Interview // Ten Questions With Fitness Guru: Guillermo Gomez

With over 20 years of martial arts training, Sensei Guillermo Gomez holds a 3rd degree black belt in Aikido by Hombu Dojo (Tokyo, Japan), and has trained in numerous places around the globe, including China’s legendary Shaolin Temple.

Sensei Guillermo Gomez is the creator of Martial Fusion, a complete training system for the development and integration of body, mind and spirit. Based in Miami, Florida, he teaches numerous high profile clients, including police departments, private companies, and corporate groups and has taught at industry conventions worldwide. A featured consultant and industry expert, he has appeared on several television shows and in national publications including Univision, Telemundo, CNN, Fitness, and Balance Magazine.

Latin Media Gurus: Ten Questions

Sensei Guillermo Gomez

1. When did you develop a fascination with being fit, both mentally and physically? From Where did that evolve?

The fascination started with martial arts when I was 10 years old. There was something about the discipline, focus and ways that hooked me from within. I think that we value more those things that have been hard for us to get. We should always be grateful for our health.

2. Do you feel Latinos have a good fitness awareness??  How can we improve??

I don’t know. I guess all depends on the type of “Latinos” that you come across. One thing I can say is that we love to move, we love to dance, and we love expressing our emotions. The essence of martial arts practice is the expression of the self throughout the techniques and movements. There’s something about Latin culture that goes together with that essence. Can we do better? Regardless to the culture or race, we can all do better. Perfection is not a set goal, it is a way of living.

3. In the United States we struggle with both Childhood and Adult obesity, and this problem heavily affects our Latino community in the states. What can our teachers, parents and our community as a whole do to start solving the problem? Any recommendations?

Become aware! In order to solve the problem, we must understand it first. I think education is a real solid base for any society. We need to study more, learn more and educate our children and ourselves better. Not letting TV, Internet, media and video games raise our children is probably the right move at this time. We need to go back to family values and human interaction.

4. What is Martial Fusion?

Martial Fusion™ is a complete mind-body fitness program that fuses martial arts, dance and yoga. It is designed to develop a lean body and a focused mind, integrating body, mind, and spirit in a single class.

5. What does Sensei Gomez think about Zumba? Have you tried it? How does it compare to your methods in Martial Fusion?

Zumba is excellent! Beto is a great instructor and front man for this Latin dance fitness program that has grown into something that no other fitness program has done before. Martial Fusion is an evolution, a mix of many modern fitness programs, ancient philosophies and martial arts disciplines. Since I was very young, I always thought that we needed to be able to experience as much as we are able to in order to generate a real free choice. I like to pick the elements from different sources that worked for me and use them in my own development. That is what I teach my students to do. And that is what Martial Fusion is all about.

6. Who do you believe are the most fit people in the world?? Do you feel other communities have a more dynamic fitness culture?

I get asked a similar question about martial arts all the time. Which martial art is the best? And my answer is always the same, it is not the martial art, but the practitioner that makes the art come alive. Americans, Europeans, Asians, etc. I think the world has become a very small place today. We are too many, and generalizations are very hard to make these days. Whoever lives in a quiet place, surrounded by nature, feeling the sun on their skin, breathing clean air (If there’s any left) taking long walks daily, and are eating non-processed foods, in my opinion, are the healthiest people on the planet.

7. How about in Latin America, what country has the best Bodies?? Your Top 3.

Well, on this one I must go back to my roots. Venezuela, Venezuela, Venezuela of course! Look at their beautiful women. Beautiful fusion!

8. Who was your idol growing up???? How and why did he/she inspire you?

I’ve had a few, but since I was raised in an Aikido Dojo Culture, I have to say that back then Steven Seagal was the guy. I know that what we see today on “Lawman” is far from that “Above the Law” ideal. But 20 years ago, he inspired me to train in martial arts and to develop myself. I had the opportunity to train with him in Colorado about 10 years ago, and I have to say that it was a very powerful weekend – full of wisdom and new ideas to be explored. Regardless of what is presented to us today about Steven Seagal, the man is a master.

9. If you could be something other than what you currently do, what would it be? Why?

A singer, musician. They have the power to reach people in a very profound way.

10. Tu Cancion del momento..Whats on your I-Pod, right now?

A single song, not really, but the whole album by Stigmato Inc. (Reality Check) is a masterpiece for creating an ambiance of relaxation, I use it for my yoga segments of Martial Fusion.

For more information please visit: martialfusion.com