Jiayo

If you took a box of crayons filled with extreme colors and detonated it into the form of high-flying, weapons-wielding athletes in silk uniforms, Wushu tournaments would be the glorious result.


I remember the weeks in preparation for competitions. Extreme practices, unyielding conditioning, pushing my body to extraordinary capacities. Decorating my walls with gold medals was the goal, but those training sessions alongside my fellow teammates are the stories I remember best. We would challenge each other physically and creatively, and no matter how many times you fell down it was all about how many more times you would get up.

It’s been years since I retired from competitive martial arts, but from time to time I like to go to competitions to marinate on the quality of athleticism. About a month ago I journeyed up to the University of Oregon to watch the Collegiate Wushu Competition and this Saturday I’ll be traveling to northern California to attend the Berkeley Chinese Martial Arts Tournament. These venues are wonderful opportunities to watch and be amazed by people all over the world who have pushed their bodies to the limits in order to achieve unimaginable flexibility, agility, and grace in the pursuit of victory.

Maybe I’ll make my way back into the ring for old times sake!

MoCap'n'Crunch

I just signed a contract to play a great role in a HUUUGE video game franchise! I can't divulge too much information, but what I can say is that we've shot loads of great scenes at the famous House of Moves motion capture studio and had some intense voice over sessions.

Working in video games is a lot of fun because, like in the production of James Cameron's Avatar, the actors live out the lives of their characters in a completely imaginary world. No elaborate sets, no intricate wardrobes. Everything is constructed in your imagination, meaning to the actor you see everything (monsters, explosions, unicorns...you name it!) from your eyes even though they don't really exist in the studio.

Living in the make-believe world...I love my job!

Tonight Show

"I put your name in for a really fun job," says my good friend and mentor James Lew from his side of the phone line. He remarked that the group I would be working with was full of high energy and good times. With my curiosity sparked, I enthusiastically walked in to NBC Studios.

Crowds lined up outside the gate to Studio 11, where I was to meet with producers and writers. Upon entering, I spotted a red sports car in the parking lot that could only belong to one late night talk show host.

I play a Kung Fu fighting Tarot card that comes to life in this upcoming comedy bit with Groundlings alum Brian Palermo (The Social Network) and late night legend Jay Leno! Keep an eye out for it and I'll post a video link when it becomes available!