met in person very briefly that have somehow made a huge impact:

Wong Shun Leung - I met Wong Shun Leung one day, the student of Yip Man, one teacher of Bruce Lee. He went off about the workings of Wing Chun. He gave me the chance to see a very agressive side of Classical Wing Chun. This allowed me to see my Wing Chun roots more clearly, it was through meeting him that got me obssessed with attacking throat and eyes because I am small too - although it was many years later that I made it work for me. On the surface, it's about targets but in reality, fingers have a way to trigger a different body feel, mind set and angles which other hand technique simply cannot fit into. This opens the door for me to angle my body differently, which leads into the ability to uproot people on the very first beat, well unless the guy is really good. He really helped me without knowing it RIP WSL. What I really like about him was his unflinching honesty.

Professor Chang Su Fang / Si Gung Tung - Professor Chang was my Chi Gung teacher for a couple of months but he introduced me to his teacher's Gung Fu brother Si Gung Tung, who was a direct student of Wang Hing Zhai, the legendary founder of Yi Quan. Si Gung Tung was 91 years old I think when I met him so he was very traditional and he was not very happy about teaching someone who pratices other arts. So I was only allowed to be there for a few classes. I never fault him for it, watching him move influenced all my arm techniques - structure. Years later I showed his best student my modification, she said while I can claim it was inspire by him it is not Yi Quan. Either way, Si Gung has no idea that my brief meetings with him has changed all my arm stuff 360 degrees...Thank you !!!

Steve Smith - Recently, another individual who have made an impact on my practice is Steve Smith. THANKS STEVE!!!!! I only saw Steve move in 2 seminars so I don't want anyone to think I am qualified in anyway to do Yeung Chuan. New endless variations of old throwing moves I use to do came out by itself after seeing Steve, I have no idea how. He inspired the true meaning of economic use of force. This happened at the right time in my life - when I am injured. Above all, it has influenced how I look at physical movement itself, and how I look at conflict itself. Most importantly, I feel like I know him for years, I don't have many friends in martial arts nor do I network a lot and I am grateful for his friendship. His skill is amazing, seriously. Although Steve doesn't care at all, I feel he doesn't get the credit he deserves - he's a teacher's teacher.

One things I noticed about all those great teachers, aside from their skills and great character, was how much they all love their arts, way beyond ego and fighting - this to me is the greatest gift of MA. To wake up everyday and have something in your life you truly love to do, just to do it and can never get enough off. This is why I think its so silly when on endless forums, magazines, utube etc., people are spending most of their time trash-talking, bragging etc. - they are missing the real kick of joy and creativity waiting for them.