Life lessons more real than drama! “Offroad Kantaporn Jindataweepol” Opening up through WOODY TALK A childhood full of hardship—his family went bankrupt, he walked selling 10 kilos of fermented pork, once had no money to buy food, was scorned by relatives, all of which forged his determination to persevere and change his life to become who he is today. He also shares the background of his five-year bond with “Tah Wu,” where their differences complement each other.
How has your life been so far?
"I've learned and grown a lot. I wasn’t originally in the entertainment industry; I’m quite introverted and studied finance academically. I never knew about singing or dancing, but now I’m in this industry, doing singing, dancing, and acting. It’s like a new world, starting from scratch, learning a whole new life. It’s been quite tough and demanding."
Between being an introvert and extrovert, which do you consider yourself?
"I am an introvert."
Between logic and emotion?
"Logic."
You’re a grounded person who values important data?
"I like the concept of Compound Interest. That’s why I chose to study finance, because a person’s life can be changed by Compound Interest. If you want to be wealthy, you want to know how to reach that path."
What is Compound Interest, and why should we understand it to improve our lives?
"It’s like playing a game. Suppose you have 100 baht and earn 2% interest, that’s 2 baht, making 102 baht today. Next year, the same 2% applies to 102 baht, making about 104, then 106, 108 baht, and so on. That’s basic Compound Interest."
What happens if we don’t study or understand this?
"It’s scary. Inflation will eat away your money. You’ll become poorer without realizing it. For example, 20 years ago, a fried egg rice cost 20 baht; with 100 baht, you could buy 5 plates. Today, that 100 baht buys only 2 plates. If in the future, it buys only one or none, that’s terrifying. Even having one million baht doesn’t mean you’re rich if inflation erodes its value. Without investing and Compound Interest, the future looks very bleak."
What financial issue worries you most in Thai society today?
"I’m concerned about inequality, which is getting worse every day. The gap is widening. Data access varies—some get information faster or better than others. The distribution isn’t equal."
Leaving your comfort zone isn’t easy. Tell us about the first step where you dared to challenge yourself.
"I believe a good mindset improves life. To go beyond your past self, you must dare to act and overcome fear. I was very afraid because I’m a perfectionist and didn’t want to do something I wasn’t good at in front of many people—it felt embarrassing. But when you have to fight and no other choice, you become brave to try and face it. The reward makes it worthwhile. Doing business is risky and uncertain, but succeeding brings great fulfillment."
From someone once afraid to act, what sparked your gradual mindset change, and what steps did you take to gain such courage?
"It started with the people around me. Sometimes I was very scared and doubted myself, but others believed in me even when I didn’t. That belief led me to believe in myself too. I told myself 'I can do it.' But manifesting this isn’t just thinking—it requires practice. Every time I stepped on stage, I felt fear and questions. Over the past five years, I’ve faced many comparisons, especially since my partner is very talented. I’ve heard comments and felt bad, but I refocused: why compare myself to others? Why not compare myself to my past self? Have I improved? I believe consistent effort makes anyone better."
When you say living with reality, can you explain more?
"I’ve been told I can’t sing or dance well and compared to others in the industry, which felt bad. But I changed my perspective—I’m always learning and not a know-it-all. I believe if I keep going, I’ll improve without rushing or pressuring myself. For example, in HYROX competition, rushing is harmful. The first race took me 1 hour 20 minutes, and I had to train continuously. I love exercising at least three days a week. The preparation included running and increasing VO2 Max to about 58, which is above average. I’ve always enjoyed football and cardio training, doing high-intensity interval training and functional circuits, which are tough."
Hearing comparisons about your work or partner, what comment struck you hardest and made you pull yourself back to reality?
"Comments about my singing and dancing ability have been constant. I was once called a 'nerf' to my partner’s abilities, which I couldn’t tolerate. I’ve never asked anyone to diminish themselves for me; I always push myself to be on par with him—not to be as good, but to be good in my own way. It’s scary, yes, but I want to succeed."
How have you managed these issues over the past 2-3 years to stand strong and overcome them?
"First, I talk a lot with my partner. We don’t want these issues to linger, so we constantly check if either of us is comparing or feeling bad. If it’s there, we clear it out to understand and agree we won’t let it affect us. Comparisons exist in the entertainment industry, but I dislike devaluing others’ abilities, especially when it involves more than just the two of us. I can’t accept that, so I’ve shared that I never ask others to diminish themselves for me."
Standing next to someone like Tah Wu whose voice sounds heavenly—did it feel like standing beside Mariah Carey? How did you feel, and what did you discuss when you openly talked about it?
"Everyone has their own charm. He told me that today, Offroad lacks something that he has, and I have something he doesn’t. It’s not just about ability but many factors. Ultimately, the charm of our partnership is about what makes us happy performing together. We don’t force each other to be a certain way—Offroad or Tah Wu—but we agree that being a happy duo on stage is what matters."
Looking back to day one, what clear changes have you both seen in each other?
"Many. At first, Tah Wu didn’t invest, but I pushed him to do so. Now that he invests and succeeds, I’m happy. It’s like absorbing traits. I used to be serious and stressed, focused only on goals. He’s more about enjoying the journey—like saving a million baht but allowing yourself some treats along the way. We’ve complemented each other over time."
When you see the other losing energy or confidence, how do you support and uplift them?
"What Tah Wu needs is hugs. He loves physical affection. When he has a bad day, a hug makes him feel better and less alone."
And when you’re out of energy, how does Tah Wu heal you?
"His way of healing is protection—making me feel he’s by my side when I feel lonely or judged. He says things like, ‘Try dancing or singing with me before judging others. Offroad can do it.’ He defends and praises me, always standing by me. That’s how I feel healed and I’m grateful."
When misunderstandings or disagreements arise, how do you resolve them to keep your relationship strong?
"We share activities we like, such as watching movies, exercising, or living simply. Recently, we went to Chiang Mai for social detox and to do merit-making and temple visits. I’m someone who disappears sometimes, and fans ask where I am on social media. I avoid my phone, answer calls slowly but still respond. They worry if something’s wrong."
How does disconnecting from the outside world help you hear your inner voice more clearly?
"It lets me talk to myself, review my chaotic life, and ask what my passion and goals are. Social detox happens when I feel overwhelmed and want to heal and protect my identity. Lately, I enjoy going alone to ice baths for two to three hours."
Being a support for hundreds or thousands, sometimes it’s pressure to care for everyone. As someone who deeply cares, how do you view and handle this challenge?
"I care about fans but focus on myself. You can’t please everyone; it’s hard to know what’s enough. I focus on whether I’m happy during a show. If I’m happy, that energy spreads. If I’m tired and don’t want to talk, people sense that too. At concerts, I focus on enjoying myself. When I was a guest at K-2O during Songkran, I was scared and excited, wondering if people would sing along. I sang ‘Closer’ and many did, which made me feel fulfilled."
Have you imagined yourself five years from now? How clear is your life path?
"I always see a clear picture. Time is limited; sometimes it feels like borrowing others’ time to achieve something. When I have more money, I want to invest in assets that generate cash flow. I’m passionate about having my own company. I’ve started selling banana chips. The hardest part of business is managing people. I’m just beginning. If this life chapter were named, it’d be 'Baby Boss.' I’ve never been a boss before—I’m learning and growing while managing my company. It feels like stepping into business after five years in entertainment."
Your positive mindset and accumulated energy—do you think you inherited this from your parents?
"I’ve seen a lot; it’s like a drama. I was born into a wealthy family, loved and happy, with close relatives. Then one day, the business failed, and we became dependent. Relatives got annoyed and disliked us. We had no money and were looked down upon. I was scorned by my own relatives, living in hardship from grade 4 to fourth year university—nearly ten years."
Do you remember the hardest day that still stays in your mind?
"I sold fermented pork and fried fish meat in foam boxes in Hat Yai, walking about 10 kilometers with my mother carrying my younger sibling. Holding the box, I’d ask, ‘Want some fermented pork?’ until I was tired. Sometimes people helped buy. I felt like a flower seller on the roadside, feeling pity. I was rejected, scorned by relatives who even left my grandmother with Alzheimer’s to be cared for by my mother, saying she brought disease. I was told, ‘You won’t get into university; your life is only this.’ I lived in hardship despite our family once helping them. This made me determined to someday provide the best for my family."
As a child rejected by others, what did you say to yourself to hold back tears?
"At first, I felt sad about being rejected, but over time I accepted it. I told myself to keep going; eventually, someone will buy. I learned that if you sell to people who aren’t hungry, they won’t buy. So why not go where people are hungry? Like playing football or exercising hard, then selling there. It was real field experience. I understood life’s principles. At that time, my family couldn’t afford other food; sometimes leftover fermented pork was fried with eggs to eat. I didn’t want to waste it."
How did your whole family move past that difficult time?
"My mother and I often fought because she was fearful and conservative. I understood she was shaped by her experiences. She lived simply, making do with what little money she had, even if hungry. But I felt it wasn’t enough and had to find more. I believe opportunity is crucial and won’t stay put. She wanted me to study at Hat Yai University, but I felt my opportunities would be limited, so I borrowed student loans to study in Bangkok in finance. I was class president, active in events, and competed in finance contests to meet people."
How was your experience competing in HYROX?
"I enjoyed meeting people who love exercising like me. I’ve been a school athlete since I was young and very energetic. Exercise makes me very happy. I wanted to challenge myself to see how fast I could do it. That was my goal, but I didn’t want to pressure my partner Tah Wu; he trains differently. He runs ahead; I follow and carry more weight. We help each other. I got cramps around the third station; he had cramps at the second. Sled push and pull were challenging. It was my first HYROX competition, and I want to get better."
What word do you want people to think of when they hear Offroad’s name?
"Perseverance. I’ve never given up trying. I believe if you keep trying, you’ll improve. Some get discouraged and quit because they don’t succeed quickly. I can endure because I’m patient like a value investor—enduring now to be wealthy in the future. The same principle applies: I endure being looked down on now to prove myself later."
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