You Can Run but You Can't Hide: An Exclusive Interview with Chuck Norris

Walker, Texas Ranger.

When Chuck Norris wants popcorn, he breathes on Nebraska.

Google won’t search for Chuck Norris because it knows you don’t find Chuck Norris, he finds you.  Your search – Chuck Norris – did not match any documents.  Suggestions: 

• Run, before he finds you

• Try a different person

Chuck Norris.

This man is nearly bigger than life.  He has been synonymous with Martial Arts and a tough guy persona for nearly five decades yet he is as popular now as ever.   My children, ages 27 and 28, may not know the names of the four Beatles but they were excited about my opportunity to interview Chuck Norris. 

As I researched this icon prior to meeting with him at the weigh-in of his World Combat League 2007-2008 kick-off in Denver, I found over 30 Google page references for him.  Many were spoofs on the legend that he has become (e.g.:    Chuck Norris sneezes electricity or The only reason the color pink still exists is because Chuck Norris is color blind), but others spoke of the character and background of this remarkable man.

Chuck Norris was born March 10, 1940 in Ryan, Oklahoma.  He developed an interest in martial arts following his 1958 enlistment in the Air Force and being stationed in Korea where he served in the military police.  In 1961 he returned to the U.S. with a black belt in karate and a brown belt in judo.  His legacy, to date, not only includes his well known television career as Walker, Texas Ranger, but a chain of karate schools and multiple entertainment, spiritual and literary credits. 

He has published three books:   The Secret Power Within, Against All Odds and his most recent book, a novel, A Threat to Justice, was launched in June of 2007.
In spite of the legendary tough-guy image, Chuck Norris is a man with a quick smile, a warm demeanor and highly approachable.  When Dan Magnie of Colorado Fight Events and I interviewed him on the eve of the League kick-off (no pun intended!), I asked him to prioritize the many pulls on his time.  They were as follows:

• God

• Marriage

• Children

• The Kick Start Foundation

• World Combat League

Chuck’s wife Gena, who we also spoke with at length, is a beauty—both inside and out.  She has been seen on their Total Fitness Gym commercials and is lovelier even in person.  She tells me that she and Chuck have been together since they were introduced by a mutual friend about 11 years ago at Mr. Sushi in California.  They cobbled together their 5 children, now have a pair of 6 year old twins and boast having 10 grandchildren between them.  They both conceded that chasing after the twins is a major component of their workout routines!

In a one-on-one interview with Chuck, without Gena present, he told me that Gena and her faith help to ground his life.  It was clear with how often he turned to her regarding the logistics of the weekend events, that they have a harmonious partnership – both personally and professionally. 

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