Celebrity Interview with James Thompson

The world champion in rope jumping

By Beatrice Davis

Welcome and thank you for agreeing to do this interview James with NSAEN.

NSAEN: What was it like growing up for you way back when you were a child?

James: I grow up in Arkansas as a kid and learned from early age on to work chop cotton, milk the cow and walked daily a few miles to school. I stayed with my grandmother and her sister and her husband and if I did not pick over 100 pounds of cotton every day we got a whipping! When finally migrated to California, we lived in San Jose where the American Mexicans hangout. We had to pick tomato, strawberry, lettuce and water melon. It did not get easier that was for sure.

NSAEN: What lessons though have you learned from that experience as a child?

James: Well, in the old days nothing really bothered me. If you went through hard times working as a child as I did, every job now is an easy job. It can’t get any worse. Though at one point I worked for a company called Central Coast Pipeline and we used to dig with a jack hammer. Jobs like that are hard on your back and hands. I graduated from San Jose State and got a job as a Juvenile Probation Counselor in Juvenile Hall in San Jose. That was an easy job, and I kept that job for 30 years. I just retired last year to come to Las Vegas to be an entertainer. I learned if you can take the worst job in life anything else is possible.

NSAEN: You have been blessed with a lot of talents. Did any of them come naturally and if not how did you discover them?

James: I think the jump rope is naturally and I realized my talent in the 4^th grade when our basketball coach made us jump rope 5-10 minutes a day. We had lost the year before to a couple of teams and we did not want to lose again like the year before and the coach believed that jump robbing would help our skills. I personally believed at that time that jump rope was for sissies. When I expressed my opinion to my coach he responded; “Are Sugar Ray Leno, Mohammed Ali and Bruce Lee sissies? No they all jump rope!” The coach gave us a choice between jumping rope or doing extra line drills which are called “suicide”. Of course I preferred jump rope so we started practicing. Over a period of time I added on some little extra tricks and realized it was just a natural talent to me.

NSAEN: When was the first time you ever put somebody on your back to jump rope?

James: That was in San Jose State when I was a freshman. I was on the Judo team, and I was trying to figure out how I can actually use jump rope for throwing people. One day I just thought I take one guy on the back and jump rope. That is how it started and eventually the media got wind of what I was doing. Steve Garby in 1980 got me on the road to Moscow and also got me on the Dina Shore Show.

NSAEN: You are also a great ventriloquist. Tell us a bit about it.

James: After I made so many changes in my young life, improved my grades and overall image, I got tired of being the class clown. I thought to myself, I should use my clown skills for something much more positive. I came across this article in a comic book where you can use your voice to express yourself in a different way and went to the library and started doing some research on ventriloquists. Went out bought a doll from Sears Robot and started practicing till I felt I was in a good shape to master the speaking. However, the doll I had at this point was white and, being a black man, my family and particularly my sister told me to get a black doll to give it the perfect look. I contacted a ventriloquist school in Colorado and they made the doll I have to today,”Soul Brother Ricky”. At that time it cost me $150 and that was pretty much all I had in my bank account as a 13 year old. Everybody thought I was crazy to spend this money on a doll. especially if I am not making any money to this point. But as you can hear now it was a good investment which last me till today!

NSAEN: You are a 5^th degree Judo and you have participated in 3 sumo world championships and have been ranked the 6^th best sumo wrestler in the world. Are you still continuing sumo or are you more concentrating on judo and are you trying to qualify for the Olympics in 2008? How do you prepare mentally and physically for that?

James: I have not practiced Sumo since 1994 and don’t think I will do too much of that sport anymore, but I still train in Judo. And yes, I am still practicing Judo and actually training and preparing for the Olympic trials in 2008 here in Las Vegas. I am stepping up the physical workout and start practicing more often particular in the Doe Jo and practice Judo with live bodies. Have to put more focus on gripping, throws and body fitting. Of course lifting weights is very important, and I will start swimming to relax and strengthen the overall body. But I also think it would help and be good mentally to work with a psychiatrist. The reason why I say that is that I have the talent and strength, but at times I talk myself out of it that I can do what I am trying to do. I need to get my mind and spirit on a different level and become more consistent. I need to learn to trust my talents and long years of experience.

NSAEN: Much of what you do is stringiness on your body, how do you maintain your physical health?

James: I have to work out all the time and hit the gym at least 5 times a week. Also do a lot of light weight reputations. It is important to learn how to workout smart and not work out so hard. Since I have problems with my knees and ankles, I wear a knee brace and tape my wrist and ankle to be safe and give it the support to survive the fight or workout. After all these years the injuries are really starting to affect me. You have train and workout smarter and not harder.

NSAEN: Have you encountered a situation where you had to perform and your body was just not up to the challenge that day?

James: The only time I had this problem was in Dubai. I had 60 shows in 35 days and my knees started to swell up after each performance so bad that I had to icepack and massage the knees for 3-4 hours that the swelling would go down. By the time I was ready to go on stage and perform, I was ready to go. But of course during my performances I damaged the knees again and the whole routine would start over again. It was very hard and difficult for me and there had been moments of thinking “how do I get through this show”. But I made it and once I returned home I took a whole week of heat therapy and nurturing my knees to get back to a pain-free walking.

NSAEN: You traveled the world quite a bit. How has that experience affected your life?

James: It makes you appreciate this country more. I mean we have a lot of issues here to deal with, but we have freedom to do what we like and express ourselves. I feel that this country allows being more free than the rest of the countries in this world. I learned for sure one thing, not to discuss politics when I am traveling and don’t give comments. Because sometimes your opinion gets wrongly interpreted! Because the way you think is not the same the other person thinks, and I truly believe that respecting each culture means accepting their life styles and show respect to their way of living.

NSAEN: How do you deal with the cultural differences and how do you adjust to it?

James: You have to study on the culture and realize what to expect before you travel. Once you are in the country of your destination, simply follow the traditions of the culture. Be respectful and play by the rules of the country, particularly in the Middle East. Don’t go with your American view and express yourself as you would in the USA. Stay humble and ask as many questions as you can about their culture. Don’t be stuck-up—show that you are interested in learning more about their lives and culture, and they will appreciate you very much and will make it easier for you to adjust.

NSAEN: To what or to whom do you attribute your longevity in the entertainment industry?

James: A lot of it has to do with me and my perseverance and having the right attitude when I get up every day. It is not so much the destination but rather the journey you take. I concentrate on the journey all the time and having a good time. You have to enjoy what you do and I believe that I am a spiritual being, living a human existence on the planet. I am coming from a more spiritual and philosophical view on what life is all about. Up to this point it was a great ride and a great journey and I don’t regret anything.

NSAEN: What was your motivation for becoming an advocate for youth teaching them to say no to drugs and alcohol and the importance of setting goals?

James: It is important to have goals and tell my kids it keeps you going forward and keeps you focused. You should have short term and long term goals. I tell them the short term goals tell them know if they are on track for their long term goals. Like the short term goals could be like just getting up in the morning and brushing your teeth and than your next short term goal is to making through lunch time and that will show them how to accomplish the long term goals. How to stick with your goals you set and try to fulfill. My teaching to say no to drugs is based on my upbringing in Salinas way back when I was still in school. Most of friends from that time by now are either dead or in prison because of drugs. Actually most of those friends from the past they kept me out of trouble because either they loved me or just were afraid of me because I was so tall and big, but for what ever reason, they never let me participate in their activities and always sent me home. And sure enough the next day or two they got arrested and waved at me from the police car. I was very fortunate and lucky and now looking back, I’m thankful. When I got older and starting working with kids in the Juvenile Hall as a counselor I knew this was my time and I was meant to work with kids who are in trouble. I remembered my friends from way back and how they helped, and now I am paying back a debt for what they have done for me. I think I did a good job over the last 30 years and will continue to counsel and support the youth.

NSAEN: You have accomplished a lot over the years, what else can we expect in the future from the Rope Master?

James: Well, I will be doing a lot of what I already have been doing. Trying to reach more the masses and hope to be on the Oprah show. I am writing a book called “Tic Tac Toe” with a message teaching kids how to play tic tac toe and correlating the whole game with love, respect and icing on the cake. Be expecting the book to come out in the near future. I have 3 videos out on the market, two for jump rope and one for massage and the next is of course the book.

NSAEN: Is there any word of wisdom you like to share with our readers?

James: I you are in a position to give back, please give back to the community when ever you can. It is important to support different organizations and foundations to make a difference in people’s lives. I myself support various organizations and one of them is “Support the Soldiers”. They are doing such a great jobs supporting this country, putting their lives every day on the line so that we can live safe and secure. After all is said and done, people will ask after you have died, what has he done to make a difference? Nobody cares what car or home you had, but rather what have you accomplished to make a difference in people’s lives, in your community or for the people on this planet. It is important to ask yourself the question “How do you want to be remembered when you are gone”. I think everybody should ask this question. I want to be remembered that I did the best I could to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

James it was a pleasure to sit down with you and get to know you a little better. We wish you continuing success and that you may stay focused with the great work you are doing. The world needs more people like you!