Brandi Blanton (Hồng Đẹp Nhạn)
"Beautiful Eagle"
1981 -
Head Master of American TSN
In the male-dominated landscape of martial arts in the mid to late 1980s, Brandi stood out as one of the few female practitioners in her parents' school. Master Mike's philosophy of equal opportunity in learning meant that Brandi sparred against boys regularly, gaining valuable insights into combat dynamics between genders. As the school expanded, bringing in instructors in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, Brandi found inspiration in her mother, Sifu Tina Pulliam, and Sifu Patricia Clark, both formidable female black belts who commanded respect from male students.
Throughout her martial arts journey, Brandi internalized the principle of protecting the vulnerable, a lesson she put into practice as a kindergarten student when she defended herself and a friend from three older boys during a walk home from school. This early demonstration of courage and self-defense set the tone for Brandi's future endeavors.
Brandi's dedication to martial arts extended beyond personal development into competitive arenas, where she competed in numerous tournaments across Texas and contributed to the success of the school's tournament team, the Shaolin Warriors. Committed to academic excellence as well, Brandi tutored fellow students to ensure they met the team's academic requirements.
Relocating to Monroe, Louisiana, Brandi continued her martial arts education under her father's guidance, expanding her interests to include the healing aspects of martial arts, such as herbal medicine and physical healing techniques.
In college, Brandi confronted instances of male aggression, swiftly asserting her boundaries and demanding respect. Her experiences fueled her advocacy for women's safety and self-defense training, leading her to become a prominent figure in the Tay Son Nhan community, where she worked to preserve the integrity of the martial art and foster relationships with schools in Vietnam.
Brandi's expertise in close-quarters combat, particularly with knees and elbows, earned her recognition as a specialist in the field, sought after by Muay Thai fighters in Dallas for her expertise in generating maximum power with these techniques. Like every member of her family, she received her Tay Son Nhan name, Beautiful Eagle, from Grand Master Hong Nhan as an honor. While her official name is quite lengthy, she prefers to keep it private. It's worth noting that, as the saying goes, beauty can be deceiving, and while the eagle is a symbol of majesty, it's also a skilled predator.
Master Brandi Blanton's journey into the world of martial arts began in the nurturing environment of her parents' home, where Vice Grand Master Mike Pulliam and Sifu Tina Pulliam instilled in her a deep sense of self-defense from a young age. Raised amidst the backdrop of several attacks against women in Dallas, Texas, Master Mike ensured that both Sifu Tina and Master Brandi were proficient in self-defense techniques. Brandi's martial arts training commenced so early in her life that she cannot recall a time when she didn't know how to throw punches and kicks.
In the male-dominated landscape of martial arts in the mid to late 1980s, Brandi stood out as one of the few female practitioners in her parents' school. Master Mike's philosophy of equal opportunity in learning meant that Brandi sparred against boys regularly, gaining valuable insights into combat dynamics between genders. As the school expanded, bringing in instructors in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, Brandi found inspiration in her mother, Sifu Tina Pulliam, and Sifu Patricia Clark, both formidable female black belts who commanded respect from male students.
Throughout her martial arts journey, Brandi internalized the principle of protecting the vulnerable, a lesson she put into practice as a kindergarten student when she defended herself and a friend from three older boys during a walk home from school. This early demonstration of courage and self-defense set the tone for Brandi's future endeavors.
Brandi's dedication to martial arts extended beyond personal development into competitive arenas, where she competed in numerous tournaments across Texas and contributed to the success of the school's tournament team, the Shaolin Warriors. Committed to academic excellence as well, Brandi tutored fellow students to ensure they met the team's academic requirements.
Relocating to Monroe, Louisiana, Brandi continued her martial arts education under her father's guidance, expanding her interests to include the healing aspects of martial arts, such as herbal medicine and physical healing techniques.
In college, Brandi confronted instances of male aggression, swiftly asserting her boundaries and demanding respect. Her experiences fueled her advocacy for women's safety and self-defense training, leading her to become a prominent figure in the Tay Son Nhan community, where she worked to preserve the integrity of the martial art and foster relationships with schools in Vietnam.
Brandi's expertise in close-quarters combat, particularly with knees and elbows, earned her recognition as a specialist in the field, sought after by Muay Thai fighters in Dallas for her expertise in generating maximum power with these techniques. Like every member of her family, she received her Tay Son Nhan name, Beautiful Eagle, from Grand Master Hong Nhan as an honor. While her official name is quite lengthy, she prefers to keep it private. It's worth noting that, as the saying goes, beauty can be deceiving, and while the eagle is a symbol of majesty, it's also a skilled predator.
She remains steadfast in her commitment to empowering women through martial arts and ensuring that the "weak" are equipped to defend themselves against the strong. In her own words, "We are told that the strong must protect the weak, but what happens when the weak need protection from the strong? I will teach the 'weak' how to steal strength and fight back." - Head Master Brandi Blanton
Master Brandi Blanton is happily married to Dutchie Blanton, both of which are ULM alumni, with two bonus sons, Mason and Madox. Brandi and Dutchie split their time between West Monroe and Baton Rouge, dedicated to both of their careers and family time. They spend a significant amount of time at the ballpark watching their two boys play ball.
On July 6th, 2023, Master Brandi Blanton was conferred with the title of Head Master of American Tay Son Nhan. This prestigious recognition was bestowed upon her by Grand Master Hong Nhan, who journeyed from Vietnam to bestow this honor upon her. This significant accolade positions Head Master Brandi Blanton third in command, behind Grand Master Hong Nhan and Vice-Grand Master Mike Pulliam, marking her as the first female American to hold such a distinguished position within the Tay Son Nhan lineage, under the guidance of Grandmaster Hong Nhan, the fourth leader of the Tay Son Nhan tradition.