MARTIALFORCE.COM
PRESENTS
AN INTERVIEW WITH
GRAND MASTER
SAMUEL MCGEE
JAN / 2011
“I was trained and taught to believe
that kata is the essence of karate.”
My name is Eddie Morales and welcome to Martialforce.com Online Martial Arts Magazine. I would like to introduce Martialforce.com readers to Grand Master Sam McGee. He is an East Coast based Martial Artist who’s career spans three decades. When I think of Grand Master Sam McGee there is only one word that comes to mind, “Warrior.” He has lived his life by a definitive code that embodies the true essence of honor and respect. He has influenced many by direct teaching and indirect through his competitive years. It is an honor for me to present this interview and I hope you enjoy reading it.
Interview By Eddie Morales
Martialforce.com
Online Magazine
Martialforce.com: Where were you born and raised?
SAMUEL MCGEE: I was born in New York City in Metropolitan Hospital. But, I was raised in Jacksonville, Florida. My parents separated and my mother moved to Jacksonville when I was five years old. I went back and forth from Jacksonville to New York until I graduated from high school. After serving in the Vietnam War, I chose to make my home New York City.
Martialforce.com: When and how long did you serve in the Viet Nam war?
SAMUEL MCGEE: I served 14 months in Viet Nam, which was extended after one year. The year was 1968 to 1969; at that time draftees had two do a minimum of 2 years active duty.
Martialforce.com: What is your current occupation?
SAMUEL MCGEE: I am a welder, pipe fitter and ironworker.
Martialforce.com: When and where did you begin your Martial Arts training?
SAMUEL MCGEE: I began my martial arts training at the age of 17 after meeting the late Major Leon Wallace who was a friend of my father’s. Major asked me if I would like to start training. From there, we trained every morning at 6:00 am in Central Park. At that time the Sensei had no dojo, so we trained outside or wherever we could.
Martialforce.com: Who has been your greatest influence throughout your life in regard to Martial Arts and life in general?
SAMUEL MCGEE: That’s a very easy question for me to answer because there is no greater martial artist to me than Major Leon Wallace. The Major believed that if one is committed and works hard there is nothing that he or she can’t accomplish through their training and belief. It’s not how high you can raise your leg or how high you can jump that determines a great martial artist.
MAJOR LEON WALLACE
Martialforce.com: With regards to the tournament circuit, do you see any positive or negative changes since you began competing?
SAMUEL MCGEE: Tournaments today are much like everything else -- education, family, relationships -- they all change with time. In some instances it’s good because change is good. But unfortunately, change can get you too far away from the center. Initially, tournaments were a place of testing ones skills as well as ones system against another.
My being involved in tournaments for three decades, has allowed me to witness that change. Initially, there was no contact to the face. The object was to see how close you could come to the face of the opponent. That would demonstrate the level of control that you had over your technique. Then it moved into light contact to the face. The era, which I fought, allowed contact to the head with bare hands and feet. As time moved on, they brought in safety equipment and that created further changes.
FRANKLIN PUELLO, DERRICK WILLIAMS AND SAMUEL MCGEE
Martialforce.com: What in your experience defines a good Karate practitioner?
SAMUEL MCGEE: A good practitioner is one who can demonstrate the essence of the individual’s style mostly in their forms and also in their fighting. If you are a Goju practitioner you should be able to demonstrate all the stances and techniques that compose the Goju system and other styles likewise. One should be able to look and recognize an individual’s style just by their movements. I am referring to the most commons styles; Goju, Shotokan, Kung Fu, Tae kwon do, etc.
Martialforce.com: What are the characteristics of a good instructor?
SAMUEL MCGEE: Being able to identify the strengths and weakness of ones students, in my belief, is the sign of a good instructor. Having the ability to encourage, inspire and lead by example is another. Sometimes close relationships can interfere with the teacher/student interaction.
MASTERS MICHAEL JAI WHITE AND SAM MCGEE
Martialforce.com: Can you name some of the toughest people that you have competed against?
SAMUEL MCGEE: I have competed in three separate decades. In each of those periods there were dominating individuals. In the first period of my competitive experience were fighters like the late Fred Miller, Earl Bennett and Wildcat Molina. In the second period of my competitive experience, fighters like Billy Beason, Kevin Thompson and Abdul Mutakabbir were tough. In my final period, opponents were young, up and coming champions like Jerry (Fast Feet) Fontanez and others.
Martialforce.com: You have had a long successful tournament competition history in kata and fighting. So, what was your motivation for going back into competition?
SAMUEL MCGEE: To re-enter the tournament competition at the age of 63 after 20 years of absence was inspired by a number of reasons. One reason is because I feel that whenever you leave something that you love, it always haunts you and the fight has never left my heart. I am a warrior. Of all the accomplishments that I have experienced in my martial arts career and with all the students I have trained, kumite has been my sole desire. I think it can also be looked at as an inspiration to many other fighters in my age bracket. Even those who might not admit it would love to experience the excitement and adrenaline of having their name called to toe the line and face anyone who steps out. It’s an extraordinary emotional experience that is unmatched. And, it may be a level of ego but it is truly an experience and whether I ever do it again we’ll, just close at a question mark.
Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts on the practice of Kata (Pre-arranged Movements)?
SAMUEL MCGEE: I was trained and taught to believe that kata is the essence of karate. It is the sole foundation on which one’s system rests, composed of stances and moves and techniques that are the root of one’s style. The kata is the main tool in which one can come into complete understanding with one’s self. I call the kata the invisible warrior who only you individually are in combat with. That combat comes from your inner soul. When the kumite is long gone and your fighting days are over, the kata will continue to challenge you. I truly believe a well-balanced martial artist develops his kata along with his kumite in the life that he or she lives.
Martialforce.com: Do you have any long or short term plans in regards to teaching or any aspect of your Karate training?
SAMUEL MCGEE: My teaching perspective is give to others as I have been given. My plans include community work to help our youth, which has always been a part of who I am.
Martialforce.com: Do you have any plans to do any videos or possibly write a book in regards to your experiences and life?
SAMUEL MCGEE: I have always thought about writing a book because I have many stories to tell that could help someone walking the same path as I. My instructor major Leon Wallace told me that to be a star in your own community by helping those in need is more than enough so I feel I have been bless to do exactly that. Major leon Wallace was a legend in the community of Harlem.
Martialforce.com: If you had to summarize what Karate has given you in your life, what would that be?
SAMUEL MCGEE: I would say manhood and by that I mean, to be a father, husband, brother, teacher, friend or to know when to give, fold or have a complete understanding that there are choices. Karate gave me the guidelines to help me understand my surroundings and moreover who I am inside. Any time I found myself in a situation that could become negative to my existence I would stop and think. Karate helped bring me back to line with life.
Martialforce.com: Do you have any words of inspiration that you can give the children or anyone reading this that have given up on life?
SAMUEL MCGEE: From a spiritual perspective god has not given up on you. There are many problems in this world that touch each and every one of our live so realize that your not alone and you will get past it. God is love and the ultimate purpose of our being is to live our lives with personal accomplishments. Be proud of who you are and Always be quick to seize opportunity.
Martialforce.com: Thank you for this interview and may you continue to succeed in all your endeavors.
SAMUEL MCGEE: Thank you sir for this opportunity.