A friend of mine recently returned to the gym after spending more than a year away, and upon catching up with me, remarked that I had changed since he’d last seen me. He meant this entirely as a compliment, adding that I’d become totally focused and that he was proud of what I was doing. On the other hand, I also recently reunited with some other friends, who I hadn’t seen since before I started my fighting career. They also said that I had changed, but this time, the change was negative.
Perhaps this contrast was because those friends were outside the world of Muay Thai, and therefore the thing that had come to consume my life was totally alien to them. Perhaps it was because I genuinely had changed as a person and in doing so, had drifted away from previous relationships. Either way, it sparked some self-reflection. Growth and change over time is inevitable in most cases, but I do wonder how much of mine has come as a direct result of my fighting career.
One personality flaw that I’ve always been very aware of is my inability to deal with confrontation. I’ve always had a tendency to be a bit of a ‘doormat’. Since I was a child, I’ve avoided confrontation of any kind, which meant letting people ‘walk over’ me rather than voicing my opinion in times of dispute. This has always been the case, even on occasions when it would have been totally reasonable for me to say something. One particularly amusing, albeit slightly absurd, example of this is one of my childhood birthdays. I have a twin sister, and we used to take it in turns each year to decide what to do for our birthday parties. One year (I think we were about 7), it was my turn to choose, and I wanted to go to an indoor playground called ‘Jimmy G’s’, which had a reputation for being pretty much the best place ever, but I had yet to go. My sister, who is the polar opposite of me, cried persistently because she wanted to have a tea party. My parents gave in and decided to flip a coin to show her that it was fair. I even won the coin toss, but my sister continued to cry. So, I eventually gave in as well and begrudgingly agreed to have a tea party instead, putting off Jimmy G’s until the following year. This wouldn’t be so bad by itself, if it wasn’t for the fact that Jimmy G’s then closed before our next birthday, and I never got the chance to go. That’s a fairly ridiculous example, but that pattern continued in adult life, in situations where the consequences were much more significant than a disappointing birthday party. Whether it was in relationships, friendships, professional situations or even interactions with total strangers, I’ve never been able to stand up for myself.
Since verbal assertiveness is not something that I have ever managed to quite grasp, it will come as no surprise to hear that having a physical fight was something that I’d never even come close to before I started Muay Thai. It certainly is strange that while I may get into a ring and have a fight with another person, if anyone did something to annoy or upset me outside of the ring, I’d have a hard time bringing myself to tell them about it. However, fighting itself is enough of a challenge alone for me, and I’ve always felt that I lack the ‘killer instinct’ that you would assume comes naturally to a fighter. Both of these things are consistent struggles for me, and aspects of myself that I’m constantly striving to improve, and they seem to go hand in hand. The challenge of being forced to physically stand up for myself seems to aid my mental strength outside of the ring, and the progress that I continue to see in both of these areas as I keep fighting is just one measure of how Muay Thai has helped me to grow. I’ve become much more confident, and instead of allowing myself to be a pushover all the time, have taken steps to distance myself from any adverse relationships and connections, shedding those that I believed to be detrimental to my happiness. In doing so, I’ve become more focused, empowered and content.
Another change that I’ve noticed is that I’ve become more introverted than I used to be. I look forward to spending time by myself to recharge and reflect, and if I spend too long without ‘me time’, it sometimes causes me to shut down, or even become stressed and irritated. Sometimes, I prefer to observe and people-watch rather than involve myself in a crowd. This, coupled with the fact that I’m not so outspoken at times, sometimes leads people to believe that I’m in a bad mood, when in fact, I’m just quietly content (please see this excellent video on ‘Bitchy Resting Face’, the story of my life). This doesn’t mean that I’m shy or a hermit, it’s just the way I work these days. It shows even in little things, like my daily run. I need to run alone. I’ll run with a partner if they offer, but for me, running is my time to zone out and reflect on my training, or whatever happens to be on my mind that day. These aspects of my personality have always been present, but I’ve noticed that they’ve become more prominent over time.
I’m not sure how much change I can attribute to Muay Thai alone, as travelling, living in another country and having so many new experiences will have undoubtedly had some effect, but I’m certain that Muay Thai and fighting has been a major factor for me. How much of my progress would have been possible if I hadn’t discovered Muay Thai?
When I first started Muay Thai, I’d just graduated and set off on a backpacking trip by myself, and spending a month training in Thailand before heading off to other countries. At that stage, I didn’t even think that I wanted to fight, so I certainly couldn’t have predicted that doing so would become such a big part of my life. Since then, I’ve consistently surprised myself with what I can do.
Since I’ve started fighting, my lifestyle has changed drastically. At times, I have felt that it has caused me to become somewhat alienated from other people. Living the life of a fighter requires me to spend a lot of time on my own. I live at the gym, training for six days a week, as well as working six days a week, and my day off is usually spent training. This leaves very little time for much else.
Instead of spending my free time socialising, any time that I’m not training or working is spent eating, resting or writing. Before a recent trip home for my last fight, when packing my suitcase I discovered that my shoes that I would usually wear for going out were literally covered in cobwebs and dust. Then, I realised that it had been almost a year since I’d last been on a night out. Every time I’d had a holiday or time off work, I’d used it either for a fight, or to train for a fight. This isn’t a complaint. I genuinely love what I do, and it doesn’t make me sad at all. In fact, it makes me proud. I don’t think I’m missing out by not going out. I rarely drink, and I’m not much of a party person at all. I have no idea how long I will be in Thailand, so it seems simple to me that I should make the most of my time here by doing what I came here to do: to train and fight.
It’s a difficult lifestyle to maintain at times, and it’s certainly not without its rough patches, but I’m trying to challenge myself in order not only to become a better fighter, but a better person. Settling down, doing a 9-5 and living for the weekend is what’s expected of me, but at this stage in my life, that’s not what I’m looking for.
While I wouldn’t change my current lifestyle for the world, I sometimes wonder how it has contributed to those changes that my friends pointed out. At times, I’ve doubted myself, wondering if it had resulted in any adverse effect on my personality, but now that I’m a little more self-assured, I see them more as developments, directing me towards the person I want to be. I’m now confident that I’m in the right place, doing the right things, paving the way for even more positive things in the future.
I’ve heard from various people that Muay Thai has helped them to improve their confidence, and I’ve had the same experience. There are also countless stories of people who’ve used Muay Thai as a tool to help them turn their whole lives around. For some, it’s a drastic change, and for others it’s very subtle, but no matter where on the spectrum it falls, it makes a difference.
Have you noticed any changes in your personality since taking up Muay Thai? Share them in the comments. I know I’m not the only one!
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I love reading your stuff… I too… have resting asshole face 😦
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Thanks! It’s a really unfortunate condition..;) The thing is, it’s only when people say things like ‘cheer up!’ or ‘smile, it might never happen!’, that I actually do become a bitch. Haha!
– Emma
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I to sgare the resting asshole face…..fighting has built up a higher level of awareness of other people for me. Meaning, I can read people emotions and deminer. ..
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Tu, your resting asshole face, coupled with my bitchy resting face, are probably why we hated each other at first. You’re alright, though.
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Great post! Muay thai literally changed my life. My back was fractured in two places, and muay thai developed the surrounding muscles to the point that I rarely have back pain anymore. I was told I would be in a wheelchair at 23, but instead I became a kickboxer.
When I moved from my tiny hometown to this city, I was shy for the first time in my life. I really struggled with my confidence. Muay thai helped me with that, too–it made me feel stronger and gave me something to be proud of. During fight camp, all my demons came out…the process was a constant internal struggle for me. I thought I wasn’t good enough, that I would never be ready, that I didn’t deserve to be one of the fighters. I went through so many fears and self-doubts that I can’t help but think it will make me stronger if I fight again. Unfortunately, I once thought it would give me the courage to handle any situation, but I don’t think it went that far. Maybe if I fought more often!
I did go through the lack of a social life thing, for about two years–training for my red prajioud and then getting into fight camp. I got some grief over it, but mostly from my bf, who missed me terribly. Not everyone at my day job was happy about it, either. But my friends understood. It helps that my best friend is also a kickboxer who’s had several fights!
I can’t see muay thai ever having a negative effect on a person, but if your friends are used to you being a doormat, they might not be happy that you suddenly have the courage to call them on things. You will find new friends who love you for your strength, not for your past weaknesses. And that is a great thing.
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Thanks a lot for the comment 🙂 The last part that you said makes a lot of sense. Well, it all does, but you know what I mean, haha! I’m glad to hear how Muay Thai has helped you overcome certain things, too. That’s quite incredible! Thanks for reading and keep training!
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You mean, “get back to training”. I’m still working on that. 🙂
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It was like I was reading an entry I wrote. I totally feel you on nearly every aspect of change you’ve gone through because I’ve gone through the same. I’m so much more introverted/anti social since I’ve began training because otherwise I get distracted from friends who want to party or waste time doing meaningless things, like video games. And my alone time is sacred! Without it I’d be a complete asshole and overwhelmed with life. I usually do yoga for my alone time but since my broken arm it’s been running too… which I’m learning to like.
And I HATE confrontation, drama, and arguing. I get walked over too, especially in relationships because I’m too laid back and nonchalant, which in turn makes other people think I don’t care. Since I’ve began fighting I’ve been in much more control of my emotions and I very, very rarely get upset, angry or mad. I’m beginning to wonder if it’s a good thing or bad, because people like my girlfriend say I don’t show enough emotion.
Great blog post again Emma, you hit the spot!
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Thanks so much for the comment, Sean. It’s nice to hear from others who ‘get it’, while some of the people around me might not.
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reading this i’m struck by how similar it is to my situation- since childhood i have struggled with low confidence. i like who i am but i always find it hard to speak up against people or tell them ‘no’. though it is still something i deal with and i have a long way to go, i am certain that training muay thai has improved my confidence in a visible way. when i told my girlfriend about my confidence issues she couldn’t believe it- she said i always seemed a very confident person to her (i started training a couple years before i met her), so obviously it is working
And now i’ve summoned up the courage to go to Thailand on my lonesome (in just over 3 weeks) to train, having never been anywhere like that on my own! hopefully doing this will be another big step in my jurney to confidence
keep up the good work, i enjoy the blog
Martin
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i feel the same way. soon as i returned the the U.S from thailand the first thing my friends said was you changed and its a very similar story to yours. keep doing amazing things emma!
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Totally relate to this one! So many people say i have changed and i def have beacuse i muay thai not only the crazy parting i did but the way i seen life in general is so different. My friends comlian and say i used to be fun and im so serious now. It makes me mad that they say that because i didnt like the person i was before but i like the person i am today and i guess that makes me not even want friends. Its just me and my hubby we are lucky we have each other and we are both fighters. Normal people just dont understand us and they way we think anymore. I think becomeinga fighter changes everything and your whole life is seen in a different way.
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Thanks, Natasha! Actually, I was going to ask for your thoughts on this, but you beat me to it 🙂 It’s a shame to hear people say those things, but everybody is working towards where they want to be and what they want to achieve, and some people might be around for the whole of your journey, whereas others will be around for just part of it, and that’s OK. Sometimes, it can be hard to find common ground with people outside of Muay Thai or fighting, because it’s a totally different world to them, but to you, it’s your whole life, so that’s all you’re going to be talking about 80% of the time! Haha. I get what you mean.
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i wrote a blog about how muay thai changed my life a while back People that knew me befor dont even think im the same person haha http://muaytash.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/how-muay-thai-changed-my-life/
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Great post, Emma. I, for the record, would never forgive my sister for the tea party incident, although I admit I would have caved as well. In my house the four children got to pick the movie we’d rent on a rotation – with four of us, one had to wait a good stint before a turn rolled around again. I caved in to my brothers’ interests ALL THE TIME because, as the youngest and only girl, there really wasn’t anyone else who was going to enjoy My Little Ponies.
I believe I’m less introverted since being consumed by Muay Thai. I was never very social and I think my introversion is part of what makes most folks who have known me from before make the same, “what?!” face when they find out what I’m doing now. My friends and family members who have peered into my “new world” have largely been influenced by it also. In a way, my fighting has changed my family also.
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Thanks, Sylvie. It’s safe to say that I will never let my sister forget about that. I like to remind her at every opportunity.
I get the same reaction from friends and family when they find out what I’m doing. I don’t think anyone would ever have guessed that I would have done anything like this. How would you say it’s influenced your friends and family?
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I realized through your asking that there’s much to be said about how my family has changed due to my fighting, so I reckon I’ll try to write a blog post on it. But in short it was a hard sell, but my family is amazing and would support me no matter what I chose to do. I think it was their coming to actually UNDERSTAND what I’m doing – each of them in a different way – that has really influenced us all individually. My mom, for example, can’t even watch an action movie without crying out in anguish during a fist-fight scene that is so choreographed and ridiculous the rest of us are laughing; but despite her visceral aversion to (simulated) physical violence, she is in fact one of my most avid fight-watchers… my mother-in-law, too, which is also crazy.
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Your blog is amazing.
M-A.
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Your blog is amazing
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