Matty

Love seeing everyone's training space! Here mine. It's not much, but grateful to have anything at all.

Has anyone come across resources for making a mongkol? I am entertaining the idea of making my own. I think I am just looking of a creative project... There is a chance I will never use it, since my gym is predominantly kickboxing. I do like the idea of the mongkol being a result of my own merits (efforts put into making it).

I agree it depends on the partner. Sparring involves 2 ppl. It doesn't work if you choose one while your partner chooses something else. And it also depends on objective as well. I have punches the bag with normal gloves, MMA gloves, bare hands. I choose it based on whether I'm training for power, accuracy, or what wrist strength. It's not like we have to pick one and never use the other.

Yea I have experience not being allowed on the bag as well. As someone that works a 9-5 job, I can only train in the evening when classes are going. And even tho the class doesn't need the bags, they would not let me use it. Even as I'm training to build up conditioning to go to Thailand. It's frustrating. Sometimes it seems ppl with power just makes your life so much harder, without much thought at all...

@RB Coop will you be blogging about your time in ubon? I would love to know how the 2 locations compare

Congratulations!!! Looking forward to the video! How do you feel? Any bruises/injuries?

This could be nerves... I remember one time, the evening before a fight, a really severe soreness on my shoulder returned from previous injuries. I asked my coach about ice bath and meds, but he said we'll go get dinner. And lo and behold, the soreness was gone during and after dinner.

Fainting on the run sounds super scary. Are you feeling any better since? Sounds like you're training really hard. Hope you can get some rest and recovery and feel fresh for the fight!

Congrats on fighting!!

Ah, I will have miss you by days. And thanks for the heads up about the gym being all guys. Mental preparation is nice for this kind of thing Sounds awesome to get to travel around for different gyms. I haven't start my trip yet and already wish I had more time... What gym will you train at in Ubon? If I remember correctly, Lamnamoon's gym there as well. I plan to train 2 times a day and hoping to fight at least once. (I really was hoping to fight 2 times, but I'm afraid I don't have enough time)

Thank you for these posts. I will be going to Manop's gym Jan 3 - it helps a lot to know what to expect Will you still be there in Jan?

Are dishes like chicken and basil served with rice? I will be in Chiang Mai (first time to Thailand) and I'm wondering if it's worth asking restaurants for customization for things like no rice or no sugar. I'd prefer not to waste food, but I'd also like to avoid being too awkward... Also, I'm wondering if you or anyone else have any insights on buying groceries. What are stored/markets like? I'd be in good shape of I can get plain stuff like eggs and pork/beef.

I commend you for your desire to be a worthy partner. I feel the same way about this. Majority of my pad holding experience is with a partner that weighs 40 lbs more than me. And whenever there's a bigger weight difference than that, I have to be really diligent with holding, no day dreaming. Here are some ideas that helped me: - turn your shoulder in to meet the punch as opposed to just moving your arm (similar to you throwing a cross at the same time). This was the big one for me to make sure I don't injured my shoulder. Also, it feels really solid and good for the person hitting. - stand with a solid base, like your fighting stance, with feet apart and knee bent - mirror the footwork of the combo. I mean, your partner would be taking a small step forward with every punch, so you would take a small step backwards while receiving each of those punches - tuck elbows into your body when holding for kicks and sink your weight down. If the kick is too hard and throws you back, don't be afraid of it. Just know that it's going to throw you back will make your feet move with it, so you won't fall. - breathe out as you receive the punch. I think it helps you generate more force to meet the punch/kick. The impact don't affect you as much. I guess a lot of these are the same for if you are hitting... Which makes sense, as the things you do when hitting, like breathing out, turning your shoulders, having a string base, are meant to put you in a strong position. I remember being really driven to hold well when I first found a partner to do pads with. I wanted to make sure it was worthwhile for my partner. Sometimes I meet training partners that are demanding of having good partners (always asking their partners for favours and help) but don't value the other side of it which is being a good partner. I think the effort you put in to holding pads is beneficial to both you and your partner. Your partner would get a good pad session to improve their skills, and you would get stronger as you regularly meet heavy punches. Your distancing and ability to see punches and react improves from holding pads too. It's awesome that you consider your pad holding skills.

Good points here. Not a trainer/teacher/coach, but I remember when I first started, I was really glad whenever I get to partner with one of the more senior guys. Every once in a while, they would give me pointers on how to do something correctly. The instructor usually don't give advice at that level of meticulousness. And I was too timid to ask questions (still kinda am)... Not knowing what you don't know is also an issue. A newbie, as I were, could have no clue that they were doing it wrong. That said, I have also experience with some clueless dudes who have been at the gym for only a few months and already trying to correct me on things (ie: showing me how to do them incorrectly).

Though my experience is different, I empathize with you on this. It was me, rather than my trainer, that have became unavailable. I started Muay Thai during university. At that time, I can arrange my class schedule to allow me to take the day time classes during weekdays, which I liked and learned the most from. When I graduated, I already have secured a job. It was a 9-5 type job with great prospects, but I was devastated that graduating means I won't get to take the class I loved so much. It wasn't a temporary situation. I would work similar jobs with similar schedules for the foreseeable future. It felt like I would never get to take classes with this trainer again. I did basically what you said above and became my own advocate for my training progress. The most effective means was drawing on online resources like Sylvie's and others' videos to learn new material that I could practice when I train by myself at the gym. Since then, I also added training at other gyms later on and meeting with friends to train outside of class. I've been able to improve my skills through these means and even started competing after losing access to this trainer that had motivated me the most. Perhaps incorporating things you can learn from online resources and adding them to solo training can help you progress while the gym find a permanent replacement. All the best!