Heatrick Heavy Hitters – Muay Thai Performance

Thailand Muay Thai strength and conditioning is often stuck in its ways. “Train hard and you’ll get results,” they said. But what happens when you train hard... and the results don’t show up? Angela Chang knows that frustration inside out. She didn’t slack. She didn’t skip. She trained like a machine—morning runs, hours on the pads, heavy bag, clinch, sparring, rinse and repeat. The Thai way. The...

It’s easy to avoid the stuff that actually builds you up—especially if you’re only training from fight to fight. You’re in the groove, your bread-and-butter combos are sharp… until you touch the awkward stuff. But that “awkward stuff”? That’s where the real gains are. When I spoke with Professor Tony Myers—a legend in the world of Muay Thai—he shared something crucial: Skills are perishable. They...

Ever wonder why some fighters look completely unfazed… even when they're eating clean KO shots? It’s not just that they’ve got a chin. And it’s not just experience either. A punch doesn't knock you out just because it's hard. It knocks you out because your head moves. More specifically, because your skull moves—and your brain doesn’t. That little delay is all it takes for your brain to...

To both fight smart, and keep it simple, isn’t a contradiction. But in the heat of battle, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by tactical decisions... Do I press forward or stay patient? Do I counter or attack first? Should I stand my ground or move? I used to overthink every exchange—until I simplified everything to just two primary fight modes; Aggressive/Elusive. Once I built my strategy around these...

There's a secret to advanced Muay Thai footwork. A hidden rhythm in every fight that no one talks about—if you’re not controlling it, your opponent is. They’re "stealing your step", keeping you reacting instead of attacking on your terms. The Secret to Controlling the Fight...Most fighters naturally step from foot to foot, right? That movement creates a rhythmic bubble—expanding and...

Are you asking the right questions during a fight? The fight isn’t just about power—it’s about strategy and problem-solving...Your brain is wired to recognize patterns and make split-second decisions based on experience. Sometimes, that gives you razor-sharp reactions. Other times, it leads you straight into danger. Every weight class has its own typical balance of strength, speed, and reach—and e...

Your Muay Thai fight IQ isn’t just about what you do best—it’s about what breaks your opponent. The key? Adaptability. You can’t force your favorite game onto every fighter. Instead, you need to recognize their style and adjust accordingly. Winning a game of rock-paper-scissors against someone who only ever throws rock is easy! Now, imagine stepping into a Muay Thai fight with someone who does the...

Do you tend to fight on instinct, not quite sure what your actual fight strategy is? Maybe you’re great at pressing forward, but struggle against elusive opponents. Or perhaps you prefer to counter, but aggressive fighters throw you off your game. Every fighter has a natural, primary fight mode, and understanding it is the key to levelling up your game. Although, your fight mode alone isn’t enough...

Ever watched a Muay Thai fight where one guy just seems one step ahead the entire time? No matter what his opponent throws, he’s already gone—or already in his face, shutting everything down. It looks like magic, but it’s not. It’s range control. And if you’re not thinking about it, you’re giving away fights before they even start. Why Techniques Alone Won’t Save You... Most fighters get obsessed...

Ever feel like there’s too much conflicting advice on training? One coach tells you to run every day, another says it’s a waste of time. Some fighters swear by cutting hard and fast, while others say slow and steady is the only way. So which is it? This week, while helping the new Heavy Hitters intake get set up, I pulled two big questions from our YouTube comments that cut right to the heart of t...

Ever feel like you’re a step behind in sparring? Is your Muay Thai footwork letting you down? You throw a combo, step in, and suddenly—bam! You’re off balance, eating a counter. Or worse, your opponent angles off, and you’re left chasing them–like a beginner at their first dance class. Muay Thai footwork isn’t just about moving—it’s about  controlling  the fight. And if your movement isn’t sharp,...

Have you ever watched an elite Muay Thai fighter and thought,  “They make it look so effortless”?  It’s not just their technique or strategy that sets them apart—it’s  their balance . You see, balance isn’t just about staying upright. In Muay Thai, balance is  the foundation of composure —it’s the ability to dominate exchanges, win rounds, and control the fight. Under the Thai judging system, it’s...

Thinking about your  first fight ? Knowing when you're truly ready isn’t about perfection—it’s about pushing yourself past your comfort zone. In this video, I’ll break down how to tell if your training has plateaued and why stepping into the ring is the next step in your growth. If your training isn’t challenging you anymore, it might be time to embrace the discomfort and get ready for your first...

Every Muay Thai fighter embarks on the quest for self discovery, and it's a journey that tests you in every way. It's about pushing past physical boundaries, but also about evolving mentally and emotionally. In this video, we dive into how the fighters who’ve shaped their careers have embraced the quest for self-discovery, evolving through struggles, setbacks, and triumphs. Through the lens of Mua...

In this video, Kevin Ross dives into the concept of imperfect progress and how it can be a crucial element in your martial arts journey. Following up on questions from our previous video, Ross shares valuable insights on navigating challenges and learning from mistakes. He emphasizes that while every fighter aims for success, it's the lessons learned through adversity that truly shape us. Are you...

In Muay Thai, the pressure to perfect every movement can hold you back from real growth. What if there was a more effective way to progress? Enter Muay Thai play—a mindset that combines structure with freedom, allowing you to experiment and adapt. In this episode, Janet Todd shares how embracing Muay Thai play helps break through mental barriers, encouraging faster learning and more fluid performa...

In this video, Eddie Abasolo dives deep into the timeless Muay Thai advice he received from the legendary Samart Payakaroon: "Never take more than two weeks off training." Eddie unpacks the meaning behind this wisdom, sharing how it shaped his mindset, training habits, and ultimately his career as a top Muay Thai fighter. Through a captivating story about training alongside Samart and Saekson, Edd...

If you're serious about dominating the Muay Thai clinch, you need better Muay Thai clinch training... You've got to go beyond random training and focus on what truly moves the needle. Too often, fighters add bits and pieces of technique or strength work here and there, hoping it’ll translate to success in the clinch. Instead, imagine training with each movement aimed directly at strengthening your...

Is sparring in fight camp a smart move or a dangerous gamble? As fight night gets closer, every decision you make in training counts, and few choices are as critical—or risky—as sparring in fight camp. On one hand, it’s an opportunity to refine your timing, reactions, and technique under pressure. But on the other, there’s always the looming risk of an injury that could throw off months of hard wo...

Fight prep sparring isn’t your usual sparring. It’s more “specific.” The goal is to make every round feel closer to a real fight. For novice fighters, this bridges the gap between the gym and the ring, helping them feel more at home under the lights. For experienced fighters, it’s the ultimate way to refine fight IQ and sharpen tactical instincts in a high-pressure setting. All training should fol...

If you're anything like me, there was a time you felt silly shadow boxing.  Maybe you still do. Muay Thai is about inflicting damage and having an effect... Lashing out in mid-air feels, well, lame! But, I eventually realised how I could best use shadow boxing to do much more than just get my heart rate up and make me feel self conscious! Are you (still) wasting your shadow boxing? If you’re not m...

If you’re an orthodox fighter who’s never drilled in a southpaw stance, you’re leaving yourself open to attack—and trust me, that’s a vulnerability you can’t afford in the ring. Whether you’re throwing a punch, missing a strike, or just stepping off-line, sooner or later, you’ll find yourself in that unfamiliar stance. In that split second, you have two options: scramble to get back or confidently...

When it comes to  calisthenics vs weight training , which is better for fighters? In today’s episode, we’re exploring both. Calisthenics offers great benefits for mastering body control, stability, and movement patterns, making it ideal for fighters just starting out or focusing on form. But sometimes, even your body weight can be too much. When it comes to long-term athletic progress, free weight...

Damien Trainor's method for drilling combos forms a foundation of his Muay Thai coaching. Muay Thai combos are more than just technique—they’re about flow and adaptability. In this video, Damien Trainor breaks down how to turn simple drills into seamless combinations that work in real fights. Whether you're training or preparing for a fight, this video will help you get there. Further note...

In the world of Muay Thai, success isn’t something handed out freely; it’s earned through  countless unseen battles . Even those at the top of the game haven’t had it easy. Overcoming struggles – paying your dues – is part of the journey for  everyone . Kevin Ross, a seasoned fighter, pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to rise to the top. Kevin Ross on the Reality of Success in Muay Th...