Podcast Episodes

In this honest and heartfelt episode, host Angela Chang is joined by Dan Ferrer to discuss into the intersection of mental health and Muay Thai. As fighters and coaches themselves with more than a decade of experience each in Muay Thai, they share how the sport helped both of them navigate difficult chapters in life, and when it was necessary to get the appropriate help. Dan opens up about struggling with depression, recovering from injury, and finding strength in community, coaching, and therapy. Together, they explore how fighters (and non-fighters) can better care for their mental well-being while staying engaged with a sport they love. Whether you're a fighter, coach, or someone who just loves Muay Thai, this episode offers a candid reminder: you are more than the gym.Show notes:Follow Dan's journey and contact via:instagram.com/_danferrer_linkedin.com/in/danfnyc/Trauma-informed coaching resources:Off the Zone: Trauma-informed teaching for martial art instructors and athletes. Currently 3 online courses are available. https://www.off-the-zone.com/Conscious Combat Club: “By teaching combat in a conscious way, guided by trauma-informed principles, we aim to help people expand their window of tolerance.” Online and in-person training and a course available for coaches. https://www.consciouscombat.club/———-If you'd like to more high-quality content, please consider supporting Muay Ying through Patreon. Any amount is appreciated and it will go towards my efforts to run all the platforms Muay Ying is on, as well as create content for each of them. http://patreon.com/muayyingYou can also find us: instagram.com/muay.ying  muay-ying.comYou can find the host (Angela) via instagram.com/angela.muaythai or angelamuaythai.comIntro/Outro music by Maki of the Moon

Host Angela Chang is joined by nutrition and fitness coach Parastoo Badie (P2) to discuss the pervasive issue of disordered eating in sports. Drawing from their accumulative experiences in combat sports, rugby, and bodybuilding, they examine the distinction between clinically diagnosed eating disorders and widespread disordered eating behaviors, highlighting how the search for personal control often drives unhealthy habits. The conversation breaks down common gym culture red flags, such as unguided weight cuts, casual comments about body composition, ignored missing menstrual cycles, and post-fight crash cycles. They also address orthorexia, the damage of labeling foods as strictly "good" or "bad," and how athletes can shift their mindset to view metrics like scale weight as neutral data rather than moral failures. Finally, they share concrete ways athletes can advocate for themselves, model healthy fueling behaviors on the mats, and choose environments aligned with their well-being.Links & Resources:Online holistic coaching for athletes: https://parastoobadie.com/level-up-methodFind P2 on Instagram via instagram.com/parastoobadieP2's Youtube channel: https://youtube.com/@parastoobadie.Referenced Instagram Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DamDb00DolrA Slice of Humble Pie with P2 (Podcast): https://parastoobadie.com/podcast/———-If you'd like to more high-quality content, please consider supporting Muay Ying through Patreon. Any amount is appreciated and it will go towards my efforts to run all the platforms Muay Ying is on, as well as create content for each of them. http://patreon.com/muayyingYou can also find us: instagram.com/muay.ying  muay-ying.comYou can find the host (Angela) via instagram.com/angela.muaythai or angelamuaythai.comIntro/Outro music by Maki of the Moon