The story of a former Muay Thai fighter’s complicated relationship with food and body image, influenced by fight culture. It describes cycles of disordered eating, weight obsession, and the struggle for balance between training and lifestyle. These struggles have persisted post-retirement, highlighting ongoing mental health challenges that extend beyond training and competition.
A personal story of sexual violence being exploited for trauma porn, and an exploration of how Mark Laita’s Soft White Underbelly exploits vulnerable people for clicks, risks retraumatization and reinforces victim- blaming narratives. His channels provides a dangerous example for journalists to follow when interviewing survivors of sexual assault.
A former Muay Thai fighter’s reflections on the identity crisis that comes after retirement, exploring loss, emotional challenges, and the importance of building a life outside of sport.
Vice Consul of the British Embassy Derek Johnstone reached out to me in April 2018 after reading my blog post about my experience of sexual assault. He came across the post while researching the experiences of British rape victims in Thailand, and told me of his plans to improve the Read more
A couple of years ago, I was on one of my annual trips home to the UK. My parents organized a family BBQ for the occasion. When my aunt arrived to join the gathering, the first thing she said to me was “are you still doing Thai boxing, then?” Her Read more
It’s been a long time since I last fought. I miss the challenge, the adrenaline rush, the fear and the sense of pride that always came with it. A powerlifting competition gave me the chance to feel all of these things again, but this time through a different sport. My Read more
A personal story of sexual assault perpetrated by a Muay Thai coach at a training camp in Thailand, exploring rape culture, the impact of sexual violence in sport, and the need for systemic change in Muay Thai.
After leaving my Muay Thai gym after four and a half years, a Muay Thai fighter reflects on the emotional challenges of this transition, likening it to leaving a toxic relationship. The author also shares red flag phrases you might hear when leaving your Muay Thai gym.
The term ‘rape culture’ refers to the ways in which sexual violence is trivialized and normalized. It involves victims being blamed, shamed and encouraged to hide their abuse. It can be present in media and institutions as well as general societal practices. Rape culture is certainly not exclusive to Thailand; Read more
After my 11th fight, it was suggested to me that I stop fighting altogether. This was something that struck me emotionally, and I was unsure how to react. I spoke to Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu, who told me that’d once experienced a similar situation. She then asked me to write a Read more