Interview with Sifu John McKenna, owner
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: Martial arts made a huge impact on my life when I was a 16-year-old. It built my confidence and self-esteem, kept me on track, made me very positive and I stayed away from bad influences during those challenging years.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: All our kids are taught to teach, lead the class and become public speakers. This is way more positive than just learning self-defense. This is true confidence and leadership. They start teaching and helping others right away. We have a very fun and challenging environment where kids are respected. The classes move fast and the moves are not easy. Therefore, the kids get focused because they want to, not because someone is shouting at them. For adults, we have a casual yet challenging environment that works well for people of all ages. The unique Indonesian and Chinese arts we teach adults are mentally challenging and take a lot of intelligence to learn. People get smarter as they are getting fitter. Inner peace is taught as well as flexibility, good cardio, realistic self-defense techniques and a way of using energy that doesn’t demand extreme athleticism. We offer private and semiprivate lessons designed to fit people’s needs.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: I love watching kids become confident and I enjoy helping them realize that learning is fun and that they are wonderful people. I like knowing that the kids who work with me will grow up to be peaceful, intelligent, articulate leaders. I love my work because its healthy and fun. We are all friends. I also love helping adult students to play, laugh and have fun as they work out.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: Our biggest challenge is to help the new adult students to get over their resistance to change. Because our martial arts training is so unique, adults need to overcome their resistance to do something new. It takes a three-month commitment to create the new habit, but once that habit is formed it becomes a wonderful way of life.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: I was traveling across America as a young man in 1982 when my van broke down, forcing me to establish a residence in Evergreen. I am a singer-songwriter and music producer, I won the Billboard magazine songwriters competition in 1997. I have created seven CDs of my own original music and have helped many artists find their voice in my recording studio (johnnyandthemuse and ). I am a public speaker and have created a seminar on how to be happier. I speak professionally and lead a personal development workshop every month ().
Profile
Business: Wu-Li School of Martial Arts
Address: 3865 Evergreen Parkway, Evergreen
Hours: Classes 6-8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 4:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday and private lessons by appointment
Founded: 1984
Contact: 303-838-9467;
Employees: 2 student partners
