NAME: Mikael “Big Brother” Olsson
KSI RANK: Phase 4, Club Trainer
Trains at: Epic Training Center Trollhättan and Vänersborg, Sweden.
Has trained Kali Sikaran since: 2008 in the fall, after the beginners class has ended. Lots of bruises did I get for that one since I missed the introduction.
First FMA instructor: Chief at Arms Heikki Martikainen
Started to train Kali Sikaran because: I needed a change in my life. Coming home from work and ending up in the sofa watching television everyday wasn’t satisfying. I came to the conclusion that I wanted to do something else with my life, without knowing what. My brother just happened to drag me along to try Kali Sikaran with a description that it’s just wicked. After the first session we were hooked on the adrenaline of physical workout. First I thought it was just a hobby, but after a single camp with my instructor Heikki Martikainen he efficiently destroyed every piece of the guy who wanted to watch the television from the sofa. The foundation of a new lifestyle was set and I couldn’t get enough of it!
Favourite part of Kali Sikaran: That you can develop yourself in both mind, life and physics under the same training. I especially like that the aspects of sticks- and bladework works into the empty-handed (non-armed) training.
Strives to be better in: My self-awareness, because when I know who I’am and what I want. Then one of the hardest step is passed and I can progress both as a instructor and a student with confidence in what I’m doing.
I choose to train KSI because: I had no prior experience of Martial Arts and people welcomed us and gave us a big challenge. So I came home after my first training sessions with a big smile, comparing bruises and “battle-stories” with my brother. It was as much about the art as the people in the art. Today it still is the same. This have become a second family and Kali Sikaran is my foundation in the Martial Arts. The way where you make simple things more complicated the further you progress.
Teaching philosophy: If I can’t do my basics, the student’s won’t learn the basics.
Future plans in KSI training: Strive to learn more about the way of teaching and train hard and dedicated towards my goal to become a Kadua Guro.
Future plans in general: Slow down, take care of my life and myself, stop consuming snacks and soft-drinks and then take on the world.
Biggest martial arts Role model/inspiration(s): Heikki Martikainen, the man who destroyed my former life and made me addicted to the life as an Martial Artist. Johan Skålberg, a sensational man who make easy things hard and you’ll still laugh happily when doing it. Tom Sotis, as real as it is, in both teaching and methods.
Other interesting facts: My mother want to train Kali Sikaran, if she get free private-classes. So she can be better than the other beginners.
