Welcome back, Dear Readers.
I’m thrilled to be able to share a bit of Emma’s story with you. Emma is a 25-year-old Brit from Poole, Dorset who fell so in love with Muay Thai that she moved to Thailand to train full time.
I’ve wanted to train in Thailand for a while, and I’m fascinated by brave women like Emma who leave behind everything they know and love to make it a reality.
Please welcome Emma and give her some blog love in the comments.
1) How long have you been training in Muay Thai and why did you start?
I first started training in late 2010. I was a bit of a gym addict, and, having already been to Thailand for a short visit a few years prior, I was curious about Muay Thai. I’d always wanted to try boxing, but having never tried any combat sport before, was far too intimidated about the idea of stepping into what I (perhaps irrationally) imagined to be a gym full of experienced and unwelcoming men on my own as a complete beginner. There was something about Muay Thai that gave me the final push to just go and do it. I scoured my local area for gyms, but it wasn’t until I arrived back in Thailand than I built up the courage (to train). No sooner had I got there than I jumped straight into training, although I had no intention of fighting at that time. It just went from there, so I’m excited to see where it will continue to go.
2) Did you face any challenges in the beginning?
In the early stages, my parents were not entirely enthusiastic about me fighting. Understandably, they didn’t feel comfortable with me doing it, although they never told me not to. The subject was never really raised between us and it wasn’t something that we talked about, just something that I did that they were aware of. It was difficult at that time because it was so alien to most of my friends and family. The thing that was consuming my life was something that I couldn’t share with them. When I would email my mom to tell her I had a fight coming up, the response would be simply ‘OK’. It wasn’t until my fifth fight, which I won by knockout, that my parents finally became comfortable with it. I think that made them realize I could do it. Later on that year, I fought in England for the first time and my parents came to watch and support me, which meant a lot to me. My fights and training are now a regular topic in our weekly Skype chats.
3) What was your life like before you moved to Thailand?
From a young age, I had always planned to travel. I was tempted to go before university, but I had a feeling that if I did, I wouldn’t go back to education. Getting a degree was hugely important to me, so I decided to study first. With this in mind, I worked part time all the way through school and university in order to ensure that I would have enough money to go as soon as I wanted to. I graduated with first class honours in Enterprise in Product Design before immediately setting off on a backpacking trip that would take me around Thailand and South Africa. I was determined to get out, travel and have new experiences before I had any chance to become trapped by the social norms of careers, houses, cars and relationships. It ended up being the best decision that I’ve ever made.
4) What made you decide to move to Thailand to train?
After travelling, there was never really any question about me moving here. Since I had planned to go travelling from early on, I was careful to ensure that I had no ties at all to hold me back. This meant that the move was a smooth one. It felt like the most natural thing to do. I just did exactly what I wanted to do.
5) What was the most difficult thing to give up?
I don’t really see myself as having to give up anything. Instead, I feel incredibly privileged to be able to do the things that I love every day while also being in a place that I love. Of course, the lifestyle that I have is demanding and sometimes becomes too much for me. I keep a constant, fight-ready training schedule while working six days a week. The one thing that is definitely lacking in my life is time for socializing, but I really love the life that I have right now and I don’t think I would have it any other way. I do sometimes feel frustrated about never having a break or any time off. However, when I do get the chance to take a day off work, I end up using it for training or fighting. It wouldn’t feel right to do anything else.
6) How long have you been in Thailand and what’s been the biggest challenge?
I’ve now been here for three years. As most people do, I absolutely fell in love with Thailand from the beginning and couldn’t imagine leaving. While that feeling has remained with me throughout my time here, I have had my ups and downs along the way.
I can say without hesitation that the biggest challenge that I’ve faced has been loneliness. I moved out here alone and am only able to visit once a year, and have had some rather low moments when spending Christmases or birthdays alone. Also, as almost everyone around me is living a temporary lifestyle, I’m constantly having to adapt to changes in my social circle as friends come and go. My demanding schedule of training, working and writing leaves me almost no time to make new friends or spend time with existing ones. While this is definitely difficult at times, it is the choice I have made by committing myself to the things I’m passionate about doing. I see it more as an investment in myself, and I’m confident that it’s worth it.
7) How long do you intend to stay?
I try not to make too many plans because they always seem to change. I originally planned to be here for six months, and now it’s been three years. I planned to work as an English teacher just as a way of staying in Thailand, but it ended up being a huge passion of mine. I planned to have only one or two fights, but it’s now thirteen. People often ask me what my plan is or when I intend to stop or to go home, and my answer is always the same: for as long as I enjoy it, this is what I’ll do. Each time I say it, I feel like it’s a luxury to be able to do so without any constraints or obligations. I remind myself of how fantastic that is and realize I should be in no hurry to give up that position.
8) What do you miss most about home, and what will you miss most about Thailand?
Aside from my family and friends, of course, the thing that I’ve missed the most has definitely been food! I often fantasize about food that I’m never able to have, and then make mental lists about what I will eat when I do go home. That being said, the food here is fantastic and I would definitely miss it if I went home. As humans, we always seem to want what we can’t have, so I try to appreciate what I do have in the moment. That doesn’t stop me from wanting some chocolate or my mum’s cooking, though!
9) How do you think women in Muay Thai are viewed?
I think that now is a really promising time for women’s Muay Thai. It seems to be really taking off, with organizations like Awakening doing a lot to promote female fighters, more women blogging about their experiences, more female bouts as main events, more women taking up Muay Thai and more of them coming to Thailand to train and fight. There is more support and encouragement for women in Muay Thai now than there has ever been. I’m seeing constant progress and I’m really excited to be part of it all right now.
10) Why are you so passionate about Muay Thai, and what else is on your bucket list?
I think the thing that makes me so passionate about Muay Thai is that it constantly forces me to learn and grow. I have always been very academic, so could have easily slipped into a career after university, but that idea didn’t seem challenging enough for me. I wanted to do things that would take me out of my comfort zone, and I do that every time I get into the ring. Rather than a bucket list, I made a list of things I want to do before I’m thirty, as I wanted to do all of those things before then instead of just dreaming about them. Funnily enough, I recently had to rewrite it because I had managed to achieve all of them. It included things like backpacking by myself, doing the highest bungee jump in the world, cage diving with Great White sharks, going on an African safari and becoming an English teacher, a published writer and Muay Thai fighter. The newest one includes things like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, setting up my own business, and skydiving. You have to keep life interesting! More than anything, I just want to do the things that make me happy.
Thanks, Emma! I hope you’ve found Emma as inspiring as I do. Feel free to ask her questions in the comment section.
To learn more about her adventures in Muay Thai, check out her blog Under the Ropes.
What a very inspiring post.
It’s wonderful to hear about Emma’s courage in breaking out from the rat race to live a dream, not to mention her courage in the ring. It makes me feel rather unenterprising for having stayed in science straight after university. My only excuse is that science is almost as competitive as muay thai, and once you step off the treadmill it’s hard to catch up.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Boxing Scientist. I’m glad you find Emma inspiring. I felt the same way–once I had a great freelance career, I was afraid to leave the city in case I didn’t find that kind of success again. If I had the chance to do it over, I would take more risks.
I think it takes a special kind of person to live completely commitment and obligation-free. I envy those that can, but I know I also need roots of some kind. I believe the only thing that matters in the end is that we do what makes us happy.
Thanks so much for reading and also for following my blog!
I imagine leaving a career behind to be very daunting indeed, which is why I made sure to get out before I could even start one. Sometimes, people ask if I’m afraid that I’m getting ‘left behind’. That thought might pop into my head from time to time, especially when I talk to friends back home and hear about everything they’re doing. Still, that only last for a minute before I look around me and see how silly that is. Like Holli said, as long as we do what makes us happy, that’s all that matters!
I have been following Emma for quite a while now and all that I can do is drool.
I missed my calling for the art that I love so much now as Muay Thai was actually considerwd to be illegal here in Canada in my younger years. Now at 55 years of age I train as much as I can, and still love to give the younger ones a run for their money.
I thing that more young adults should go out and take on the world as Emma has done. There is no better experience than life it self!
Bravo, Emma! I’m always in your corner and will always have your back!!!!
Chears, to life! 😉
Hi Ira,
Welcome to my blog and thanks for your comment. I love to hear about women who are past their twenties and can still hold their own in the ring! I had no idea Muay Thai used to be illegal here–that’s really shocking and ridiculous.
Thanks for supporting Emma and being an inspiration for women in Muay Thai!
Hi Ira,
Thanks for the support, I really appreciate it. I also had no idea that Muay Thai used to be illegal there, that’s crazy! It is really awesome that you’re still training, though.
I agree that more people should just get out there, take control of their lives and do the things that they want to do. It makes me frustrated when people tell me that I’m ‘so lucky’ and how they wish they could do what I’m doing. There’s no secret to it, it’s nothing crazy. The hardest part is just making the decision and buying the ticket. After that, everything else just comes together!
Thanks again!
Emma is an extraordinary woman and I think her career choice proves it beyond doubt. It’s amazing that she has been able to achieve all of those goals and she’s not even thirty. Inspirational! Thank you Holli for letting us see through this lens.
Thanks so much for your comment, Isaac, and welcome to my blog! I completely agree–Emma is incredible. She’s already accomplished more than most people twice her age. What a great ambassador for living a life less ordinary!
Hi Isaac,
Thanks for your comment and for the wonderful compliments. It really means a lot!
Wow, what a great interview! Emma you seem like a courageous young woman who will go far in life, with goals like “getting out of my comfort zone!” I loved the photos and honest answers. Go kick some @ss!
Thanks so much for commenting, Toby. Emma is truly amazing. I admire how much focus she has–at a young age she knew exactly what she wanted, and has never strayed from that path.
Thanks a lot, Toby! Sometimes I forget that my life isn’t so ordinary, because it’s just normal to me! It’s nice to be reminded and say to myself ‘actually, this is pretty fantastic’.
I will ditto the wows! A most interesting story! You are very brave!
What an inspiring woman! I wish I had had such determination. I am going to share this article with my daughter.
Hi Jeanne,
Thanks for reading and for your lovely comment, I hope you daughter enjoys the article, too!
Thanks so much for the kind words, Pauline and Jeanne. I really appreciate it. Emma spent a lot of time on this interview, so it’s nice to see it being appreciated. 🙂
How fabulous to meet someone who is so committed to following her dreams, and who takes the steps to do so. You’re an inspiration, Emma – I’m glad I had a chance to stop by Holli’s blog. I’d say ‘good luck’ with your future plans, but your success has nothing to do with luck, it’s down to your own hard work and dedication!
Hi Gae-Lynn,
Thanks for the lovely comment, it’s so nice to read everyone’s kind words. You’re right about success not being down to luck, but I do feel rather lucky sometimes!
Awesome story!
Thanks for reading, Gae-Lynn and Brett. I very much appreciate the comments!
What an inspiring woman. Great interview.
I feel sorta lazy now:)
Any time you want to try muay thai, let me know! It’s awesome. 🙂
Thanks for commenting, Doreen.
Wow, what an incredible story! Emma, I’m so impressed that you made a plan to achieve your dreams and then followed it. Those are two hard steps to accomplish and you’ve nailed it. Way to go! Very inspiring.
Thanks for commenting, Chris! I hope Emma is able to see these kind words soon.
Such a lovely comment! Thanks, Chris. I’m glad you enjoyed reading my story. All the best for yours! 🙂
Emma’s story is truly inspiring. She just proved to everyone that with great determination, nothing is impossible. And with regard to her choice of sports, I think choosing Muay Thai was a bold move; but that doesn’t make it any less amazing. It is a beautiful combat sport, and it helps to condition and strengthen one’s entire body. And the most important thing is that it teaches one to develop sportsmanship and discipline, two qualities that are great to have in one’s life. Anyway, thanks for sharing!
Conrad Mills @ Toronto Top Team
Thanks for your kind comment, Conrad. Emma is truly amazing, and muay thai is an awesome way to get in shape. I’ve been training since ’97, and while I don’t have the courage or the desire to move to Thailand to fight full time, the sport has completely changed my life for the better.