This blog post is written by Maling Shaolin Academy long-term student:
Ashley Couch
Student for 3 Years
When I first joined Maling Shaolin Kung Fu Academy, I never imagined that one day my training would be trending across China — featured on platforms from Douyin (抖音) to Baidu (百度), shared by major news outlets, and discussed nationwide. But as the old Shaolin saying goes, the unexpected often reveals your path.
How It Began: Trading Skies For Mountains
Before I found my way to Kung Fu, I worked as a flight attendant — an exciting job, but one that came with constant crowds, sleepless schedules, and an often harsh rhythm of modern travel. I loved seeing the world, but over time, I found myself craving the opposite of that life: solitude, discipline, and meaningful connection.
So when I discovered that there were traditional martial arts academies deep in the Chinese countryside that welcomed international students, I felt drawn in immediately. Among the schools I researched, Maling Shaolin Kung Fu Academy stood out — remote, authentic, and focused on both physical and inner cultivation.
My plan was to stay for a year. COVID-19 had other plans, cutting my stay short after five months. But in June 2023, I returned — and this time, I never looked back.
Since then, I’ve trained under Master Bao (Shi Xing Jian), visited the Shaolin Temple, met Grandmaster Shi De Yang, and practiced at the schools of other renowned masters. I’ve performed across China — from regional festivals to cultural collaborations, including a segment filmed for Nanjing Television featuring a Ukrainian singer, where I performed sword and fan routines in traditional hanfu amid ancient pagodas.
The Unexpected Filming Invitation
When Master Bao’s Kung Fu brother invited us to Shandong Province for a filming session, we didn’t know much — only that some videographers were coming to shoot content possibly for a TV station. Given my previous experiences, this didn’t feel too foreign.
We arrived expecting a brief news clip. Instead, it turned into a full-day shoot: interviews, weapon demonstrations, and impromptu training scenes in kung fu halls.
The next day, the film crew followed us back to Maling Academy, capturing close-ups during classes, personal interviews, and individual performances. Although other students appeared, the videographers ultimately centered the story on me — likely because I had been at the academy the longest and could articulate the experience more fully.
None of us realized they were crafting what would feel almost like a short documentary.
When a Quiet Story Went National
After editing, the production team uploaded the finished video to Douyin (China’s version of TikTok) and a few local media accounts. Almost immediately, it began spreading — and then exploded.
It was picked up by verified news and TV accounts, including:
- 中国青年报 (China Youth Daily) — one of China’s most prominent national news outlets.
- 生活帮 (Shēnghuó Bāng / Life Help) and 山东广播电视台 生活帮 (Shandong Broadcasting TV – Life Help) — lifestyle programs under Shandong TV.
- 日照广播电视台 (Rizhao Broadcasting and Television Station) — a regional network.
- 上海时刻 新民晚报 (Shanghai Moments – Xinmin Evening News) — a major Shanghai-based paper and digital media brand.
- 浙江电视台国际台 国际频道 (Prime Time – Zhejiang TV International Channel) — an international broadcast station.
It didn’t stop there. Soon, the video was circulating on Bilibili, Weibo, iQIYI News, 齐鲁网 (iQilu.com), 中华网 (China.com), 网易新闻 (NetEase 163.com), and more.
And then came the moment that stunned me — screenshots showing that the video had reached Baidu’s national trending search results, effectively making it one of the most-searched topics in China at the time.
Why This Matters — Beyond the Views
To me, this isn’t about fame or numbers. It’s about what the story represents.
A few years ago, I was flying across continents serving strangers. Now, I’m training daily in a quiet corner of Jiangsu, learning a tradition that has existed for centuries. That transformation — from restless to rooted — resonates with people.
For the Maling Academy, this moment highlights something beautiful: that authentic Shaolin culture still captures hearts in the modern world. The discipline, the philosophy, the humility — they’re not relics. They’re alive and evolving.
And for China, it shows something many abroad may overlook — a culture that welcomes and supports foreigners who come to learn sincerely. The comments under the Douyin videos, often from viewers who express pride, curiosity, and encouragement, speak volumes about that openness.
Reflections for Readers
If you’ve ever thought of stepping away from the noise and finding something deeper, my advice is simple: do it. It doesn’t have to be Kung Fu or China, but find that place where you can reconnect with who you are.
If you’re already training in martial arts, remember that your journey might one day inspire others in ways you can’t predict. Sometimes, the quietest disciplines speak the loudest across cultures.
A Final Thought
This viral moment is humbling. It’s a reminder that sincerity travels far — across borders, languages, and platforms.
From a crowded airplane cabin to the tranquil training fields of Maling Mountain, I’ve found that real fulfillment isn’t about the next destination — it’s about the stillness you find along the way.
