MARTIALFORCE.COM
PRESENTS
AN INTERVIEW WITH
MASTER MALCOLM LIVINGSTON
APRIL / 2011
My name is Eddie Morales and welcome to Martialforce.com Online Martial Arts Magazine. I would like to introduce our readers to Master Malcolm Livingston. Livingston has been a dedicated practitioner of the Martial Arts for most of his life. He comes from a strong lineage of instructors and continues to pass on what he has learned to those who show a genuine interest in its practice. He has views on health and training which he will share in this interview. Master Livingston has a passionate commitment to excellence in all areas of his life. Watching him perform his Karate is to see a highly skilled warrior in pursuit of self perfection. When I did research on him for this interview the concensus was that he has always worked hard as student and teacher to progress in his skill and moreover in life. We here at Martialforce.com hope you enjoy this interview as we speak on his life, views and discoveries.
Interview by Eddie Morales
Martialforce.com
Online Martial Arts Magazine
Martialforce.com: Where are you originally from and in what area did you grow up?
MALCOLM LIVINGSTON: I grew up in a New York City Housing Development called Bronx River
Houses, until I graduated from high school. I’ve lived in a few different
areas, but I have lived in the Bronx my entire life.
Martialforce.com:
What is your
current occupation?
MALCOLM LIVINGSTON:
I have been
employed by the United States Postal Service, since 1989.
Martialforce.com:
How did you begin
Martial Arts and who was your instructor(s)?
MALCOLM LIVINGSTON:
Actually, I
started my “formal” training as a result of a friendly dare. My best friend
in the world at the time – who was already a Brown Belt under Master Fred
Miller – suggested that if I wanted to learn the “real thing” I should come
to class and stop practicing with family and friends. To his surprise and to
my credit, I showed up to the dojo shortly after that conversation; one
night in the summer of 1973. I remember being so excited and scared all at
the same time, but I knew my friend was correct in his assumption; “If one
desires the path of self-mastery, then you must first meet a master”.
Martialforce.com:
What are your
thoughts on the practice of Kata; is it useful, yes or no, and why?
MALCOLM LIVINGSTON:
I believe it to be
an essential tool; perhaps not as much for sport karate, but definitely for
mortal combat.
As a young martial artist, I made the mistake of discarding my kata because
I could not perceive their effectual use in fighting. It would take me many
years later, and quite a few systems of martial arts to fully appreciate the
encompassing benefits of kata.
Martialforce.com:
Do you feel
Martial Arts played an important role with who you are today?
MALCOLM LIVINGSTON:
I would
have to say yes, without a doubt. Everything I am as a man is a result of
pursuing the path of self-mastery, through Martial Arts. For me, Martial
Arts is not just something I do, it is who I am. There are many people who
practice Martial Arts for a multitude of reasons, but it has never been
about “punching and kicking” for me; not even when I was first introduced to
it as a small child.
Martialforce.com:
What are your
thoughts on cross-training in regards to other styles of Martial Arts?
MALCOLM LIVINGSTON:
“No carpenter
comes to build a house with one tool; by carrying many tools we are better
prepared for the improbable”. Now, by this statement I am not implying that
a martial artist can not become extremely competent practicing one art
solely. However, I feel they must ask themselves an honest question, “Does
my art – as practiced – prepare me for “loss of life and limb” situations”?
It’s sort of like a fire extinguisher sitting inconspicuously in the corner;
in case of fire, you better have one, and for damn sure know how to use it!
Martialforce.com: What influenced you to become a raw vegan?
MALCOLM LIVINGSTON: Wow! You actually caught that, usually when I mention I’m a raw vegan it sort of goes right over peoples heads. Even when they’ve heard of the term, most people don’t really know what it entails – at least the way I do it.
Well, I eat no cooked food of any kind; no meat, no dairy, no grain i.e. bread, rice and pasta. I eat only fresh fruits, vegetables and greens, with some occasional nuts and seeds; all ideally, in a raw and unadulterated state, preferably organic.
Your readers are probably saying, WHAT?
People have been asking me for the last seven years, how and why in the world did you start eating like this? The answer is long and complex, but I’ll try to give you the short version.
There are two primary reasons people are motivated to see a doctor – especially when they are not inclined to do so – lack of energy, and pain; mine was pain.
Based on my present size it would be extremely difficult for your readers to believe I was once thirty to forty pounds heavier than I am now. I was muscular and I was in excellent shape, but I was suffering from excruciating pain throughout my body in the form of inflammation. It was the last thing I remembered each night, and the first thing to greet me each morning. It started limiting my training, then my entire life, and because I could no longer exercise I became depressed slowly but surely.
To make a long story short; eating the foods that were best designed for human health, along with purposeful internal martial arts training i.e. Qi Gong and Taiji, began to heal my body in ways I could’ve only imagined. It didn’t happen overnight, but my youthfulness started returning, my energy increased; but most of all, the pain was nonexistent.
I believed in this manner of eating so strongly that I began writing articles – which may be viewed at www.rawinthehood.com – to address the health disparities faced by blacks and other minorities. These groups were chosen not solely because I immediately identified with them, but because despite education or economic status, they suffered more degenerative disease than the general population.
What started as a call to greater health for my family and friends has now begun to reach people all over the world!
Thank you so much
for the opportunity to share with your readers.
Martialforce.com:
Who was your
greatest influence growing up with regards to Martial Arts or life in
general?
MALCOLM LIVINGSTON:
Wow, that’s
a difficult question to answer; there have been so many people that have
contributed to my development. If pressed hard, I would have to say, “Dr.
Moses Powell and Master Fred Miller.
Martialforce.com: Can you tell our readers what you specifically gained from Dr.Moses Powell and Master Fred Miller in regards to life lesson or any facet of there teaching?
MALCOLM LIVINGSTON: If we openly embrace the opportunity to reflect upon our lives, we will come to realize there are key figures that have played pivotal roles in our development. I believe these two men came into my life, at moments that shaped the very course of my destiny.
In 1962, at the age of four, my father took me for a car ride. I had no idea where we were going, I just kept wondering where my brother was. My father never took one of us without the other. In any case, we get to this community center and once inside, I see men rolling around and being thrown; I couldn’t take my eyes off of them. My father plopped me up in a chair by the window and began walking the perimeter of the room until he got to the “big man”. They talked and laughed for a little while and began walking in my direction. The “big man” bent down, held out his huge hand and my father said, “Mac, say hello, to Master “Mo”. The “big man” was Master Moses Powell; a friend my father would speak of for years to come. No, I never had the privilege of studying with him, but that day left me with indelible images and a fire in me that would never die.
Almost 30 years later at an event held in Brooklyn, N.Y. I had the opportunity and privilege of telling him what he had meant to my life. He smiled from ear to ear; of course he didn’t remember me, but he definitely remembered my father and that old dojo in the Bronx!
Okay; Master Fred Miller, where do I begin? With his passing still fresh in my heart like an open wound, I find it hard to talk about the man who would give birth to me as a martial artist.
You know, about two years ago, I sat in front of my TV set – as much of the world did – and watched as news outlets began streaming information about the tragic death of Michael Jackson. I saw people from all walks of life; all ages, races, creeds and colors, from every part of the globe suddenly become overtaken with emotion, as they learned of the awful demise of this iconic figure. Although, I did understand their pain on an intellectual level, I will admit, I found it quite difficult to identify with their loss emotionally; until September of this year, when I got a call while driving home from work, that Master Fred Miller had passed away. I pulled my car over and just cried; in fact, I still do if I think about him too long. Months later, my voice still quivers when talking about him.
I share this intimate analogy with you because like Michael Jackson, Master Fred Miller – at least to me – was bigger than life; an icon, the standard by which I would judge all others.
When it comes to Master Fred Miller, there are no words to describe the depths of my feelings for him; the contribution he made to my life is immeasurable. What he gave me transcended mere technique – which by the way, was impeccable – he gave me my love for the “art” for which I will be forever in his debt. Not only was his love for the “art” infectious – particularly, Goju Karate – his teachings laid the foundation, as well as, became the nucleus for all I would eventually study and learn. He was my first “real” teacher; a master’s master. I will never forget him as long as I live.
Martialforce.com:
Our research shows
you are involved in the entertainment industry; can you tell us how that got
started?
MALCOLM LIVINGSTON:
Well, back in – I
think 1977 – a few of my training partners did a martial arts demo at the
renowned high school of Music and Art, where I attended. We were just doing
our thing like we always did, but after the show we were approached by a
prominent composer/playwright named Weldon Irving, who was writing a play.
Honestly speaking, plenty of people had come to us in the past raving about
how incredible we were, but it never really amounted to much. But this time
was definitely different; needless to say, three members of the group went
on to perform in the play – “Young, Gifted and Broke”, which went on to win
4 prestigious AUDELCO Awards. Man, from this play I met all types of
performing artists i.e. singers, dancers, musicians, actors, and even
martial artists, including the original fight-choreographer of the play,
Master Owen “Obosan” Watson. Every other week, some notable person was
waiting for us after the show; and the “groupies”, oh my god. Sometimes it
would be over 30 women waiting for my friend (the lead martial artist) after
the show. This experience was literally crazy; especially for a kid around
20 yrs. old. I honestly believe, this is when I caught the acting bug!
Around this time, we formed a group called “The Brothers Unique” which
performed and traveled throughout the tri-state area with NYC’s morning
radio personality Ken Webb, from WBLS; we pretty much did the night-club
scene, but performed at other venues as well. During the early 1980’s, we
performed at every major night-club you can think of. In fact, how many
people do you know – let alone martial artists – can say they had an
opportunity to perform at the then famous Studio 54?
I could go on and on, but suffice it to say, my martial art training opened
incredible opportunities in film, television, and theatre.
Martialforce.com:
What would you say
is your greatest achievement?
MALCOLM LIVINGSTON:
The students who
call themselves my black belts: To know that they have entrusted me with
their life’s journey, is truly a humbling experience. It is doubly rewarding
to know of the few that do so, two are my sons. I am forever in their debt,
for I have learned as much from them, as they have learned from me.
Martialforce.com:
Do you have any
long or short-term goals in Martial Arts?
MALCOLM LIVINGSTON:
Short-term, I’m
working on my website
www.rawinthehood.com - the sole purpose of this site is to empower
people in urban communities with knowledge and tools to improve their
collective health and longevity. It will focus on the benefits of the raw
vegan diet, regenerative exercise, and sustainable living; including but not
limited to organic food growing and composting. Additionally, I am assisting
Chester Miller – the brother of Master Fred Miller – and a few other former
students, with creating a foundation which honors our late teacher’s belief
and adherence to hard work and the pursuit of excellence.
Once a few loose ends get tied up, I should be back to teaching very soon. I must say, after a two year hiatus, I’m definitely ready to get back to giving back.
As far as the long-term goes, I’m presently working on a book that will
highlight the aforementioned topics from my website. And for all the fitness
enthusiasts out there, there will definitely be a chapter on “Why optimal
fitness is not necessarily synonymous with optimal health”? Quick hint;
“Health is on the inside”.
Martialforce.com: Well, thank you for accepting this interview and it has been very insightful. We here at martialforce.com wish you continued success in all your future endeavors.