Matthew Polly

Matthew Polly is a national bestselling author known for his works such as American Shaolin, Tapped Out, and Bruce Lee: A Life. He graduated from Princeton University and was a Rhodes Scholar, spending two years studying kung fu at the Shaolin Temple in Henan, China. Polly is recognized for his experiential and investigative journalism, having written for notable publications like The Washington Post, Esquire, and Slate.

Born on May 5, 1971, in Dallas, Texas, Polly was inspired by martial arts icons like Bruce Lee and Kwai Chang Caine from the 1970s series Kung Fu. His journey into martial arts began with his acceptance as the first American disciple at the Shaolin Temple. Later, he delved into Mixed Martial Arts both as a participant and journalist, training with renowned masters globally. Currently, he resides in New Haven, Connecticut, where he also serves as a fellow at Yale University.12