Fighting and Training The Science of Shin Conditioning: A Fighter’s Guide to Bone Adaptation Posted on August 29, 2025August 19, 2025 By Angela Chang If you’ve spent any time in a Muay Thai gym or scrolling through social media and fight forums, you’ve probably seen people smashing their shins with bottles, rolling pins, or even kicking trees in the name of “shin conditioning.” The idea is that you need to actively toughen your bones and deaden your nerves if you want to be able to kick hard and block kicks without breaking down. This is especially common among beginners. When their shins hurt from kicking bags, pads, or sparring, they might think the pain comes from having “weak shins,” leading them to believe that they need to actively make their bones tougher and their nerves less sensitive to improve. Read more
Fighting and Training Signs a Gym is Actually Women-Friendly (And Why It’s More Complicated Than You Think) Posted on August 22, 2025August 9, 2025 By Angela Chang One of the most common questions I get is: “Do you know any women-friendly Muay Thai gyms?” I wish the answer was as easy as handing you a list. But here’s the truth: what makes a gym “women-friendly” isn’t as simple as having a few women on the mat.It’s one of the most basic and understandably asked questions. It comes from those completely new and wanting to start their Muay Thai journey, as well as from seasoned practitioners looking for a change in environment but unsure of what to look for before forking over high monthly training fees. Yet, it’s also a question that’s deeply nuanced and difficult to answer. In this article, I’ll break down why the question is so complex, what you should really be looking for, and then give you a starting checklist you can use when evaluating a gym. Read more
Fighting and Training What Supporting a Muay Thai Fighter Really Looks Like (and What It Doesn’t) Posted on August 15, 2025July 22, 2025 By Angela Chang There’s a lot of talk in the Muay Thai community about toughness, perseverance, and discipline. But there isn’t nearly enough conversation about support.Fighters are often seen as lone wolves, pushing through training camps and tough fights with nothing but grit and the occasional bloody nose. But behind every fighter who stays in this sport long-term, there’s usually some form of support helping them hold it together.This support isn’t always loud or flashy. It doesn’t need to be financial or public. But it is felt. And when it’s absent, it’s just as noticable.So what does real support look like for a Muay Thai fighter? And what doesn’t? Read more
Muay Thai 3 Game-Changing Shifts That Transformed My Muay Thai Career WITHOUT Sacrificing My Health Posted on August 8, 2025August 9, 2025 By Angela Chang After over a decade in the sport, I realized that elite training isn’t everything. These three shifts helped me unlock performance, peace of mind, and longevity as a fighter. This is a deeply personal article where I unpack things that were previously too painful to talk about. Read more
Gym Reviews Kem MuayThai Gym [2025 UPDATED GYM REVIEW] Posted on August 6, 2025August 6, 2025 By Megan McNelis Choosing a gym in Thailand can be an overwhelming undertaking, and so I fully understand how important it is to have the opportunity to read an unbiased review of each camp you may be considering. I regret to inform you that this…well… is not that (although I have done my best to do so!). It has been four months now. I haven’t left, nor do I plan to. So while I will be as accurate as possible in telling you my experience, I have to warn you that I’m smitten. I’ve got it bad for Kem Muay Thai. Read more
Fighting and Training Are You Too Old for Muay Thai? Let’s Talk About Age, Expectations, and What Really Matters Posted on August 1, 2025July 19, 2025 By Angela Chang One of the most common questions people wonder: “Am I too old to start Muay Thai?” Or “Is it too late to compete?” If you’re asking that, you’re not alone. Read more