The transcript below is from the video “What Sugar Ray Took From Bruce Lee” by MindSmash.

MindSmash (YouTube Channel):

Bruce Lee was an icon beloved by the world, but his influence was far greater than just entertainment. Many took his philosophies to heart, and soared because of it; legendary Sugar Ray Leonard being one. Thank you for joining me as we lend an ear to his insight.

MindSmash (YouTube Channel): 

Bruce Lee was one of my idols, mainly because of his mental stability, because of his fighting spirit, because it was more mental than just physical.  For him, it was like what he called…

Bruce Lee (Hong Kong and American actor/ film director/ Martial Artist/ Martial Arts Instructor):

Emotional content.

Sugar Ray Leonard (American former professional boxer, motivational speaker and occasional actor):

…emotional content and for me, that’s when I succeeded.  But I had to face major obstacles and major opponents like Tommy Hearns, Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler.  Because of my mental stability, I was able to beat those guys.  Without question, Bruce Lee relates to that place of all kinds of and every kind because it’s all about having everything in sync to perform at the highest.

Sugar Ray Leonard (American former professional boxer, motivational speaker and occasional actor):

Flow State

The mental state of operation, in which a person performing an activity is, fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity.  In essence, flow is characterized by complete absorption in what one does, and a resulting loss in one’s sense of space and time.

Sugar Ray Leonard (American former professional boxer, motivational speaker and occasional actor):

It all ties in together that you must, your mind, your body, your spirit – must all connect to get the best results.  Bruce was an example of what materialized from hard work and there were no boundaries.  There was no racial barriers, there was nothing.  He could generate so much speed and velocity in his punches.  Short punches that he used, his body and the type of leverage he was able to gain because he knew he understood the mechanics of the body.

Sugar Ray Leonard (American former professional boxer, motivational speaker and occasional actor):

His smoothness, I mean he was gliding.  He glided.  He was not methodical.  He was very spontaneous in his movement and everything he did was for a reason.  He just didn’t move to just be cute.  He moved for a reason to get in line, to get in position to throw something – to position himself.  Everything was for a reason.  He had such ability to outperform anyone.  No matter what size, no matter how strong – Bruce Lee always had a way and he’d do it with style.  That’s why I love that, he did it with style.

“Always be yourself.  Express yourself.  Have faith in yourself.  Do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it. – Bruce Lee.”