There’s an intricate relationship between managing life stress and training stress. In this episode, gain invaluable insights into how stress impacts your performance, both inside and outside the gym, from the unique perspective of a seasoned Muay Thai, and strength and conditioning coach. Join me as I decode the correlation between General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) and your body’s response to various stressors. Discover the significance of maintaining a balanced nervous system, swinging...

Welcome fellow enthusiasts and aspiring fighters. I’m here today to share my own story, one that I hope will resonate with many of you who have ever wondered, “Am I too old to pursue my passion for Muay Thai?” You see, I’ve asked myself that very question, and what I’ve learned along the way is that age is just a number; it doesn’t define your dreams. I started this competitive journey at the age of 30, with no Muay Thai fight experience, and faced doubts and obstacles along the way. But I...

The untold truth about resistance training in Muay Thai. Learn more about incorporating resistance training seamlessly into your training routine. Discover why traditional Thai trainers have been skeptical, and how you can strike a balance between these two worlds. Resistance training isn't just about raw power; it's your body's insurance policy against wear and tear. Learn to treat your body like a well-maintained machine, and stay in the game. This video is your compass to crafting the...

Let’s face it; Muay Thai is a world where form and function are inseparable... For fighters, it’s not just about how you perform in the ring; it’s also about how you present yourself. A well-built physique can boost confidence and even intimidate opponents. While muscle-building isn’t the primary goal for Muay Thai fighters aiming to dominate their weight class, there are moments when a little extra muscle can make a significant difference. In this episode, we delve into the art of...

Uncover the science behind a more powerful Muay Thai kick with Prof. Tony Myers! From ongoing research, get exclusive insights into elevating your kick’s power and mastering the art and science of Muay Thai. Dive into the nuance of speed, technique, and impactful strikes, exploring everything from relaxed effort to cultural differences in power application! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction - Probing the Secrets of Muay Thai Mastery 00:26 Integrating Science and Muay Thai Wisdom 01:12 The...

Explore the backstory of the highly-anticipated ONE Championship Strawweight World Muay Thai Title clash between Smilla Sundell and Allycia Rodrigues! In this episode, I had an insightful conversation with Muay Thai commentator and aficionado, Matt Lucas, as we dive into the details leading up to this epic showdown. Before the event, we delved into the background of this thrilling matchup, providing in-depth pre-fight analysis and expert predictions to heighten the excitement. Stay tuned...

Fight ready pad work isn't just about sweating out; it's about crafting a strategic approach that replicates the fight's intensity. Dive deep into the nuances of fight-specific training in this episode, as we uncover how to leverage pad work sessions for maximum psychological and physical benefit, ensuring you're sharp and agile for the big day. Whether you're a Muay Thai enthusiast, coach, or fighter aiming for the top, this fresh perspective on training will revolutionise your prep...

Fight endurance management isn't just about lasting longer in the ring; it's the cornerstone of every champion's success story. It's the heart and soul of every bout, every grind, every win. Inside This Episode: The subtle dance of fight endurance management: Why it's the game-changer in Muay Thai. The Dynamics of Endurance: How it shapes every punch, kick, and clinch. Adapting timeless Muay Thai principles to the modern-day fighter's needs. Pro Secrets: Glimpse behind the curtain...

Doping... We're venturing into some controversial territory today, Muay Thai, with its rich legacy, finds itself at a crossroads, and it's time we address it head-on. Inside this episode: How the spirit of Muay Thai is being put to the test The insidious rise of performance enhancers in the world of combat sports The stark reality behind performance enhancing drugs and the dilemma they present Our collective responsibility: Where do we go from here? Further notes and resources at...

Unlock the true potential of elusive footwork in Muay Thai to power up your counter strategy with lessons learned directly from Yodsanklai Fairtex. Dive deep into strategic footwork patterns, leverage them for fight-winning techniques, and comprehend the rationale behind each move. Inside this episode: Footwork Foundation: How the simple nuances in footwork can make or break your elusiveness Beyond Basics: Unveiling footwork that deceives and delivers aggressive, counter fighting...

Muay Thai guarding is more of an art than a science, and is a critical skill that can transform your sparring and fighting abilities. Let’s dive into the key aspects that can help refine your defensive strategy to level up your protection, while downscaling your cognitive load – a winning combination for any fighter! In this episode, we unravel the complexities of guarding in a manner that's both enlightening and easily digestible. Whether you're a seasoned combatant or a fresh face in the...

Ready to consider a new fight camp mindset that will level up your Muay Thai game? Say goodbye to the old fight camp norms and embrace a path of continuous growth. Experience a groundbreaking shift in mindset that will elevate your performance to new heights. Challenge the traditional fight camp mentality and adopt a progressive approach that transforms you into a different fighter within a year and beyond. Say goodbye to stagnant progress and picture a dynamic training program that...

One thing’s for sure, at some stage, every fighter will push their training too far and burn themselves out. Likely, getting sick or injured, along with feeling grumpy, depressed and lacking motivation to train at all. You can both catch this before it happens and recover from it quicker, IF you understand the three stages on the overtraining continuum. Only then can you choose the right recovery methods, to match where you are on this continuum to promote recovery and avoid making things...

Heading on vacation in five weeks? Let’s make those weeks count! Join Lorenzo as he fine-tunes his standard 4-week training block to make the most of the FIVE weeks before his travels! In this episode, we review the proven 4-week strength conditioning structure: 3 weeks of progression and 1 DELOAD week… But how can you extend it to 5 weeks without losing momentum? I’ve got you covered with two awesome options! Show notes and further resources at...

If you fail the prescribed number of reps in your training program... why did it happen, and what should you do? In this episode, we delve into the intriguing nuances of rep max testing... We uncover the occasional phenomenon where exceptional performance during testing doesn't translate to sustained success in the training block. And highlight the importance of adjusting numbers and maintaining realistic expectations. We learn about the recommended approach of leaving a certain number of...

Gear up for an eye-opening episode as we dive into the fascinating topic of "Squats vs Muay Thai Kicks." Join us as we tackle James' query on integrating strength training with Muay Thai techniques. Despite boasting impressive lifting numbers, James finds himself trailing behind professional fighters in terms of fighting ability and technique. Should he rethink his approach, abandon heavy squats and deadlifts, and instead focus on Muay Thai and bodyweight exercises? In this episode, we...

Muay Thai is more than a martial art. Much more. Prepare to challenge your perceptions of Muay Thai as we uncover the unspoken truth – fighters are more than mere martial artists. In this eye-opening video, we explore the evolution of Muay Thai from a traditional martial art born of the battlefield, to a battleground for modern athlete warriors. While traditional Thai training emphasises skill development as the biggest differentiator, we shed light on the blindspot it creates. Explore...

In this episode, we dive into the necessity of adopting a new approach to Muay Thai training, where practically applied sports science compliments traditional methods. Join us as we explore the four compelling reasons why this new approach is essential for fighters looking to maximise their potential... From establishing clear definitions of training effects to replicating effective protocols and tailoring training to individual stages of athletic development, this video sheds light on the...

Beating stronger Muay Thai fighters in your weight class requires strategy... Your natural attributes form the foundation of your fight style, and those attributes are relative to others in your weight class. If you regularly find yourself up against stronger opponents, you need a strategy that avoids your opponent's best assets and plays into your own! Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2023/06/16/how-to-fight-stronger-muay-thai-fighters-strategy/

Fight week peaking is an often misunderstood stage of an effective fight camp. Far too many fighters completely overdo it, scared they’ll lose their hard-earned fitness… Only to sabotage themselves at the last minute! Having the confidence to let your fitness shine as your fatigue declines, requires that you trust the training process. This excerpt from a coaching call explains more about this process, and how exploiting training residuals will amplify your fight week peaking and deliver...

The world of Muay Thai is changing. Athletic performance matters more than ever. Gone are the days when Thai fighters had a monopoly on the sport. Today, Western fighters are using sports science and professional training methods to close the gap on their Thai counterparts. If you're a Muay Thai fighter or a coach who wants to stay ahead of the curve, then you need to check out this episode. In it, we explore the latest trends in Muay Thai training and how you can use them to improve your...

Don't underestimate the importance of discipline in strength and conditioning. It's all too easy to become distracted by what's shiny and new, only to shortcut progress by playing your ace too early... Or, to charge headlong into overuse injury and the frustration of time out of training. You can look at that next block of training, but don't touch! ;) Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2023/05/19/the-importance-of-discipline-in-strength-and-conditioning-for-fighters/

The Muay Thai round kick is one most powerful kicks in martial arts. To avoid smashing your foot to smithereens when throwing your round kick, you must master range, kicking foot position, and tactical setup. This episode shares in-depth thoughts on getting these aspects right! Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2023/05/12/technical-tips-to-prevent-low-kick-foot-injury/

There's even more to motivation than you think... Winning by knockout is the best feeling in the world. Seeing the referee standing over your opponent waving off the fight, you feel almost immortal. But, in a well-matched fight, anything can happen. In an instant, one mistake can render you helpless – all your hard work cancelled out. Nothing else can be done at that moment. But in the hours, days, weeks, and even months after the fight, things can feel very different. It doesn’t matter who...

Taking action is only half the battle. Your REASON for taking action is just as critical, and can either kill your determination off completely, or ignite your motivation along with your results. If you want to stay in the game long enough to find out how far you can really go, you must get under the hood of motivation and figure out which of the 6 types you rely on the most, and if there’s a better way to motivate yourself and become even more determined… Further notes and resources at...