When I was a teenager, my dad used to put a lot of pressure on me to be successful, and I'd really beat myself up about things like losing martial arts competitions.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
A large part of my life revolves around my dad. Sometimes, I even feel a strong sense of connection, something very tangible when I learn something new in the martial arts.
I turned to my mom and said, 'I'm going to be a martial arts movie star.' She didn't believe me, and neither did my dad. They both thought I would grow out of it. That it was a phase. I decided then I was going to do it or die trying.
Until late in life, I was never quite good enough for my father, and I suppose that is part of what drives me even now, well after his death in 1992.
My father made sure that I had lots of levels of education - from ballroom-dancing to painting, commando training, theatre and magic.
When I was ten years old, my dad and brother did judo, so I went along because I felt like I was missing out. They eventually gave up, and I continued, then moved into Tae Kwon Do, kickboxing and various other martial arts. I did lots of different things, but mostly things like Wushu, Jeet Kune Do, Krav Maga and stuff like that.
I wanted my dad to be proud of me, and I fell into acting because there wasn't anything else I could do, and in it I found a discipline that I wanted to keep coming back to, that I love and I learn about every day.
When I was doing poorly at school, my father yanked me out and got me a job in a shoe factory. After three weeks, I begged him to give me another chance at doing well in school. I learned that discipline is necessary to accomplish anything in life.
When I was a child, my father taught me to put up my fists like a boy and to be prepared to defend myself at all times.
When I was younger, I felt pressure to become someone else once I became successful.
Martial arts is what pulled me through tough times, and it is one of the reasons for my happiness.
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