Interview with Master Jean Phoenix Le Grand

Master Le Grand

Master Le Grand is an 8th Dan/Degree Black Belt, Head Master, President, Creator & Founder of Lost Legacy™ Martial Arts/Systems, Inc. & all systems within it, under the direct supervision of Grand Master-Monk Dr. Jude Innocent and Grand Master “Tiger” Paul Innocent. He holds Black Belts in Tiger Jude 7 Styles, Tiger Paul Tae Kwon Do Modern Karate-Do, Kodokan Judo,  IOMASDA Ryu/Tetsu Tako Do, Sanuces Ryu Jiu-Jutsu, Ninjutsu/Ninjitsu, New Shaolin Boxing Kung-Fu & Ultimate Bujutsu System. (See his bio and extensive list of qualifications here.)

BKO Kung Fu: How did moving from Haiti to the United States affect your martial arts training?

Master Le Grand: It didn’t affect my training at all being that I was just starting the martial arts at such a young and naive age. Haiti was my introduction to the Martial Arts….My Foundation. The benefits of being in Haiti at that time were that my Mom’s younger brothers were there teaching me what they knew and were taught. As a child you are a sponge and because my family was doing it made it a way of life for me to do it too.

BKO: How were you able to obtain high levels in so many types of martial arts?

Master Le Grand: My main Grand Masters, Monk Tiger Jude Innocent & Tiger Paul Innocent, my Uncles, encouraged cross training in different styles with different practitioners as they did in the past. I was fortunate to be in a family of Martial Artist that knew other Martial Artist which granted me some forms of access into different schools or groups which enlightened me further in the Arts. Later on as I matured, I searched for different schools on my own that caught my interest in philosophy and style. I found myself going to 2 or 3 schools at the same time. One or two in Brooklyn, NY or Queens, NY and the other in China Town, Manhattan, NYC. Those days a lot of schools did not like the idea of you training at another school so I kept it quiet & to myself. Presently, not only am I teaching and training, I am also learning from a 9th Generation Kung Fu Grand Master. The journey never ends for a TRUE Martial Artist.

BKO: You have Ph D. in Martial Arts/Asian Philosophy. What was your thesis on? Could you give us a paragraph or two about it?

Master Le Grand: Yes I have two (2)! I decided to test my knowledge on Martial Arts as an all and further understand the mindset behind it rather than the physical aspects this society seems to promote it as. They were online courses given by the National Dragon Council University of Asian Studies and the International Council of Higher Martial Arts education ran by the World Organizer of Martial Arts. I searched the web for the most prestigious and organized groups that had some of the great names of recognized martial artist I was aware of and sent a request asking how I would obtain such an honor, and the rest is history.

My thesis was/is called “Lost Tao of the Martial Artist”. It is based on my travels as a Martial Artist and the physical, mental/emotional & spiritual journeys I’ve encounter as a student growing into becoming a teacher. The Art of War by Sun Tzu (which I re-wrote the Modern Day version to in another interview in WeMerge Magazine), inspired my format of writing this thesis.

Here is a part from it:

"Kata"

I had many tell me, "why kata? I don’t need that! Show me the real stuff!"

"Those who claim they are Martial Artist and bypass Kata, truly have missed an important aspect to their training no matter what form of martial arts they practice.

Those who seek the arts or who have trained within the arts and disregard the learning of kata, don’t realize if you do kata, you learn the ancient meanings of Kyusho Jitsu (Dim Mak) hidden within your forms which you will find, by many names, in every art. This is why we develop chi breathing (inner power) within our katas applying them to the right strike and/or to the right part of our body when it is in harms way. "

BKO: What time management tools or concepts do you utilize in order to accomplish so much?

Master Le Grand: I’ve always had the skillset creatively to add something into my life if I saw it beneficial and with that came a strong passion to do so. I prioritized my necessities in order to accomplish what was most important in my life at that time. Then I scheduled them strategically throughout my day and week. Time management when scheduling, of course, was the marriage for the two. I set my goals and gave myself a time limit to accomplishing each section so in that way I have a deadline and didn’t find myself frustrated or overwhelmed when the work seemed over bearing. Concentration and focus through the years of martial Arts also played a BIG part!

BKO: There are so many people who learn a few styles and create their own style. What makes your system stand out above the rest?

Master Le Grand: What makes my system different is the acceptance that nothing remains as it is. What I mean by that is that we call our system “an evolving art” meaning that it changes with time. What worked then doesn’t always work now because technology and life itself changes. So we ADAPT. So our techniques, forms, weaponry etc…are always upgraded to flow with the present. LOST LEGACY…bringing back a Legacy that was Lost within “us”. We are the SYSTEM.

BKO: There seems to be a lot of mystery and skepticism around Ninjutsu? Can you draw some lines between myth and reality?

Master Le Grand: I was told, in the mid 90’s by my Ninjutsu Mentor the Late Professor Ronald Duncan Sr (Way of the Winds), that Ninjutsu as a martial arts is very practical so it can be practiced and structured as a full martial arts style as a few are doing so today. As a myth, like any and all folklore/tales in every culture, once passed through mouth to ear and again from mouth to ear each time its roots get changed and creates the stories and legends about the Ninja that exist in this world today. There is evidence on some scrolls that may verify Ninjutsu as a complete martial art system and/or style. In the Togakure Ryu, the Ninja Juhakkei was studied together with Bugei Juhappan, which is the 18 Samurai Martial Art skills. If anything, the way society through the big screens has depicted the “Ninja” is through mysticism, espionage, assassin with no honor, etc. has made it very hard for anyone to see this art form in any way realistic. BUT it is! Ninjutsu can be found in the pre Meiji period, at the Muromachi period, the Edo period and the Azuchi-Momoyama period. My daughter, who is about to go for her Black Belt this year, has reminded me time after time that when we brain storm, research is one of the strong keys to knowing about culture & history. She truly keeps me on my toes because she comes prepared before the battle!

BKO: Tell us about Team Phoenix. 

Master Le Grand: When I moved to Florida from NYC in 2002, I was in search of a group I could train for free to assist me in establishing what my system was about. I needed a Team because I couldn’t do it by myself. The Phoenix is a bird of flame that is immortal and only one can exist at a time. When it is time for it to past, it consumes itself of fire into ashes just to bring itself back again, younger and more vibrant than before. That is who Team Phoenix and Lost Legacy Systems Martial Arts represents. Team Phoenix are specially picked individuals who are either “at risk” to society, can’t afford the martial arts and/or those who were bullied or considered “not popular” enough to hang with the “in” crowd. Team Phoenix is the Demo Team. We do demonstrations at events, schools, fairs, tournaments etc. Team Phoenix continues to “evolve” each year and we continue to look for more members and honorary students of all styles.

BKO: What was it like being on the Ricki Lake show? What was that all about?

Master Le Grand: When I lived in NYC, I was working at New York Sports Club as a Fitness Program Manager. One day, during my lunch break, I was approached by a group of ladies. They asked me what I did for a living because I looked fit with a unique look and carried myself a certain way. I told them I was a personal fitness trainer and a Martial Arts Instructor. They said that they worked for the Ricki Lake Show and would like me to be a part of it.  The title of that show would be “Search for the International Hunk” which demonstrated good physique, verbal skills, and a form of talent which was my Martial Arts! It was an incredible feeling. I felt electrifying because I knew that no one’s talent was going to be like mine. I was jumping, diving, doing isolated poses & throwing kicking combinations. An experience to further demonstrate myself as a Martial Artist and to promote Lost Legacy Systems.  

BKO: What are your 5 to 10 year goals for your system?

Master Le Grand: As any other Dojo would want, in 5 years I look to open another Martial Arts school ran by a student or students who have reached Instructor Status & further promote what we at Lost Legacy Systems represent, which is Traditional Values with a Modern day approach to the Arts. In 10 years, international recognition as an established Martial Arts style such as Judo, Tae Kwon Do, and other forms of Kung Fu.

BKO: Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Master Le Grand: Do not ridicule an art or person you see and don’t know much about because the practitioner isn’t as advance as you are. At one time you were at a low skillset and if ego continues to drive you to judging individuals and/or other styles, then you yourself will never see the true meaning to being a TRUE Martial Artist.


BKO Kung Fu: Master Le Grand thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.

Interview with Mackensi Emory - Karate and XMA Expert

karate

Mackensi Emory is winner of 38 world championship titles. She has been shown on ESPN2 multiple times. She also maintains a straight A's at the same time. 

BKO Kung Fu: How do you find time to practice martial arts so much and still maintain an "A" average in school? Most of my friends have a hard enough time just doing one of them?

Mackensi: My schooling has always been very important to me.  My parents and coaches have always stressed school before sports.  If my grades started to suffer then I knew I would need to give up my extra activities and devote more time to my studies.

I grew up from an early age with a busy schedule.  At one point, I was taking gymnastics, dance, piano and karate; as well as going to public school.  I learned to use every minute of spare time wisely.  I would work on my homework while in the car on the way to gymnastics or karate.  I learned time management and how to be very well organized.

  

Not to say this didn't have its challenges.  I had to make some tough choices along the way.  At one point, I was doing competitive gymnastics (thru level 8), competitive sport karate, and competitive dance all at the same time.  My gymnastics practices were requiring between 20 - 25 hours per week alone.  It was clear that there were not enough hours in the day to do everything.  I had to chose just one competitive sport since all three required so much time on their own.  Both my parents work full time jobs so home schooling was out of the question.  I ultimately chose to continue my passion for martial arts, competitive sport karate and tricking.

The most difficult part of balancing my sport karate competitions with school is the time missed due to travel.  Most competitions take place on Friday and Saturday and are on the east coast.  I live in California so this means that I miss at least two days of school when I travel to compete.  In high school, making up for lost time often requires much more work than would be required if I would have been at school on those days.  Some teachers are understanding but others don't understand or support what I do so they treat it like I am on a vacation.  If sport karate were a school sport then it would be much easier as my absences would be excused.  Overall, it takes a lot of effort to balance my sport with school and maintain high grades.

   

BKO: What inspires you to continue winning world championship titles after you have won 38?

Mackensi: I currently hold 38 World Championship titles from different circuits across a number of different divisions (Creative Forms, Extreme Forms, Musical Forms, Traditional Forms, Creative Weapons, Extreme Weapons, Musical Weapons, Traditional Weapons, Team Demonstration and Team Synchronized Forms).  But I don't compete because of the titles or the trophies.  That is not what motivates or inspires me.  I compete against the best competition I can find to help push myself to be the best I can possibly be.  It is those other competitors who really inspire me to keep competing and pushing my own limits.  There are always areas to improve and competition helps me accomplish those goals.  The World Championship titles are just a nice byproduct :)

BKO: What is the trick took you the longest to learn? What changed mentally during the process of learning it?

Mackensi: At the end of 2010, at the age of 14, I became the first female to ever land a double corkscrew.  It took me almost two years to learn the trick and land it consistently.  Because I worked on landing it for so long that meant I had to learn not to become too discouraged and give up along the way.  I had to break down my attempts and look for the smaller improvements and use those as victories and accomplishments in order to keep driving me forward to my ultimate goal.  

BKO: What does it take to make the National Blackbelt League Hall of Fame at the age of 12? (besides hard work and dedication)

Mackensi: The National Blackbelt League (NBL) Hall of Fame is an award is based on being the competitor with the most number of points in a given NBL conference.  I received the award in 2008 and also won 4 NBL Supergrands World Championship titles that same year.

BKO: You have had to deal with some injuries along the way. Can you tell our readers about them and how you were able to progress during that time frame despite them?

Mackensi: I have been pretty lucky as far as serious injuries go.  I have broken my wrist (gymnastics injury), broken my 5th metatarsal bone in my foot, pulled muscles, bruised bones and have had many different bumps and bruises along the way.  It is all part of the sport and I have learned to deal with a certain level of aches and pains.  I train through most of it and adapt my training to deal with any specific injury.  For example, when I broke the bone in my foot, I still practiced and even competed.  I adjusted my practices and focused on what I could do, which is still quite a lot.  I feel it is important to keep the same training schedule as before the injury even if the training itself is modified.   Skipping practices is a habit I don't want to create. 

BKO: What has been your biggest rewards from your training?

Mackensi: My biggest rewards from my training are my physical and mental strength, overall fitness level, learning how to set goals and achieve them and confidence in my abilities.  I feel these will serve me well into my future no matter where that takes me.

BKO: Tell us something about yourself most people don't know.

Mackensi: Aside from martial arts tricks I could already do from practicing gymnastics (flash kick...), the 540 kick was the first trick I learned.  It took me a few days to learn it and I was 8 years old.  Also, I eat carrots at every tournament before I compete.  

BKO: What are you looking to accomplish after you finish school?

Mackensi: After I finish high school, I plan on going to college.   I would also like to move to LA while I am still young and continue to pursue entertainment opportunities.  I also plan to continue tricking, competing, traveling  and teaching seminars.

To find out more about Mackensi Emory visit, http://www.mackensiemory.com

Interview with Linda Vu - Wing Chun - Fitness Expert

Linda Vu

Linda Vu is a Certified Fitness Trainer, Fitness Consultant and Fitness Model. She currently trains at Temple's Wing Chun School. Working with experts in the fitness, self defense and motivational industries, Linda’s team will come to your gym, school or venue to set up an interactive workshop educating your audience with modern day techniques that will inspire, motivate and empower you. Each seminar runs a minimum of one hour with some lasting two or more.

BKO Kung Fu: You have been studying Wing Chun for the last 3 years. What are your 5 to 10 year goals concerning your marital arts training?

Linda: I’ve always been intrigued and fascinated with martial arts.  Initially, like most people who had taken any martial arts class, they want to learn how to protect and defend themselves.  Through my learning process, martial arts had helped me to become mentally and physically stronger.  I knew from that moment, martial arts would always be a part of my life.  Although I’m trained and certified in Wing Chun Kung Fu, I’m also trained in a variety of martial arts such as Close Quarters Combat, Police Defensive Tactics and Practical Self Defense.  My goal is learn as much as I can to master the art and share it with people.  In a perfect world, there would be no crimes but the reality is that crime does happen.  I want to empower people by passing on my knowledge as I want people to feel safe and for them to be able to defend themselves if they’re ever attacked.

BKO: What sets your self-defense seminars apart from women going down to a local MMA school and learning to defend themselves?

Linda: No matter what martial arts style that you’re drawn to, I truly believe they are all good. With that being said, my seminars are NOT focused on one particular style. I have a team of instructors with extensive background in a variety of martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Japanese Jiu Jitsu, Filipino Eskrima, Tae Kwon Do, Close Quarters Combat, Tai Chi, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu, Military & Police Defensive Tactics and more. 

MMA is considered sports martial arts and in my opinion, it’s not practical for realistic situations. My seminars are reality-based self-defense with a team of instructors from variety of martial arts background.  I’ve put a powerful team together giving the women the best and practical self-defense techniques and not just one particular style that wouldn’t help them in the streets.  I’m a very petite woman.  If the techniques works for me, I know it will work for any woman.

I offer seminars locally in and around Las Vegas, Nevada as well as internationally.  Due to the high demand of my seminars, starting this February, my team and I are contracted to go overseas for Armed Forces Entertainment to train the military women.  

BKO: You are only 5 feet tall and weigh 86 lbs. Do people sometimes have a hard time taking you seriously in training self defense? How do you win their confidence?

Linda: I often hear that size doesn’t matter in martial arts.  Quite frankly, I think size does matter but don’t let that determine the outcome.  If size didn’t matter, there would be no need for light or heavy weight categories.  As long as I could remember, I’ve always had to fight harder to be great because there are people out there that can be very dismissive because I’m a petite woman.  Some men treat me like I don’t belong in their boys’ club but that only motivates me to become extraordinary.  Overcoming obstacles help to build character and will only make one stronger.  When I walk into any martial arts studio, I’m judged because of my look and size. Most people don’t expect me to last more than a month.  I know that only in time that I would prove them wrong.  When they realized how serious, focused and how much I’ve excelled is when I know I’ve earned my place to be there and gain their respect.  

You toured with US troops in 2012. Where did you go? Tell us about the most memorable moment.

Linda: In this day and age, you got to be diversified.  Besides martial arts and fitness, I’m also a producing partner at Don Barnhart Entertainment working along side with my husband, Don Barnhart who is an award-winning comedian, to bring entertainment to the troops overseas. 

I made a special appearance to host one of the many comedy shows for the troops.  We were in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Djibouti Africa.  It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.  It was an honor to meet all the troops and to show them my appreciation.  They are truly my heroes for fighting for our freedom. 

It was really hard for me, as an independent woman, to actually experience the culture in Saudi Arabia, the most conservative country in the world.  I was told not to look at any man in the eyes and had to wear the full burka in public.  As a woman in Saudi, you were considered second class and have no rights.  Freedom is one of the many things that I love about America and I will never take that for granted.  I count my blessing everyday and it makes me proud to be an American.  

BKO: What's your fitness philosophy?

Linda: Fitness is a lifestyle. Being fit is not about looking good; it’s about being healthy. When you’re healthy, looking good will come naturally.  I work out for how it makes me feel from the inside and not to look good from the outside.  I’m sad when I see a woman starving herself just to fit in a dress.  The logic is to buy a bigger size.  We come in all shapes and sizes and that’s what makes us unique in our own way.  I work out because I enjoy being healthy, not because I have to.  Working out or being active should be a way of life and not just “something to do when you have time”.  People waste too much time doing other things that is insignificant when they should be focusing on being healthy.  Your healthy should be the most important thing.

BKO: What are the 3 hardest things about being a fitness instructor?

Linda: There’s nothing hard about sharing what you love and know. Fitness is fun for me; therefore, it’s really difficult for me to think any part of it as “hard”.  In fitness, “hard” is a strong word. Maybe just some mental difficulties, such as:

1) When someone asks me for fitness advice, I’m always happy to help but it’s hard to give advice      when I realize that person has no intent to follow through. 

2) As a fitness trainer, it’s hard for me to watch an overweight person eating unhealthy food.  It’s       like watching someone killing himself/herself slowly.

3) When I see my clients posting unhealthy food pictures on social media when they know darn            well that it’s not part of my nutritional menu. 

BKO: You offer personal fitness lessons to a select group of clients. Is someone where to qualify as a client, what could they expect from their sessions?

Linda: I specialize in one-on-one women’s fitness training.  I don’t want to train with any woman who is not ready to succeed.  Training is not just “something to do” when there’s nothing else to do.  When someone is committed to training with me at least 5 times a week with a minimum of 30 days, she will see a dramatic change. 

I provide my clients with a personalized nutritional and fitness plan.  My nutritional menu will provide a healthy food choice that anyone can follow.  They’ll be educated in nutrition, learning what food is best for their body, making it easy to reach their goal.  My personal training consist a lot of cardio exercises to slim, trim and tone your body.  Expect a mean and lean workout and expect results.

BKO: What is your favorite album to workout to? 

Linda: I don’t have a favorite album but when it comes to music and working out, there’s only one genre for me.  It’s got to be techno music.  I love working to the fast beat.  When I hear the fast beat, my body is ready to turn it up and sweat.  There’s nothing like it when you’re in the moment!

BKO: What movie inspires you the most and why?

Linda: There are a lot of great movies out there but the one that I can relate to the most is G.I. Jane with actress Demi Moore.  The film tells the fictional story of the first woman to undergo training in U.S. Navy Special Warfare Group. Although the movie did not get the best ratings but I find it entertaining and inspiring.  I know what it’s like when all odds are against you.  You’ve got to be strong and break through those barriers no matter how tough the situation may be.  Demi Moore was beautiful, strong an intelligent.  Those are the combined characteristics that I’m drawn to in real life and not one without the other.

BKO: We want to act on TV or in the movies when we leave school. Since you have done many things with film, like starring, producing and Production design, can you give us three tips on starting a film career?

Linda: Entertainment is a crazy business and at the same time can be very rewarding.  There are so many branches in the film industry.  Many people move to Hollywood thinking that they’ll be a big star but a lot of them end up broke after a few years and give up.  It’s good to have goals and dreams.  Stay focused on what you want to do and plan out how you’re going to get there.  Like anything else, if it were easy, everybody would be doing it.  Depending what kind of work you want to do, get out there and network.  If you want to be an actor - Get an acting agent, enroll in an acting class and make sure you’ve got a teacher with high credentials.  Always look good when you’re out in public, you never know whom you’re going to meet.  Learn everything you can so when an opportunity comes along you’re always prepared.  Lastly, stay positive and don’t be late!

BKO: Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Linda: I want to thank everyone who has been there with me through my journeys - my family, friends, kung fu family, my self-defense team, and my fans.  Life was never easy for me growing up, I worked hard to get to where I’m at in life and to be independent.  I set my goals high and I’ve accomplished everything that I’ve ever wanted.  However, that doesn’t mean it stop here.  I truly believe we evolve and be even better in time.  No matter where you are in life or what your obstacles may be, stay focus on your self.  If you’re looking at what other people are doing, you’re not paying attention to yourself.  Get serious, get focused and get out there and live your dreams!

For more about Linda Vu, visit www.lindavu.net