BRIAN JOHNSON

Interviewed by Aurélien Henry OBAMA

Shiai Magazine: Welcome Brother Brian Johnson to Shiai Magazine, what brought you in the practices of martial arts and tell us more about your life?

Brian Johnson: My father inspired me to train in martial arts. He was very talented martial artists. I started out training off and on in Tae Kwon Do until I had earned my black belt. Then I went on to study Hapkido and Kumdo at the same time. Eventually I felt that I wasn’t getting what I wanted out of studying these martial arts styles, so I started to look for a martial art that focused on developing self defense skills.

 

One day as I was walking to my martial arts class I noticed this new school who had a sign saying, “Come learn self defense and defensive tactics.” So one day I decided to see what the school was all about. There I met the instructor Fernan David Vargas and after talking I decided to take one class session. From that one class I was hooked and have been training in Raven for 6 years.

Shiai Magazine: Have you been to Africa before?

Brian Johnson: No, I have never been to Africa, but I would love to visit some day.

Shiai Magazine: Are you aware of the existence of African martial arts?

Brian Johnson : Yes, I am aware of the existence of African martial arts. I had a friend that was taking capoeira and he invented me to some classes and showed me a couple of moves. I found it very interesting and cool.

Shiai Magazine: What do you think of impact of teaching martial arts in African/Black communities?

Brian Johnson : Teaching martial arts in an African/black community allows a community to come together. It’s a constructive way to keep kids off the streets and teaches the important values such as discipline, respect, and self-confidence.

Shiai Magazine: What is Raven Method all about? What makes the system particular?

Brian Johnson: In my opinion, Raven Method is about helping citizens, law enforcement, military, and private security firms with a more comprehensive style of defensive tactics. Raven Method is design to teach people principles that will help them build a solid concrete self defense program that will work for them.

Shiai Magazine: with your experience in taekwondo and Raven Method, what is difference between sport martial arts and self defense?

Brian Johnson: I believe the difference between sport martial arts and self defense is their overall purpose. Sports martial arts prepare you to fight in the ring or the mat. Whereas self defense prepares you to fight in any giving situation where your survival is of the upmost importance.

Shiai Magazine: As a federal law enforcement officer is all crime conflicts solved only by violent methods?

Brian Johnson: No, by the development of new methods of controlling a subject and non lethal weapons, law enforcement have a variety of ways to solve problems without violence.

Shiai Magazine: in the streets some people have guns, knives, sticks and dangerous weapons, how can somebody armless fight back?

Brian Johnson: By taking self defense classes, firearms classes, knife defense classes, and impact weapons classes. Such as the classes taught at Raven method, a person can arm themselves with the tools and knowledge to defend themselves.

Shiai Magazine: Today many Africans/Blacks across the world are promoting their role in the martial arts and sport combats but especially their African heritage in the martial arts, why so?

Brian Johnson: I believe many Africans/Blacks in the sports and martial arts world are proud of their accomplishments. Especially the impact they are making on their community and other African/Black young adults by giving hope to a new generation.

Shiai Magazine: Are you aware the upcoming African Martial arts movies such as Lost Brother”Waka-waka man”, Tribe, Dirty Risks and MoneyBag? Not forgetting the upcoming African American martial arts movie “The Way”, do you think that international audience will appeal to these black martial arts actors?

Brian Johnson: Yes, I am aware of the upcoming movies. I think that the international audience will welcome these movies with an open mind. I believe they will be amazed by the skill and performance of the martial arts actors.

Shiai Magazine: What advice can you give to the African child who wants to succeed in life but things are not always easy for him due to poverty?

Brian Johnson: My advice would be to keep moving forward and to conquer adversary and triumph over those things that try to stop you from accomplishing your goals.

Shiai Magazine: Do you have any projects or anything you will like to talk about?

Brian Johnson: I would like to remind readers to check out our website at www.raventactical.com

Shiai Magazine: What do you think about this online African martial arts magazine? Do you think it should be supported by funds, sponsors, donation or advertisement?

Brian Johnson: I think this magazine is a great idea and should be supported.

Shiai Magazine: Any last words?

Brian Johnson: Thank you for this interview and God bless you.

Shiai Magazine: Thank you brother Brian Johnson for accepting our interview in Shiai Magazine, we hope that you shall visit us in Cameroon “Africa in miniature”.

God Bless you and your entire family.

Brian Johnson: Thanks again.