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Hi! We discussed muay thai as therapy before, but while researching links between training and depression I came across the following, and particularly this section I found interesting. Or actually, it concerns me a bit as I can somehow relate and it challenges my view of always pushing through. "Serotonin helps regulate mood, dieting can affect serotonin levels, which can lead to depression. Light exercise can boost these levels; fighters, though, suffer from yo-yoing serotonin due to extreme dieting and gruelling workouts. Research shows that over-training and making weight can lead to physical and mental side effects such as flu, cold sores and mood swings (Richard Budgett. ‘Overtraining Syndrome.’ British Journal of Sports Medicine, 24 (4) pp.231-236). “When you are experiencing a depression you will usually assume it is a drop in motivation,” explained James. “What happens is that, as you start to become depressed, you have to get up and train anyway, but doing it with all the physical symptoms of depression. Because you can't see this, you put it down to a lack of motivation and try to give yourself a kick up the arse. “Then you become even more disillusioned in your performance levels and ability, which causes even more hormonal and chemical changes in the brain. This gives you physical symptoms, such as tiredness—you can't concentrate or sort things out—and things become a massive effort. “Because it is not recognised as depression, and as the symptoms take hold, you think you're losing your ability. Things you’ve usually done—like getting up at 5a.m. to run—feel like they are slipping away. They'll still get up and do these things; people will see them doing them and think they're OK. “With my clients, we go through that whole cycle, starting with acceptance (of depression). They can then recognise if they start to slip again, and stop it before it gets hold. Outside the world of sport depression is seen as staying in bed with the curtains closed, so they see getting up and doing things, even with low motivation, as a sign they're not depressed. " https://www.boxingscene.com/depression-boxing-silent-blow--73467 What I would like to know if it has been demonstrated that repeated blows to the head can cause depression?

Never looked into it from the boxing side of things, the subject matter's way too disturbing to even try and read about when it's a sport we do every day. If you ever get sad it's better to just eat your feelings. Coffee flavoured Hagen Daz has to be at number 1, followed closely by the cookie dough flavour. The whole 440ml tub emptied in a soup bowl...some hot salted caramel sauce, garnished with roasted cashews. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3322364/ The NFL had this problem from head damage back in the early 00s, think they got sued by a bunch of players too. If IMDB gives it a 6.8 or above, that usually means it's good. If they say 7.1, that's like us giving a movie 8.5 or something, they're never wrong.

Hi! It's sometimes called "the great Wall of China" and its super annoying and Sylvie has written great advice on how to counter it here: https://8limbsus.com/muay-thai-technique/sylvies-tips-counter-to-the-wall-of-china-block-and-more In Myanmar Lethwei they use the same movement as a kick. Instead of simply using it as a block/shield they push through the leg using hip power so the shin actively pushes the opponent away (rather explosive movemen). It's very difficult to learn, but a great technique and kick to be used at a short distance. It hurts a lot and can be used the same way you use a push kick to create distance. Not sure if it is used in muay thai, but I would assume it's legal and when I train in Thailand next time I definitely want to use it.