It all started one evening while I was lying on my bed, doing absolutely nothing.
At the time, I weighed just over 22 stone and realised I wanted to get fit and learn how to protect myself. The problem was, I had no idea which martial art to choose.
So I did what most people do... I disappeared down the YouTube rabbit hole, watching one martial art after another.
Then I came across Muay Thai.
Was it the punches? The kicks? The sweeps? Or was it just the intensity of the whole sport? To be honest... I think it was all of the above.
Watching some of the greats like Saenchai, Jonathan Haggerty, and Dieselnoi was simply incredible. The speed, the technique, the power... it was impossible not to be impressed.
One thing that really stood out to me was the traditional Muay Thai dance before every fight. I thought it was amazing, and it's still something I'd love to learn properly one day.
That was the moment I made my decision.
I joined a gym and spent the next 18 months learning the art of Muay Thai. Looking back, they were some of the best times of my life. I met some brilliant people, and although I didn't get on with everyone, every single one of them helped shape the person I am today. So, thank you.
I learnt a huge amount, discovered just how rewarding it is to push yourself outside your comfort zone, and realised that progress comes from simply turning up and putting the effort in.
These days, I see Muay Thai less as fighting and more as an art form. There's so much skill, discipline, respect, and tradition involved that I don't think you ever stop learning.