I had decided.

The credits were rolling across the screen.

We were basking in that post movie lethargy after watching Bloodsport for the 20-something-th time and I turned to my Dad and said “I want to learn to fight”.

Who am I?

So, dear friend, since starting TNT I have had a few people asking me about my background - when I started Muay Thai, why I do it and who I have trained with.

Well, that was my origin story: Jean-Claude Van Damme had persuaded 15 year old Roosh to try martial arts.

I attended my first session and was suddenly transported back through my life - glimpses of cricket, rugby, even badminton - I had been searching all this time without knowing it, and nothing had fulfilled me until that first time in the gym.

I felt like I had reconnected with a part of myself which was always there, waiting to be fuelled, channelled and tested.

I started with kickboxing and MMA and frankly, that was all I looked forward to for 3 years since I hated my final years at school.

It wasn't until my first year of University that I was properly introduced to Muay Thai. I became good friends with a London-born Eritrean who loved to throw shadow knees and elbows wherever he went (as any true Nak Muay does).

We were both saturated with passion for martial arts and would train together, except, he was a ranked professional fighter and I had never done anything outside of sparring in class.

But, my passion-fuelled delusion (or vice versa) made me confident to go toe to toe with him and I slowly begun the journey of trying to adapt to the Muay Thai style.

Muay thai became my focus in training, but like the years before, training always took a backseat to University and work. I was very on and off: not training for months or years, then going back into it at full pace for a few months. Rinse and repeat.

Saying that, I was very lucky to train with some fantastic teachers and fighters in England, Thailand and Singapore.

My highlights included training under Greg Wootton as a MT beginner, training with Saenchai in Bangkok and then his trainer, Kru Manop in Chiang Mai, and living in Singapore and training at Evolve MMA under great names like Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke, Penek Sitnumnoi, Nong O Gaiyanghadao, Panpayak Jitmuangnon, Sagetdao Petpayathai and many more!

But you and I know that is just the start. After reaching a milestone in my career I decided to give some proper time to Muay Thai - while I’m still young and active and commitment free.

Since starting TNT I have trained with some legendary Muay Thai names like Liam Harrison, Chris Knowles, Jonathan Haggerty, Amber Kitchen, Panicos Yusuf, Paul Karpowicz and so many others.

That list is only going to grow and, yes, I am going to travel to other countries and return to Thailand. I can’t wait to discover more killer gyms with you. I’m super impatient to visit them all but equally want to savour every second of the journey!

What else would you like to know? Respond to this email or shoot me a DM on Instagram.

3 Tips for Choosing a Muay Thai Camp

Training in Thailand is something every single Nak Muay should try.

There are people who say that you can get the same level of training anywhere else - which may be true in part, you can get access to very high quality teaching, fighters and gyms outside of Thailand - but, what you can’t get is Thailand itself (duh!).

The culture, the weather, the stadiums, the festivals, the atmosphere, the food and smells and smiles and history. It all ties together into a holistic education. This is where Muay Thai was BORN.

So, here are 3 tips for choosing a Muay Thai camp (known as a Kai Muay = Boxing Gym) in Thailand:

• DON’T book in advance: Yes, it sounds strange and possibly scary to the well organised travellers on here.

  But, every camp is different and you need to get a feel for what suits you best. Sometimes the exact same gym can change completely in a few months - new trainers, new management, new branding or just a different season.

  Turn up, try a session or two and make a decision to extend from there.

• DO decide on the experience you want: Are you looking for a holiday with rest, socialising, and Muay Thai on the side? Or do you want the full Nak Muay fighting experience, running and training twice a day 6x a week?

  This is an important question to ask because the answer determines a lot. For example, the next tip.

• DO pick a location and eliminate options: Your answer to the above should help dictate this one but also think about the environment you want.

  A busy city? Bangkok or Pattaya are good starting points. Party island life? Koh Samui or Phuket are options. Peaceful countryside? Look in central Thailand or north of Chiang Mai.

What did you call me?

Here’s a list of some terms you’re likely to hear whilst doing Muay Thai which may be useful:

• Nak Muay - Boxer. As in, thaiboxer.

• Farang - Foreigner/non-thai. Generally used to describe westerners and generally not in an offensive way (but, as always, context matters)

• Kai Muay - Boxing gym.

• Kru - Teacher. From the Sanskrit word, ‘guru’.

• Ajarn - Also a teacher but similar to Master.

• Chok Dee - Good luck!

• Kap/Krub - Frequently used at the end of sentences to be polite (for males, females say Ka/Kap) , but it can also be an abbreviated way to say hello or thank you.

• Sawadee - Hello! You add Krub/Ka to the end if you’re male or female, respectively (e.g. Sawadee Krub).

• Wai - the gesture where you put your hands together similar to a Namaste. It symbolises respect.

Also, Muay Thai means Thai boxing - but being part of TNT, you already knew that, didn’t you?

Let’s meet here next week for more Muay Thai goodness. I hope the start of your week is blessed.

TNT BABY 🧨