By Sean Fagan
You’re nervous as hell.
You feel like throwing up.
You start doubting why you decided to step into the ring against someone who is trying to kill you.
You can’t get your mind off the fight.
I get it. I’ve been there. We all have! Every Muay Thai fighter goes through relatively the same process when they first step into the ring.
Doubt. Fear. Anxiety. Excitement. Adrenaline.
It’s all a part of the process. Learning how to control these emotions is key to winning your first Muay Thai fight. The first step is knowing what to expect and how to deal with the inevitable emotions and situations that are going to pop up. Follow these tips for your first fight to be as prepared as possible once you step into that ring!
#1. Understand Your Opponent Is Human Too
Very rarely during my first few fights did I ever consider how my...
By DJ Miller
In the sport of Muay Thai or combat sports in general, the spectator sees two fighters against one another. One of the fighters will become the winner, the other the loser. Black and white, cut and dry. But there is another battle raging- an unseen war being fought individually, by each fighter inside his or her own head.
The pressure to perform, to live up to expectation, to represent and, most of all, the pressure of satisfaction. When a fighter accepts a fight, they smile, promote, rally others to their support, and market and sell the fight. What you will not see is the worry, the anxiety, the stress, the fear… the pressure.
Today we’ll examine some of the mental gymnastics a fighter performs ahead of their bout, as well as the internal torture they endure.
What Makes A Fighter Tick?
For any fighter, amateur or professional, staying busy in a fighting career is always important. Most...
From Muay Thai Guy
The psychology of fighting has spawned more Yogi Berra-style quotes than I can count, but they all seem to agree on one thing: mental toughness is key.
Throughout the history of combative sports, certain fighters have found ways to “weaponize” their minds, using mental toughness to break their opponents in the way others use speed, conditioning, or technique. This article aims to give you tools to add this kind of psychological weapon to your arsenal.
In today’s special guest post, the Warrior Punch team offers up three psychological techniques you can use to build an iron mindset.
Whether you’re a boxer, nak muay, karateka, or a white-collar worker trying to build up the courage to ask for a promotion, these mental strategies will help you manage self-doubt, maximize performance, and find strength in scary situations.
By Sean Fagan
Scared of getting punched in the face?
Worried about wearing a body kick on your ribs?
Don’t like the pain of getting your kicks checked?
Well, believe it or not, you are not alone. Almost everyone who starts out training Muay Thai has the same fears you do. They don’t want to get hurt. They don’t want their pretty face punched in. They avoid sparring because they are worried about being embarrassed or beat up.
Sound familiar?
Unfortunately, whether you like it or not, if you want to improve your technique and actually become competent in the art of Muay Thai, you are going to have to face your fears at one point or another.
You are going to have to come to terms with pain, anxiety, and fear. You are going to have to be a little crazy if you want to be successful in the art of eight limbs.
Now I don’t mean to brag but, I’m really good at getting...
By Sean Fagan
Is it crazy for me to say that Yoga has been a major part of my success in Muay Thai and in life?
It might be, especially when most people have preconceptions about practicing Yoga that are (mostly) not true.
Sure, there are some weird chants, poses, and techniques that you’ll find yourself doing during an intense Yoga class, but if you’re able to laugh at yourself and take Yoga for what it is, it can be incredibly beneficial to your Muay Thai training and life in general.
I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and give Yoga a try. Although it might not be for everyone, I’m confident that you will take something useful from the practice if you stick with it.
One of the most obvious benefits you’ll notice when you start to implement Yoga and Muay Thai together is the improvement in your flexibility and...
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