I Trained Muay Thai in Thailand (Here’s How It Went)

I joined my first Muay Thai class today. 

Thai boxing. 

I still went. 

Wanted to try something new.

It was uncomfortable.

Nerve-wracking.

Butterflies in my stomach. 

By the time I was preparing to leave my condo, I questioned why I even considered attending a Muay Thai class in the first place. It didn’t feel like me. 

It felt ridiculous.

Regardless, I slipped on my new Muay Thai shorts, packed a large water bottle, grabbed my motorbike keys, and headed out the door. 

Upon arriving at the Muay Thai gym, the head coach greeted me with a wai (a Thai greeting) and instructed me to place my bag on a nearby chair.

For the first few minutes, I sat there awkwardly, waiting to be told what to do. Some people were stretching, others were on their phone.

Then class officially began.

I wouldn’t call myself unhealthy. 

But after 1.5 hours of painful, repetitive, sweat-in-your-eyes drilling, I was very quickly humbled. The Thai heat didn’t make it any easier.

We stretched, practiced the Muay Thai strikes with the trainers (fists, elbows, knees, and shins) until I could barely move, and ended the class off with an 8-station conditioning circuit with a partner. Then just when I thought we were almost done, the trainer called out that we’d be doing the entire 8-station circuit a second time (I was practically dying at this point lol)

Toward the end of the class as we were doing planks, I briefly dropped my knees to the floor out of pure exhaustion. “Jod!” (my Thai name) I heard the instructor call out immediately, gesturing for me to lift my knees back up.

I’ve never wanted to be done with something so badly.

Driving home with jelly legs and burning lungs, I got thinking about how much power we give our self-labels. We all carry around a certain image of ourselves:

“I’m not athletic.”

“I’m not a writer.”

“I’m not entrepreneurial.”

“I’m not adventurous.”

“I’m not the type of person who does that.”

And once we’ve adopted those labels, they become comfortable cages that keep us from trying new things.

Growing up, if somebody had asked me to join a boxing class, I probably would’ve laughed it off and changed the subject. End of story.

But today, I drove to the gym and did it anyway. Badly, and out of breath, but I did it. 

Will I compete in Muay Thai one day?

Probably not.

Am I glad I went?

Yes.

And I will absolutely be going back. 

It still sounds absurd to say out loud — “I do Muay Thai.” Me? Taking boxing classes? The idea feels ridiculous even now.

My Muay Thai class today was one of the most physically challenging things I’ve ever done. Though, as I’ve come to learn, the best version of ourselves usually comes after the “this doesn’t feel like me” phase.

Growth rarely feels natural in the moment.

It feels awkward.

It feels uncomfortable.

It feels like something “other people” do.

Until one day, it’s you.

And that’s how it felt earlier today at my Muay Thai class. I learned a lot, the people were friendly, and nobody cared that I had no idea what I was doing.

I’ve already decided to go back Friday.

Can’t wait.