I watched the movie trailer for Black Dynamite and drooled over Michael Jai White. He stars in the 1970′s-style blaxploitation action film about the legendary super crime fighter. The DVD hits the streets this week.
White’s charismatic physic comes from training in martial arts for more than 20 years. He owns black belts in six styles: Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do, Kobud, Goju Ryu, Tang Soo Do, Wushu and Kyokushin.
Martial Arts Man
These days he practices and teaches the Kyokushin style. According to an interview he did with Ethan Alter of Giant, Kyokushin is the most popular style of karate in the world.
“The cornerstone of martial arts is that it teaches you discipline. The body gets conditioned as a result of what your mind is doing.
“When you build that discipline and focus, you can shut out anything that you need to. With discipline, you can accomplish anything.”
In this video you can watch Michael Jai White training for Universal Solider: The Return, a Jean-Claude Van Damme movie.
White talks about drinking three gallons of water a day, eating protein and working out between scenes on the set.
He also demonstrates his martial arts moves. He explains why he doesn’t lift weights to bulk up, but to be fast.
He even demonstrates some awesome high kicks. All in all, his body looks appetizing.
Former School Teacher
White website says he is a former school teacher. A profession he was honored to serve for three years before embarking on an acting career.
White received positive feedback in his portrayal of Mike Tyson in HBO’s 1995 biopic Tyson. He kicked some major butt as the action hero in the 1997 movie Spawn.
And in 2001 he almost put Steven Seagal to shame in Exit Wounds.
White told Black Belt magazine that he trained with Black Belt Hall of Famers Joe Lewis, Benny Urquidez, Bill Wallace and Gene LeBell. He even manages his time to be with friends, so they work on their grappling skills.
White’s still thirsts for more martial arts knowledge. I love what he told Black Belt “To put on a white belt is great for me. I’m looking forward to learning something new.
Just the Beginning
“Getting a black belt is just the beginning. I’m leery of resting on my laurels and accepting the adoration of others because that starts to feed your ego. And the ego is not a good thing to feed.
“If a person limits his training to what he already does well, he will not grow as a martial artist. If I take the bait and concentrate on my physical gifts, I do myself a disservice.
“A true martial artist tries to be the best that he can be, regardless of what anyone else is doing.
“I know that is what has gotten me where I am, but I don’t consider myself to be anywhere near to where I want to wind up.”
White is looking pretty good. It seems his mature outlook is going to take him beyond kicking booty even though martial arts will always be center of his universe.
Pictures from Black Belt Magazine
