Meet Matthew Osborne | Wushu Coach, Actor & Stunt Man

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matthew Osborne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matthew, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Initially I did not want to start my own business. I did not want to lead my teachers school. The thought of all of that responsibility and trying to live up to my teachers, Eric Chen and Deborah Chen, scared the heck out of me. 2011 was our last year all together but because of financial issues I was essentially taking care of the day to day operations myself. Cleaning, phone calls, emails, bills, studio rentals, pro-shop orders, pet care, taxes and payroll on top of actually teaching every private lesson and group class myself.

The Chen’s were not neglectful in the slightest, they were out taking care of the bigger business deals that were far above my capabilities. In the meantime I did what I could to hold down the fort. I was taught very thoroughly and could relay that same information just as well. I could hold the attention of the students and deliver what they wanted. I was helping to grow the National Wushu Training Center steadily but never wanted all that responsibility long term.

On July 5th, 2011 our financial troubles came to a head and we lost our Los Angeles studio. I felt so responsible for the students I just couldn’t leave them hanging. Coach Eric and Debbie could no longer carry on so I decided it best to begin my own business while carrying on the National Wushu Training Center’s name.

What should our readers know about your business?
What I teach at the National Wushu Training Center is wushu! Wushu is a generic term for all Chinese martial arts. Wu is military, Shu is art. Wushu is the art of war. It is Chinese philosophy expressed through martial arts. Wushu has been refined and systemized over the centuries. As a result, it is still valued as a way to achieve health, self defense skills, mental discipline, recreational pursuit, and a competitive sporting event even though its combative role has diminished since the invention of firearms.

Wushu is not only a sport for exercise but also an artistic form. It has long been used in China as a means to cure illness and is a comprehensive way to cultivate the human body.

The style focused in our classes is Chang Quan or the Long Fist. Long fist is defined by very expansive and graceful movements in posture and agility. Large circular motions, high kicking, low stances and flexibility are all practiced to perfection. Long fist boxers move fast, jump high and far, they combine hardness with softness, fast and slow moves, along with absolute stillness.

It is often believed that Wushu is suited only for children so naturally most schools cater towards them. I am extremely proud to say that children often drive me insane so I cater to adults! From our beginner levels too advanced we have students training in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and even in their 50’s. Children 10 years and up are welcome of course, but the majority are adults training at an adults pace.

Wushu in and of itself is a fairly difficult business to run because of the space necessary to perform. Wide rooms and high ceilings are needed for a single practitioners routine. Not to mention the inherent difficulty of the sport can be very off putting. As I mentioned earlier, after loosing our massive studio in 2011 I felt responsible for the students left hanging. I did my best to continue everyone’s learning by renting from various places around LA. After rent, there would be months where I would only earn $200 to $300 in profit. It was an extremely difficult time in my life but I kept going in hopes that eventually things would settle down. We moved to 3 different locations in 3 years and finally with nowhere else to go I had to cease all classes Feb 1st, 2015.

Fortunately my reputation had still been growing and I received a job offer to teach and help build a wushu program in Beijing! With little other options remaining, every student encouraged me to go out there and take the opportunity! It was a wonderful time! It almost felt like a paid vacation and I made many good friends in China. I couldn’t commit to the full 3 years that my employer wanted and I returned home at the end of 2015.

For the first half of 2016 I taught private lessons, worked a few acting and stunt gigs but things were very slow. By June of 2016 I met another martial arts teacher who had a very open schedule. We decided to team up and teach different styles on opposite days of one another which worked out extremely well.

Eventually we had to leave that studio and settled into a near by park within Chinatown. I was extremely worried about retaining students and being accepted by the community. My worries were completely unfounded on both ends and we have been thriving ever since. Moving outdoors turned out to be a blessing in disguise especially when Covid hit the nation. We were one of the only martial arts schools in operation and our soaring attendance reflected that.

We no longer have a massive facility of the finest quality but the actual curriculum is exactly as I was taught 20 years ago! Coach Eric and Coach Debbie are very happy to see their legacy continued and I could not be more grateful for the hundreds of students I have taught and learned from on this adventure.

Besides finances, one of the must difficult challenges was having a chronic injury for years. It happened as I was training in anger. I was doing the splits and pushed it way too far. I tore a muscle in my glutes. Nothing doctors did or prescribed worked and it was extremely depressing for a long time. During class I would have to hold back so much and completely avoid certain movements or risk making the injury worse. My kicks suffered for years and even fighting on camera scared me. Every time I thought I was healed it would tear again. For a long time I kept thinking to myself maybe it’s the universe constantly telling me to get out of wushu and stunts all together. After discovering self massage with Trigger Point therapy I have managed to change my life! Coupling that with ice after the massage and workouts, it has improved my physical health dramatically.

I’m actually grateful for the hardships in my life. I found that I am stronger than my circumstances and I’m not unique in that. Most people are stronger than their hardships if they face the issues head on. Now I can potentially help people who may be going through similar issues. I’d like to think I’m healed because I can laugh now, my pain has become my wisdom.

Coach Eric taught me that a good attitude will conquer your deficiencies. Success in business, strength, health, flexibility, family, friends and love all begin with a good attitude.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
On the corner of Yale St and Alpine in Chinatown is Zen Mei Bistro. I absolutely love treating my family and students to their food. The owner Michelle is so sweet and her along with her team make such delicious Chinese food. Show up on a Sunday, mid day to early afternoon and there is nothing but martial artists from various disciplines enjoying their time with another. It’s a fun sight to see.

Then for my friends interesting in skating or biking? I’d have to show them the Inglewood Pump Track! So fun to take your board or bike through the dips and hills, jumping and shredding as the kids say. Great exercise and very exciting be on those tracks.

Also there is K1 Speed, indoor kart racing! Those things can move! It is so fun! Kids can join in too I was surprised to see. Real life Mario Kart minus the koopa shell hazards!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate this to my loving wife Jeni. If not for her I don’t know how I would have survived when I was at my lowest. To my teachers Eric Chen & Debbie Chen to whom I owe actually meeting Jeni and giving me the wushu tools and life skills to take on the world’s challenges. And lastly my dear friend Marc J Charland. When I was ready to give up wushu entirely, according to him, one of God’s angels came to him in a dream to tell me to not give up wushu. I took that to heart.

Website: https://www.trainwushu.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/national_wushu_training_center/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nationalwushutrainingcenter/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/national-wushu-training-center-los-angeles-2?osq=national+wushu+training+center