We recently connected with Sifu Frank Matos and have shared our conversation below.
SIFU FRANK, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
As a child, I never owned a game system, which meant my encounters with the digital world were fleeting, yet impactful. I would eagerly anticipate my weekly visits to my cousin’s house, where I had the chance to dive into the pixelated adventures of Super Mario Bros. Despite the brevity of these sessions, my resolve was unwavering. I was around 9 or 10 when I first conquered the game, surpassing even my cousin who owned the console. My secret? A relentless pursuit of shortcuts and an unyielding focus on the end goal. This early experience taught me invaluable lessons: to seize every moment, to transform limited time into a crucible for achievement, and to always keep my eyes on the prize. It’s fascinating, isn’t it? The ways in which video games can instill such profound life skills.”
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I have been practicing and teaching Wing Chun for many years, first learning the art in 1998 under the guidance of Sifu Jose Grados. He instilled in me a deep appreciation for the art and the importance of proper technique and form. After years of dedicated training, I was honored to become a Sifu myself under the tutelage of the esteemed Sifu Augustine Fong. What I find most exciting about Wing Chun is its efficiency and practicality as a self-defense system. The economy of motion and focus on centerline control make it a truly unique martial art. I also take great pride in passing on this knowledge to my students in a laid-back, approachable manner. As a coach, I strive to create a welcoming environment where students of all levels can grow and improve. I have been officially teaching Iron Garden Wing Chun since 2013, and I’m thrilled to share that I recently opened a new location in Mount Vernon, NY. We now offer classes four times a week, giving more people the opportunity to experience the art that has become such a central part of my life. I’m excited to continue sharing my passion for Wing Chun with the community.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
“Greet what arrives” – This taught you to improvise in any situation presented to you. The advice is to have patience with yourself and understand what you’re doing, how you’re doing it, and why you’re doing it.
“Follow what leaves” – This also taught you to, adapt to any situation. The advice is similar – have patience and understand the process of what you’re doing.
“Hit upon loss of contact” – This final lesson taught you overcoming challenges and accoplishing goals .Again, the advice is to have patience and deeply understand the what, how, and why of what you’re doing.
The overarching theme is that developing the ability to improvise, adapt, and overcome, along with patience and self-understanding, were the most impactful parts of your journey. The advice for those starting out is to focus on cultivating these same qualities.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone who is open-minded and receptive to new information. They are individuals who are interested in personal growth and development, seeking to improve themselves on a spiritual, mental, and physical level. These clients are willing to let go of preconceived notions and actively engage in the process of self-improvement. They have a genuine desire to learn, evolve, and transform themselves in positive ways.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://IRONGARDENWINGCHUN.COM
- Instagram: IRONGARDENWINGCHUN :SIFU FRANK MATOS
- Facebook: IRONGARDEN , SIFU FRANK MATOS
- Linkedin: sifumatos@gmail.com
- Twitter: sifumatos@gmail.com
- Youtube: sifumatos@gmail.com
- Soundcloud: sifumatos@gmail.com
Image Credits
SIFU FRANK MATOS, IRONGARDENWINGCHUN
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