The Purpose of Humility In Muay Thai (Aside from Not Being an Assh*le) Posted on July 16, 2023March 26, 2023 By Angela Chang Muay Thai requires not only physical prowess but also mental strength. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of victories and the adoration of fans. But believing that you’re on top of the food chain and will always stay there is a dangerous mindset. Complacency can quickly turn into downfall. Humility is important in Muay Thai and staying grounded is essential for continued growth.Please support the continuation of content on Muay Ying via PatreonStaying Humble Keeps You HungryOne of the biggest dangers of becoming too comfortable with wher eyou are is losing the hunger that drives you to train and improve. When you start to believe that you’re untouchable, you may stop pushing yourself as hard as you could. You may even become overconfident, which can lead to sloppy technique, lack of focus, and ultimately, losses.Photo by Jonathan TomasKeeping this in mind helps you stay humble and focused on your own growth. Remember that drive you had when you first started? How you couldn’t wait to get back to the gym to work on those new techniques, how you were so excited to learn and improve every session? That is the mindset you want to stick to – not “I’m too good to work on basics now.” Humility helps you stay focused, disciplined, and motivated to continue putting in the hard work that got you to where you are.Someone Out There is Always Working HarderThere is always someone out there who is more hungry than you and is putting that into action. No matter how good you are, there is always room for improvement. There is always someone who is faster, stronger, more technical, or more experienced than you. This constant change and need for improvement is what draws so many people to fighting!Keeping this in mind helps focused on your own growth. It reminds you that there is always more to learn and that you should never stop striving to improve yourself. Continue working hard so you can close the gap between where you are and where you want to be.Photo by dylan nolteEgo Can Hold You BackEgo can hold you back from reaching your full potential. When you start to believe that you’re better than everyone else, you stop listening to feedback and start believing you dont’ have weaknesses. This can lead to a plateau in your progress, as you stop working on your weaknesses and only focus on your strengths.Staying humble, on the other hand, allows you to embrace feedback and acknowledge your weaknesses. It helps you stay open-minded and willing to learn from others, even those who may be less experienced than you. This openness can help you continue to improve and reach your full potential.Humility is essential in Muay Thai. It keeps you hungry, reminds you that there is always someone out there working harder, and prevents your ego from holding you back. Remember that there is always room for improvement and that you should never stop striving to be the best fighter you can be. Keep working hard, stay humble, and always be open to learning from others.TLDR: Stay grounded for continuous growth. Stay humble. Stay hungry.PS- Check out this interesting interview with Tony Myer: If you want an in-depth guide to training in Thailand, I’ve got just the thing. Fighting and Training Muay Thai humblehumilitymuay thai
Muay Thai COVID-19’s Impact on Muay Thai in Thailand (As of April 22, 2020) Posted on March 17, 2020April 21, 2020It’s a scary and daunting time right now for everyone inhabiting this planet. People are getting infected at an alarming rate all over the world, and things are shutting down. Businesses have either limited their hours or are closed for the time being. Companies have started to tell their employees… Read More
Muay Thai Respect and Values in Muay Thai Training Posted on November 3, 2024November 1, 2024Muay Thai is more than a martial art—it’s a deep part of Thailand’s history and culture. And the opposite is true: Thai culture is a huge part of Muay Thai, carrying values and traditions that go beyond physical techniques. Read More
Muay Thai Fighter Spotlight: Yodcherry Sityodtong Gives a Glimpse into What It’s Like to be a Thai Fighter Posted on May 26, 2021May 26, 2021This reflective post by @Yodcherry Sityodtong gives great insight on what it’s like to be raised as a Thai fighter.Yodcherry wrote this post after finding some photos of her as a child. She recalled how she and her father lived in a very small rented room together and struggled to have enough food. Her family sold second-hand shoes and CDs at a market for a living. Read More