Jean Claude Van Damme
Jean Claude Van Damme is one martial arts’ movie star who knows how to grab the attention of his audience. He was born Jean Claude Van Varenberg on October 18, 1960 in Belgium. His handsome looks and amazing physique have made him the envy of many aspiring martial artists.
He began studying the martial arts at 10 years of age when his father enrolled him in a Shotokan Karate school. Jean Claude trained hard and was dedicated. Eventually he earned his black belt at 18 years old. He wanted to better his rather skinny physique and added weight lifting to his training. In addition to his karate and weight lifting, Jean Claude added ballet. Like his martial arts training, he became quite talented and enjoyed the workouts that it provided. In addition to Karate, he studied Tae Kwon Do and Muay Thai Kickboxing. With his arsenal of martial arts skills, he decided to start competing in semi contact and full contact tournament circuits. He became quite the competitor and had many successful fights before deciding to pursue other interests.
In 1982, Van Damme (his stage name) decided to move to the United States to pursue a film career. He wanted to be an action star. Very determined and motivated to make this happen, he eventually earned several minor roles in movies until he landed his big break. The 1988 box office hit, ‘Bloodsport’, propelled Van Damme into an instant star. Jean Claude has enjoyed a steady career since making martial arts movies. Kickboxer, Cyborg, Double Impact and most recently, Expendables 2 have all been just some of his hit movies.
The one thing that is very easy to see when watching a Van Damme movie is his talent as a martial artist. He has amazing flexibility and his kicking ability is just two things that he has been really known for.
Aside from his martial arts and movie careers, Jean Claude is a husband and a father. He remains very close with his family in Belgium and is a very supportive and proud father.
I had the pleasure of having lunch with him and his parents one time in Los Angeles while I was visiting my dad. One thing that few people know about him is his soft spot for animals. He talked and told me all about the stray dogs he would find on a movie set and many times has adopted them as his personal pets. It was very clear to see that he has a love
for animals and will go to extensive lengths to help bring strays some love and happiness in their lives. I also noticed how affectionately he spoke of his kids and how loving he was to his parents. He talked all about how he came to America to follow his dream of becoming an action star and how much the martial arts has meant to him in his life. It was very nice to see how someone who I grew up watching in the movies, had this whole other side that not too many people get to see.
Like so many people, Jean Claude Van Damme has had some difficult times in life. However he proves that with hard work and discipline, you can over come any obstacle and have the successes in life you desire.
Tracy Warrener has been fortunate to have been raised within the Martial Arts since the age of 4 years old and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. She has had the opportunity to study with some amazing Martial Artists. Sensei Richard Kim, Sensei Peter Urban, Professor Don Jacob, Sensei Jim Wilson, Professor Wally Jay, just to name several. Of course her main Sensei is her father, Sensei Don Warrener. Throughout the 40 plus years of her involvement in the Martial Arts, she has worked her way from being a student of the martial arts to a Martial Arts Sensei ,teaching hundreds of students. She has ran and managed martial arts schools teaching students of all ages, worked within the community teaching at fitness centres, schools, businesses and Women’s Shelters, the benefits of Karate. One the causes close to her heart is teaching and empowering young girls and women the importance of self defence and awareness. Her program called Look Strong! Act Strong! Be Strong! focuses on easy self defence techniques and mind self defence techniques. In 2013 she was awarded The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Masters of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in California for her contribution to Women in the Martial Arts. She is also a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master. She has starred in three of her own DVDs produced by Rising Sun Productions on Reiki, Reflexology and her Look Strong ,Act Strong ,Be Strong Self Defence Program. tracy.warrenerentertainment@gmail.com
http://www.warrenerentertainment.com/death-warrant-cyborg-dbl-impact/