BIO

SIFU WILLIAM CHEN, MSc, MBA, MEd (in progress)
I love Philosophy, History, Science, Education and Health in the broader sense (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual). In my early academic life, I dreamt about making discoveries that would improve the lives of everyone. Academia did not satisfy my pragmatic material needs though and I found an interest in business. Applying Simplicity, I've been successful in sales, marketing, training and management roles. The result was a career where I’ve helped people connect with products and services that would improve their Health, or of others (Linkedin).
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About 15 years ago, I started exploring how I could have a more direct role in improving people’s lives and Health. That led to the development of a few Health Apps. In addition, music and dance are my passions and hobbies. For 4 years, I promoted a Brazilian dance and music style, called Forro, in North America.
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In 2017, I started building the Guardian school. I’ve been practicing various styles of Martial Arts since a young age, for self-development, spirituality, self-defense and self-protection, maintain a good health, make friends and as a hobby. With Guardian, the Mission is to improve people’s lives and Health and build a community able to maintain the work across future generations.
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I believe in Martial Arts as potential sources of good Health, wellness, joy, creativity, human connection and peace. In contrast, athletes may be fit but may not have a good Health in the broader sense, since they may suffer from frequent injuries, overtraining and competitive stress. Therefore, the sportive, competitive and commercial focus given to martials arts, and the banalization of violence can be detrimental to the health of its practitioners.
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Violence is a serious problem and it's more effectively managed where there is gun control and more respect to law and order. I was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and immigrated as an adult to Montreal, Canada, and can attest to this difference. Hopefully, newer technologies and better education will gradually reduce Violence in all its forms and places. In the meantime, I developed an unique Self-Protection program to help women quickly learn how to protect themselves.
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I’m also particularly interested in teaching people who have concerns that they may be too weak, small, slow or uncoordinated to learn. I’m friendly, patient and attentive to each student’s needs. ​Everyone can learn, develop new skills and grow as a human being, if they make continuous effort and if properly guided by a good teacher. I will do my part. If you’re willing to do yours too, let’s talk.
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Have a great day and I look forward to meeting you!
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SHORT CV
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+10 years of experience teaching self-defense and martial arts.
+4 years of experience teaching social dance, and producing concerts and festivals.
+20 years of experience in sales and marketing, as a representative, trainer and in management positions, for laboratory products, medical devices and software, and pharmaceutical drugs.
Languages: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Mandarin, Taiwanese
BSc Biomedical Sciences (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
MSc Physiology (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
MBA (Getulio Vargas Foundation, Brazil)
Graduate short program in Adult Learning (UQAM, Canada)
MEd Adult Learning (UQAM, Canada) - in progress
Master of Ving Tsun Kung Fu (MYVT, Brazil) – in progress
First Aid (Canada)
Personal Trainer, FIT (YMCA, Canada)
Aikido (Brazil), Target Focus Training (USA), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Brazil, USA, Canada)
Karate Shotokan (Brazil), Judo (Brazil), Capoeira (Brazil), Kali (Canada), Fencing (Brazil, Canada)