Not being Chinese has not stopped Iranian born Nima King creating Hong Kong’s largest Kung Fu school.
What’s your story?
I was born in Iran, and my family moved to Australia when I was 9. I then moved to Hong Kong solo at the age of 21. Since then, Hong Kong has become my home in which I became a happily married man and am now a proud father of 2 little munchkins. In 2008, I established Mindful Wing Chun which has now become the biggest Kung Fu school in Hong Kong (right in the heart of Central), which has helped transform the lives of many Hong Kong residents of all ages through the unique art of Wing Chun Kung Fu.
What excites you most about your industry?
The fact that we are able to help so many people not only improve on a physical level but also on a mental and emotional level too. And now that the world has opened it’s arms to Mindful practices to improve health and well-being, I feel that there is a lot more room for exposure not just in Hong Kong but on a global scale. In fact, our Online Academy has been much more successful than our physical school.
What drives you in business to push beyond what other people consider normal?
The first thing is the craving I have for helping improve people’s lives. For me, the art of Wing Chun really transformed my life, so I want to help pass it on to as many people as I can. The 2nd thing that drives me is the desire to give back to my teacher who has passed away. I trained under him in Hong Kong for a decade up to 30hrs per week. He taught me so much about life through this art and the way he carried himself. So I feel it my duty to pass it on!
What have been the most useful skills you have learnt and applied in your journey?
Learning how to communicate in such a way to bring out the best in people. This is something I learned from my teacher and I have found it very useful not only in inspiring students but also my team. I believe one of the most difficult things in life is to be an inspirational leader, and while I have such a long way to go and so much to learn on this front, I can see that I have gained the ability to inspire those around me to do their best.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Never give up. Keep your goal at the forefront of your mind and don’t stop until you get there.
Who inspires you?
I get inspired by so many people but the most inspirational has been my teacher, Chu Shong Tin, who was the top student of Ip Man (Bruce Lee’s teacher) in Hong Kong. The man was the kindest, most humble and generous human being I have come across and I learnt the true meaning of ‘patience is a virtue’ from him.
What have you learnt recently that blew you away?
That the mind is a very powerful tool for achieving your goals. As long as you’re not intimidated by hard work, you can literally focus your intention on any goal and you’ll be able to achieve it. Growing up I had read a lot about this in many books but in the past few years I have actually been able to put it to practice and achieve goals that others suggested were not achievable! the power of a highly focused mind is boundless!!
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I would worry less about the ‘problems’ of life. Life is that way; there are ups and down. Just like a wave in the ocean, it flows, comes and goes. The sun always comes up in the morning and no matter how bad things may seem, tomorrow is always another day and things will change. So I would worry and pull my hair out a loss less over things that I had little control over. I would accept things more and as the Beatles said ‘Let it Be’!
How do you unwind?
By spending quality time with my wife and kids. That is the best part of my day. But I also cherish my solo time too so as much as I can I try and get out and hike in Hong Kong’s serene nature.
What is a major mindset change, belief shift or ‘ah ha’ moment that you’ve experienced in relation to your business?
That the money will come as long as your intention is to give good service and help people. So the no.1 goal should be to keep my team members and students happy. I should go out of my way to make sure that happens. Then, the success comes effortlessly. It took me many years to not only understand but also apply this in my business life.
Everyone in business should read this book:
Non-violent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg
Shameless plug for your business:
What we do is much more than a Martial Art! Think Yoga, Mediation, therapy and Martial Arts all packed into a system, and that is what we teach! I’m a non-Chinese man who opened up a Kung Fu school in the heart of Central when I was in my mid-20s. You would think I was out of place and wouldn’t make it. Over a decade later my school is the biggest in HK and has survived all the craziness of the last 2 years, and now our Online School is doing the same! It’s all thanks to our product!
How can people connect with you?
Websites:
www.mindfulwingchun.online
www.mindfulwingchun.com.hk
Email:
nima@mindfulwingchun.com.hk
Social Media Links?
Facebook profile:
https://www.facebook.com/nima.khezrnejat
Facebook Pages:
https://www.facebook.com/sifunimaking
https://www.facebook.com/MindfulWingChunOnline
https://www.facebook.com/mindfulwingchun
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nima_king1/