Although I had studied fighting arts for a number of years and was lucky enough to travel while giving seminars, and in that process meet many "Martial Artists" from numerous styles, I had never met anyone with the "energy" of this man. I use the term "energy" in a broadbrush new age way, which is not typical of me, but fits in this instance. The "energy" he exudes,  his balance, compassion, understanding of life both martial and otherwise, his martial ability, all this and more, represents  the true heart of a warrior.

     I was lucky enough to meet "Uncle" Willem de Thouars in Denver while I was there giving a seminar on Sayoc Kali a Filipino blade fighting art, Uncle showed up at the seminar, watched  and afterwards, we were introduced.

    Almost immediately I felt the energy of his personality and over the next few hours that we spoke I was in awe, captivated by his knowledge and understanding. This is not common for me, I was, and still am cynical of most martial artists and I am not easily impressed. I grew up wrestling and streetfighting, bouncing in the toughest bars I could find and always ready to step up to the guy bragging to everyone he's a 9th degree black belt, I was never a good follower.

     But the more I got to know Uncle and study with him over the years, the more I knew he was the real deal, a warrior who fought the battles and lived to pass the knowledge on to the younger warriors.

     There are many ways Uncle impresses me, and one is his balance within the arts and his realistic approach to the study of fighting. He never says "my way is the only way," he says " this  is just one of the ways."  Whereas, many teachers get upset if their students look into other styles, Uncle encourages it, and never asks me to give up any of the other styles that I train in. As Uncle says "nothing is pure in the middle of the fight, when the pain comes, your going to use whatever works."

     His own study over the years is a testament to this philosophy, having studied many styles of Silat and KunTao as well as fencing, boxing, grappling, etc., he is a human encyclopedia of "what works."

     I consider myself very lucky to receive guidance from this 
WarriorSage, Willem de Thouars.

Tom Kier