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I started to train Muay thai because I have been weight lifting all my life. I am pretty strong but a year ago I got into a fight with some one who had skills and got me into a gillotene choke. In the process of getting out of it using my strength I managed to flip him off me but broke my ankle, all three bones. he them stood me up and choked me out. I realized after that, I was fooling myself. I needed a better way to defend myself. I saw one of Sylvies youtube post and said this is what I need. at 57 years old I would never be able to kick really high like a lot of martial arts do. Muay Thai is something I can learn in my workout room with equipment I already have. and with Sylvies videos and Info. I am learning and feeling better about myself. Even if my wife thinks I am a little nuts.

I think this is especially tricky because of the complete disparity between importance and commonality of fighting between Thai gyms and western gyms. In the argument about grading systems in western gyms, which is a way to retain members and give people who aren't fighters a sense of accomplishment and progress, these methods are in place because gyms are not mainly fighter's gyms. Most members are there for fitness or passion, but most won't fight. There are "fight teams" within the gyms and the more fighters you have the more "authentic" you are, I guess. But in Thailand, a grading system would be ridiculous. You walk into a gym and just watch people and you know what "level" they are in experience. Fighters definitely have importance for financial reasons and giving "face" and esteem to the gym name, which is true in the West as well but to a very, very different degree. I'm not sure how that kind of "authenticity" could translate into such a different system in the West, with such different business models, customer breakdowns, opportunities, and most importantly a broad disparity in experience between Thai trainers/gyms and those anywhere else in the world.

It’s such a struggle for me. I did a little bit of training in Thailand when I was on holiday and returned to Thailand hooked and trained some more. But Back home... on returning, I really struggled to find anything like it. I finally did but I had to leave my gym of 4 years which was a hard transition but I couldn’t bare the arrogance. The masculine aggression. My trainer I have now is perfect. He has also lived in Thailand and I believe that really helps When looking for a genuine gym. He also has the spirituality that surrounds Thai gyms which is very important to me Too. I feel “most“ western Muay Thai gyms are brute force kickboxing mma gyms. Very rarely are they respectful Muay Thai that you see in most of Thailand.

I am sorry it sounds terrible. I know the shutdown is for safety and it is the same here but its unsettling that life changes so rapidly. I'm glad the PM will take control of the whole country because a patchwork approach seems ineffectual. The US is so immense and things are proceeding piecemeal since the fucking "president" is doing nothing but damage. Many beautiful stories for example Ford is making ventilators, a former art student of mine is fabricating high end face shields for health workers. Thank you again for your Covid training videos. This is so strange - a truly global phenomenon in our lifetime (like a WW). Love to all your people and the Roundtable people too. I just got a kicking bag for my studio (which is isolated). I know I am very lucky to be able to do shit like that. A wall is excellent too. My coach is making videos with his adorable tiny kids. People are giving away training for free in Instagram (like you). My other coach thinks its not really happening (young, invincible), and my third coach has switched to Zoom training which totally works. I am rattling on. Bye.