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Interview With Propast Ken Pfrenger
by Stephen Logan

Training Background

What prompted you to begin training martial arts?

As lame as it sounds...I will have to admit it probably had something to do with watching the old "Kung Fu" series as a child.

What styles have you trained? In what order?

Jujitsu
Wing Chun
JKD Concepts
Muay Thai
Modern Boxing
Wrestling
Kali
Savate
Silat
Shooto
Irish Martial Arts
Cornish Close Hugg wrestling
Classical Pugilism
Regimental Broadsword

What aspect of each art drew you to it initially? What kept your interest?

I think what drew me to all these arts was a deep love for controlled violence I know that sounds kind of evil but it is the truth. I enjoy conflict and like to see how situations are resolved.

I was drawn to the whole idea of JKD Concepts because of the completeness of it and that path took me to many others including the boxing and wrestling as well as the other combative sports. Kali was my first weapon art so I still judge most everything I do with weapons on a scale with it.

Since 1997 I have been involved increasingly with the Western Martial Arts...I found them attractive due to the fact that here were arts that my ancestors might have been involved in. My study of the western arts has been sort of a strange mix of genealogy, historical research and my love for recreational violence.

Current Training

What are you currently doing to maintain your past arts?

Saddly not very much at all. I have found that since my involvement in the western martial arts that I do not have the time or interest to spend too much timeworking or even upkeeping old material. Somethings stay with me from the past and just refuse to go away. Even though my legs are shot the Muay Thai round kick will always be itching to get thrown by my tired old peddlers.

What are your currently doing to further your interests in martial arts?

Constant research and study of period manuals and keeping in touch with other researchers. I also enjoy teaching. I very much enjoy seeing how a person progresses. Especially the ones who seem to have no potential. I am always pleasantly surprised.

What do you do to train yourself, personally? (as in training techniques)

I like to make sure that I hit every range of combat in my workouts. I also prefer to work on the probable rather than the possible. It is possible that I would be assaulted by terrorists who kidnap me and stuff me in a laundry bag but it is much more probable that I will piss off a drunk inadvertently while playing pool some where.

I also work footwork everytime I train. To me it is the single most important aspect of fighting successfully.

If you could train any martial arts now that you haven’t train, which would you choose and why?

Most likely Sambo...since I am 1/4 Russian it fits into my genealogy/research/violence MO pretty well. What I have seen and dabbled with, I have found very interesting. The Systema looks very interesting and in many ways is the close relative of Sambo...just less recreational and more violent.

Progressive Martial Arts

What is your opinion on the signifigance of training all ranges of combat? (weapons, striking, grappling...)

I think training in every range is ultra important. What range you fight in cannot always be controlled by you. It is a good idea to be prepared and since you can't always pick your fight to be well versed in each range of combat.

What are your preferred martial arts for each range?

Weapons range:
Shillelagh and or a bowie

Long range:
Savate

Med Range:
Pugilism

Close range:
Pugilism/Celtic wrestling(Irish Collar and Elbow, Close Hugg)

Ground:
Catch as Catch Can/Freestyle Wrestling

For Our Members

We have a number of members who are just starting out in martial arts. Do you have any training tips or suggestions that you have learned that would help guide them on their path?

I was lucky enough to have an instructor that taught me how to learn as well as how to fight. I think that was the most valuable thing that I learned in all my martial studies. Don't just be fed techniques...know the hows and whys of everything you do. If you have a question always ask it. Always be honest with yourself as well. You will benefit in the end from it like nothing else.

Do you think it is better to start with a single art and work completely through or try a multitude of arts at one time and take what you like / what is applicable from them and make a more eclectic personal style?

There are good and bad points about both approaches. It is good to be well grounded in an art before moving on but this will most likely leave you unprepared for action in the different ranges of combat since very few arts cover them all. I think as long as you are well instructed and honest with yourself that you can come out a bit ahead with an eclectic approach.



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