It’s safe to say that there’s not a man or woman alive today who hasn’t heard the name Bruce Lee. Lee was more than a just an actor and entertainer; he was considered by many to be larger than life.
No other martial artist in history has been able to popularize martial arts the way Lee has. Through martial arts, Lee became a global phenomenon and an idol for many during the 60s and 70s. Today, more than 40 years after his death, he continues to be an inspiration to millions around the world.
From a skinny kid from Hong Kong with a big dream, to the most popular martial artist to ever live; Here are Evolve Daily’s 4 Reasons Why Bruce Lee Is The Most Inspirational Martial Artist:
1) Because he inspired everyone.
“Real living is living for others.”
It’s well known that Bruce Lee was an inspiration for many popular martial artist and fighters. These include Boxing and MMA legends like Manny Pacquiao, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, Georges St. Pierre, and Randy Couture among many others. Even UFC president Dana White has credited Lee for being the main inspiration behind the fastest-growing sport in the world, calling him the “father of MMA”.
However, Lee didn’t just inspire martial artist. His life and teachings inspired famous athletes, businessmen, entrepreneurs, entertainers, artists, and even politicians from all around the world. And if that isn’t enough to prove that he is indeed the most inspirational martial artist ever, we don’t know what else will!
2) Because he is the epitome of physical fitness.
“Ever since I was a child, I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one’s potential.”
Bruce Lee was not only respected for his skills as a martial artist, but also for his level of fitness. He single-handedly changed the landscape of strength and physical development during his time, inspiring many athletes, bodybuilders, and even average men to adopt his approach to training.
From being able to perform the one-hand push up with just two fingers and holding a 125-pound barbell at arms length in front of him for several seconds; Lee was a real-life Superman. And what can inspire us to train harder more than a well-defined muscular physique? Not to forget those flawless six-pack-abs!
3) Because he never believed in limits.
“If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread in your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.”
Growing up in Hong Kong, Bruce Lee was taught in the ways of traditional martial arts. And at that time, it was against the rules to stray from the traditional teachings of martial arts. However, Lee never allowed anything to limit him, in martial arts or in life. He went on to invent Jeet Kune Do, a system and hybrid fighting style based on his philosophies of being formless and limitless.
Many of Lee’s achievements came from his ability to overcome limits. As the founder of Jeet Kune Do and a master of martial arts, he became one of the most revered and well-respected people in the world. And he did all this during a time where the Chinese were still stereotyped as meek house servants and railroad workers.
4) Because he never stopped improving himself.
“Even today, I dare not say that I have reached a state of achievement. I’m still learning, for learning is boundless.”
It’s no secret that Bruce Lee lived and breathed martial arts. Many of his friends and loved ones have described him to be a man obsessed with perfection. He would do splits or sit ups while watching television, or workout with a dumbbell while reading the latest fitness magazine. Lee never stopped working towards being the best version of himself. His dedication to self-improvement is mind blowing and certainly something we can all draw inspiration from.
There’s no denying how great Bruce Lee was. His ideals and philosophies transcend martial arts, race, gender, and culture. He has and always will be, an inspiration to us all!
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