Episode 634 - Sensei Chris Moulinier
Sensei Chris Moulinier is a Martial Arts Practitioner and Instructor. He is the Chief Instructor at Balance Martial Arts in North Carolina.
The Kata in my opinion is still very relevant. In fact, there’s a lot that can be learned from these ancient forms that we can apply in the modern world and also understand how it relates to what’s happening in the modern world as far as Martial Arts and self-defense are concerned.
Sensei Chris Moulinier - Episode 634
Sensei Chris Moulinier began training when he was a teenager. Sensei Moulinier’s parents were looking for a positive outlet that would also help build both his confidence and focus. Prior, he was struggling in school, but with the skills he learned in Karate, he became a straight-A student. More importantly, he found his calling in life: sharing and teaching the valuable life lessons and principles he learned in Karate.
At age 18, Sensei Moulinier entered an intense instructor training program in which he actually lived at the dojo, and was able to fully dedicate himself to learning, training, and teaching every aspect of martial arts for 6 years. He has traveled all over America, Canada, and Europe conducting Martial Arts seminars. Due to his extensive training, he had the honor of being part of two major projects: Aikido 3d, spending 3 months on a set of Avatar & The Last Airbender as a martial arts professional and stunt actor.
Listen to this episode and learn more about Sensei Chris Moulinier.
Show Notes
Check out Sensei Chris Mouliner’s school at www.balancemartialarts.com
Show Transcript
You can read the transcript below.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Hello everyone, how are you? Welcome. This is whistlekick Martial Arts Radio Episode 634. Today's guest is Sensei Chris Moulinier. I'm Jeremy Lesniak, I'm your host on the show. I founded whistlekick because I love martial arts. And I wanted to make sure that we could put together some stuff like this podcast. For those of you out there who also love martial arts, if you want to see all the things that we're doing, because it's a long list, you can go to whistlekick.com. One of the things you're going to find there is our store. It's one of the ways that we cover our expenses for this show and the other content that we give away. But if you find something in there you like, use the code PODCAST50. It's going to save you 15%. And it lets us know that hey, people who watch the show, buy stuff, and helps us justify all these expenses to the people who like to count beans. People know that praise beans, counting beans, bean counters, bookkeepers, accountants, those are the folks who count beans. If you're interested in going deeper on this episode, or perhaps another episode, because there's a lot of them and they're all available, you can go to whistlekickmartialartsradio.com. That's where we post the transcripts and the photos in the links, every single episode gets its own page. And that's where we unpack the episode give you everything, we can add more context. So, you can get more out of the show. Whistlekickmartialartsradio.com to new episodes each and every week. And why do we do it? Why do we produce this show? Well, we've got the broader umbrella of why we do what we do at whistlekick. And that's to serve you the traditional martial artists. But the show is about connecting and educating entertaining you traditional martial artists throughout the world, we figured if we check all three of those boxes, you're going to get more value out of your martial arts lifestyle.
So, that's why we do what we do. Now, if you want to support us our work our mission, if you're on the same path that we are trying to bring value to martial artists globally, well, you've got a lot of things you can do to help us out, pick one, I'll be a very happy person I mentioned this door, that's an option. You could also leave a review for this podcast on Apple podcasts or Google or Spotify or wherever you listen from, there's probably something in your app that allows you to leave a review. You could also just share this episode with somebody that you train with. Hey, have you checked out the show? Are you aware of Martial Arts Radio, the number one way that this show grows, is from listeners telling people that they care about that also train? Hey, here's a show you really need to check out. And of course, we do have a Patreon, patreon.com/whistlekick. If you like the content that we put out, Patreon is a great place for you to consider thrown a couple bucks a month, because we give you exclusive content stuff, you're not going to find anywhere else. Sometimes it's episodes that Andrew and I record as a buffer that we roll out to you instead of putting out on the feed. We give you exclusive access to who's coming up on the show. It's the only place we talked about that. And there's a bunch of other stuff. There are different tiers, you get free merch, depending on where you're at free stickers or shirts or things like that. And people don't stop their Patreon contribution. So, we're doing something right with it. Check it out. patreon.com/whistlekick. Let's talk about today's guest. Let's talk about something. Sensei Chris Moulinier comes in with a breadth and depth of background. And that was great. But what I loved most about this episode was how it didn't seem like it mattered where I went. He was willing to go there. You ever had a sparring partner who was like that? It's like, I'm going to do something funky and weird. And instead of just looking at you funny, they go with it. That's kind of what we had, but in a verbal sense. It was wonderful. It was collaborative. I thoroughly enjoyed it. And I'm sure you will, too. So, here we go. Hello, hello. How are you?
Chris Moulinier:
Hey, Sir, how you doing?
Jeremy Lesniak:
I'm doing great, yourself?
Chris Moulinier:
Fantastic. Thanks. Thank you for having me.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Of course. Thanks for your willingness to come on and participate.
Chris Moulinier:
Yes, sir. I really appreciate the opportunity. Yeah, I was just up in your area.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Oh, really?
Chris Moulinier:
I was really visiting. I'd like pass up that area. My father-in-law and mother-in-law live up in Bar Harbor, Maine. So yeah, we went up there for the for a week. So, that was really nice. I really enjoyed that area.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Very nice. Bar harbors not far from where I grew up.
Chris Moulinier:
Oh, wow. Okay, man. Very, very cool. Very cool. Yeah.
Jeremy Lesniak:
The New England guy. Where are you?
Chris Moulinier:
So, I'm currently in North Carolina, Cary, North Carolina, but I'm originally from the Philadelphia region. But my mom grew up in Rhode Island. And so, we spent a bunch of time in Rhode Island. We lived in Connecticut and then of course my father-in-law and mother-in-law. They live up in Maine, but they're not originally from there, mate. They were originally from Atlanta, Georgia. But my brother-in-law, he moved because it was work up there. So, not a bad place to be. I got to be honest with you. They've been there for about five, six years. And it was beautiful. We went up to the top of the Cadillac Mountain, and we did all the touristy things. But they really give us the inside scoop. They did the whole, like, you know, we're going to take this way and this way in the back room, you know, they brought us to their lobster pound that they love to go to those right there. It was amazing. Remains a really, I got to be honest, it's a magical place in my mind.
Jeremy Lesniak:
It really is. It's really interesting. And there are different perspectives on Maine. Right. You know, like I grew up in our England. Yeah. And we can certainly, we could relate this back to martial arts for sure. Yeah. You know, there's the main that everybody thinks about, which is the coast.
Chris Moulinier:
Yes.
Jeremy Lesniak:
And interestingly enough, Maine has more coastline than any other state in the US. I think I've dropped that. That fact, I've got to get something out of my main studies, right. More and more coastline in anywhere, any other single state in the US, because of all the inlets and everything.
Chris Moulinier:
Yes, this has.
Jeremy Lesniak:
But the majority of Maine, if you look at it on a map is pretty far inland. And it's all different environment, a whole different culture that doesn't revolve around lobster and tourism. And that area of Maine is very much like where I am here in Vermont very much like northern New Hampshire.
Chris Moulinier:
Yes.
Jeremy Lesniak:
It's a different experience.
Chris Moulinier:
Yeah, yeah. Very cool. Yeah. Very cool. I'm very, it's nice to talk to you. It's a really appreciate this opportunity. And I was just listening to the podcast earlier this morning, the gentleman you had earlier in the week and actually had one of people I know, Andy Rodriguez on not too long ago, too. So that was really cool.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Very nice. Yeah, one of the things that happens is we keep trucking along, is that people are connected to other people, they'll refer us good guests for the show. Right? And it kind of builds this fun kind of spiderweb. Yeah, marks around the world.
Chris Moulinier:
Exactly. Exactly. Yeah. not have that community in that network. And just, you know, you're like, “wait a second. That guy? Oh, I know him”. And he knows the array has. That is definitely a cool thing about martial arts, in my opinion, that world wide web of friends and people that you just meet over the course of the years, you know, and end up somehow coming circling back around and meeting up in some way, shape or form. So very cool.
Jeremy Lesniak:
So, let's jump in. Yeah, we're going, we're going. And, you know, you talked about all these different places that you've been? Yes. And so, I could guess I don't think I'm going to guess though, I think I'm just going to ask, you know, where were you? And how did you get started? Like, let's, let's go there first. And, you know, that, that takes us?
Chris Moulinier:
Absolutely. You know, for me, it's one of those processes where, you know, I grew up in the late 70s, and the 80s. And, I mean, it was all around me all the time, his kung fu theater on Saturdays. I mean, I literally remember watching that as a kid on the weekends. You know, all the Bruce Lee movies, of course, The Karate Kid, growing up and watching that. So, I was just, and being rambunctious, young man, young boy, you know, imitating everything that I see. Right? So, I asked my parents, I begged them to do martial arts classes. And I remember that, right? Very close to where my family lived. There was a martial arts studio as it was a karate school. And I don't know, the gentleman that was there. I just remember seeing the school and I was like; “Can I please go? Can I please go?” And the answer was always, you know, no, you know, my parents didn't quite understand the whole concept of martial arts. My family in particular thought it was just about violence. Right. Fast forward, we fast forward a little bit, and I'm 15 years old. And I was, you know, I'll be honest, I was really struggling. You know, I think when we get to a certain age, we struggle, especially in those teen years, where it's very, you know, is that finding yourself moment, and I remember distinctly I was doing that kind of, it's not a cliche, it's cliche in some ways, but it's the truth.
I was kind of hanging out with the wrong people. I was kind of getting myself steered in a direction that was not going to be very good. And my mom, for I don't know exactly what happened, but she found out information a flier somewhere about a Karate class and I went there for the first class. So, this is 92/90/91, somewhere there was 15 years old, because I remember she had to drive me there and can drive myself and I took that first class come to find out, it was Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu, my instructor was Ed Cook. And I instantly fell in love. I mean, like, literally the first class, I thought to myself, I was like, I found my way, I found what I want to do with myself. After that very first class, it was like magic to me. And then I just threw myself into it. And, consequently, what happened was, because I went and trained and I made it, every class that I could take from Sensei Cook. I was there. And it just became something where I learned so much I grew so much mentally, you know, obviously, physically, because the physical aspect of martial arts is huge.
But mentally I've matured, and I really learned how to focus. And I pulled myself basically from basically not to fail out of high school, to getting straight A's. And, you know, for me, that was phenomenal. I mean, like, my mom just pulled up the report card, and sent me a picture of it, because she was going through all the old stuff downstairs in the basement, she said, I still have it, right. And it just really was a source of pride for myself to be able to do that. I mean, it literally transformed my life. I mean, from that moment from that first class, knowing what I wanted to do with myself, we create such a way finder such a way to kind of point you in a direction and kind of set the tone for the rest of your life. So, there's more to the story than that. But that is the first moment where I can really go back and be like, wow, that’s kind of what set everything in motion. For me.
Jeremy Lesniak:
It's pretty powerful. This idea that you step in something you've wanted to do for so long, something that your parents wouldn't allow you to do. And yet it became so transformational. Right? Were you someone that was always deeply into a thing, if you did something? You did it, you know, both we jumped in.
Chris Moulinier:
You know, I think that I played sports. So, I was a soccer player. So, I played soccer. And I did activities. But you know, they were never anything. I was always physical. You know, I like to doing physical activities riding my bike. I like doing that type of thing. But never to the extent that martial arts touched me like when I found that that was a whole another level for me. Like I had never been that engrossed into something. The way that martial arts took me because I mean, it just, like I said, after that first class, I was like, this is the way. This is, no, this is the path. This is the way I must go. Because I can instantly feel that it was right, it was that perfect fit for me.
Jeremy Lesniak:
If you can, I want you to go a little bit deeper on that feeling in that first class. And here's why. When we think about people who join martial arts, quite often, they fit into one of two age demographics, you get the biggest age demo, which is, you know, under 10 years old, and they go in, and it's a thing because maybe they have some interest, or they saw something on TV or in a movie. But the parents are deeply involved in the decision process because it's a child, or you have people who start later in life. And usually, those folks are someone who always kind of wanted to do it. They were always interested. Timing never worked, whatever it is, and they find it. Wow, this is great. But you're talking about starting, I bet if we were to somehow plot, the age that people start in martial arts, 15 is got to be one of the least common ages, because of what's going on at school and the perception that unfortunately, martial art still has in society. And it being an individual sport, you know, you tend to become an outcast. Yeah, I want to check one more piece on.
Chris Moulinier:
Yes, sir.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Before I turn you, you're talking about what sounds like a slow deviation from the style of path that your parents would have wanted you to be on the one that, you know, it sounds like in hindsight, you didn't want to go down. So, there's that other piece in there, too. You know, you get in there on day one, you're like, this is great. This is my way. This is my path. How much awareness did you have around how this might change you? How it may take your grades from not so great to the opposite end of the spectrum?
Chris Moulinier:
Yeah, you bring up a lot of really, really deep thought, deep questions and really, some great points and you know, I think, maybe I would like to kind of tackle each piece and kind of talk about that. Because, yeah, you're right about that about the demographics. I mean, yeah, you're absolutely right, you have that. Kids that are, you know, 10 and below, and like you said that the parents are a huge factor in that. And, you know, the interest is there. And I'll go back to that age group, because that's a big part of my story, too. But we'll get to that point, too. But, you know, for me, yeah. Starting at 15, you're right. Absolutely. If you had to put it on a graph, you would probably one of the least likely ages to start martial arts would probably be in that preteen to teenage years because of just that awkwardness, and just also, you know, trying to look cool to your friends, and you know, all the all the pressures, all the society pressures that go on at that age. So yeah, for me, it was definitely one of those things where it became, you know, it was an odd time, but in the same, on the flip side, it was the perfect time, it was what I needed at that moment. And I really just feel super blessed and deep sense of gratitude for being able to have that opportunity, because it really has just, it was the moment that I needed. And it found me, or I found it or help however you want to say it. And how did it affect me? And or did I understand the level of what was going on at that moment? No, it's not one of those things, you know, as we're in that age group, and we're all kind of guilty of this, we're very self-absorbed in what we're doing and what we need. And you know, what's happening to us. And I wasn't thinking necessarily about the future in some respects.
But the feeling that I still carry to me to this day was this sense of like, wonderment like this sense of self like it was like magic, like I would watch. Since day even on that first class, I remember, we started doing you know, basics, or key home, and everything, every all the little steps, I remember how to form a fast how to throw a punch, how to block, doing some arm conditioning exercises, some click taking time to window, which later on became a very big part of training, which I'm very grateful for too. And we did cut it and that's when we did the when we did when we got to the section, we started doing Kata that I was mesmerized, because I watched him perform it. And then I had to memorize and I had to, you know, imitate what he had just told me. And that, to me, really struck a deep chord in me really. Because I've been influenced up to that point, watching the movies, watching Bruce Lee, watching the karate kid, watching all of these different things, and to be able to actually physically learn this and start to do it. It was like that kind of magic moment for me.
And did I know that it was going to take me to where I went? No, but the sense that I knew is that it was like, I was drawn to it, I was like, I need to do this. This is what must happen in my life. And, it's one of those moments where you just, you know, that's right, this is what you need. This is where you need to go. And, you know, as I go back through the years, as I grow older, and I think that those time periods, I try and share that essence, that passion, that moment with my students, and with those around me too, because it really becomes something that you can help. Be that person for somebody else, the way my Sensei was, for me, the way that moment affected me. And so, I think that's kind of my take on it. I'm sure as I grow older, and I think more about it, and I go back to those moments of when I first started to training in that kind of time period, I'll gain more of an appreciation for it, but that's kind of where I'm at the moment with it.
Jeremy Lesniak:
You talked about Kata, and you know, we're style agnostic on the show. I don't think there are too many people who are going to step into the show and not know Kata, but forms, [00:19:04-00:19:05] will throw some other stylistic terms around. I assume that when you first saw and started learning Kata, it wasn't that long after you started trading, you're probably still 15. Am I right?
Chris Moulinier:
Yes, sir.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Okay, so and you don't have to do the server thing. If anybody's getting a server, you're the one that we're here to revere and respect. You're the one that sharing your story.
Chris Moulinier:
Yeah, well, it's so ingrained to me.
Jeremy Lesniak:
I know, I get it. Literally.
Chris Moulinier:
I can't shake someone's hand and not bow everywhere.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Do you do the hand, the hand thing too?
Chris Moulinier:
I don't do the hand thing underneath. No, but I do the bow as I once had, like, I sit there and I laugh at myself. I'm like, what am I doing? I like it's automatic. So yes, I totally understand. The fun detail.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Have you ever in a business meeting said hi?
Chris Moulinier:
Yes, I said hi. Under my breath. I'm like, what am I doing? Oh, under your breath. Oh, yeah, well, I catch myself saying, Hi. I'm just like, US Martial Artists. We appreciate that because there's other people, I've seen do the same thing. And I chuckle at myself because they're doing it. I like that. That's what I do too.
Jeremy Lesniak:
15/20 people in a room. “Hey, Jeremy”. “Hai!” And everybody looks at me like, sorry. Yeah, you can't help it. Yeah, I'm not insane. Right, exactly. You're in a martial art school right now like that. That would be great. Like, you know, you don't think I was, you know, really dialed in.
Chris Moulinier:
Exactly.
Jeremy Lesniak:
So, not only at 15 are you starting at an uncommon time? It sounds like just the way you talked about training; you're embracing the aspect of training that most 15-year Olds are going to be most resistant to?
Chris Moulinier:
Yes, exactly.
Jeremy Lesniak:
A weird kid.
Chris Moulinier:
Yes, I definitely was.
Jeremy Lesniak:
And I see that as someone who also had 15 absolutely loved Kata. And it was the thing that made me feel alive.
Chris Moulinier:
Yes.
Jeremy Lesniak:
What was it about learning forms? And that initial demonstration? I would imagine that, you know, you saw your instructor doing it going, “Wow, this is really impressive”. It gave you something to aspire to talk about that mindset, that approach? And how it started to steer? I'm guessing. You're training and your path?
Chris Moulinier:
Yeah, I mean, it just, you know, to me, Kata is one of those things, that it reaches back very deep into the art. And I've trained multiple disciplines, and some disciplines that don't have content they forget, you know, Brazilian Jiu jitsu, for instance, where it's focused more on the partner aspect in the drilling, the techniques and the sparring of rolling element, where is in my base art being shown through Karate? Yeah, that kind of, it was to me, something that was just really spoke to me, it just this concept of learning a sequence of movements, and then trying to perfect it, and really, going back to it each time. You know, repetition after repetition, and trying to find where can I tweak this a little bit? How can I make this a little bit better? How can I get closer to making it more like Sensei, and that element to me really spoke to me? It drives you it, to me, it's for my type of personality and drives me for. Okay, this is what I'm trying to do. This is the pattern structure. And I'm trying to replicate what Sensei is doing. In the initial phases, you know, because you're a beginner, you're learning content, and you're trying to perform it and seek approval. Okay, that was a good one, that one, maybe not so much. But that's the fun of it, in my opinion, that's the depth of it.
And then later, as you know, as you start to grow as a martial artist, as you gain more experience, the content takes even on more meanings, and more complexity and more in-depth elements. And, the longer that I train, we're coming up here on next year will be my 30th year of training. You know, it's going to still be a day that doesn't go by that I'm like, “wow, I learned something new”, or there's something, you know, whether it's someone shows me or whether I'm researching it, or whether I'm internalizing it myself, or I watch my students do it, or they ask me questions, it becomes this just never-ending cycle of, you know, seeking to perfect this template and tickets so much further than that. And really start to get into the body mechanics, the applications, the way, and then the beginning when I was 15, it was just do this. Because this is the way, this is what you must do. And just trying to trying to get that basic idea of making the making the movements correct was a struggle in itself. And that was fun. But now as we go on, you know, we end up going back to kind of more and more becomes just this, you know, invaluable in my opinion, the framing tool to help us mind.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Yeah. Did I lose you?
Chris Moulinier:
Yeah, no, I'm still here.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Okay. All right, yeah. Ah, you've got me thinking like that. When you think about Kata, in the modern perspective on martial arts, we've talked about this on the show and I like getting different perspectives on this. I know my feelings on it, longtime listeners are quite aware of my feelings on this. Forms in general, are a contentious aspect of training. Now. It's hard to know, the breakdown of how many people find them to be a waste of time, but it's a vocal group of people, if nothing else. And it feels like a lot of what we do as martial artists, now we're talking a lot more about how the old ways relate to the newer world. And there are a lot of people who look at Forbes and say, you know what? These don't fit. What do you think?
Chris Moulinier:
You know, I know exactly what you're saying about, you know, in this day and age, and how there is definitely a vocal group that says that Kata is pointless. And I always try and take perspective, and take the wide view the wide picture of things. Because, you know, martial art is so many things to so many different people, there's so many aspects of it. And, you know, my big thing about that is, I understand why they may say that, or, I understand why they may have that perception of it. And, you know, they I totally believe that everyone should have that. If that's your opinion, then great. I think that you should, if that's what you think. Absolutely. But what I think is, especially I'm going to relate this to something I'm doing right now, I'm very busy. Last couple years, I've been very heavily, deeply involved in Kenjutsu. And he is who I've really made it a part of my training. And we're talking about codons that are hundreds of years older than studying Shin Kagerou, which is one of the original sword styles of, you know, the Edo period with a young family, and I'm dealing these cars with my Sensei. I traveled to Tokyo to train with him and, and he's teaching me these aspects of these [00:27:43-00:27:44]. And a lot of it is oral transmission, there's only so much you can gain from doing the [00:27:49-00:27:50] has done a lot of written about it. But the oral transmission when he's saying to me about the movements. And the principles behind these movements, the principles apply no different than it would apply to modern martial artists, let's say an MMA fighter, which is using angles using things, using deception, using the person's aggressiveness against them.
So, these principles, no matter whether you're doing a more modern approach to martial arts, where you're talking about, like the combat sports, where you're doing something as old as you know, [00:28:29-00:28:31] Kenjutsu, the principles remain the same. So, my answer is that the Kata in my opinion, are still very relevant. In fact, there's a lot that can be learned from these ancient forms that we can apply in the modern world, and also understand how it relates to what's happening in the modern world, as far as martial arts and self-defense and all of the other elements. So again, that's my opinion, I don't know if I'm right or wrong. But that's my feeling towards content and how it still holds relevancy in today's day and age. I also, on the same token, believe that, you know, you do need to have modern training methods at your disposal and definitely use them. Because, there are definitely elements that have been pushed to the forefront in today's age of the internet. Due to all of the connectedness that we have that wasn't even there 20 years ago. I mean, when I started martial arts, there was none of that. There were books, and you had to do a seminar and if you wanted to learn you had to travel. Or you had to learn from Sensei, or you would travel with Sensei to go to another dojo to train with a friend of his and that would be how you broaden your horizons or expanded your knowledge or tournaments would be another avenue. But in today's day and age, we have so many more avenues, but do I think Kata still holds a place? Absolutely. And again, like I said it so those points and there's more points for those. That would be the main one that we'd like to make.
Jeremy Lesniak:
We're on the same page. I used to say that there's the way I used to kind of defend the idea of forums. And the newer way that I'm thinking about it. I'll share with you and the audience both I'd love your feedback. What I used to say was, you know, I grew up in Karate, and what was presented to us was this progression of Kihon Kata, Kumite, and for those who aren't used to Japanese terminology, basics forms, sparring. But I reversed Kata, Kumite for a single reason. I've known plenty of people who are phenomenal fighters, that aren't great martial artists, they're fighters. But I've never met someone who was exceptional at forms, that wasn't also at least a competent martial artist in the other areas. But lately, I've been thinking a bit differently, not in a changed way, but in a different way of presenting it. Well, what are all the things that you need, if you're going to be effective at defending yourself, we should be stronger.
You should be faster, you should have muscle memory and flexibility and balance and some sequences that you can deploy at a moment's notice without having to think about them, you should have focus. What if you could work on all of those things at once? Yes, yes. Holy cow. That's a form. Yeah. If you just walk in through it, no, it's a waste of time, right? Regardless of what your values are, walking through anything, not putting intent behind something, you know, you and I could conduct this conversation right now. And we could phone it in. We could literally and figuratively phone it in. Yeah, it's a waste of both of our time, it'd be wasting the time that people listening, they wouldn't keep going. So, we've got some intense some substance behind it. Everything we do has some substance; nobody sits down to dinner with a bowl of ice. Right. And to me, if you're putting something into your forms, there's something coming back.
Chris Moulinier:
Exactly. Exactly. I mean, yes, absolutely. 100% agree, it's what you put in, is what you get out. And that's, and that's, that's a that's just a principle of life, right? And we are looking at those principles, like what we put into it is what we get out of it. Yeah, what you put into your martial arts training is what you'll get out of it. And I 100% agree, if you go into that, if you practice that with the intent with the not just the physical intent, but also the mental intent. And I recently had someone just say this, to me, it really struck a chord with me is, you can really tell when someone's mastering a form or when they are connected to the form, because they are in the previous one before but just the way they put it, you can see the opponent, you as the bystander, you as the person viewing from the third person perspective, you see the opponent in front of this, this person as they perform the cut. And that to me is really that was really struck me because it's not you in the middle of the form. Going through the motions and seeing the enemy in your eyes, but being able to project that level of intensity, focus concentration, intent behind your movement, that a third person can be on the outside looking in and see that same element and I was like, that's a really cool way to hear that. Because we hear it so many times, you know, have that intent, as should be as if you were, you know, fighting against someone or there is the enemy within in front of you.
But to hear that perspective, and then to go back to, you know, the elements of content and how does it perform and or how does it help us perform? Yeah, you said all the things which is creating muscle memory, which brings me back to you know, there are times when there had been moments when a move from a content, you know, helped me for real and it wasn't me saying okay, arm move. It was just natural reaction, but the natural reaction becomes so ingrained in you because you perform that move hundreds, if not 1000s of times. 1000s of repetitions and time. And it's not doesn't become something where I have to think it's just your body does. And there's another benefit of in a week. You have modern martial arts, that they're doing cutters to shadow boxing, boxers, Muay Thai kickboxers. There's shadowboxing, shadowboxing is a Kata in the way you have other combat sport athletes that will be drilling, let's say for instance on a grappling dummy that's no different becomes like an apparatus is no different than the Wing Chun stylist training on the winning dummies.
Just from a different position with a different goal in mind, but it still becomes a training tool for all martial artists. And, you know, I think that relevancy, I think that element, of course, it will always be part of martial arts in some way, shape, or form, some more than others, depending on the style, or discipline, but I believe it's a very, very valuable training tool that also carries with you as you grow older, because as you grow older, you know, sparring, and fighting, become less and less, and having something like a tool of a Kata still helps you maintain the connection to the art, and still be able to train without, you know, the, without the pressures that it puts on your body. Because, you know, I can say, from my perspective, at this moment that yes, martial arts can be hard on the body, and over time, you have to adjust the way you practice and continue to meet becomes one of those training tools that still excites you still gets you motivated. And it's also a way that can help you with your health and longevity. Again, my opinion.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Yeah, well, this is your episode. So, it's all your opinion. And, you know, we don't catch a lot of flak on this show people, people who want to stir the pot in a non-constructive way there, they tend to hang out in different circles. Which is kind of a nice thing?
Chris Moulinier:
Yes.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Let's shift gears, you said something, and I'm not going to get all the words, right. But you hinted at something when we were talking about ages earlier, that the under 10. Demographic that was something we poke at later. You remember what you meant?
Chris Moulinier:
I do as you were talking about that, you know, we're seeing on a graph, if we could put that you know, age there. The reason I made that comment is because another really powerful moment in my martial arts training career was when I burned my green belt. And I think quite a few martial artists, when we get to a certain intermediate level. This may happen to us, or we are asked to do this, which is I remember specifically, because I was 15, I was 16. At the time, maybe even almost 17, I'm not sure where I was somewhere in that. I was definitely driving myself at that point at that time. So definitely 16 or above. And I had earned my green belt. And I remember distinctly since they asked me to help him with the junior's class and the juniors were 10 and under came true. And it really did something to me, which gave me a responsibility, it gave me an avenue that I haven't up to that point in my life, be able to kind of, you know, kind of take that mentor role take that role of being able to know I'm not just responsible for myself, because again, like I said earlier, at that 15-age range, was 16/17 years. But given the responsibility and being asked to help him teach that young age group, it also molded me and really helped forge me in a way because it really took me out of my comfort zone but also out of this, this, this place of always what do I have to do or what's next for me and think about someone else. And that's a powerful, that was a powerful moment for me.
And it carried forward into my martial arts life. You know, because of the age, the age group that I teach quite often and I have people from all walks of life, all ages, but a majority of the students that I have are in that younger age range, and it really helped me to have that responsibility or really helped me to understand that being in that mentor position is very powerful. And at the same time very powerful. It's also something that you have to be very aware of, because you know, you are there to help these young minds, these young guys and girls learn how to grow because kids of any age group there, they're just learning, a lot of them are learning how to be confident, how to use their voice, how to also control themselves. So, it became a really, really powerful message and powerful moment for me. And that's why I mentioned that age group, when we were kind of talking about that plotted on the graph, like, yes, it is definitely a big majority of certain martial art disciplines where you have, especially in my critique, you have quite a few that are in that age group. And it's also because their parents actually did karate when they were younger, too. So, they're kind of paying it forward or passing it forward. So, it's kind of a cool thing for me.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Yeah, I completely get it. There's something in being able to work with that youthful energy. It's so powerful. It's so transitional. And I can't speak for you, but I feed on it. I love working with kids for that reason, not constantly, you know, they wear me out, you know, just there's nothing more exhausting than stepping into a stranger's martial art school and running an hour-long kid's class for me. Right? Alright, I'm going to go sit down and take a nap through the adult class. Yes. It's so much. It's so much fun. Now, we skipped over a big part of your journey, we went from, you started at 15. We just talked about greenbelt. And now we're talking about you teaching. How did you get there?
Chris Moulinier:
Well, it's a long journey. Because always my mindset was, I'm not ready. I'm not ready, I need to train more, I'm not ready. I knew there would be a moment when I wanted to open a dojo. But I kept always telling myself, now's not the time, keep training, keep plugging away. And I did, I did a big, big jump, I became a living student at a dojo. So, when I turned 18, I left my family's house, and I got permission from the Sensei to move into his dojo and become in booty dashing, or live in live in student. And that was a huge moment for me, because again, the transformation that I took from 15, up to 18 was huge. Luckily, I was able to graduate high school, that was the other thing that was stipulation is, you can't move in any dojo unless you graduate high school. So that was another big motivation for me. I was like, I got to get out of here. Every 18-year-old that has that mindset when they reached that age, but I moved into one of my Sensei’s Dojo, and I spent three years there training with him. And that was huge. That was a big, big, big, big part of my journey.
But even after living at the dojo for three years, and then kind of taking a break, I took a little bit of a break, it was very, very mentally and physically strenuous, took a little bit of break, and went out and kind of worked out in the real world for a while just to get some of that life experience. Then I went back in that moved into another dojo to again, do this apprenticeship, which is actually training. And again, another very powerful, and that one was almost three years as well, too. So, I spent almost a total of six years living in dojos. And just immersing myself in, in training 24 seven. But once I left that dojo, I started to kind of look for acts I had at that moment, I had never really made money off of martial arts always worked on John's or I got paid to be a student because I lived at the school and I would help out, cleaning the dojo, or signing up members or helping out with the beginner students. So, kind of like everything was paid for me. But then I decided that you know, it was going to take some odd jobs here and there, right? It was a server in a restaurant and I was a bartender, I did all sorts of, you know, customer service, jobs, all sorts of different things.
But what kind of changed my trajectory to get to my own dojo was I worked for a more commercial school. And this is in the Philadelphia region. And that kind of working for commercial school was something new to me, because everything up to that point had been at traditional dojos, which is very different than a commercial school. And through working at this commercial law, I ended up actually meeting my wife, she's a martial artist as well. And for better or worse, we play well together sometimes. But that really kind of that that was like, Alright, now's the time right now, I feel the this is the moment because when I met her, we pretty much got married within a year of meeting each other, and we started our family. And that was like, okay, this is the moment and so that works. Fast forward, and that was in my late 20s. Maybe just, you know, just about to turn 30. So, that's when I actually opened up my first school was around that age.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Was it what you expected? No one had more context for what it was going to be than a lot of people who opened a school, right?
Chris Moulinier:
Yeah. Yeah, having worked it worked in a commercial school.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Theoretically, you knew what you were getting yourself into?
Chris Moulinier:
Yes, I did know I was getting myself into but it is very different. Teaching training under someone else that has their own school, because now being in the position of you are the leader, or the sensei of that dojo, it changes everything. So yes, I was putting that off for many, many, many years. And training as much as I could. And also learning and seeing, seeing different perspectives and different ways. But yes, it definitely, definitely was not exactly what I expected. Because there are definitely things that come up that as you know, as an assistant instructor, or as just a, you know, as a living student. You don't have to be responsible for those things, you get to see someone else handle it. But it's two different things, watching someone else do it, and then everything rested on you, and the decisions and the things that you decide that you do. So, it was definitely an eye opener for me for sure. But I wouldn't ever take it back. Because it really is what I had wanted from the first day, it was big, making the dream come true, as they say, you know, and I wouldn't change anything. Because it really is, you know, having a dream come true is being able to do that. And of course, you know, to make it even better my wife is involved in and having met her through martial arts and us doing this together. It makes it special for me and for us.
Jeremy Lesniak:
I get the sense you'll be okay with me. We go in there. I want to ask because it can be a sensitive subject. Yeah. You met your wife in the dojo?
Chris Moulinier:
Yes.
Jeremy Lesniak:
And there's a lot of there are some minds in there to step over. I've seen plenty of people trip on them.
Chris Moulinier:
Yes. Yeah.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Do you mind talking about that part of your journey?
Chris Moulinier:
Yeah, no, I would totally would totally love to talk about that. And you're absolutely right. Yes, there is. Definitely there are guests, I've seen that happen to other people too, in the dojo where, you know, you meet people in the dojo and a relationship blossom and it can turn out really well. And this situation for me where, you know, end up marrying, meaning my wife and starting our family and us getting married and there's on the flip side to that just like everything in life, you also see the carnage that can be created. And you can see it. I mean, I haven't been part of it, but I've seen and witnessed, you know, that element of it that can be so disruptive. And it definitely is one of those subjects where it's tough to see that happen to people too, because dojos like a family. It really is. I always treat it as a family atmosphere. And so, I really, you know, it's tough to see people go through those types of things and have that but it goes back. In my opinion, it goes back to being a good leader, being a good mentor, being a good Sensei. And things happen organically and there are things that are outside of your control. But there's definitely things that need to be considered in that element and that perspective for sure.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Yeah, I want to apologize, the guy who mows the lawn forgot that, Tuesday's they never on day... One day that I asked about to be here. Yeah, he's a good friend, he does a great job. So, I'll remind him after the show, but listeners will do our best. Julius does a great job; we'll do our best to pull that drone out. Yes. The theme of your story, if we were to take a step back and kind of connect these dots, every episode that we do, has a little bit of a theme to it. And the one here are, from my mind are these signposts on your journey? You know, they all connect, we're out of sequence on them. Rarely do we ever go in complete chronological order. It happens, but it's not common. Yeah. But here we are, we've got these chunks, these pieces. And in every one, it's so relatable, so completely relatable. And so, let's keep going down the path. You know, let's look at the tomorrow in the next month, in the next year, in the next, whenever you talked a little bit about age, and you know, anybody who's been doing a little bit of math on the episode gets it, you know? No knows how old you are.
Yep, plenty of time left. Yes, there's no sense in my mind that you're slowing down, you're stopping or you're poised for any kind of dramatic change with respect to martial arts in the future. So, what I what I'd like to do, I've asked this in different ways, I'm going to ask it in a different way than I ever have before. Let's play it out as a time machine.
Chris Moulinier:
Okay.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Somehow, there's a time machine. You get in it, you come back, sit down and talk to you. You get a few minutes to talk to yourself from the future. wormholes don't open, the universe doesn't explode. We don't have to worry about any of these sci fi consequences. This is a thought exercise. But you only get to talk about martial arts. You don't get to talk about your family. You don't get to talk about the world. You don't get to get stock tips. You know, you don't get to pull up Biff and find out who's winning the Superbowl. You know, over the next... However, many years there's a movie reference for some of you to get what questions are you asking yourself from the now? And what answers are you hoping that you get from that?
Chris Moulinier:
Oh, that's a deep question. That's a good one.
Jeremy Lesniak:
I try, I try.
Chris Moulinier:
Thanks, Jeremy. Wow, you got me on that one. That was a good one. Wow. I mean, yeah, I love the sci fi thing here to just say no, here's huge sci-finder here so. Exactly.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Nice, you're not alone. You're not alone.
Chris Moulinier:
That's why. So...
Jeremy Lesniak:
By the way, that new Chris Pratt movie that came outt, Tomorrow War.
Chris Moulinier:
Yeah.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Just don't.
Chris Moulinier:
Thank for the heads up. But you know, I can't stay away from any, any, any sci fi movies. In fact, sometimes the worst day are the better watch it anyway. You know, that would be a tough question. I guess. The questions would be from the future about mark.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Hey, everybody, I managed to get Chris back. We had some internet stuff, but he's back and it'll sound a little bit different. But that's okay. It's not bad. And we're going to do our best to edit this stuff together. So hopefully, you get to this point and say, “Jeremy, I had no idea what's going on”. And I've actually ruined it by being [00:54-21-00:54:22]. But what I ask you to do now, Chris, if you wouldn't mind is to continue or really to restart you know, I had laid things out with this theoretical sci fi scenario. So, take it from the top, what would you now ask future you about martial arts?
Chris Moulinier:
So, I am saying that I would first ask myself, you know, what kept you still going? Where was the drive and what was the things that helped you keep the flame burning and that was saying that, you know, the flame and passion in my martial arts is so intense with me, and it's just ingrained in me. But it's always interesting because as the years go on, what drives us and what our passion is, I find that it changes. And I would want to kind of know where that road goes, where that journey goes, what are the things that keep driving me, so that would be kind of getting that insider tip about, okay, these are the things that are going to happen. And these are the things that you're going to gravitate towards. And these are the things that kind of keep you with that mindset about what's happening in martial arts and what keeps you, you know, waking up day after day with that same passion.
And that would be question number one. Because is it teaching? Is it more training? Is it travel? Those would be the things I would ask, you know, because going to see seminars, travel to different places and meet new people and do different things. That kind of like helps keep the flame alive, in my opinion, or for me, the next question I would definitely ask is like where does Martial Art go in the future? That's the sound Belle movie like, but where's the direction goes? How does martial arts keep evolving? Because it really just in the time period that I've been involved that I've seen a revolution and an evolution of the martial arts. And I would ask my future self as like, where does it go? What keeps happening? What is the what is the future of martial arts become?
And that would be another question I've asked because I really, I've enjoyed watching the way martial arts has evolved in a lot of ways and as a traditional martial artist in many respects, I also love the elements of you know, come up over the over the last 25 years, particularly, you know, mixed martial arts in particular, and seeing its evolution and watching the way it's progressed and also the practical you know, practical self-defense element of practical you know, karate in the practical, self-defense oriented martial arts, like Krav Maga and different elements of that scene, that particular part of it play out and just seeing where it goes in the future. That'd be another question. I would love to ask my future self-awareness evolve. Are we using laser swords? Please tell me that we get to the point that we have lightsabers.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Nice.
Chris Moulinier:
So that would be another question to ask my future self like being mainly kid I was like either I'm going to get Gemini or you know, I live in Jeddah would be definitely the number one. So please tell me that you know, we learn to use the forest and lightsabers become a real thing. That's how I...
Jeremy Lesniak:
Just as an aside, have you ever played with a lightsaber and used it as a sword?
Chris Moulinier:
You know, I would never admit it hasn't yet happened.
Jeremy Lesniak:
You haven’t? Then you're missing out. I don't think there's anything to be embarrassed about there. I think in fact it for anyone who hasn't, it's a missed opportunity.
Chris Moulinier:
Yeah, you know, we do certain stuff with my son. I got him involved in in Star Wars. I was like I have to pass this floor but the story of Star Wars, the whole thing and I made him watch everything and of course, you know, we got the lightsabers and we get out there and when he was younger, we go out with each other so yes, yes. Jeremy, you caught me. I have definitely.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Nice. There are people laughing and I guarantee you.
Chris Moulinier:
There are people who are definitely go see this guy right here.
Jeremy Lesniak:
What if they want to contact you? Your social media website, email, anything like that, that you should share?
Chris Moulinier:
Yeah, you can check out the school, check out ourdojo, balancemartialarts.com. That's we're in the [00:59:36-00:59:37]. And you know, we are family run business and family dojo and yeah, we'd love for you to check it out. And in the same respect, you know, we've got a YouTube channel. We've got you know, we've got social media, all of that good stuff. And you know, if anything, I'm sharing it love just make sure that everyone definitely listening, you know, you definitely share this podcast, it's phenomenal. I was not aware of it, and I'm new to it, but everyone I've heard is just gets better and better. And I'm really, anybody that's listening, please, please, you know, go to the previous episode, previous episodes. And check it out guys, it's worth it the job that Andrew and Jeremy are doing here and everyone else on the team there, it's phenomenal. So, I just really appreciate the opportunity to be here and be able to share a little bit of my story and be here with you guys. And definitely, highly recommend anyone that's listening. Check it out. Because it's really a lot of information, a lot of good stuff really gets your mind thinking and also at the same time getting to connect with others and Martial artists.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Thank you, I really appreciate that kind of testimonial, and it was super kind, we're really lucky to get to do what we do, I am completely blessed that, you know, somehow, I'm the one on the microphone that gets to talk to the guests. And it's great, I get to call this work. You know, it's pretty cool. Pretty cool stuff. Well, we're going to put all you know, you mentioned your website, we're going to drop that stuff in the show notes. If anybody's new, and you skip the intros, whistlekickmartialartsradio.com. So, you can go over there, check that out. There'll be a transcript up in a few weeks and everything. But it's time to fade out here. And so, I've got one more thing you know, you as the guests get to choose how we fade out. Usually that's final words or parting thoughts or wisdom or whatever, you know, you shared some awesome stuff today. So, what would you like your last words to the audience on this episode to be?
Chris Moulinier:
Well, I guess my last words to anyone listening to do. Martial Arts is so many different things, there's so many different people. And I really encourage you wherever you are in your training, whether you're starting, whether you're been training for a while, or you've been training for a long time. Keep pushing forward, keep finding that the passion and the drive that keeps you going. And even when you have that moment, which we all do when we have a little bit less or if you're in the beginning stages, especially you have those days when you don't feel like going to train and or you want to quit dig deep down inside of yourself. Find the one that thing that will help you push forward and go to that training session. Because I promise you the training session that you don't go to is the one that you're going to miss the most. And as you keep journeying in martial arts, as you keep training, as we keep growing, continue to keep a beginner's mindset, always keep your mind open to the newest things. And also hold on to the things that are the old traditions and the past as well too. But keep that open mindset and keep that open ability to communicate with others and continue to make martial arts a positive outlet for so many different people and connect with as many people as possible and share your passion with martial arts to the community into the worldwide network of martial artists and to everyone that you meet because, again, martial arts really does connect us and bind us together. And there's so many good lessons that can be learned. That would be my advice to everyone listening, and also to make new friends in martial arts which I've definitely made new friends today and I really appreciate it.
Jeremy Lesniak:
And there you go. If you listen to the intro, you know what I said was true. Wonderful episode, wonderful conversation and some dynamic shifts as we went through the conversation. He was there for, he was ready. Thank you, Chris. I appreciate you coming on the show. Thanks for your time. Let's talk again soon. Listeners, fans of the show, too weird word for me to say but it's true there. Those of you out there who are fans means a lot to me that you are. Go to whistlekickmartialartsradio.com. Go check out the photos and the links and all the other stuff sign up for the newsletter. Tell people about what we're doing. Tell them about the mission. This path that we're all on together as martial artists. Remember if you want to support us, you got tons of ways to do it. Anything that seems like it's helpful would be valued. But a quick view, leave a reviewm buy something at whistlekick.com. Check out the Patreon patreon.com slash whistle kick. And don't forget we designed this really cool speed development program. If you are a martial artist and you probably are and you would like to be faster and you probably do go to whistlekickprograms.com, check it out. You have guest suggestions, topic suggestions, feedback, did we get something wrong? Let us know jeremy@whistlekick.com and our social media which you should be following @whistlekick everywhere. Until next time, train hard, smile and have a great day.