Fascinating read on Bruce Lee

[Knifefighter]

http://www.karateconnection.com/UNSETTLEDMATTERS.pdf

Interesting biography on his upbringing, career, affairs, anabolic steroid and other drug use.

[Justinrohrman]

I only read parts of it, but found the portions about steroids to be absolutely ridiculous and near laughable. What is the point of listing side effects such as increased libido? And including some anecdotal reference from a high school athlete? Come on.

Where was the evidence to support such claims? Mear hearsay from one person was used to ignite the authors tangent?

-IDK, I am not challenging you in anyway, just some of the authors claims.

[boshea]

I only read parts of it, but found the portions about steroids to be absolutely ridiculous and near laughable. What is the point of listing side effects such as increased libido? And including some anecdotal reference from a high school athlete? Come on.

Where was the evidence to support such claims? Mear hearsay from one person was used to ignite the authors tangent?

-IDK, I am not challenging you in anyway, just some of the authors claims.


I think the purpose of mentioning the side effects of steriod use, which the author states were not well understood at the time, is to present his theory that Bruce's behavioral (and physical) problems were drug-induced, and not part of his innate character. Sure, Bruce had a bit of an ego and is even quoted in the story to have admitted, "I'm not saying I'm modest...," but this story presents his psychological problems as being more severe than those of a self-centered kid.

I haven't finished reading the story either (I'm about half-way through it), but it sounds like it is going down the path of suggesting an alternate theory for cause of Bruce's death. I can't wait to finish reading this, but I'm too tired to continue at the moment.

[sanjuro_ronin]

http://www.karateconnection.com/UNSETTLEDMATTERS.pdf

Interesting biography on his upbringing, career, affairs, anabolic steroid and other drug use.


great find, thanks for sharing.

[Wong Ying Home]

Speculation also suggests that Mr Lee used Ma Huang as a stimulant, which could also be a cause for various mood changes. Ma Huang effects, blood pressure, heart rate, thins the blood, increases core temperature, and metabolic rate.

[RD'S Alias - 1A]

Yes, and prolonged use of Mahuang, especially at high doses, would kill.

Since Bruce seemed the type to gravitate to excess, so Mahuang abuse could DEFENETLY be related and in a major way.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Giving Bl the credit he deserves for being one of the first to openly preach cross training in the MA, its a sad statement that he felt he need to push himself so much to be "the best".
One wonders if he had had the chance to live longer, how much that would have changed, how much he would have changed, how much JKD would have changed.

As it is, he was he own worse enemy.

[lkfmdc]

Bruce Lee also bought one of those machines the PT people use, it sends an electric pulse to your muscles and makes them twitch, to exercise the muscles. When I tore my shoulder they used it, for a few minutes.... stories say that he hooked himself up to it for HOURS.... wonder how healthy that was?

[sanjuro_ronin]

Had a conversation with Dan Inosanto back in 1979 that included Dan mentioning something about Bruce that I always found startling in it's obsessive-compulsiveness...

Dan said that since Bruce liked to push his workouts for hours and hours non-stop in this quest to be the absolute best fighter (in the world?)...so Bruce had some sort of medical procedure done wherein his sweat glands were actually cut - so that he wouldn't have to stop and constantly dry off (or take a shower)...

and could keep on training for hours on end.

My God. :eek:

Worked out well for him eh?

The silliness of things...

[sanjuro_ronin]

It seems the one lesson he never quite learned was that Quality trumps Quantity every time.

[cjurakpt]

Bruce Lee also bought one of those machines the PT people use, it sends an electric pulse to your muscles and makes them twitch, to exercise the muscles. When I tore my shoulder they used it, for a few minutes.... stories say that he hooked himself up to it for HOURS.... wonder how healthy that was?

the sad part is that, reasearch has since shown that using neuromuscular stim in this way does nothing to actually build muscle strength in the least (unless something new has come out which I am unaware of)

[lkfmdc]

the sad part is that, reasearch has since shown that using neuromuscular stim in this way does nothing to actually build muscle strength in the least (unless something new has come out which I am unaware of)

so, what you are saying, is that it is an ineffective as that vaccuum pump tube you bought for yourself back in the 1990's :p

[sanjuro_ronin]

so, what you are saying, is that it is an ineffective as that vaccuum pump tube you bought for yourself back in the 1990's :p

*rimshot *


They are god to keep muscle from atrophing (sp?) due to in-activity.


The EMS thing, not the swedish vaccum pump.

[Knifefighter]

Originally Posted by Ultimatewingchun
Dan said that since Bruce liked to push his workouts for hours and hours non-stop in this quest to be the absolute best fighter (in the world?)...so Bruce had some sort of medical procedure done wherein his sweat glands were actually cut - so that he wouldn't have to stop and constantly dry off (or take a shower)...Worked out well for him eh?
The silliness of things...

Actually, if you read the biography, the sweat gland thing was a result of a possible misdiagnosis by the doctor. Had nothing to do with him not wanting to take a shower.

[WinterPalm]

That's it!

Sweat gland removal tomorrow...without showering I shall have even more time to spend on here...I mean train.

[Ultimatewingchun]

I'm piecing together an explanation or two in my mind after reading this article. Firstly, I think it's quite possible, given his obsessive achievement-at-all-costs personality type, that he did take drugs to enhance himself - and this weakness could have also played into the hands of others in a deadly and self destructive fashion. And they did him in.

Because I think he was really playing with fire - given the types of drugs - and his compulsive psychological need to challenge, confront, and violate the ego space (and the physical space) of other people at the drop of a hat.

Deadly combination.

For example, it has occurred to me that the explanation he gave Inosanto about why his sweat glands were cut was something he knew Dan could believe - given Bruce's obsession with training to be the best - but it also managed to hide the truth about his drug problems.

After all, saving face (and building it where there was none) was always at the top of his priorities.

Here's another interesting fact to ponder: Jimi Hendrix...another world famous, totally obsessed and driven to-the-top innovator in his field, minority, risk taker, outspoken to the point of making enemies all over the place, and overachiever who also died mysteriously of a drug overdose - was born the same month, day, and year as Bruce Lee.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Originally Posted by Ultimatewingchun
Dan said that since Bruce liked to push his workouts for hours and hours non-stop in this quest to be the absolute best fighter (in the world?)...so Bruce had some sort of medical procedure done wherein his sweat glands were actually cut - so that he wouldn't have to stop and constantly dry off (or take a shower)...

Actually, if you read the biography, the sweat gland thing was a result of a possible misdiagnosis by the doctor. Had nothing to do with him not wanting to take a shower.

I was refering to his "working out for hours".

[RD'S Alias - 1A]

I allways thought the sweat gland thing was just legend.

[TenTigers]

ok, let me get this straight...If I have both my balls, and do steroids, I will be BETTER than Bruce Lee?
Dude, I am so doing this!

[RD'S Alias - 1A]

iF YOU CONSIDER DEAD IN YOUR 30' BETTER, YEAH, SURE....:rolleyes:

[Yum Cha]

ok, let me get this straight...If I have both my balls, and do steroids, I will be BETTER than Bruce Lee?
Dude, I am so doing this!

So Ten, I didn't know Viagra was a steroid. Learn something new everyday....:D

BTW, interesting read, lots of the info has always swirled around but never been consolidated like that.

I agree, great find. Kudos Knife. Seems pretty reputable too.

[IronFist]

Interesting, but full of typos.

[diego]

one thing that caught my eye about the stories told in this book is the part about getting cut filming enter the dragon...he says someone told him it wasn't an accident and he then fought a triad member over the issue...recently i was going through old mags on the crapper and found an article on Bob Wall talking about this incident...the book says triads did it...bob says he and bruce were friends...bruce hired him for the movie....they shot the broken bottle scene 11 times and bruce overextended his kick and when he landed his hand caught the bottle.

he said bruce was in rage on the set throughout the day saying he is going to kill bob...but then they went home and that was that...how is bob wall a triad?

anyone know about this?

[simondo]

Bruce was the best because he did anything and everything to be the best, he simply said if it kills you it kills you. Evidently it did. What do people do for their art, what sacrifices have you made, away from family, giving up a career e.t.c How good do you want to be, what will you sacrifice. For me its about a balance, ying and yang maybe, what are your thoughts. These are simply mine.

A martial arts brother

Simondo

[Takuan]

And here all this time I was using Martial Arts to better myself philosophically, I coulda been killing myself this whole time, ****!

[simondo]

How far do you want to take it was my question and arguably (phillosophically).
How for do you take yourself philososphically and what do you do to do it?
You can't live the art was point otherwise you burn out, you must have balance!

[Shaolin Wookie]

It does bring up the issue RD had earlier concerning bonafide links between Triads and kung-fu.

[BM2]

one thing that caught my eye about the stories told in this book is the part about getting cut filming enter the dragon...he says someone told him it wasn't an accident and he then fought a triad member over the issue...recently i was going through old mags on the crapper and found an article on Bob Wall talking about this incident...the book says triads did it...bob says he and bruce were friends...bruce hired him for the movie....they shot the broken bottle scene 11 times and bruce overextended his kick and when he landed his hand caught the bottle.

he said bruce was in rage on the set throughout the day saying he is going to kill bob...but then they went home and that was that...how is bob wall a triad?

anyone know about this?

Bob said he was told Bruce was to kick it out of his hand. Bruce brushed his wrist with the kick and then punched the glass bottle when he didn't let go becuase it wasn't kicked out of his hand.
Bruce's wife said he was furious and she even thought the actor (Bob Wall) was an idiot knowing they were using glass bottles and not letting the bottle go when kicked knowing that the set had failed to have fake glass bottles.

[sanjuro_ronin]

It does bring up the issue RD had earlier concerning bonafide links between Triads and kung-fu.

Older than the hills in granny's chest dude.
Twice as dusty.

[diego]

Bob said he was told Bruce was to kick it out of his hand. Bruce brushed his wrist with the kick and then punched the glass bottle when he didn't let go becuase it wasn't kicked out of his hand.
Bruce's wife said he was furious and she even thought the actor (Bob Wall) was an idiot knowing they were using glass bottles and not letting the bottle go when kicked knowing that the set had failed to have fake glass bottles.


yeah something like that...the book says a triad did it...

[PangQuan]

"The fact is, I don't know how long I can keep this up"
~


Its actually, IMO, quite a sad read on a man who sacraficed himself in pursuit of his dreams. Regardless of what the dream was, and the means used to reach his goals, its definately a story that has much to teach many.


KF - thanks for the read.

[PangQuan]

P.S.

This is a required read for anyone who is a fan of Bruce Lee.

Very possible of dispelling any illusions one might have of the man vs. the myth.


We are all human in the end.

[Kristoffer]

Who wrote this document?

[PangQuan]

Who wrote this document?

Tom Bleecker, the guy that married Linda after Bruce had died....

[rogue]

P.S.

This is a required read for anyone who is a fan of Bruce Lee.

Very possible of dispelling any illusions one might have of the man vs. the myth.


We are all human in the end.

It's full of lies!


The Real Original Lucky Louie

[lkfmdc]

It's full of lies!




rogue must be chapter president of the local Bruce Lee fan club

[rogue]

Why can't people just accept what Grand Sigung Lee did for martial arts, why the tearing down? No BL, no MMA.




The Real Original Lucky Louie