Muay Thai, also known as Thai Boxing, has been celebrated as one of the most effective striking martial arts. Known as “The Art of the Eight Limbs” in Thailand, the kickboxing martial art utilizes 2 knees, 2 elbow, 2 shins and 2 knees for striking in a self defense situation or in athletic competition. Toronto Muay Thai competitor and instructor Jenypher Lanthier has been one of the most passionate members of the sport’s community in Toronto. Lanthier, 2005 IKKC Women’s Flyweight Professional California Muay Thai Champion, is a certified Kru (trainer) who teaches at a plethora of gyms across the city--York University Muay Thai, Siam No.1 Muay Thai, Buckley Jiu-Jitsu (Muay Thai program Director) and Kombat Arts Training Academy. Lanthier took time out of her busy schedule to talk to Toronto Cityguide.
What lessons have you learned through training, fighting and teaching Muay Thai?
Training--I have grown ten fold from my experiences in all 3 realms. In training I’ve developed discipline and respect. You have to be disciplined to train 6 days a week running about 40k a week etc. My teacher Ajahn Suchart (Siam No.1) teaches not only the combative side of Muay Thai but very much Thai culture. I had the pleasure of living in Thailand for 6 months and being able to truly see the connection between Muay Thai and the Thai people. When I began in Muay Thai I was quite aggressive and confrontational, not to say that I am not anymore, however, I know when to use it. I would not nor do I encourage anyone to 'play around' with Muay Thai or to use it aggressively. You are only to use it in practice, in the ring and in a self defense situation. Fighting--one thing about fighting is that when you enter that ring, you enter it intellectually naked. Your truest personality comes out. Any flaws you have or positive traits become visible for all to see. For instance, if you get frustrated easily with life situations then surely if you get frustrated in the ring it will show through. If you ever want to truly see how much you have grown as a person, fighting helps display that progress or lack thereof. As you work on these issues in the ring, they tend to work themselves out in your personal life as well. It’s quite amazing to watch fighters transform as the years go by. Myself being one of them. Teaching--the difference about teaching is you become the mentor, the parent and the friend. You are no longer able to be selfish as you once were as a fighter, or in training. You now have to adapt to a dozen different learning styles and personalities, cater to individuals all while consistently upholding the 'mentor' role. At first I found it difficult, many instructors get frustrated when students don’t learn fast enough, or they abandon the ones they think 'aren't taking it seriously'. I try to remember what it was like being a student and try to help in every way, shape or form that I can to make the Muay Thai experience a life changing one. I once loved fighting and training and although I still do, I love watching other better their lives through the use of Muay Thai. I am blessed to have some amazing students/fighters at York who work very hard. I know I have learned patience, understanding and responsibility from all of my students. Sometimes it is like having kids, it's all about them now. Not to mention my own achievments. I never thought I would see the day I would make Kru (Muay Thai Instructor). Being Ajahn's first female Kru is one of the biggest honours I have ever received.
How have you grown as a person through Muay Thai?
As I stated before. I have learned that no 2 people are alike. Not everyone is in Muay Thai for the same reasons. Not everyone is like me, so I try to keep that in mind and provide 3 explanations with every technique I teach, (Ring use, Street/self defense use, and Traditional Thai use) This has helped me understand what my students want and what their goals are in my program. I have grown incredibly as a person however I also recognize that like life, Muay Thai has infinite knowledge and my growth will continue until my death. No one can ever say they know it all, because as in progressive life, learning never ends. Muay Thai showed me this, it keeps me wanting to learn and grow more.
What are your goals in the sport?
I have been privileged to attain many of the goals that I set out for myself from that first day I stepped in a class. I wanted to fight and I did. I wanted to be champion, and I am. I wanted to be the first female Kru (believe it or not) and I was. My goals from here on in are simple. I want to focus on my students and be the best Kru I can be. I look forward to helping more people fall in love with Muay Thai and martial arts and develop my fighters. I also look forward to getting back in the ring. I believe here is the central spot for learning. I want to reclaim a place in the professional rankings and I believe I will. I am going to take baby steps and work my way up with a lot of patience and balance. Look for me in the coming year. After 10 years in Muay Thai, I feel like I am starting a whole new chapter in my life.
How have your skills evolved in the past year?
Skills are something that can only improve with practice and through work. One of my principles is that you can’t be a good teacher if you stop learning yourself. I commit to one on one personal training with my Ajahn at least twice a month. This allows me to ask questions and grow not only as a student but as a teacher. I also think remaining an active fighter helps as you learn something every time you step in that ring. I train here and there when I have free time and I make sure I see Ajahn and attend seminars regularly. I stay up to date on the fight game and world. I learn wherever I can from whomever I can. I also have learned some very important lessons in the past few years. Things I used to believe, I no longer do and when I look back I see how now, I understand. I focus on the proper things rather than wasting time complaining, or being too hard on myself.
What attitude does one need to possess to become a proficient Muay Thai trainee or fighter?
Honestly, as in life come in expecting nothing but trying for everything. I am still consistently surprised with certain students that in the beginning I thought for sure they wouldn't go far or they didn't take it seriously and they end up showing me that Muay Thai is an integral part of life for them. Once a student is in the class they should make their own goals and slowly try to achieve them such as: technical competence, weight loss, quitting a vice (smoking/drinking). In the beginning, Muay Thai can be overwhelming but it's also a lot of fun and is incredibly rewarding. If you can’t get the technique or do the push-ups don’t get discouraged because we all started out like that. I remember not being able to do 30 push-ups to save my life and now it's nothing. Be patient and have fun. If you need extra help ask your instructor, that is why they are there.
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A very enlightening and thoughtful interview.
I'm wearing the black shirt and red wraps, standing right behind the girl in the pink shirt! Anyway, congrats on a great interview Jen, you're an inspiration ;)
Being a female thai boxing teacher myself, I found this a very honest and inspiring interview. Muay thai has a way of really getting inside you and you learn to answer to it. It's really changed my life in many ways, and this interview really supports that.
gr8 read, jen!
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Inspiring. It's great to see a woman in a traditional "man's" world being successful and respected. Way to go jenypher!