Shannon Lee — Apple Podcasts

Bruce Lee Podcast

Bruce Lee Podcast

Shannon Lee

20/07/2016

Be water, my friend.

We discuss Bruce Lee's most famous philosophical quote. What does it mean and what inspired him to come up with it? Shannon shares personal stories about her dad and unpacks the quote to help us understand its depth and meaning. We give our first #AAHA (Awesome Asians Hapa) shoutout to Justin Lin and we hear a #BruceLeeMoment from one of our team members who used Bruce's teachings to get through a harrowing personal challenge.
29/05/2025

Flowing with Kristi Yamaguchi

This week on the special edition Bruce Lee Foundation takeover of the Bruce Lee Podcast for the month of May, Shannon is honored to welcome Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi to the show. Everyone knows Kristi as a champion on the ice, but in her years since winning gold she has also become a devoted author, philanthropist, and lifelong advocate for youth literacy. Born in California to Japanese-American parents, Kristi's mother was born in a WWII internment camp while her grandfather served as a U.S. Army lieutenant. Kristi's journey reflects strength across generations and is one of legacy and service. Kristi shares how a treasured Dorothy Hamill doll ignited her early passion for skating, and what it felt like to meet her idol moments before the biggest performance of her life. She also reflects on her touring years with Stars On Ice. Kristi opens up about the values her parents instilled in her around service and gratitude—and how those principles ultimately led her to found Kristi Yamaguchi's Always Dream, a nonprofit dedicated to early literacy and family engagement. Through her foundation, Kristi is helping ensure that children in underserved communities not only have access to high-quality books, but also the support needed to build a lifelong love of reading. Finally, Kristi opens up about a new passion she's been engaged in, and it's VERY Bruce Lee of her! Join Shannon and get to know how Kristi is continuing to shape an inspiring legacy that continues across generations! Show notes and more episodes at Brucelee.com/Podcast Connect with Kristi…. Website: www.alwaysdream.org Instagram: @kristiyamaguchi | @alwaysdream Facebook: Kristi Yamaguchi | Kristi Yamaguchi's Always Dream X: @kristiyamaguchi
16/01/2019

Action as Medicine

Taking action, the physical act of "doing" can be like salve to the soul. It can be a tool, a medicine, a cure, something that actually leads us on a path to healing and what we want to accomplish in our lives. If we get caught up in our thinking and thoughts it can be paralyzing. In order to free ourselves from that paralysis we have to take action and do something. A simple example is just to get up and move your body. If your body is feeling stiff, get up and stretch, go for a walk, and by moving your body will feel better. The actions can be small actions; they do not have to be big actions. Bruce Lee was a philosopher and he wrote a lot about his thoughts and how he thought that life should be lived. He did more than just write; he put his theories into practice and lived his philosophies. Bruce Lee was a normal person who lived his own philosophies and became a globally loved icon. "Action is a high road to confidence and self-esteem. Its rewards are tangible. The cultivation of the spirit is elusive and difficult and the tendency toward it is rarely spontaneous, whereas, the opportunities for action are many." When you put your mind to it, and you accomplish what you need to, it is empowering and boosts our self-esteem and confidence. In order to accomplish anything you have to take action. We must take conscious action. "Only actions give to life its strength." "The doer alone learns." "Action is our relationship to everything. Action is not a matter of right or wrong. It is only when action is partial that there is a right and wrong." When you only halfway do something, you do not learn anything and it does not help you grow. The quality of your action is important, even if it is small. "To be balanced is to be more or less at rest. Action, then, is the art or method of unbalancing toward keeping oneself striving and growing." "I've always been buffeted by circumstance because I thought of myself as a human being (affected by) outside conditioning. Now I realize that I am the power that commands the feeling of my mind and from which circumstances grow." Many times we feel as if we cannot take action because of how it affects others or outside influences have too much hold on us. Bruce Lee is saying that it is ourselves who hold the power, affects how we feel, and it is us as an individual who chooses the direction we want to go. "Our grand business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand." "When actions are directly related to the problem of life and death, recollection and anticipation must be relinquished for the sake of fluidity of thought and lightening rapidity of action!" Full Notes: BruceLee.com/podcast Check out our Podcast Bundle on the Bruce Lee Store! Follow us @Brucelee & write us at hello@brucelee.com
29/08/2018

Why Philosophy?

How did Bruce Lee become a philosopher? Bruce wrote an essay on why he got interested in philosophy and what he hoped to do with it. Bruce Lee majored in philosophy at the University of Washington. At the beginning of this essay Bruce addresses the question people kept asking him after the completion of Big Boss: "What was it that made me give up career in the States and return to Hong Kong to shoot Chinese films?" Bruce writes: "Perhaps the general feeling was that it was all hell to have to work on Chinese films since the Chinese film industry was still so underdeveloped. To the above question I find no easy explanation except that I am Chinese and I have to fulfill my duty as a Chinese." "The truth is, I am an American-born Chinese. That I should become an American-born Chinese was accidental, or it might have been my father's arrangement. At that time, the Chinese inhabitants in the States, mostly from the province of Kwangtung, were very much homesick: nostalgia was held towards everything that was associated with their homeland." "In this context, Chinese opera, with its unmistakably unique Chinese characteristics, won the day. My old mam was a famous artist of the Chinese opera and was popularly accepted by the people. Hence he spent a lot of time performing in the States. I was born when he brought my mother along during one of his performance trips." "Yet my father did not want me to receive an American education. When I reached my school age, he sent me back to Hong Kong—his second homeland—to live with his kinsmen. It could have been a matter of heredity or environment; I cam to be greatly interested in the making of films when I was studying in Hong Kong. My father was then well acquainted with lots of movie stars and directors. They brought me into the studio and gave me some roles to play. I started off as a bit player and gradually became the star of the show." "That was a very crucial experience in my life. For the first time I was confronted with genuine Chinese culture. The sense of being part of it was so strongly felt that I was enchanted. I didn't realize it then, nor did I see how great an influence environment can have on the molding of one's character and personality. Nevertheless, the notion of "being Chinese" was duly conceived." It was being a child actor that really immersed Bruce in Chinese culture and being around Chinese artists fed his creativity. "From boyhood to adolescence, I presented myself as a troublemaker and was greatly disapproved of by my elders. I was extremely mischievous, aggressive, hot-tempered, and fierce. Not only my "opponents" of more or less my age stayed out of my way, but even the adults sometimes gave in to my temper. I never knew what it was that made me so pugnacious. The first thought that came into my mind whenever I met somebody I disliked was, "Challenge him!" Challenge him with what? The only concrete thing that I could think of was my fists. I thought that victory gained by way of force was not real victory." As a kid, Bruce was filled with an intense energy and did not know how to handle it except by challenging others. But later on he came to regret those actions. "When I enrolled in the University of Washington and was enlightened by philosophy, I regretted all my previous immature assumptions. My majoring in philosophy was closely related to the pugnacity of my childhood. I often ask myself these questions: What comes after victory? Why do people value victory so much? What is "glory"? What kind of "victory" is "glorious"? When my tutor assisted me in choosing my courses, he advised me to take up philosophy because of my inquisitiveness. He said, "Philosophy will tell you what man lives for." When I told my friends and relatives that I had picked up philosophy, they were all amazed. Everybody thought I had better go into physical education since the only extra-curricular activity that I was interested in, from my childhood until I graduated from my secondary school, was Chinese martial arts. As a matter of fact, martial arts and philosophy seem to be antithetical to each other. But I think that the theoretical part of Chinese martial arts seems to be getting indistinct." "Every action should have its why and wherefore; and there ought to be a complete and proficient theory to back up the whole concept of Chinese martial arts. I wish to infuse the spirit of philosophy into martial arts; therefore I insisted on studying philosophy." Bruce could see that there was a fissure between martial arts and philosophy teachings. Growing up, Bruce was likely too young to appreciate the philosophy his sifu Yip Man shared with him while teaching him martial arts. Now with some distance and age Bruce wanted to bring philosophy back into this martial arts practice. "I have never discontinued studying and practicing martial arts. While I am tracing the source and history of Chinese martial arts, this doubt always comes up: Now that every branch of Chinese gung fu has its own form, its own established style, are these the original intentions of their founders? I don't think so." This bold statement is likely why Bruce Lee received criticism from the Chinese gung fu establishment; they did not appreciate him questioning their methods. Bruce was clear with his intention to infuse philosophy into martial arts. He recognized that the wholeness of the art was being compartmentalized and made less distinct by the different styles. "Formality could be a hindrance to progress; this is applicable to everything, including philosophy." People can be very rigid about philosophy. It becomes one school of thought versus another, creating arguments over which philosophy is right. Arguing about who is better hinders growth and progress. "Philosophy brings my jeet kune do into a new realm in the sphere of martial arts, and jeet kune do brings my acting career to a new horizon." The philosophy is like water, it cannot be contained to one area. Bruce realized that if he applied philosophy to one area of his life, like martial arts, he could apply it to other parts such as his acting career. Bruce moved from needing to win to questioning what it was to have victory and why people find it important. He remained present in his life and because of his naturally inquisitive nature was able to shift easily through needing victory to asking what comes after victory. Bruce remained curious about everything he did in his life. He was able to reflect on his experiences, see how he learned from them, and acted according to what he had learned. Pause, breathe, and ask: Why am I doing this? What is happening next for you that you are really excited about? This is about going deep under our superficial layers and see what is really driving us. What Bruce Lee is modeling in this essay is: be curious about this philosophy and energy that is you. Take time to reflect on your life and energy. What do you see? Help support the Bruce Lee Podcast and check out our Podcast Bundle on the Bruce Lee Store! Follow us @Brucelee & write us at hello@brucelee.com
17/11/2016

Friend of Bruce Lee: Steve Aoki

This week we talk with Friend of Bruce Lee Steve Aoki. Steve is a Grammy nominated Electro house musician, DJ and record producer. Steve's unique musical life is the subject of a new Netflix documentary called "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead," Steve has been a die-hard Bruce Lee devotee since he was a kid. When he was taking karate classes, and he emulated all of Bruce Lee's moves and became obsessed with watching every Bruce Lee movie repeatedly on VHS. Aoki looked up to Bruce Lee as an Asian man who "made it" when there weren't any strong Asian role models. Having a strong, kick-ass Asian man like Bruce Lee as a role model helped Aoki build confidence even though he experienced racism growing up in Newport Beach. As a teen, Aoki and his friends studied Bruce's interviews and read the Tao of Jeet Kune Do together. This practice became the basis for his lifelong love for Bruce Lee's philosophy. The Bruce Lee quote that Aoki always uses is "Be like water" and he adds "...by any means necessary." He also uses: "Sometimes a goal is just something to aim at." He applies these philosophies in his life by being fluid in his journey towards his goals and following his own creative path. "To live like Bruce Lee, is to be fluid like water and make your own journey." Aoki on Bruce Lee's influence: "Talking about the human side of things, there are a few people that have really changed the world by their words…Bruce Lee is one of them. There are only a few people that can really talk to people in a way that really touches you to the soul. And you know how genuine and authentic and human it is. It's not about the martial art really, the martial art is an extension of his philosophy and the human side of everything. So when you get there, then you're a devout fan for life, you're changed forever." Bruce Lee's philosophy also informs Steve Aoki's creative process and how he thinks about making music--putting his whole heart into his work. "Music isn't just something that you listen to, and especially at shows, you're experiencing all your senses." #AAHA (Awesome Asians and Hapas) Steve Aoki does this week's #AHAA's shout-out to his friend Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park. Shinoda is a Japanese American musician, rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, graphic designer, manager, and film composer. He co-founded Linkin Park in 1996 and Machine Shop Recordings in 2004, and his artwork has been featured in the Japanese American National Museum. Keep on being awesome Mike! #BruceLeeMoment Even though Steve Aoki can claim his whole life as one big #BruceLeeMoment, he shares a specific #BruceLeeMoment: "Game of Death was an incredible film. It's like a video game but he was fighting all these different characters. And the fight he did with Kareem Abdul Jabbar, I stood in front of the framed poster of him fighting Kareem Abdul Jabbar, it's just so epic, him in his yellow jumpsuit and Kareem being 90 ft tall. I just remember that moment right now, it just popped in my head, it always pops in my head. He's just a badass, what can I say? But like what I was saying throughout this whole podcast, all the different ways that I've been able to survive and thrive and build these many successes, and really think about my life, it's always from a Bruce Lee quote. Whether it's "Be like water," or "The journey is more important than the destination." You have to be able to speak to people where you're not excluding them too. That's what he did, he spoke to everybody. It wasn't like he was a human rights leader, but he was in the way in that he didn't exclude anyone…and that's one thing that really made me love this guy so much." Thank you Steve Aoki for sharing how Bruce Lee has shaped your life and career. We support you and think you're awesome! Share your #AAHA and #BruceLeeMoment recommendations with us via social media @BruceLee or email us at hello@brucelee.com
02/05/2018

5 Ways of Flow

Five Ways of Flow The highest truth is inexpressible. Spiritual cultivation cannot be cultivated. In the last resort nothing is gained. There is nothing much in the teaching. In throwing punches and moving, therein lies the wonderful Tao. 1. The highest truth is inexpressible. The highest truth, your truth, is an experience, a knowing, it is a reverberation in the soul and heart of man. "When both the man and his surroundings are eliminated, neither man nor his surroundings are eliminated – Walk On!" "Between enlightenment and knowledge, in the latter a contrast exists between the knower and the known, whereas in the former, there is no such contrast." 2. Spiritual cultivation cannot be cultivated. After spiritual cultivation you return to the ordinariness of life but filled with the extraordinariness of life; gratitude; acceptance; allowance; flow; a return to effortlessness. "After the completion of cultivation, one remains amid the phenomenal yet devoid of the phenomenal." "The aim is not the one-sided promotion of spirit, soul and senses, but the opening of all human capacities to the life rhythm of the world and nature." 3. In the last resort nothing is gained. When we come down to the last resort of a situation, we are reaching a sort of giving up - a place where we have reconciled ourselves with losing; so don't hang onto a last resort, rather be willing to die. "Are you a flowing entity capable to flow with circumstances?" "Do not run away; let go. Do not seek; it will come when least expected." 4. There is nothing much in the teaching. Modeling as a form of teaching. A teacher is a guide, the student has to experience things for themselves. "A good teacher functions as a pointer to truth but not a giver of truth. He employs a minimum of form to lead his student to the formless. Furthermore, he points out the importance of being able to enter a mold without being imprisoned by it or to follow the principles without being bound by them." "There is no fixed teaching. All I can provide is an appropriate medicine for a particular ailment." 5. In throwing punches and moving, therein lies the wonderful Tao. In instinctual and direct movement, the flow of the universe is revealed. "Behind every motion is the music of the soul made visible." "The spirit of the universe or the integrating principle of the whole – instinct with contrivance which flows with purpose." "Simplicty. Directness. Freedom." Please write to us at hello@brucelee.com or tag us on social media @BruceLee #BruceLeePodcast. Help support the Bruce Lee Podcast and check out our Podcast Bundle on the Bruce Lee Store!
19/07/2016

One Inch Punch: The tiny startup with a giant global fan base

One Inch Punch: The tiny startup with a giant global fan base The Bruce Lee family company is a tiny family startup in a very unique situation. Millions of fans around the world but they didn't control the rights to Bruce Lee's name and likeness due to a bad deal that left a giant media conglomerate in charge. Learn how Shannon Lee tapped into her dad's philosophy and wisdom to reclaim the rights and create a new company to serve her dad's mission of personal freedom. We also introduce our other segments: #AAHA: Awesome Asians and Hapas. We give a shoutout to Asians and Hapa peeps doing awesome things in the world. #BruceLeeMoment: Moments of Bruce Lee's philosophy taking action in the real world.
Trailer

Bruce Lee Podcast

A brief introduction about the Bruce Lee Podcast from Shannon Lee, daughter of Bruce Lee and CEO of the Bruce Lee Family Company.
07/11/2024

Flowing with Laird Hamilton

This week's guest for this end of year season on the Bruce Lee Podcast is none other than the legendary big wave surfer, innovator and entrepreneur – Laird Hamilton. Laird Hamilton is best known as an American big-wave surfer and pioneer in the world of action water sports. A renowned innovator and guiding genius of crossover board sports including tow-in-surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and hydrofoil boarding, Laird is the essential Water Man, continuously pushing the limits and expanding all possibilities. Which is why Shannon wanted to talk to him. Laird epitomizes the ideals of growth, curiosity, practice and creativity as a human being, and his relationship with water is intense and intimate. Dedicated to health, mastery and wellbeing, Laird shares his thoughts on his journey. He is a multilayered and complex thinker and experiencer and Shannon was thrilled to speak with him and to share their conversation with you. Please read his bio on brucelee.com/podcast for the bountiful ways he has expressed himself, used his talents, cultivated his gifts and supported others in this lifetime – it is impressive. (Reminds Shannon a lot of her father…) And please connect with Laird through his many outlets and projects as well. Enjoy the conversation! WEBSITES: LairdHamilton.com LairdSuperFood.com XPTLife.com LairdApparel.com SOCIAL: Facebook: @LairdLife Twitter: @LairdLife Instagram: @LairdHamiltonSurf
28/07/2016

Take Action!

In this episode we discuss one of Bruce Lee's most important philosophies—Take Action! Bruce Lee was known around the world as an action star but his philosophy about taking action goes much deeper. Philosophy was not just an intellectual exercise for Bruce, he believed in applying it in real life through continual action. It was also an emotional process that started in his heart, then energized his body to manifest ideas in the real world. It was a process of becoming more intensely himself. He encouraged his students to experience what it feels like to be fully alive and live the philosophy. "Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do." #AAHA (Awesome Asians and Hapas) This week's shoutout goes to pioneering Asian actor and activist George Takei We all know him for his most famous role as Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the USS Enterprise in the TV series Star Trek. But George is also an ardent activist working on behalf of LGBTQ+ rights. Thank you George for being a positive role model for us all. #BruceLeeMoment (Bruce Lee's philosophy in action IRL) We hear a story from Sydnie Wilson, one of our team members about how she researched her own discomfort and took action to create a positive shift in her life. Share your #AAHA recommendations and #BruceLeeMoments with us via social media @BruceLee or email us at hello@brucelee.com
25/08/2016

Emotional Content

"What was that? An Exhibition? We need emotional content. Now try again!" What did Bruce Lee mean by "Emotional Content?" He was describing the feeling of being totally present in your body and connected to your own life force. A spiritual life force that is the energy of creation. This force helps you become a human being from moment to moment. When you are creating emotional content, you are creating in awareness, openness and receptivity to everything around you. You are in a state of relating to your surroundings. You are not in isolation—you are connected. "Don't think, FEEL." Don't pull yourself out of a real moment by thinking and intellectualizing. Stay in the moment and be totally present for the total experience. Emotional content is also about the creation of art. Art is the communication of authentic feelings. We are all artists of our own lives. Bruce Lee believed that art is the work of enlightenment. And the origin of enlightenment comes from understating your own heart and living whole-heartedly. Action step for this week: release yourself to spontaneous action when you're inspired by your own spiritual life force. #AAHA (Awesome Asians and Hapas) This week's shoutout goes to Olympic fencing champion Alexander Massialas. Alexander is part of the US men's fencing team that won the bronze medal in Rio and he also won an individual silver medal in foil fencing. Alexander is a Hapa, born to a Greek father and Taiwanese mother. Thanks for representing the US with such excellence and athletic mastery. Alexander, you are awesome! #BruceLeeMoment (Bruce Lee's philosophy in action IRL) This week's #BruceLeeMoment comes from one of our listeners David Hunt: I wanted to share a Bruce Lee moment that I experienced that actually encouraged me to embed it into my university's graduation speech :) The Story At the time, I resided in Philadelphia and traveled back home to Charlotte, North Carolina for winter vacation. The day was nothing less than relaxing - I caught up with old friends, tried some new food, and walked through the mall all in solitude. A few hours into my excursions and my cell phone died. Uh oh - no calls and more importantly no uber to the family dinner that was fast approaching. The weather was unusually warm so I decided to walk the five miles and take a chance that I'd show up for dinner on time. Along my walk I came across a stream. In some areas the water was swirling around, others it was still, and yet other places the water was moving extremely rapidly over twigs or rocks. I thought to myself if I took an empty glass and collected some of that water, it is the same exact substance although separate. And if I poured it back in, it would merge seamlessly. In a cathartic moment of clarity, I began to question - why can't we do that, why can't us humans interact on such a collaborative level? Placing appropriate attention on our similarities while still acknowledging our differences. Water exists as vapor, liquid, and ice. Humans come in different races, ethnicities, align with different religions and so forth. Yet water always retains its...being of water flowing through vastly different environments adapting itself and always merging with its different forms in some capacity. That's when it hit me - I viewed water as love, this egoless aesthetic of oneness. And not oneness in the sense that we don't have uniqueness but oneness in the sense of how we can interact with each other peacefully. In that moment, it became my mission to be love. When love wakes up in the morning, I want it to say, "I want to be like David." Cheers. Wishing you all a wonderful day and thank you so much for all that you do. I listened to my first Bruce Lee podcast yesterday on Honesty and thought I'd share this moment with you since you all inspired me. With Palpable Vibes, David V. Hunt Share your #AAHA and #BruceLeeMoment recommendations with us via social media @BruceLee or email us at hello@brucelee.com
23/12/2021

Season Finale: Flowing with Shannon Lee

In the final episode of this season of the Bruce Lee Podcast, Shannon Lee reflects on the theme of family and shares her guests' reflections on family as well as what might help our whole human family to be more as "one family". Shannon shares some of her father's thoughts on family as well as other philosophies tied to Shannon's exploration on the theme of family, for… "Under the sky, under the heavens, there is but one family!" - Bruce Lee Thank you to all the guests who participated this season and happy holidays and happy new year to everyone! See you in 2022! Show notes & episodes on Brucelee.com/Podcast
14/11/2018

A Gung Fu Man: Part 2

In this episode, we continue our discussion of Bruce Lee's cards he wrote to his friend and first assistant instructor Taky Kimura. In these cards to Taky, Bruce lays out these principles on how to be a Gung Fu man and how to own and operate a school in the best way without Bruce being there himself. In Part 1 we talked about self-cultivation, no-mind, no-thought, and following nature. Listen to #123 A Gung Fu Man: Part 1 at brucelee.com/podcast. Read Part 2 of the Taky Kimura letter at Brucelee.com/podcast Check out our Podcast Bundle on the Bruce Lee Store! Follow us @Brucelee & write us at hello@brucelee.com
09/01/2019

Limitless

"Using no way as way; having no limitation as limitation." The idea of being limitless was a core tenet of Bruce Lee's approach to his art and his life. He lived the philosophy of being limitless and took action. The idea of being limitless is a mindset and a sense of freedom within one's own life; it does not mean that you have no boundaries or that you are negligible of your environment or others around you. Being limitless is the ability to make the decision to be and do anything that is centered in your heart and in harmony with you and the world. You do not have to ask for permission or get approval from any outside institution, person, or society. Most of our excuses or rationalizations for why we cannot do something is us giving voice to a fear we have about it. Sometimes we limit ourselves because we fear criticism. It is inevitable that we will receive criticism when we follow our hearts, and that can be really hard, but it is important to stay true to our hearts. "Limitless means infinite mobility." When Bruce says, "Having no limitation as limitation," he is talking about the limitations that we put on ourselves. When we do not put ourselves in a box then we can move in any direction. Being limitless is to have infinite mobility, not that you have no path or direction. Being limitless means you have the freedom to pursue any direction to create your life in the way that is the best and most enjoyable for you. We do not have to limit ourselves to one pursuit in life. If we follow Bruce Lee's example then we can pursue many different interests and be an Artist of Life. Being limitless is to never feel trapped. "Be a practical dreamer backed by action." Dream something that is achievable, and then go for it. In order to be limitless you have to be present. You have to be present in your thoughts, feelings, and environment so that you can be infinitely mobile and take action. "If you are in the now, you are creative. If you are in the now, you are inventive." "Unlimited living is turned into something dead for the sake of security. Pattern = limit. One ought to throw away all ideals, patterns, styles and throw away any concepts about what is ideal. Can you look at a situation without naming it? Naming it causes fear." We must be willing to examine things in the present moment. If the path is not working for you give yourself permission to turnaround from it and find a different route. Being limitless is skillfully and thoughtfully following your enthusiasm in your life. "The great mistake is to anticipate the outcome of the engagement. To spend your time sitting in what might be." You do not learn anything in the avoidance of difficult situations or choices. "It is indeed difficult to see a situation simply. Our minds are very complex." We want to complicate everything. We want to think of every possible way and outcome and this can carry us away from the center of what we want to do. When living limitless, we have to be present, and not judge with our preconceived notions, so that we have the freedom to consider that there might be a path to take we would not normally consider. "To bring the mind into sharp focus and to make it alert so that it can immediately intuit truth, which is everywhere, the mind must be emancipated from old habits, prejudices, restrictive thought process, and even ordinary thought itself." "To realize freedom requires an alert mind, a mind that is deep with energy, a mind that is capable of immediate perception without the process of graduation, without the idea of an end to be slowly achieved. Preformations simply lack the flexibility to adapt to the ever-changing. At this point, many would ask, "how then do we gain this unlimited freedom?" I cannot tell you because it will then become an approach. Although I can tell you what it is not, I cannot tell you what it is. That, my friend, you have to find out all by yourself." "Create immediately and atmosphere of freedom so that you can live and find out for yourself what is true, so that you are able to face the world with the ability to understand it, not just conform to it. One can tell for oneself whether the water is warm or cold. In the same way, a man must convince himself about these experiences, only then are they real." "A mind that has no dwelling continues to flow ceaselessly and ignores our limitations and our distinctions. Do not localize the mind anywhere but let it fill up the whole body; let if low freely throughout the totality of your being." Notes: BruceLee.com/podcast Check out our Podcast Bundle on the Bruce Lee Store! Follow us @Brucelee & write us at hello@brucelee.com
30/01/2019

Health

What does it mean to be healthy in our mind, body, and spirit? Health is not limited to our physical wellbeing, but encompasses our mind, body, and spirit. In order to get to optimal health, we have to be willing to look at the unhealthy parts of ourselves. Bruce Lee pursued not just his physical health, but also his mental and spiritual health. "Health is an appropriate balance of the coordination of all of what we are. A healthy person has both a good orientation (sensoric system) and ability to act (motoric system). So if there is no balance between sensing and doing, then you are out of gear." We all experience the issue where we know in our heads what we should be doing for our health, but avoid acting on it because it is hard or inconvenient. "Just as the maintaining of good health may require the taking of unpleasant medicine, so the condition of being able to do the things we enjoy often requires the performance of a few we don't. Remember, my friend, it is not what happens that counts; it is how you react to them. Your mental attitude determines what you make of it, either a stepping stone or a stumbling block." We can complain about the tasks that we do not enjoy, but we enjoy the results. Such as not wanting to do laundry, but enjoying having clean clothes, or not wanting to go to the gym, but wanting to be more physically fit. In order to maintain good health, where good health is the health of the soul, it is going to require us complete the tasks which stepping-stones towards the bigger picture of what we want. The aesthetics of physical health are heavily influenced by our society, but even though those ideals are what we think health looks like, if it is not total wellbeing of mind, body, and spirit it is not true health. It is important to take stock of how we feel physically, mentally, and spiritually on our health journeys. Be sure to ask yourself, "What is healthy for me?" Find out what works for your individual health instead of following along with what everyone else is doing. Pay attention to what your body is telling you because it will tell you what it needs. Do not listen to just what your mouth craves, but what your whole being needs. Full Notes: BruceLee.com/podcast Check out our Podcast Bundle on the Bruce Lee Store! Follow us @Brucelee & write us at hello@brucelee.com
20/07/2017

1 Year Anniversary: Shannon and Sharon share their podcast challenge stories

We are having our first live event tonight, Thursday, July 20th, at 6pm at the Central Library in Downtown Los Angeles. It's first come first serve with limited seating so try to be there by 5:30pm! This episode marks our one-year anniversary for the podcast! We created this podcast to honor and celebrate Bruce Lee's philosophy and share it with the world. Thank your for listening and going on this journey with us. We wanted to celebrate the one-year anniversary and recognize the 44th anniversary of Bruce Lee's passing by completing the Bruce Lee Podcast Challenge for two weeks. When we shared the challenge, we worried that people might not participate, but so many of you completed it. We got such an overwhelming response to the challenge that it's taking us much longer to go through all the entries, and we won't be able to pick just one winner. Your accomplishments, roadblocks, and leveling up have truly astounded and moved us; you blew us out of the water. We applaud you Bruce Lee Podcast Community! Since we can't pick just one winner, over the coming weeks we will pick several winners. Each winner will receive the prize, a conversation with us, and a chance to be on the podcast. Even if you don't win the prize, we read so many wonderful Bruce Lee moments you should stay tuned into future episodes because you might hear your name on the podcast as our Bruce Lee moment. Shannon and Sharon both did the Bruce Lee Podcast Challenge, and shared their experiences on this episode. Shannon's Affirmations: 1."Be": Rather than striving for some perfect expression, or impression, in each moment I will simply be. I can fill the space with my energy by radiating my being-ness because I am enough as I am. 2."Natural Action": Knowing that I am easily tired by forceful actions, when I do act I will take the most organic and natural route for my soul, so that I may flow with rather than against my own stream. 3."Intention": Knowing that my soul is fed when I am purposeful, I will imbue my actions and plans with meaningful intentions, so that no matter what I am doing, whether resting or working etc., I am doing so with deliberate awareness. These three affirmations work together. Shannon used all of the action items together, the "I'd feel better in my body if…" and "Letting others be," and they became affirmations as well. Shannon's second action item was "I'll feel better in my body if I meditate everyday." She also had a second one: "I'll feel better in my body if I were to slow down and eat more thoughtfully, and chew my food more thoroughly." Sharon's Affirmations: 1."I love my body! It's the source of creativity, connection and outrageous pleasure!" 2."I am so blessed. I am so loved by the love of my life. My children are healthy, happy and flourishing. I am free to create anything I want. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" 3."Today will be a day of abundance, magic and joy. All green lights and delights!" Sharon's second action item of "I would feel better in my body if…" was based off a quote by Michael Pollan: "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants." Sharon adjusted the quote to be personal to her: "Eat delicious food, mostly plants. Taste each bite and enjoy!" Her other action item was "Move my body once a day in a joyous way!" Harmony action item: "Letting others be." The last action item of "Letting others be," was challenging and illuminating. You expend energy when you judge, rant and rave, so when you minimize those thoughts, you actually conserve energy. When you get anxious and stressed about other people's choices you amp yourself up into a frenzy of negative energy. If you just turn the volume down and let them be, you can save energy and feel better. Just meditating on the simple idea of letting others be provides you with great relief and freedom. We're honored that you are listening, participating and growing with Bruce Lee's wisdom. Thank you for co-creating this show with us. Much love, Shannon & Sharon
19/01/2017

In My Own Process

During one of the busiest times in his life, Bruce Lee wrote a letter to himself titled "In My Own Process". When Bruce wrote this, he had just halted production on Game of Death was in mid-prep for Enter the Dragon which included re-writing script pages, creating fight choreography, and being a producer. He was moved to pause and write several drafts of this letter to himself—each version was an evolution of the ideas he began pondering. Through the different versions, you can witness his thinking and creative process—adding, building and refining with each iteration. He wrote: "At the moment I'm wondering for whom am I writing this organized mess? I have to say I am writing whatever wants to be written." "I have come to the realization that sooner or later what it really amounts to is the bare fact that even an attempt to really write something about ones self demands, first of all, an honesty towards oneself to be able to take responsibility to be what we actually are." "What it boils down to is my sincere and honest revelation of a man called Bruce Lee. Just who is Bruce Lee? Where is he heading? What does he hope to discover? To do this a person has to stand on his own two feet and find out the cause of ignorance. For the lazy and hopeless, they can forget it and do what they like best." Most of us spend our lives avoiding these questions or distracting ourselves, Bruce confronted these questions directly. "The truth is that life is an ever going process ever renewing and it just meant to be lived but not lived for. It is something that cannot be squeezed into a self-constructed security pattern, a game of rigid control and clever manipulation. Instead, to be what I term "a quality human being" one has to be transparently real and have the courage to be what he is." Take Action: When you feel compelled to express something meaningful to yourself, write it down. Keep track of all the different versions to research your own life and mark your progression. If you'd like to share how you're doing with this action item you can email us at hello@brucelee.com or on social @BruceLee #BruceLeePodcast. #AAHA (Awesome Asians and Hapas) This week our #AAHA shout-out goes to a close family friend of Shannon's, Taky Kimura, a Japanese America, martial artist, and one of Bruce Lee's best friends. Taky was one of Bruce Lee's top students, closest friends, best man at Bruce's wedding, first person Bruce certified to teach Jeet Kune Do, one of Bruce's first assistant instructors, and was pallbearer at Bruce's funeral. Taky is in his 90's and still teaching in Seattle, WA. Taky's family was interred in WWII with his family and experienced a lot of the prejudice and racism that followed the war. Taky met Bruce when he was in his 30's and credits Bruce with renewing his spirit. Taky has lived a quiet life and has trained people in his family's grocery store basement for free. Taky, you have been a wonderful friend to Bruce and Shannon's family, and you're awesome, thank you! #BruceLeeMoment This week's #BruceLeeMoment comes from Felix Sinn in Hamburg, Germany, read the full version in our show notes online: "I moved away from my family and friends south Germany up north to Hamburg, where I am going my own way and where I founded my company. And I am not only working on the company but also on myself and on being myself which seems to be a lifetime challenge. I am 28 years old now and there is nobody who I could copy, nobody who tells me what to do, and no mentor. And although I did not know too much about Bruce´s person I felt his philosophy. It felt like some of his spirit lives in me all the time and now as I hear all the information about him and his philosophy in the podcast, it is like you would tell me all these things that I already had in my heart but couldn´t express it in words like Bruce did." Share your #AAHA and #BruceLeeMoment recommendations with us via social media @BruceLee or email us at hello@brucelee.com
23/11/2016

Nutrition and Fitness

At the request of fans, this week we discuss Bruce Lee's approach to nutrition and fitness! Nutrition and fitness were ongoing obsessions for Bruce during his life, and we can't cover everything, so we'll discuss the big ideas on this episode not specific regimens. Bruce Lee was constantly experimenting on himself and seeing what worked for his body. There was cardio, weight training, martial techniques, teaching as training, nutrition from diet to supplements, meditation, and reading books. Often Bruce would be found doing several things at once, such as stretching and reading, using his time efficiently. Bruce's diet varied, but he consistently drank protein shakes and juices from their commercial grade juicer, an unusual household appliance in the 60's. Bruce Lee explored many diets, including one with organ meats because of their high mineral content. He drank tea every day and put supplements into his tea such as ginseng and royal jelly. He was also a big proponent of getting enough sleep, getting 8hrs a night. Bruce enjoyed all kinds of food, but he didn't smoke, drink alcohol, or drink coffee. It was after Bruce's big fight in Oakland that he started to explore fitness and nutrition in more detail. He started weight lifting, but disliked being bulky. Bruce began training for function over form to make his body strong, fast, and nimble. Bruce created and modified his own exercise equipment to target specific parts of his body. Bruce kept detailed daily planners where he wrote how many kicks, punches, crunches, or miles run he did each day. Stretching and meditation were also important parts of his fitness routine. "Jogging is not only a form of exercise to me, it is also a form of relaxation. It's my own hour, every morning, when I can be alone with my thoughts." Bruce's philosophy about food is one we can all follow: "Eat what your body requires, and don't get carried away with foods that don't benefit you." He was not extreme or rigid about food. He also did not believe in depriving yourself. "Health is an appropriate balance of the coordination of all of what we are." While Bruce was experimenting with nutrition and fitness, he made sure he was in harmony with his body. Health is inline with the philosophy of self-actualization since you can listen to, cultivate, and balance your body. If you're interested in learning more about Bruce's fitness and nutrition routines check out Bruce Lee: The Art of Expressing the Human Body. Take Action: To focus on your nutrition and fitness is to ask yourself this: "I would feel better in my body if I did _____" and fill in the blank with one action you can take. #AAHA This week's #AAHA shout-out goes to Jeremy Lin, American NBA basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets. He's known for unexpectedly leading a winning turnaround for the New York Knicks in 2012, gaining a huge following called "Linsanity." Lin had a rough start to his NBA career, receiving no drafts and getting put in the D-league, and finally joined the Knicks in the 2011-2012 season. Jeremy Lin is the first American of Taiwanese descent and one of few Asian American NBA players. Jeremy, we applaud your hard work, how you've overcome prejudice and obstacles, and your love of basketball. Keep being awesome! #BruceLeeMoment Below we have an excerpt from a #BruceLeeMoment email from Lecroy "Lee" Rhyanes, Jr. Read the full version in the shownotes at Brucelee.com. "There have been many #BruceLeeMoments throughout my life …One that I'd like to share is in response to the 'Walk On' episode #11 topic about phrases that we use to help us. The phrase I use is Bruce Lee's quote "Life itself is your teacher, and you are in a state of constant learning." There is no quote that I've applied in my experience as a student and educator more than this one." Share your #AAHA and #BruceLeeMoment recommendations with us via social media @BruceLee or email us at hello@brucelee.com
01/09/2016

Change

"To change with change is the changeless state." Change often brings fear, and many times we resist. But if you can flow and be adaptable, you can move through all of the things that life throws at you, with much ease you will remain in a place where you wont freak out and you will remain in a changeless state. "To understand your fear in change is the beginning of really seeing." Life is constantly moving and changing and you have to follow that movement like the shadow following the body. Being tense and fearful of change brings despair and destruction of your joy. Being present in the moment for what the moment brings is more important than worrying about something that hasn't happened. "Wisdom does not lie in trying to wrest the good from the evil but rather lies in learning to ride them as a cork adapts itself to the crest of a wave. Resisting change is resisting life. "The meaning of life is to be lived." #AAHA (Awesome Asians and Hapas) This week's shoutout goes to Judy Joo, a chef, writer and TV personality. Judy left a prominent banking job to follow her passion for cooking. She began in a test kitchen and worked her way up to become an iron chef in the UK and opened her own restaurant Jinjuu, in London and Honk Kong. Judy is on the Food Network with "Korean Food Made Simple" and also published a book by the same name. #BruceLeeMoment (Bruce Lee's philosophy in action IRL) This week's #BruceLeeMomment come from Isaiah Thomas professional NBA player for the Celtics. Thomas says: "I've been studying four great professional including Bruce Lee. I carry a quote from Bruce Lee with me, "be water my friend." I think it is the best quote that he has, because it can adapt to anything. Bruce's mentality was just so different from everybody else's in life. You read his quotes and make so much sense when it comes to just trying to lock in what is at task. I think a lot of his game and mentality is how you carry yourself and how you think of yourself." Share your #AAHA and #BruceLeeMoment recommendations with us via social media @BruceLee or email us at hello@brucelee.com
18/08/2016

Goals, Mistakes, Success

This week we talk about how Bruce Lee documented his goals, valued mistakes and created a personal definition of success. A dedicated journal writer, Lee consistently wrote down his big and small goals. He believed that all goals did not have to be achieved, they were a way to orient yourself towards a big dream with meaning. They were also an opportunity to make mistakes along the way, learn and adapt as necessary—being in flow, using no way as way. He wrote this big goal for himself when he was 28 years old: My Definite Chief Aim I, Bruce Lee, will be the first highest paid Oriental super star in the United States. In return I will give the most exciting performances and render the best of quality in the capacity of an actor. Starting 1970 I will achieve world fame and from then onward till the end of 1980 I will have in my possession $10,000,000. I will live the way I please and achieve inner harmony and happiness. Bruce Lee Jan. 1969 Bruce Lee also valued mistakes and defeat. To him, "defeat is nothing but education. Nothing but the first step to figuring out something better." Mistakes were learning moments. He also said "success means doing something sincerely and whole-heartedly." It was a way of being a human being, not a destination or outcome. The success is in the doing and doing it with your whole heart. Action step for this week: try to write your own Definite Chief Aim. #AAHA (Awesome Asians and Hapas) This week's shoutout goes to chef and owner of n/naka Niki Nakayama. Niki was born into a restaurant family and tried her hand at the family business with a normal popular sushi restaurant. But her artist's heart longed for something more connected to her soul. She traveled throughout Japan for 3 years learning kaiseki style cuisine, a formal presentation of courses that accompany Buddhist tea ceremonies at monasteries. She then transformed this ancient cooking style into a modern interpretation that is uniquely her own. Her journey is beautifully documented in the Netflix series Chef's Table and it's worth a watch. #BruceLeeMoment (Bruce Lee's philosophy in action IRL) This week's #BruceLeeMoment comes from our team member Richard Grewar who runs the Bruce Lee Foundation Richard has struggled with depression for twenty years. On a particularly tough day when he felt like isolating, shutting down and giving up, this quote from Bruce Lee helped him zoom out and notice the world around him along with some frolicking dolphins: "Its like a finger pointing away to the moon. Don't concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory." Share your #AAHA and #BruceLeeMoment recommendations with us via social media @BruceLee or email us at hello@brucelee.com.

Shannon Lee na Apple