The Journey of Christopher Oses: From Kung Fu Movies to the Police Force

By Christopher Oses

I began my journey in martial arts at the Brazilian Martial Arts Center (BMAC) when I was in sixth grade. Growing up, I watched countless kung fu movies starring Bruce Lee and other martial arts legends, and I knew I wanted to learn how to fight like them. My mother noticed that I was constantly practicing what I saw in those movies and, unfortunately, getting into fights at school and in the streets. Like any good mother would, she signed my brother, sister, and me up for karate. To her, kung fu and karate were all the same—but to me, it was a chance to finally begin learning martial arts, and I was grateful for the opportunity.

Sensei Marcelo Siqueira quickly recognized my discipline and passion for training. Because of that, he opened the door for me to train in additional disciplines such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai. My mother was concerned because she could not afford to keep my brother, sister, and me enrolled in so many classes.

However, Sensei Marcelo saw our potential and had already begun to consider us family. He reassured my mother not to worry about the finances, as long as we remained disciplined, continued training, and stayed out of trouble. From that moment on, BMAC became more than just a gym—it became a second home. Every day after school, I looked forward to training and learning something new. Over the years, the instructors and students at BMAC became family, reinforcing the idea that martial arts is not just about fighting, but about support, respect, and belonging.

As I got older, I unfortunately stopped training for quite some time. Life got in the way—work, relationships, and trying to figure out who I wanted to be as an adult took priority. Eventually, that journey led me to where I am today: a police officer for the City of Malden. As a law enforcement officer, one of the most important responsibilities I have is knowing how to defend myself while remaining physically and mentally prepared for any scenario. Physical fitness is essential in policing—not only to stay healthy, but to safely and effectively handle the unpredictable nature of the job.

Martial arts training, especially Brazilian jiu-jitsu, is a vital tool for law enforcement officers. It promotes physical fitness, discipline, and mental resilience, while providing practical techniques to safely control combative individuals with reduced risk of injury to officers and civilians alike. Proper martial arts training allows officers to rely on skill and control rather than force, increasing the likelihood that everyone involved goes home safely at the end of the day.

Knowing this, I realized I had to return to training. I contacted Sensei Marcelo, who was proud of me and excited to welcome me back. He reminded me that the door is never closed to family. Now that I am back in training, I want to demonstrate the importance of incorporating martial arts into police training—for a healthier body, a disciplined mind, and most importantly, a greater chance for officers to return home safely to their families. I am able to pursue this mission because of Sensei Marcelo and the entire BMAC family.

I invite you to come by, try a class, and train with us for a day. You will quickly understand why, out of all the places I could have trained, I consider BMAC a truly special place—one built on family, discipline, and purpose.

Contact BMAC today. Your first step to your new life.