In April 2023, legendary singer/songwriter Willie Nelson spoke to Men's Health, and was asked about how he got into martial arts. "It's a good form of exercise, especially as you get older," he stated, elaborating that he was always athletic throughout his life. "I played shortstop. I ran track. I played football. I was a pole vaulter. Then, when I went to Nashville, I got into some martial arts and kung fu. I liked it." Nelson also explained that he taught kung fu to youngsters there, remarking, "It's good for you." He further noted that martial arts gives one something to do instead of getting into trouble, hilariously adding, "Sometimes."
AARP spoke with Nelson, also in April, who explained that there wasn't much to do growing up in Abbott, Texas, except throwing rocks, fighting, and battling bees until his eyes swelled up. When asked if his training ever came in handy for personal self-defense, he stated that martial arts, "[G]ives you enough confidence where you don't have to jump out there and get into trouble. If they bring it to you, you feel confident you can handle it. It's not anything I worry about, because I'm not really afraid of it. I don't really think I'm afraid of anything."
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEpaCsrF6YvK57kG1ucmlobny4tculoJ5lnpq5tLvNZpuem5GZsrR50q2snbGZo7RuucCrq6KZnGKus8DSaA%3D%3D