You've Changed

Chin angled down.

Shoulders slightly raised.

Controlled footsteps and a pendulum-like rhythm moving in tandem with the upper body. Not as obvious as a cauliflower ear, but yep, he probably knows how to fight.

You’ve Changed, Bro

So last week we discussed my origin story: how watching Bloodsport had been the ‘ah-hah’ moment which prompted a decision to learn to fight.

But this week I wanted to talk about how it actually changed me after starting, and honestly, you may never have guessed the weird manifestations that come with learning martial arts.

Let’s Get Physical

Yes, there’s the obvious stuff. Since starting martial arts I’ve been skinny, muscly, lean, bulky, athletic and (thanks COVID) fat.

I remember days as a teenager endlessly googling “ways to get a six pack in 1 week, 3 days, 1 day’. Trying to work out the aesthetix rubix cube of not only being healthy, but more importantly (at the time), looking muscly and shredded in one.

But now I know how to get what I want. How to manipulate my diet, routine and environment to transform my body into whatever shape I decide.

The only factor that really matters is time because once I set a physical goal, it will happen, I just need to be patient.

And that’s down to Muay Thai. We work so hard that the average person’s goals of losing weight or growing muscles happen by osmosis.

But it’s not just about me and my body.

A few months in, I noticed that I began to spot how people held themselves in ordinary situations.

How someone shifted their weight when walking down the street, or how their body language changed as emotions got involved and fights became likely.

I could start to predict who could fight or when fights were on the horizon, before a person was even within my space.

It was like I had studied poker and could suddenly see micro-expressions in my daily life, except this involved potentially being punched in the mouth.

Anyone who’s done some (decent) self defence will tell you that fighting is a last resort.

From the time you can spot someone, opportunities to avoid conflict are passing by - but you need the eyes to spot them. And somehow, just being at training made my vision much sharper

Picking up skills or hobbies became a lot easier because you learn so much in Muay Thai. The act of breaking down a combination, isolating it into steps and then translating that into your body is basically a cheat code for most physical skills.

- Yoga? Practicing trying to kick people in the head regularly did wonders for flexibility.

- Dancing? Rhythm, timing and footwork… sounds kinda familiar.

- Scuba? Mastering your breathing to control your body and staying calm under pressure - I was literally the fastest learner the instructor had ever seen.

Those are JUST some of the physical changes I noticed.

More than just bathing in Muay Thai oil every night, right?

I’ll talk about some of the mental changes next week.

3 Excuses to AVOID in Muay Thai

In life, we all have our goals.

But when it comes to chasing them, what often stands in our way? We do. We stand in our own way and build up an invisible wall of excuses.

Yes, EXCUSES. They are cleverly designed to make it feel like you still can achieve your goals, whilst being the exact tool holding us back from achieving those goals.

Every time we mould excuse, we add another brick to that invisible wall. And before you know it, you’ve sealed yourself off from another goal.

Here are 3 of the most common excuses:

1. "I'm out of shape"

DUH! Why do you start training in the first place? To get in shape!

If you needed a new job, would it make sense to say “I’m so broke”? No! You need that job to get that bread.

It doesn't matter if you're starting from zero. Everyone started from their own zero. Muay Thai is for everyone.

Your cardio, strength, and stamina will improve over time. Take it one day, one session, one round, one strike and one breath at a time.

Start now, get fit as you go! That same principle applies in life - start now, get perfect later.

2. "I don't have time!"

Ah yes, the classic. We get it, life is hectic. But you need to decide what you want from it.

Chances are, you have time, training is just not high enough on that list of priorities.

Start with small goals - try a 5 minute jog. Try 1 session a week. Build from there: 1 hour is 4% of a day and 0.6% of a week.

You don't need to train like a pro fighter. An hour a week is better than no hours a week.

It's not about finding time, it's about making time.

You make time for what matters - and does Muay Thai matter?

_{(Yes, yes, it does. If you disagree, send me a reply and will personally email you with a free Sok Tong)}

3. “I’m too old and I will just get left behind!”

Did you know that according to official Muay Thai rules you have to be 25 or younger to throw a punch, knee, or kick?

Did you also know that I just lied to you?

Again, Muay Thai is for everyone. There are Nak Muay’s from all backgrounds, cultures and ages.

When I trained at Evolve MMA in Singapore, there was an Uncle training 3x a day in between seeing his grandkids!

I’ve seen 60 year olds who I know could tear me apart, no question. You are never too old. It’s about the journey and the art.

Excuses are dangerous - they are the sweetest lies to yourself.

Yes, Muay Thai is tough and there are days I would rather stay in bed than get up and be teeped and swept, but don’t think, just start.

I have never regretted going to a session, but I have definitely regretted skipping sessions.

You are not excused

There is no perfect time, it doesn't matter where you are, how your day went, if you’re in shape or not; just start.

Your only goal is to be a better version of yourself. As James Clear said:

You don’t want to look at this day one month from now and wish that you just started instead of scrolling on your phone non-stop.

So, what’s your excuse?

Message me on instagram, @thaiboxing_and_travel, if you’ve got more excuses!

_{(and don’t use that as an excuse. In fact, go shadowbox instead. Now.)}

Community Update

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

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

TNT BABY 🧨