Beyond the Desk

Athletic Pursuits

Discipline, precision, and artistry — the same principles that drive rigorous research extend into my practice of martial arts and competitive dance.

Wushu
Wushu
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Wushu

Chinese Martial Arts · Forms & Sparring

Wushu is a Chinese martial art that combines fluid athleticism with explosive power. It demands extraordinary body control, spatial awareness, and the ability to execute complex sequences with speed and precision — qualities that translate directly into disciplined intellectual work.

My practice spans both taolu (forms competition) and sanda (sparring), developing both the aesthetic and combative dimensions of the art.

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Sanda & MMA

Full-Contact Combat Sports

Sanda (散打) is the full-contact Chinese combat sport combining striking, takedowns, and throws. Paired with Mixed Martial Arts training, it builds mental toughness, strategic thinking under pressure, and the capacity to adapt in real time.

Competing in full-contact sports demands the same analytical mindset as empirical research: reading patterns, testing strategies, and iterating under uncertainty.

Sanda / MMA
Sanda · MMA
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Ballroom Dance
Ballroom
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Ballroom

Competitive Ballroom Dance

Ballroom dance is where athleticism meets artistry. From the precise footwork of Waltz to the rhythmic intensity of Latin styles, competitive ballroom demands physical conditioning, musical sensitivity, and the kind of coordinated partnership that mirrors collaborative research.

The discipline of performance — preparing, adapting, and executing under scrutiny — sharpens focus and builds composure in every arena of life.

Philosophy

"Train the mind
through the body."

Whether deconstructing a climate-conflict pathway or executing a Wushu form, the same principles apply: precision, consistency, and the willingness to iterate.