Lanky
founder & head instructor
Lanky is a highly skilled martial artist with 37 years of experience. His journey began at the age of 6 under the guidance of his late father, Grand Master Frank Nhlabani, whose legacy and teachings remain the foundation of his approach today.
By the age of 12, Lanky had earned his Black Belt in Ninjitsu, going on to expand his expertise across multiple disciplines including Boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling and MMA, with both amateur and professional fight experience.
With qualifications in Personal Training, Sports Science and Nutrition, Lanky combines decades of experience with professional coaching to deliver effective and practical training.
Lanky brings powerful energy to every session, combining creativity, intensity and passion. His coaching is dynamic and engaging, keeping clients motivated, focused and progressing.
He has spent over 15 years working as both a personal trainer and group instructor, helping individuals build strength, confidence and resilience.
Mandy
co-director & instructor
Mandy has 12 years experience in nutrition coaching and is deeply passionate about transformation. She specialises in sustainable fat loss and diabetes support management, helping clients build healthier habits through personalised nutrition strategies, including diabetic-specific meal plans.
Her journey into self-defence instructing was shaped by her own experiences with trauma, anxiety and depression. Through navigating these challenges, Mandy developed a strong understanding of emotional resilience and the importance of creating lasting internal change.
This led her to expand her work beyond nutrition, where she now also supports clients through her emotional regulation course, helping them break unhealthy patterns and regain control over their lives.
Mandy has been training in martial arts for 5 years under Lanky's mentorship, reaching an advanced level through consistent, hands-on experience. This has added a powerful layer to her work, allowing her to help others build not only physical strength, but confidence and personal safety awareness.
Today, Mandy combines nutrition, emotional resilience and self-defence to help individuals create lasting transformation - Physically, mentally and emotionally.
Our
Story
FSD Combat was founded by Lanky in 2010, where he built the company through years of hands-on training and coaching. The business came to a sudden halt during the pandemic and remained dormant for a couple years.
Lanky and Mandy have been friends for over 30 years. After Mandy moved back to Johannesburg and organised their 20-year school reunion, her leadership and drive made a lasting impression.
With her background in nutrition and fitness, it was a natural decision for Lanky to invite her to become a partner and help rebuild FSD Combat - Stronger and better together.
Today, they combine their expertise to empower people with the confidence, strength and skills to take control of their lives, while building a healthier and happier way of living.