In this inspiring episode of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu welcomes Daniel Chacon of Denver Muay Thai to Teep Studios via Zoom. From arriving in the U.S. as a child refugee from Argentina to becoming a U.S. citizen, Muay Thai gym owner, and coach—Daniel shares the raw and emotional story of how martial arts transformed his life.

Hear how a chance encounter with UFC legend Rich Franklin lit the spark that changed everything, and how Daniel now uses his platform to give back to the next generation of fighters. We also discuss:

• What it was like competing as an undocumented fighter for Team USA
• How Daniel hustled through college, bar shifts, and teaching kids to afford training
• His first trip to Thailand after years of waiting
• The deep influence of legends like Ajarn Chai
• What drives him to build a culture of purpose at Denver Muay Thai

Whether you're a fighter, coach, or simply love real stories of grit and growth, this episode is packed with insight, humor, and heart.

📍 Follow Daniel:
Instagram: @doublekick_danny
Academy: @denver_muay_thai
Website: coachdannychacon.com

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👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

In this special episode recorded at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ, host Jonathan Puu is joined by Muay Thai legends John Crane and Bob Karmel, two Americans with deep roots at the iconic Fairtex Bangplee camp in Thailand during the 1990s.

We dive into:

• What it was like to be among the first Americans training full-time at Fairtex Thailand
• The wild story of Mr. Wong’s pet tiger, “Mimi,” that lunged at fighters during their morning runs 🐅
• The culture shock, intense training regimens, and bonds formed in one of Muay Thai’s golden eras
• How Muay Thai has evolved since those early days—and what’s stayed true to its roots

This episode is a rare glimpse into the heart of traditional Thai training culture and the unforgettable experiences that shaped two pioneers of American Muay Thai.

📲 Follow us on Instagram @muaythaipodcast
🔥 Don’t miss out on exclusive episodes and insider stories from the Muay Thai world.

Support the show

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
📩 DM us on Instagram: @puumuaythai
💥 Join the Black Room VIP Community to talk more about this topic!

📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

In Episode 195 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu returns to Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ after a whirlwind few weeks of building the future of Muay Thai—literally. From hosting a sold-out Eat Sleep Teep 3 semi-contact event in Ventura to laying down the floors of the brand-new Pu’u Muay Thai Ventura academy, this episode is all about growth, gratitude, and grassroots community building.

Jonathan shares the real story of how Muay Thai didn’t even exist in Ventura when he was growing up—and how, through persistence, sacrifice (even selling his blood platelets to afford training), and a relentless drive, he helped ignite a Muay Thai movement in his hometown.

🚨 Topics Covered:
🥊 Eat Sleep Teep 3 Recap – Full rundown of the event, teams that came out, and why it matters
🧱 Ventura Gym Expansion – Building out the new space at 2424 E Main Street
🇺🇸 Shoutouts to sponsors like Kingdom Supply Co. (https://thekingdomsupply.com/) & the U.S. Coast Guard Ventura Recruiting Station
🔥 How semi-contact series events DONE RIGHT are creating champions & growing the next generation
🏆 Why grassroots development is the key to Muay Thai’s future in the U.S.
📈 National event updates, new developments in other states, and why this movement is spreading fast

Whether you’re a coach, fighter, gym owner, or Muay Thai supporter, this episode reminds us that with heart, hustle, and community, anything is possible—even in places where Muay Thai once didn’t exist.

📍 Want to compete or bring Eat Sleep Teep to your state? Visit: https://eatsleepteep.com
📲 Follow the podcast: @muaythaipodcast

Support the show

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
📩 DM us on Instagram: @puumuaythai
💥 Join the Black Room VIP Community to talk more about this topic!

📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!