MARTIALFORCE.COM
PRESENTS
AN INTERVIEW WITH
JASON STERLING
“The dojo is in the mind, heart and soul,
and environment, not just in a building.”
My name Eddie Morales and welcome to Martialforce.com online Martial Arts Magazine. I want to introduce Martialforce.com readers to Jason Sterling. I was introduced to Jason by a good friend by the name of Master Robert Parham. Jason is a great Martial artist with an interesting history, which I thought our readers would be interested in reading about. On November 20th 2010, I went to the Traditional Martial Arts International Championship Tournament located at Citrus College in Glendora California. At this event I was able to speak to Jason Sterling. Jason was in attendance to sign autographs and help out in the event. From our conversation I knew he was well versed in the art of combat in regards to effectiveness of technique. Jason comes from a background that began in the streets of Pomona California and if I had to describe his persona I would say he believes in taking action and not letting opportunity pass. Jason creates a plan and makes it happen while developing his next step. I was impressed by his way of thinking, as he is a doer and not a talker. We here at Martialforce.com are excited that we could bring you a look at a Man of Action. We have no doubt that Jason will go a long way because he maintains a relaxed mental posture while steadily climbing the latter of success.
Interview by Eddie Morales
Martialforce.com
Online magazine
Martialforce.com: Where were you born and raised?
JASON STERLING: I was born in Montclair, Ca, but I was raised in the rough and tough city of Pomona, Ca which is about 15 minutes from Montclair ,on the outskirts of Los Angeles.
Martialforce.com: What is your current occupation?
JASON STERLING: Lol.. I have many. I am a full time Father, Martial Arts Teacher, Competitor, Live Performer, Mentor, Author, Lecturer, Motivational Speaker, Activist, (Reggae) Singer, Rapper, Songwriter, Musician, Producer (Music), Writer (film), Choreographer, Film Producer, Film Director, Philanthropist, and Entrepreneur. All of these were learned over time and some were not learned in a college. I’m not discouraging education by any means, but sometimes a certificate or degree cant prepare you for the hands on experience. In my opinion, I would rather listen to the person who has been there and done that rather than someone who has read too many books and wasted time in too many classes. For example if you have never had a fight before, then how the hell are you going to teach me to fight or defend myself? I would rather listen to the guy or girl who's had a couple of brawls or been in some self defense situations etc, because I would be able to feel the authenticity of the teaching just a little better.
Martialforce.com: Who would you say has been your greatest influence throughout your life in regards to Martial Arts and or life in general?
JASON STERLING: I actually have and have had many in Martial Arts and throughout my life. Some I was introduced to and most of them I met along my journey of life. I have always seemed to manage to stumble upon people who change and either enhance or complicate my life in some way. Some of my main influences in Martial Arts and life are some of my instructors such as, Grandmaster Donnie Williams, Sijo Steve Muhammad, and Nijel Binns (all 3 of whom I’ve known and trained with since childhood and in my opinion on my very short list of ANYONE whom I feel can and will defeat me, even on my best day or on their worst) . Other influences in Martial Arts and in my life are my instructors James King ( my instructor and one of the best I’ve ever trained with ) , James Butts ( another one of my great instructors ), Ken Carter, Grandmaster David German ( RIP my adopted Grandpa ), Cyril Francois ( My Savate Instructor ), Ahmses Maat ( African Martial Arts Instructor ), and mainly Teage Cadez. Teage has been my instructor since age 14. I grew up mainly uncared for, un-listened to and ridiculed for doing things my own way and having the guts to do what I wanted to do no matter what.
I was a 14-year-old street kid with an awesome martial arts skills and a dream of someday being a World Champion and Action Star, but on the wrong path. I was seen by many as the leader of street crew that my friends and I made up. They were also street kids and came from messed up families as well, so that anger and wanting respect and love kept us in bond with each other. We developed a reputation for getting into fights with other local crews and even crews from other neighborhoods and across town and just being rough kids in general. I was seen as the best fighter among them and was constantly challenged and engaged in street fights in school, parks, apartment rooftops, parties, etc. Some of those challenges and fights even included knives, broken bottles, pipes. I was even caught by the police a number of times for fighting and they got to know me by name. On the street I was known as " Black Bruce or Kato " mainly because of my skills and I wore Kung Fu outfits to school.
I was the only kid in the neighborhood who dressed like that and still to this day no one else has. I dressed like that for 3 reasons. One, I was comfortable in those clothes. Two, I wanted to be different. And Three I knew it would make people stare, which would give me reason to become aggressive and fight. I actually got arrested following a street fight one time and the officer (who had arrested me on prior occasions for street fighting), had given me a choice. Either do time in prison or take his offer of training to become a pro fighter. He told me " Sterling, I’ve been in martial arts for almost 30 years and in all that time, you are by far the fastest and most talented fighter I’ve ever seen. You have a talent that can take you far in this world. Why mess it up and waste it doing this crap?". He took me while still in handcuffs to the Southside of Pomona in which I had plenty of rivals. He brought me to this house that looked like nobody was home. He knocked on the door and this middle-aged lady answered. It was clear that they knew each other. He introduced me to her and I was like " yeah whatever ". She smiled and looked at the officer and said" Doesn’t he remind you of someone? ". He smiled and said " I wasn’t that bad. Sterling is worse. Hes a teenager, but fights like a speeding bullet ". She said, "Bring him in. Teage would love to meet him ". I told her to go jump herself in a lake; she was getting on my nerves. He took me in the house and we went down these dark stairs. As we got to the bottom , we walked down this hall and as we got closer I saw this light and heard music and loud bangs as if someone was hitting a bag or something. When we got closer I saw a ring and two guys were sparring (kickboxing). I saw some more guys hitting bags, lifting weights, etc. Then this short guy that looked like he drank too much and hadn’t shaved in days and had a balding head with the sides of his hair sticking up like a clown came up to us. He greeted the officer and it became clear that they knew each other. The guy said “ Who’s the convict?". I got angry and said, " I got your convict you old jack rabbit SOB ". The officer grabbed me and said " are you crazy? ". I told him " I’m not afraid of this wino looking man ". He told the officer to uncuff me so I can show how bad I really am. He put me up against a guy named Roger who was his best student at the time and was also California State Martial Arts Champ. I got in the ring, put on the gloves and Roger and I fought. He knocked me down a couple of times and Teage says " I thought you were a champion, you aren’t looking like much to me ". I got angry, got up and beat Roger until he passed out and he was 100 pounds heavier than myself. From that point on Teage took me in as his student and for the first month it looked like it wasn’t going to work out. But I got over the frustration and opened my mind to his teachings. I was an amateur tournament fighter at that time and had only lost one fight. He said " I’m going to turn you pro " and 5 months later at age 15, I made my pro tournament debut as part of a team and we won. He then put me in singles competition where I won every tournament I entered and even winning a US Championship. At age 16, with his help I won my first World Title and we have been busy ever since. I found out later on that he was once a World Champ himself and competed in Bare Knuckle, No rules matches long before it turned into a circus of money hungry egos, tattooed freaks, Mohawks, bad attitudes and poor sports of people that don’t deserve to call themselves martial artists. He’s become more than a coach. Hes one of the only people I have left as a father figure. He pretty much helped raise me. He treats me, and acknowledges me as his son. We have been thru lots of situations together. We are kind of like Obi Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker.Lol. He’s the aging warrior with all the knowledge and I’m the young warrior with all the moves.
My late Uncle Stan was also a big influence on me in life. He always told me to be myself, because you cant be anything other than no matter how hard you try. Robert Parham (World Kickboxing Champ) and Chyna McCoy (Rising Action Star) are basically my big brothers in life and in Martial Arts. They tend to boss me around and look after me like a little brother, LOL. They also teach me allot of things as well and I listen to them because they actually spend time and teach me things as a big brother should. I even catch myself informing them of when I’m fighting again or if I’m going to be out of town, LOL. I’m like " guys I’m leaving " and they will say " Where are you going, and when are you returning and stay out of trouble "..LOL. I have many others as well, but it will take me all day to list. But they know who they are.
As far as films that influencenced me to do action films are.. Dolemite (Rudy Ray Moore), Superfly, The Mack, Black Belt Jones, 3 The Hard Way, The Killer, Hard Boiled, Kill Bill part 1,Sonny Chiba Movies, Tony Jaa movies, Donnie Yen movies, 80's Ninja Movies and many more.
But I’m a big fan and student of the 1970’s, 80's, and early 90’s Hong Kong, Japanese, and American Action Films.Thats when you can see the passion of the martial artists and the arts in general in film. Now the movies of today mainly suck and have lost that to a degree. Everybody is doing the same boring thing with flips and tricks, etc and nobody really is being creative or trying to do things different and basically pimping their skills to the highest bidder and most of them cant act their way out of a paper bag,
They’re selling out and even holding out for the sake of money these days, what ever happened to the dream? The dream of making great action films when people would leave the movies and say " WOW THAT WAS A GREAT MOVIE, AND SO AND SO WAS AWESOME AND THAT WAS WORTH THE ADMISSION." I plan to help bring that old school feel back to action films where the heroes and the arts meant something to people and inspired them to do Martial Arts.
BENNY “THE JET” URQUIDEZ, ROBERT PARHAM AND JASON STERLING
CHYNA MCCOY AND JASON STERLING
Martialforce.com: Can you give our readers an example of what your training consists of?
JASON STERLING: Yes, my training consists of various things. Some days I get up at 3 am in the morning and run 9 miles. Then some days I may do 1000 punches and kicks on both the bags and pads. On some days I may spar against 20 guys in one day for up to 100 Rounds for 3 minutes each and that can take all day. LOL. And on some days I may chop wood for up to 7 hours. I do many different methods of training so that the body and mind don’t become too comfortable. If your mind and body becomes too comfortable with one method of doing things then your setting yourself up for future failure because you become inflexible and start taking things for granted. DON'T TRY TO MASTER ANYTHING, BUT TRY TO LEARN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. BE AN EVER LEARNING STUDENT OF AN OPEN MIND AND HEART.
AUTOGRAPH SIGNING, PROMOTING HIS NEW MOVIE “TRIPLE THREAT” ON NOVEMBER 20TH 2010 AT THE TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT.
Martialforce.com: I completely agree on that thought. What movie projects are you working on that you could tell our readers about?
JASON STERLING: Where do I begin? I can say 2011 will be the year of Sterling.Lol. I’m starring in a number of films just this year alone Lets see we have TRIPLE THREAT (That I’m also directing and its Co-Starring my bros and partners Robert Parham and Chyna McCoy and my big homie Eddie (THE QUIET GIANT) Morales. I call him the "Quiet Giant " because he’s very cool and calm and reminds me of a Martial Arts version of Ivan Drago from Rocky 4 ..LOL.) , PENITENTIARY 4, CAGE RAGE (Also Writing, & Directing), I’m also Starring and Co-Starring in International Action Films this year STRANGERS CODE 1, 2 , AND 3 , MANILA HEAT ( All Philippine based Action films in which I’m also Co-Writing, Producing , & Directing ) and LOST BROTHER ( African Based Action Film in which I’m also an Associate Producer ). That’s just the beginning of it.
Martialforce.com: What got you interested in the movie business and how did you first get involved also at what age did you begin your Martial Arts training?
JASON STERLING: I’ve been studying Martial Arts since I was very small. But I didn’t get serious about it until around 10 yrs old. As far as my interest in the movie business goes, I’ve always wanted to be an action film star since I was a child. On weekends Kung Fu theatre would come on after wrestling and my mom use to always sit me in front of the TV and watch kung fu movies because I was a very hyper kid and that was the only thing that calmed me down, and I would copy the moves I would see the actors do and got pretty good at them, and on school days I would reconstruct scenes from the movies I watched and at recess time would get my friends we would literally react the film out and I would direct and choreograph it etc. Lol those were some of the only times when my childhood was worth living or even remembering. But I got started in the movie business working in Indie films as an extra and stuntman in my early to late teens as well as acting in school and community plays and projects and also took drama classes in Jr. High and High School.I also would write short action stories as a teenager. I would look at something around me and could make an instant story out of it and I still can. As I got older , I took it more seriously and started going to auditions,etc. At the age of 19, after getting passed up on roles and even securing roles and having them taken away from me and given to less qualified people, and being surrounded by negative thinking and envious family and people trying to discourage and stop me, I became frustrated and considered quitting doing films and even Martial Arts altogether and eventually I did stop for a while. But my coach and an old man once told me this.." People are trying to stop you because they are angry that you want to be somebody and they fear that you may make it. Don’t let them stop you. " Once I heard that, I slowly started to get my confidence back, and one day just weeks before I turned 20 , a friend of mine invited me to a pool party and I reluctantly went. He told me to bring one of my belts and so I did. I ended up meeting a man there who was dressed down and looked like he just woke up. His name was Tony Washington and he was the CEO of a small film company. He noticed the belt and started talking to me about martial arts and films, etc. He told me that he’s putting a film together and asked me if I wanted to be in it. That film was called. WHO’S MAKIN THA RULES? I asked him if my part was going to be a stunt part, he said no ,I was going to have a Co-Starring role and I said yes to it. A year later at age 21 we shot the film and I had completed my first major role. From then on I’ve had either starring or Co-Starring roles in Indie Action Films. Over the last 2 years because of my performances in these films I’ve finally started to get the attention of International film makers from Thailand, Korea, Philippines, India, Europe, Hong Kong, Africa and South America inviting me to come or move to their country to star in action films. I’ve even gotten some cool offers from a few Hollywood producers. But I haven’t yet decided on where I’m going to move, if at all to do action films. But I can assure you that it’s going to be a new action king coming soon to claim the throne and his name is JASON STERLING.
Martialforce.com: Growing up were you athletic or did you make a decision to start training?
JASON STERLING: I come from an athletic family. So naturally sports or anything physical was easy and fun for me. On the streets of Pomona, some of the teachers or the supposed adult role models really didn’t give a dam about the kids or what we did. They only cared when it was either election time or payday or unless we did something so bad that it couldn’t be ignored or some parents got on their cases. Then they would care for a few minutes. But in the streets of Pomona, you will pick up something. If it’s not the books then sports, if not sports, then guns and the street life. But you will pick up something I assure you. We had limited things to keep us positive so we had to find a way to ease the fear, and pain that surrounded us as we dreamed and planned for a better life and a way out. I picked up a little of all of it. But I played football, and excelled at Track and Field at that time I was considered one of if not the fastest kid in the city. I had Never lost a race in a competition or on the street for 3 years.
I won many gold medals and trophies from meets all over California and I even raced in Las Vegas a few times. I even played Soccer and got so good at it that I was actually offered a chance to play professionally after one year of college. I turned it down to pursue Martial Arts full time .The Martial Arts chose me, I didn’t really choose it so to speak. It was like something was guiding me to it from a child.
But I did play Semi Pro Soccer briefly and our team won a tournament and medals. So yes, I’ve always been an athlete and I believe that sports should be just as much a cornerstone in developing self esteem of a child just as much as education. Sports builds confidence, character, and makes you dig deep into your soul and prove to yourself just what you can really do, it teaches you to use options. If we encourage more sports programs and less meaningless stuff that some of these BS politicians, teachers and others try to promote just to enlarge their own egos, then that’s one step toward helping end teen bullying,, drug abuse, suicide, gang violence and pregnancy. GIVE MORE OPTIONS AND FEWER OPINIONS. OPINIONS DON'T GET RESULTS, OPTIONS CAN. LETS START DOING MORE LISTENING TO THE KIDS AND LESS THINKING THAT WE ARE ALWAYS RIGHT AND WE ALWAYS KNOW WHAT'S BEST. BECAUSE IF WE DID, OUR KIDS WOULD NOT BE DYING OVER COLORS, KILLING THEMSELVES, AND DOING THE THINGS THAT THEY DO.. SHUT UP SOMETIMES AND LISTEN. THAT'S THE FIRST KEY TO BECOMING A GREAT INFLUENCE AND A GREAT LEADER AND MOST IMPORTANTLY. RESPECTED
Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts on cross training in regards to weights, running and or other arts?
JASON STERLING: I say do what you feel will help improve your training as a Martial Artist. I personally don’t like too much use of weights. I prefer more natural training like stretching, improving flexibility, fluidity etc. I think environmental training is a great way to improve your skills. Running, climbing hills, chopping wood are all good examples of ways to improve your skills. The dojo can be anywhere you choose. Not just in some building with a bunch of sweaty people..LOL.. The dojo is in the mind, heart and soul, and environment, not just in a building.
As far as training in other arts go. I highly encourage cross training in other arts. I think that is the true Martial Arts way. " A WARRIOR WHO LIMITS HIM OR HERSELF TO ONE STYLE OF DEFENSE LEAVES THEMSELVES OPEN TO VARIOUS FORMS OF ATTACK ". We as Martial Artists have to break down that traditional BS of.." my style is better than your style ". The truth is. THERE ARE NO SUCH THING AS STYLES. ONLY METHODS AND CONCEPTS OF COMBAT THAT ARE ADJUSTED TO THE PENDING SITUATION. I know allot of Martial Artists, Masters, Grandmasters, etc are going to be upset with what I’m about to say , but I don’t really care.. ALL MARTIAL ARTS ARE BASICALLY THE SAME. WHAT MAKES THE MARTIAL CONCEPT DIFFER IS THE WAY IN WHICH IT IS APPLIED PHILOSOPHIZED, DEPENDING ON THE WARRIOR CODES OF THE CULTURE IN WHICH IT IS PRACTICED.
BUT ALL IN ALL THE LONGER YOU STUDY DIFFERENT ARTS AND IF YOU ARE REALLY OPENING YOUR MIND TO MARTIAL DISCOVERY, THE MORE YOU WILL EVENTUALLY REALIZE THAT. THE ONLY WAY THERE WILL BE ANOTHER STYLE OF FIGHTING IS IF WE DISCOVER A FIGHTING STYLE ON ANOTHER PLANET. So I greatly encourage cross training in other arts.
Martialforce.com: Do you train for sport or street survival?
JASON STERLING: I train for both. They both can be of great service to you and your skills in many respects. I mean think about it. You have a much better chance of testing your skills in competition than on the street, unless you have a job or live in an environment that will give you the avenue to apply those skills. I’ve used my skills in both situations and applied them effectively. Some teachers discourage use of your skills in one situation or the other. But I encourage people to use both avenues to train in because they both share one common platform.. THEY BOTH WILL SHOW YOU JUST HOW EFFECTIVE YOUR SKILLS ARE AND A GOOD INDICATOR OF WHERE YOU NEED TO IMPROVE AND FOCUS A LITTLE MORE ATTENTION.
Martialforce.com: What has been your greatest achievement in Martial Arts or life in general ?
JASON STERLING: Well I’m going to keep this one short and to the point. I have many achievements in Martial Arts. Some that are historic, some that has yet to be matched, etc. But to me that's all in a days work. I let the people decide on what they think is or will be my shining moment. I’m just doing what I’m destined to do and enjoying the journey as I go. As far as my personal thought on it goes..I think I’ve done pretty good to go from a street kid ,hustler , street fighter, gang leader , and drug addict. to a respected Father , Martial Artist , World Champion Fighter, Hall of Famer and future Action Film Star. I will say this.. IM JUST GETTING STARTED, ALL I'VE DONE AND ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR WAS JUST A WARM UP..YOU HAVEN'T SEEN NOTHING YET..I assure you. THE BEST IS YET TO COME. When I’m done , and years from now when they give or make the listing of the greatest Martial Artists and Action Film Stars of All Time , when they list Jackie Chan , Bruce Lee , Chuck Norris, Jet Li ,etc.. They will have the name JASON STERLING among that list and if not at the top , then very close to the top, I assure you.
I just want my life to show as proof to that little kid that wakes up everyday in a bad environment , lives in a broken home, has the cards stacked against them , or just having a hard time just trying to live life.. Whom ever it may be, where ever they come from to remember this and say to themselves when they feel like giving up...IF A LITTLE BOY NAMED JASON STERLING WHO HAD NOTHING BUT A DREAM TO BE THE BEST CAN DO IT...THEN SO CAN I.
Martialforce.com: Thank you for the valuable insight. We here at Martialforce.com hope for your continued success.
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