Meet Victor Chen | Martial Arts Educator and Action Actor

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

Hi Victor, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
My entire life’s work has always been involved with the martial arts. When I was able to stand up at age 2, I was kicking and punching as if I already knew what I was doing at such a young age.

From 8 years old, I was enrolled into Karate class at a local school, added powerlifting throughout high school but it was not until 1993 (the beginnings of the UFC) when I got into my hardcore martial arts training.

It became a nonstop training session everyday in the garage of my friend’s house. This process of dedication and consistency from training with professional athletes and fighters both domestically and internationally, along with my years of teaching abroad in Asia, and of course my crazy intense fitness lifestyle is what lead me to my idea of opening a training facility for martial arts education.

This platform is an important element in my coaching specialties for total beginners. The majority of beginner students at most martial art gyms take classes but fail to apply effectiveness. The change I bring is this education platform to build within each student the template of martial arts as a part of their daily life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is the blend of being a real martial artist becoming an action actor.

The difference that I set myself apart from all other actors out in the world nowadays is my LIFE IS THE MARTIAL ARTS. I never get or will ever get burned out from training, talking and breathing martial arts.

Why is this important? This is my blood, fuel and is the nucleus of why I exist. Without the martial mindset and spirit, I no longer am a human being.

I was born kicking and punching without anyone showing me what to do. It came naturally and I know this because there is Super 8mm video my father took of me as a child kicking and swinging nunchakus at age 3.

The interesting part is no one in my entire family has any relation to martial arts.

Now fast forward to my high school years where my true hardcore martial arts training began in 1993 with the beginnings of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This was the year the UFC came into existence and at 14 years old, I began my journey to understand the realities of combat.

I’m most proud of the respect and true dedication of my training partners, teachers, coaches and fellow martial artists at the time who were all welcoming for us to learn together. This was the 1990s and in the era where no social media existed. It was pure hardcore training that I loved.

Fast forward again now into mid to late 2000 where many years of training with upcoming MMA (or at the time it was known as NHB- no holds barred) athletes, I slowly began transitioning myself from the years of grappling back to kicking and punching.

This eventually lead me to a new mindset of training once I had my first visit to London in 2006. Then in 2009 I went to live and work in China for the next 4 years.

I discovered how to adapt into a new world of athletes, bigger name gyms and harder training with no regard who I was from the states and one learns to survive.

These are the skills I hold special because it was not easy to go into a new country, although I felt right at home in China even having never been before. The martial arts is what kept me balanced through the days, weeks, months and years. It is the philosophy of how I live life to my true self.

This is how I overcame challenges from language learning and country hopping into international waters to learning about safety and having a tactical mind to survive.

But the most important lesson I learned from all my years abroad was most prevalent during my first year Muay Thai training camp in Thailand in 2009. Seeing a young boy jump into a dark brown lake and smiling at me doing so, opened my eyes to a complete new level of humbleness.

Being a true martial artist embodies humbleness. Seeing this boy in Thailand did make me realize I do not need my fancy watch. I do not need a fancy car or just being rich to show off. This process is a learning lesson for humanity and it is not new information, but unless one experiences this type of scenario deeply in their own life, whatever I would tell someone about being more humble is irrelevant.

Thus the legacy I wish to leave for the next generation is the sense of effectiveness in living life. For me, this is showcasing the martial arts as a lifestyle for every beginning student worldwide.

Many students join gyms and go through the motion like robots. Few understand the purpose of martial effectiveness. This is so important in today’s modern, high tech world with so much violence in between the rise of social media and follower statuses.

One of my favorite quotes from the legendary Bruce Lee where he once stated “If I tell you I’m good, you’ll say I’m boasting. If I tell you I’m no good, you know I’m lying.”

This is how I see today’s generation where total beginner students aka the general public take a self defense class and then think they will take on the world. A misconception I have been working to break in order to show why realism is a key factor of survival.

My brand – The VWC – entails the philosophy, physicality and psychology of how one can become a more effective human being through functionality. It is the victory, winning and champion mindset that I wish an audience will grasp and use to alter their life for the better.

My story of being the philosophical martial artist who now turns to filmmaking to showcase action choreography, stunts and being a Chinese American actor for future representation is what I hope people will see sooner than later.

The only way to get things done is to get it done yourself but it sure doesn’t hurt when someone higher lends you a hand.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since I currently am based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the number one go-to spot is Chinatown. The original Chinatown that brings authenticity, realism and the essence of the Chinese population just like in Hong Kong.

The day starts at around 11am driving into the city on a weekend. I choose this time slot because it is when shops have just opened and foot traffic begins to build up. This brings the excitement of noise from both people and cars.

From the drive I will find parking in the Portsmouth Garage which is located in the center of Chinatown on Kearny Street. This leads one to the elevators right up top to the small park that local elders hang out in playing majhong.

I take them to my favorite spots on Jackson and Grant Streets, along with Stockton Streets that have a long row of grocery and bakery shops. I show them the go to eateries for dim sum and lunch specials now at $8/plate.

Around 230-3pm I will take my friend to visit North Beach and the Wharf area which is most common for tourism. The lobster crab soups, Ghiradelli Square and Little Italy are all within the vicinity. My favorite pizza spot is located there as well so should my friend get hungry, there is true classic Italian in house made pizza.

At 5-530pm I return to Chinatown as the shops begin breaking down to close for the day and that is the best time to return to those same shops to get items on discount or a 2 for 1 deal.

By 630pm Chinatown closes and time to head out to either the Embarcadero for a nice stroll along the water. I advise them to always bring a bigger jacket as weather changes drastically in the day.

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?
We all need support in every facet of life. Two people I would give a shoutout to are my best friend and educator in South Carolina – Signe Pereira and the one who connected me to Shoutout Interviews – Indian director and screenwriter of the new independent feature hit CROSSFIRE – Yadhu Krishnan.

My best friend has supported me the past 3 years since Covid in my crazy journey struggling to make an impact in entertainment. She listens to all my complaints and frustrations and still is there to listen. The same way I listen for others in need.

The relationship of trust, respect and dedication to making a film is what Yadhu and I bonded over almost 2 years ago and now we look to make a difference in the world through film.

Website: www.victorwc.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/vwc316

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/vwc316

Facebook: www.facebook.com/vwcmuaythai

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@THEVWCEXPERIENCE

Other: www.tiktok.com/@vwc316