The Muay Thai gym culture that makes you feel at home

“Mate, ya looking a bit sweaty there!” A fellow fighter laughed at me after a 3hr training session, and my last one before fight day! I smiled and replied “not sweating, just glowing!” which I kinda was. After a 10km run, 2 sessions and 5hrs of training, I looked super chuffed with life. I felt like crying numerous times throughout, but I’d had so much fun learning new tricks and training with everyone. The endorphins were real.

This sweaty, stinky, seemingly alpha-male environment makes me feel at home. Even though the floor is slippery from everyone’s sweat, so I don’t know who’s sweat I’m lathered in. I feel at home because at the gym, there is zero judgment about where you come from, what you do for a living, whether you’re a guy or a girl, gay or straight, big or small. It brings so many people from different backgrounds, beliefs, and values together, who share one thing in common: a passion for Muay Thai.

Muay Thai gyms have always allowed me to go past my university circle of friends, and get to know people I otherwise would never cross paths with. This week I’ve made mates all from around the world. My pre-fight week training crew consisted of one construction worker from Hong Kong on a ‘fitness’ holiday; one massive Aussie expat who runs a “Aussie Burger” food truck and is a well-known heavyweight fighter in Chiang Mai; one Scottish lad who fights regularly and who’s travelled the world before finally settling in Chiang Mai; and an 18yr old local Thai fighter with over 50 pro fights. It’s super wicked hearing all their life stories, how they got into Muay Thai, and how some of them quit their corporate jobs for a more relaxed lifestyle in Thailand.

Then there’s me, the only girl, the only one without a tattoo, and the smallest and least ripped by far. (I feel ashamed looking at everyone’s six-packs.) I’ve run 10km with my team everyday, been punched to the face by them countless times a day, and been throwing on the ground and brought back on my feet. They’re always looking out for me, volunteering to hold pads for extra kicks, and coming for extra runs and doing extra sit-ups with me in preparation for my fight. When I thanked them for going the extra mile for me, one of them just said “well, it’s a team sport.” What I love about it is that they’re the most unlikely bunch of people, who I would have never crossed paths if it wasn’t for Muay Thai.

(The Thai boy I train with – hella skilled!)

I’ve never felt disadvantaged, looked down on or left out being a lightweight girl here in Thailand. One of the guys actually said “I hate seeing girls do ‘girls pushups.’ There’s no reason why a girl can’t do normal push-ups. What a f*cking excuse eh.” I quickly raised my knees off the ground as we were going in for 50 push-ups. I was about to say something but on second thought, I realised it was actually quite nice that he wasn’t treating guys and girls differently. There’s this killer drill where your partner punches your stomach as you do 100 sit-ups. They punch my stomach equally as hard as they would to each other, and I always feel like I could crack soon and cry. Still, I appreciate that I don’t get special treatment.

(The Aussie guy I train with – don’t wanna be behind those knees!) 

So anyways. This week has been an unpredictable obstacle course, with many ups, downs, tumbles, tears, bruises and countless plates of khao man gai (chicken on rice) and equally as many laughs. I’ve been tripped and thrown onto the floor countless times, been demoralised and pushed past my breaking point. I’ve learnt the hard way from seeing the floor so many times.

This week has toughened me up both physically and mentally. I realised I had become so accustomed to making excuses – why I shouldn’t get off the floor, how I’d benefit from a sleep-in, and “oh but I’m hungry so I should go home” which is my most used line. None of it works here, and it’s made me that much stronger.

I’ve been carried home by my team mates on the back of their motorcycle since I couldn’t walk a few times, and legit woken up feeling like I had 20 dumbbell bars on top of me I had to push off before I can get out of bed. I’ve cried in the shower feeling sorry for myself as I washed cuts and wounds in my legs and feet, and whined by myself as I iced my knee in between trainings. And somehow, in between all the whining and the tears, I will still happily call this a bloody awesome week. Literally quite bloody, and SO AWESOME.

I could have spent my last few weeks in Thailand chillin’ on the beach, going to full moon parties and getting absolutely trolleyed as most 20yr olds would if they were on holiday in Thailand. Instead, I’m dedicating my last two work-free weeks to do one of the most challenging things I’ve done in my life. So even if I lose, I can keep my head up high and say that I’ve fought a Muay Thai fight in the land of Muay Thai, against a very experienced local fighter. Take that bitches!$$$$$$

Today is Thursday, and I’ve had my last training session before the big day on Saturday. (Woohoo! Sleep in tomorrow!) I’m getting hella nervous, but equally excited. Just as much as I fear a sharp elbow will cut open my face, I’m thrilled to use some of the new, groovy moves and combos I’ve learnt this week. Tomorrow I’ll do some light shadow-boxing, get a nice long massage (hehe) and maybe go for a dip and watch a movie. And come Saturday, it’s GAME ON!

Wish me luck. I’ll be starting a public fundraiser if I have to get plastic surgery afterwards so keep an eye out for updates and let’s hope that I make it out alive! xxx

Oh and PS: DID I MENTION THERE’S PUPPIES EVERYWHERE?? Here’s a cute pic of the pups I always play with on the way to training, because I know it would brighten up everyone’s day. Enjoy ❤

Oh and PPS: just to make you feel even better about yourself, this is how shit I look atm. After 7 days of running 10km, and 5hrs of pads, bags, sparring and clinching a day, I’m ready for bed and in serious need of a new face and legs. Lataz.