Coach Shen (ShaolinInfluencer): how to stay true and improve your character, freestyling yourself, embodying the Shaolin Lifestyle, and mastering the intersection between martial arts, movement, combat, street dance and Shaolin arts - podcast #259

Disrupt Everything: Reinvéntate a ti Mismo - podcast by Isra García

"What you get is what you life for" - ShaolinInfluencer.

Isra Garcia interviews Coach Shen (known as ShaolinInfluencer) about living the Shaolin experience, street dancing, fighting, teaching Shaolin combat, the influence of dancing, building your character, mastering oneself, looking for the Shaolin Way, and more.

Sometimes, life brings us to places where tradition and modernity collide, and in that intersection, we meet people who transform how we see the world. This is one of those stories. Years ago, Isra Garcia found himself stepping through the gates of the Shaolin Temple Europe, a place steeped in ancient wisdom and timeless discipline. It was here, surrounded by the serenity of the monastery and the powerful rhythm of martial arts, that Isra first encountered Coach Shen (Xiao Shen), known as ShaolinInfluencer—a change agent and disruptor who redefines what it means to live the Shaolin way.

"The more unconscious about my body, the more I feed my consciousness" - ShaolinInfluencer.

His paths crossed amidst the temple’s unique atmosphere, where silence and movement create a language of their own. Coach Shen stood out—not just as a teacher of Shaolin arts, but as someone who seamlessly blends combat techniques, mindful living, and the boundless energy of breakdance and free form movement. His presence, his energy, and his philosophy captivated Isra, sparking a connection that has stayed with us ever since.

Today, in this very special episode, Isra sits down with Coach Shen (ShaolinInfluencer) for an intimate and dynamic conversation. Together, we explore his journey, his evolution as a Shaolin instructor, and how he balances the ancient and the modern to craft a teaching style that is as innovative as it is rooted in tradition.

"If every day you combine one movement, at the end of the year you have 365 moves" - Shaolin Influencer.

In the heart of Europe, at the Shaolin Temple Europe, emerges a figure who perfectly embodies the fusion of ancient tradition and modernity: Coach Shen. As an instructor at this Buddhist monastery located in Otterberg, Germany, Coach Shen not only imparts the ancient teachings of Shaolin but also enriches them with contemporary elements, creating a truly unique experience for his students.

Coach Shen’s life is a testament to the harmonious integration of seemingly contrasting disciplines and lifestyles. His training in Shaolin martial arts has granted him a deep understanding of Kung Fu, traditional combat and other traditional practices. Yet, his passion for movement led him to explore breakdance and freestyle dance, disciplines that demand exceptional agility, strength, and creativity.

"I influence the modern side and the Shaolin side" - ShaolinInfluencer.

His disruptive approach has resonated within the Shaolin Temple Europe community, attracting students eager for a learning experience that transcends traditional teachings. Through his instruction, Coach Shen proves that martial arts and dance are not opposing disciplines but complementary paths to self-discovery and personal mastery.

In this episode, we’ll delve into Coach Shen’s journey, his teaching philosophy, and how he has seamlessly woven the ancient art of Shaolin with the vibrant expressions of modern movement. Join us on this journey to discover how tradition and innovation can coexist and enrich each other in the pursuit of balance and inner harmony.

"When dancing, whenever you want to do it, you do it... I don't have the same pattern for every day" - ShaolinInfluencer.

Index of contents - and what you will learn in this episode

1. Life milestones.
2. The combination between shaolin arts, the Qi and dancing.
3. How dancing influences combat and martial arts.
4. His origins on dancing.
5. Life lessons taught through dancing.
6. Struggles and learning from making a life street dancing.
7. What the Shaolin Temple gave to Shaolin Influencer.
8. His connection with the Shaolin Temple.
9. His main motivation for entering the Shaolin Temple.
10. A journey about Shaolin Influencer's evolution while living in the Shaolin Temple.
11. What Shaolin Influencer learned in the kung fu forms versus the combat.
12. What has impressed him toe most about Shi Heng Yi.
13. What it means to be the ShaolinInfluencer.
14. The best teachings he has received.
15. His discoveries about what matters to other people he has meet in his journeys.
16. The routines and habits that makes Coach Shen healthy.
17. What works the most for Coach Shen: techniques, habits, routines and hacks.
18. How Coach Shen is playing with life.
19. How to find balance in every day.
20. Coaching teachings and experiences.
21. How people can move and dance more freely.
22. Looking for the Shaolin Way and Spirit.
23. Coach Shen's most important teaching of his life.
24. Rapid-fire questions.

"In the combat you have to freestyling, this is when the dance comes in" - ShaolinInfluencer.

Podcast show notes

• Shaolin Influencer on Instagram - Coach Shen IG account.
• Shifu Yan Lei.
• Shifu Shi Yanzi.
• First Shi Heng Yi interview.
• Second Shi Heng Yi interview.
• Third Shi Heng Yi interview.
• What is like to live in the Shaolin Temple Europe.

"It had helped me a lot to have a bit of structure in my life" - ShaolinInfluencer.