Puu Muay Thai Podcast

In this special episode recorded at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ, host Jonathan Puu is joined by Muay Thai legends John Crane and Bob Karmel , two Americans with deep roots at the iconic Fairtex Bangplee camp in Thailand during the 1990s. We dive into: What it was like to be among the first Americans training full-time at Fairtex Thailand The wild story of Mr. Wong’s pet tiger , “Mimi,” that lun...

In Episode 195 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu returns to Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ after a whirlwind few weeks of building the future of Muay Thai—literally. From hosting a sold-out Eat Sleep Teep 3 semi-contact event in Ventura to laying down the floors of the brand-new Pu’u Muay Thai Ventura academy , this episode is all about growth, gratitude, and grassroots community buildin...

In Episode 194 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, recorded at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ, Jonathan Puu returns from a jam-packed trip to Ventura, California to share major updates and powerful insights into the future of Muay Thai officiating in the U.S. 🔥 What’s covered: Eat Sleep Teep 3 – Over 100 registered athletes for the third event in our semi-contact Muay Thai series happening May 17th at...

In Episode 193 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, recorded at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ, Jonathan Puu dives into the exciting chaos happening in May for Pu'u Muay Thai! We talk about Eat Sleep Teep 3 , our next big semi-contact Muay Thai event taking place on May 17th at Ventura High School , featuring competitors from across California, Arizona, Nevada, and beyond. Plus, Jonathan reveals al...

In Episode 192 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, we sit down in-person at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ with a very special guest: Jason Cruz , the legendary frontman of the punk rock band Strung Out and a dedicated student at Pu’u Muay Thai Ventura. Jason was in town for the Punk in the Park festival in Chandler, AZ, but made time to talk about his powerful journey through music, fighting, and find...

In Episode 191 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, we’re coming to you straight from Bangkok, Thailand with a special crossover segment from CHOK Chats —hosted by content creator and RWS commentator Joe Comerford , joined by Jonathan Puu and Josh Soliva . This wide-ranging, no-filter conversation digs into the realities of training and fighting Muay Thai in Thailand , the cultural expectations for fore...

In Episode 190 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu visits the stunning Marrok Gym in Bangkok, Thailand, for a powerful in-person conversation with co-owners Mimm and Golf , alongside special guest Josh Soliva . This episode dives deep into how Marrok is reshaping the Muay Thai and MMA landscape in Thailand—focusing on fighter empowerment, fair contracts, and long-term athlete development ....

In Episode 189 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu exposes the harsh realities and hidden truths about fighting in Thailand—things most fighters never hear before stepping into the ring. If you’ve ever dreamed of fighting in the birthplace of Muay Thai, this episode is a must-listen to understand what you’re really signing up for. 💭 The Fantasy vs. Reality of Fighting in Thailand: Th...

In Episode 188 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu dives deep into the harsh reality of why most Muay Thai fighters struggle financially —and more importantly, how they can change that. Despite being one of the toughest and most respected combat sports, Muay Thai fighters often earn little to nothing , even at high levels. But does it have to be this way? Jonathan, with over 18 years in th...

In Episode 186 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu breaks down the flawed ranking system in Muay Thai and why it continues to be a challenge for fighters, promotions, and organizations worldwide. Unlike MMA and boxing, where structured ranking systems dictate title contention, Muay Thai still lacks a standardized, universally recognized system —and that’s holding the sport back. Jonat...

In Episode 186 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to run a successful Muay Thai gym in 2025. Whether you’re an aspiring gym owner, a coach, or a dedicated student, this episode will give you a raw, unfiltered look at the business side of Muay Thai—beyond just training fighters and hosting events. Jonathan shares his insights from over 18...

Muay Thai is evolving—but is it for the better? In this episode, Jonathan Pu’u breaks down one of the most heated debates in the sport: Are foreigners helping Muay Thai grow, or are they diluting its authenticity? As more Western fighters, gyms, and trainers flood Thailand , we’re seeing major shifts in how Muay Thai is practiced, promoted, and taught. Some argue that this globalization is bringin...

In this episode of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast , we sit down with Tim from Sack Life to explore how Muay Thai and martial arts can be powerful tools for mental health . Tim shares his deeply personal journey—from battling clinical depression to discovering how training on a heavy bag helped him reclaim his life. Today, he travels the country in a 1977 Volkswagen bus , bringing free martial arts tra...

In Episode 183 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu reflects on the opportunities a new year brings and encourages listeners to make 2025 the year they finally begin their Muay Thai journey. Recorded at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice for beginners looking to take their first steps into the "Art of Eight Limbs." Jon...

In Episode 182 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu dives deep into the question many fight fans are asking: Why aren't more Muay Thai fighters competing in the UFC? Broadcasting from Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ, Jonathan breaks down the cultural, historical, and practical barriers that have kept high-level Muay Thai fighters from transitioning to mixed martial arts and enterin...

In Episode 181 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, join host Jonathan Puu as he reflects on an incredible year filled with growth, challenges, and exciting milestones. Broadcasting from Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ, this gratitude-filled episode reviews the highlights from the past year, including unforgettable podcast conversations, impactful events, and the thriving community that has made it...

In Episode 179 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, recorded at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ, we tackle the big question every Muay Thai enthusiast dreams of: "What gym should I train at in Thailand?" With countless gyms to choose from, finding the right one can feel overwhelming—but I’m here to guide you through it! Drawing from my own experiences training in Thailand, I’ll break down...

In Episode 178 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, recorded at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ, we dive into the heated clash between Karate Combat and ONE Championship. Breaking news surrounds Karate Combat president Asim Zaidi, who has publicly challenged ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong, fueling a dramatic rivalry between these two combat sports organizations. We also explore an unexpected...

In Episode 177 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast titled "Evolution Of The Ultimate Fighter," Jonathan Puu sits down with Mark Beecher, former multi-sport pro fighter turned high-level striking coach, joining via Zoom from Houston, Texas. Mark, known as one of the top striking coaches with a low-key reputation, shares his journey in MMA and Muay Thai, recounting how he got started and hi...

In Episode 176 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast titled "Highlighting Muay Thai In The UFC," Jonathan welcomes former multi-sport professional fighter Chris Culley for his first appearance on the show, joining via Zoom from Los Angeles. Jonathan and Chris share their unique history, having met across the cage when Jonathan was cornering against Chris in a championship MMA fight. The con...

In Episode 175 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast titled "Traveling & Fighting Muay Thai," we connect with professional fighter Ricardo Mixco via Zoom from Maryland for his first appearance on the show! Ricardo and Jonathan reminisce about meeting at the 2015 WKA World Championships in Benidorm, Spain, and discuss Ricardo’s experience fighting for Lion Fight, a former leading Muay Th...

In Episode 174 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast titled "Exploring Chonburi Muay Thai," we welcome Bruce Panyapol, owner of Chonburi Muay Thai, for his first appearance on the show! Bruce shares his incredible journey growing up in Chonburi, Thailand, and how his unique training setup, living next to a Muay Thai camp, shaped his early experiences. After immigrating to the U.S., joining...

In Episode 173 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast titled "Became a Digital Nomad in Thailand for Muay Thai," we sit down with James Nichol, a professional Muay Thai fighter and nutrition coach, joining us via Zoom from Chiang Mai, Thailand. In his podcast debut, James shares his journey from first visiting Thailand to becoming a digital nomad through his nutritional coaching education to...

In episode 172 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, titled "Gave Up Everything To Train Muay Thai In Thailand," we reconnect with Valentin Kocher-Benzig via Zoom from Thailand! Valentin, who has been chasing his Muay Thai dream, shares updates on his new position at a Muay Thai gym in Thailand and the growth of Muay Thai in the country. We dive deep into overcoming injuries and adversity...

In this special in-person episode of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, recorded at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ, we welcome Kikin Ucelo from Ucelo Martial Arts. We dive deep into the differences and similarities between Karate and Muay Thai, comparing the styles, techniques, and philosophies that shape both martial arts. Kikin shares his journey of turning his passion into a career and how a brok...