Lilburn Native's Fighting Spirit: Hanna Ra

Most people do not find pleasure in getting beat up for hours a day in blazing 100 degree weather and sticky jungle humidity. Hanna Ra is not most people.

Ra, a graduate of 2005, has spent the last year fighting around the world. She uses boxing and mixed martial arts training as a way to stay fit, find a spiritual connection, and keep her family close.

Ra started fight training in early 2010. She was always interested in the idea of fighting but it took her boyfriend’s encouragement to start. Ra’s boyfriend, Andy Schnadig, is a strength and conditioning coach who trains soccer moms, collegiate athletes, military personnel and professional MMA fighters. Schnadig has trained professionals currently fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Bellator, and Strike Force. With his expert knowledge, Ra was able to develop a fitness routine that included fight training such as boxing, Muay Thai, and kickboxing.

“I train for fitness, but I am very picky about my technique as well," Ra said of her training. "I want to make sure I train as hard as a fighter would. If I am going to invest my time and efforts in something I want to do it right.”

In April, Ra trained at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand, for four weeks. Tiger Muay Thai is one of several training camps teaching the techniques of traditional Muay Thai, a martial art often referred to as the “Art of Eight Limbs” because it involves eight points of contact, a pair of fists, legs, knees, and elbows.

Ra trained for hours in brutal conditions learning the fine points and technique involved in utilizing all eight points of contact. “We trained outside in the middle of the jungle in 100 degree weather with 98 percent humidity,” she said.

Muay Thai facilities in Thailand usually don't include air conditioning, internet or televisions in their lodging. Yet many fighters forgo the luxuries of training in the states for the bona fide hard training they find in Thailand.

Ra trained under Thailand’s Muay Thai national champion Watcharachai Keawsamrit, who has fought more than 250 fights. Ra and her trainer had to develop a way to communicate past his broken English. “He would make specific grunts, or loud breathing noises and I would know if that meant jab, cross, front leg kick, left knee, or spinning back fist,” Ra said.

“About two weeks in my trainer said ‘You train like man. You train like this at home and you can fight next time you come to Thailand.’ That was probably one of the best complements I ever got," Ra said.

Ra was able to experience a unique culture as she travelled in Thailand. Many fighters will tell you that there is a deep mental and even spiritual aspect to fighting. Kru Oh, a top level trainer and tattoo artist at Tiger Muay Thai is a strong believer in the spiritual aspect of fighting.

Oh is a teacher of Muay Thai reserved for those who are truly worthy. He is a Buddhist from a small tribe of people that lives a very simple way of life. He was raised in a small village with a pet tiger that he still visits from time to time in the jungle where the tiger was released.

Oh also tattoos the fighters using the traditional bamboo needle technique. He uses a piece of bamboo with a needle attached to it to puncture the skin gently. The tattoo serves as more than just body decoration, as the process involves a spiritual process. Ra herself received a special tattoo in this traditional manner.

Oh prayed as he tattooed Ra. She then took the stencil to the Wat Shalong temple and had them blessed by Buddhist monks. Ra was instructed to take the stencil, wrap it around a rock, and throw it into a lake so that no evil monks could cast spells on her tattoos.

Many fighters believe a balance between physical and mental training is needed to compete at the highest levels. They believe the body will not function properly without the mind being at peace.

Ra agreed, “You can have all the strength and technique but if your opponent has more mental strength and heart, you've already lost.”

Whether you are looking for spiritual or physical training, Ra believes that fight training is a great way for people to get fit, even if they never intend on getting in a ring and fighting.

“I would most definitely recommend boxing, MMA, Muay Thai or kick boxing for people who want to get in shape," said Ra. "You will see results. It is always different and you have to push yourself, it definitely isn’t for people who want the results without working hard. That’s what liposuction is for.”

Ra continued, “It is a way of life, you have to train hard everyday, be disciplined and dedicated. This isn't a team sport, you can have the best coaches, and sparring and training partners, but at the end of the day if you really want to fight. It's going to be you and one other person in the ring or cage.”

Ra finished, “I have never fought and don't know if I will ever compete, but I want to train like I will.”

Ra plans to go back to Thailand for more fight training in October. Whether she will take up her trainer's advice about fighting is a question that will undoubtedly be raised when she returns for training. Whatever the decision, Ra has the fighting spirit.

Ra’s weekly training schedule consists of:

• Strength training and conditioning several times a week including lifting weights, kettle bells, body weight exercises sometimes agility drills, kegs, push the prowler,
• Boxing with Coach Mike Robinson doing mitt work, working on technique, bag work, and shadow boxing.
• Boxing class with Rene "The Tecate Kid" Mendez for an hour and half, jump roping, foot work and head movement drills, mitt work and bag work.
• Muay Thai with UFC veteran Brodie Farber. Technique, sparring, mitt and pad work and conditioning.
• Yoga with Liz Hoffman.

Search Lilburn Patch for Martial Arts classes in the Lilburn Area.