Frank Jasper Reflects on the 35th Anniversary of Vision Quest and how one movie changed the direction of his life.
Roughly 35 years ago, what many consider the definitive movie about the sport of wrestling entitled Vision Quest hit theaters introducing the world to Frank Jasper, the enigmatic monster of the film, Brian Shute. Matthew Modine’s character, Louden Swain (who has a band named after him), has to drop weight to face the current state champion who we never see until the final act of the film.
What makes Vision Quest so impactful to wrestlers and wrestling is that real life judoka and wrestler, Jasper was in college less than 25 miles away from Spokane, WA where the filming took place. The movie itself put Jasper on a vision quest of his own transforming him from a bodybuilder in to a health and wellness expert that we get into throughout the interview.
In fact, it was thanks to our good friend at Orange County Grappling (OCG) who put us in contact with Jasper in order to conduct this interview.
As wrestling is one of the oldest combat sports in the world, Jasper followed his passion of Eastern Philosophy and Medicine and has recently moved to Northern California to continue his practice. He spent time in Los Angeles living the Hollywood life of working, taking acting classes and auditioning, but when his health began to deteriorate that’s when he full embraced his Eastern practices and doing a complete 180 degree turn in getting back to proper health.
We talked to Jasper about how much the character of Brian Shute helped shape his future outside of acting and post college, how he has given back to the sport of wrestling and that 35 years after Vision Quest why the film has been so impactful to so many people within the wrestling community.
For more information on Frank Jasper follow him on Facebook at The Real Brian Shute and on Instagram @visionquest_shute1985. Visit his official website at www.shuteshirts.com.
For more information about the sport of wrestling or if you are in the Orange County, California area and would like to have you kids start training in the sport, follow OCG on Facebook at Orange County Grappling – OCG and on Instagram @orangecountygrappling. Visit OCG at their official website at www.oc-grappling.org.
To check out the classic film Vision Quest, visit Warner Archives at www.wbshop.com.
Ideals are peaceful,
…….history is violent……FTW
that only a pet can show.
OUR DOGS, a poem by David Jeffrey from Canada
A love uncontested, without compromise,
is what we see when we look into our lovely pets
eyes.
The way they adore us, with love to no end,
is the reason we call them Man’s best friend.
With tails a wagging and affection to spare,
makes them so easy to cuddle despite all their hair.
We treat them like children and adorn them with toys
trust that they will play and protect,
our own girls and boys.
God gave us dogs so that we may know,
the unconditional love,
But all I ever settled for is that we’re born to live and then to die, and… we got to do it alone, each in his own way. And I guess that’s why we got to love those people who deserve it like there’s no tomorrow. ‘Cause when you get right down to it – there isn’t.
Good night
Sweet prince
Google Jeffrey Engen Calgary. Philanthropist to Calgary humane society, etc.
Jeffrey engen helo
Cheers
Jeffrey Engen calgary awesome wrestler…..big fan of Shute we all are