Shihan Worsham is considered one of the systems finest technicians and is one of three students in the system that hold the rank of fourth Dan, which in Shen Chuan is considered Shihan, or Master Instructor rank, though the certification of Shihan is given separate of rank. Only the founder of the system, and Shihan Coy Harry and Shihan Eugene Frizzell, hold higher ranks.

This interview will give Shihan Billy Jack's view of the early days of Shen Chuan, (early considering it's brief existence) up to the present.

SHIHAN BILLY JACK WORSHAM INTERVIEW - PART II:

Question: Professor Lansdale feels his students have contributed to the development of the Shen Chuan system. How do you feel the students contribute? And do you feel you've made specific or general contributions. Don't be modest or the question remains unanswered.

Answer: Other than being the best martial artist I've ever seen, one thing I can say about the Professor is that he's a sponge. I might need to explain that. When he sees something, whether it comes from a 20th Dan aficionado or a first time student that just walked through the door, if it works and is practical he will use it. It will become a part of Shen Chuan. Shen Chuan is ever evolving because of that fact. He will listen to everyone's ideas, and has. I remember early on working with Shihan Paul Britt on one of our sets. Neither one of us could get it down. Paul asked Joe if he could change part of it. Professor agreed, liked it, and it is still in the set to this day.
On a more personal level, Shihan Coy and I were working on something with a vertical wristlock, it didn't go well, so I changed the angle and direction and spiraled toward Shihans opposite hip. Professor now calls it the Worsham vertical wristlock. Everyone contributes.

  What's most different about the original system that Professor Lansdale was a part of, the system he founded, and its developments over the last few years?

Shen Chuan has evolved so much. As I said, it improves daily. If someone left town during the Matsukaze Budo days, and returned tonight it would be very different. From a striking angle I would say that instead of the Professor hitting you with seven hard Kenpo style strikes before you hit the ground, of a few years ago, he would today hit you with fifteen relaxed strikes. Strikes that with half the effort achieve twice the damage. The balance and relaxation of today is immeasurable by yesteryears standard.

On a locking note, if you peed your pants on the first lock the Professor gave you in 1998, you would... well... it would hurt a lot more today, and with much less movement and exertion to boot.

Everything in the Professor as well as Shen Chuan is smaller (as in movements and rotations), tighter (as in body contouring), more relaxed and now has the addition of a better understanding of balance disruption and its application.

What do you believe, or hope, the future will hold for Shen Chuan, Martial Science?

I would like to see Shen Chuan go nationwide. Heck, even worldwide. Not just so we can all become rich and famous, but because I believe in the excellence of Shen Chuan. It is a system that is effective on the street, and easily learned. I've had inquirers from as far away as New York here in the states and even from Japan come through the email. That is curiosity piqued from words on a web page. I believe that when people actually see Shen Chuan in action, it can't help but become a sensation. For that matter, I've seen the reaction of outsiders (all of our contemporaries in Florida at the MA Hall of Fame for one, and at some statewide seminars) when Shen Chuan is demonstrated. The look of awe is priceless.

Do you feel Shen Chuan has effected your everyday life? Or is it something you mostly leave in the dojo?

No, it is definitely not left in the dojo. I personally could not have trained as intensely as I have and leave it at the door when I go out into the world. As you said in the introduction, I came up through the ranks with three other superb martial artists. We pounded the heck out of each other. 120%, full tilt. I think only Shihans Eugene and Coy trained harder, but that's another story. You develop the foxhole mentality. You've shed blood, sweat and tears with these guys. They are my brothers. Quadruplets. Man, that would scare a parent.

The Professor has taken time out of his life to teach me life saving skills because he loves teaching those willing to learn (certainly wasn't for the money), and help me in my personal life as well. Under his tutelage he became like a backup father. My own father has always been there for me, and so has Professor Lansdale.

Coy and Eugene are like big brothers. Always keeping the watchful eye on me. If I screw up, I know I can count on them to correct me. They want me to be as precise as I would have myself be. And before anyone does the math, Coy is younger than me. But he is the elder in rank, knowledge, and ability. He earned the big brother distinction with honors.

This is an extended family. You can't walk out a door and leave it behind.

As far as effecting every day life, I would have to say a definite, yes. Obviously after making it to 4th Dan in Shen Chuan, confidence was definitely boosted. Patience was an unexpected byproduct. Patience is not one of my virtues, but it is something I had to learn. Muscle memory is the funniest. It shows up in the weirdest ways sometimes.

While cutting down a tree one time, it snapped early and kicked back into me. The only movement I remember seeing was as the trunk jumped off of the chain saw bar and moved toward me. The next thing I knew I was on my feet, 20 feet from the base of the tree and hurting like crazy. My brother, who was watching, said that as the tree popped and moved toward me, I jumped into some kind of kung fu stance (his words). I assume one hand went to my face and the other toward my groin. The tree hit me in the midsection and head area and knocked me back about 12 feet. He said I fell to my back, rolled up into a ball, and continued the roll until I returned to my feet. The tree came to rest where I had first hit the ground. The entire length of my arm and hand that had covered my midsection and head looked like mincemeat, but there were no permanent injuries. This wasn't streetfighting, but the muscle memory probably saved me some severe injury. There have been small altercations where Shen Chuan has aided me, but I don't care to discuss them publicly.

My kids have been known to visit the dojo with me. I try to expose them to Shen Chuan as they will accept it. They are too much like me, and I know what will happen if I push it on them. As I did with my dad and boxing, my oldest daughter comes to me when she needs Shen Chuan and I show her a little more. She has used it once in school on a young feller who was a little too friendly on the playground, but we can't talk about it because the statutes of limitations have not run out yet. Another rabid Chihuahua in the makin's. I would say Shen Chuan effects my life everyday.

"Thank you Shihan Billy Jack for your time and a glimpse into the history and insights of Shen Chuan."