FEATURE | The Art of Self Defense

A Biddeford-based martial arts instructor explains the passion that motivates him to teach young people about how to improve their confidence

By JOHN FORSSEN | Contributing Writer

The art of self-defense — the working title of this article — says it all, both what it is and why — at least for one Biddeford practitioner.

Martial arts coach Randy Jensen, 50, earned his black belt while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps (Middle East and Iraq), and he currently works at Planet Fitness in Biddeford.

He explains the benefits of learning self-defense, on a number of levels.

“Life can be both hard and unfair, particularly for young people caught up in the shadow of dysfunctional families and impoverished neighborhoods,” Jensen explains. “Far too soon, these kids are learning that they must be able to defend themselves,”

**RANDY JENSEN** with his two children, Maryann and Thomas, each in the color, reflecting their level of achievement in the karate program. | *Contributed photo*

. . .

Jensen points to statistics that show roughly 3.2 million children and 5.5 million teenagers participate in various martial arts programs and instruction nationwide.

Jensen began his own journey into the world of martial arts at the age of nine, advancing from a trainee to a fighter by the time he was 11. Still teaching today, he has become an actual participant, a contender in the sport, the most extreme form of which is cage fighting — an essentially no-holds-barred contest which takes place within a steel cage.

This summer, while working the martial arts “circuit” — much the way pro golfers compete in tournaments — Jensen participated in two ring fights, winning both but sustaining a surgery-requiring injury in his right knee.

His injury has not dampened his enthusiasm for the sport, however; nor his interest in working with young people who are intent on becoming champions themselves, learning techniques derived from martial arts programs in China, the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil and Japan.

“Life can be both hard and unfair,
particularly for young people
caught up in the shadow of
dysfunctional families and
impoverished neighborhoods.”

Of course, every young competitor has his eye set on a trophy and over the years, Jensen has won so many that he has started sharing them with the participants in his programs.

And what child, one must ask, would not treasure a trophy delivered from the actual exploits of a champ?

“I have given most of them away,” Jensen says, “saving only a few of the truly important ones for myself.”

In the 20-odd years that Jensen has been training martial arts students, he has operated three separate dojos in York County, seeking in particular to reach children whom he continues to describe as “the most vulnerable in our society, the most in need of a strong defensive posture.”

For most Americans, a dojo is simply a place for martial arts training. In Japan, however, among the Samurai, it has deep spiritual roots — for Jensen, as well, one suspects.

There’s more to Jensen’s story than martial arts, however. He is also, as he announces with pride, an artist with creditable achievements in chorus, acting, guitar, painting and drawing– the last of which he credits to the influence of super hero comic books and a girlfriend whose tattoo preceded his own.

Jensen’s artistry is most apparent on his own body, 80 percent of which he estimates is covered with tattoos, many of them by his own hand —self-drawn and self-inked.

To those who are surprised by his multitude of tattoos, Jensen offers a simple explanation. “Would you have confidence in an artist who would not feature his own work on the canvas potential customers would be most interested in reviewing?

“It would be like trusting a chef who would not eat his own cooking.”

At the end of the day, however, when the dust settles and the crowds disperse, Jensen’s focus returns to his own children – always his primary concern.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR | John Forssen of Kennebunk is a retired writer and painter who enjoys telling good stories.

He may be contacted at jforssen@gmail.com

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