Thinking about searching “Muay Thai near me”? Before you walk into your first academy, there are a few key things you should know that could save you time, money, and even injuries.

In this episode, Jonathan Puu breaks down:
✅ What to look for when you step into a Muay Thai gym for the first time
✅ Why environment and community matter more than you think
✅ How your very first class should be handled (and red flags to avoid)
✅ The importance of culture, tradition, and respect in Muay Thai
✅ A bonus tip on structure, safety, and hygiene that separates great gyms from the rest

Jonathan has been training, fighting, coaching, and officiating in Muay Thai for nearly two decades, and has helped thousands of beginners find their path in martial arts. Whether you’re brand new or looking to restart your training, this guide will help you know what to expect when you search for “Muay Thai near me.”

📌 Follow our dedicated podcast Instagram: @muaythaipodcast

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

Looking for a Muay Thai event near me? The EAT SLEEP TEEP Semi Contact Muay Thai Series is coming to Nashville, Tennessee on October 12th, 2025 at the Nashville Fairgrounds!

This Muay Thai event is the perfect way for beginners, kids, teens, and adults to experience competition in a safe, semi-contact format. Unlike full-contact fights, the focus is on technique, skill, and control—making it the best way to test yourself or watch your students grow.

In this episode of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu shares:
✅ Why the Semi Contact Muay Thai Series is changing competition in the U.S.
✅ What makes Nashville the next stop in this nationwide expansion
✅ How this event helps coaches grow their programs and give students safe competition experience
✅ What competitors, fans, and families can expect on October 12th, 2025

📅 Date: Sunday, October 12th, 2025
📍 Venue: Nashville Fairgrounds
🎤 Promoter: Bruce Panyapol, Chonburi Muay Thai

👉 Competitor registration is open now at https://eatsleepteep.com
⏰ Registration cutoff: October 4th, 2025
🎟️ Fans—tickets available at the door.
📩 Sponsors—get involved through the website.

If you’re searching for a Muay Thai event near me after this date, head to https://eatsleepteep.com to see upcoming Semi Contact Muay Thai Series events happening across the U.S.

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

In this episode of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, we highlight exclusive segments from our Whatnot livestreams, showcasing how we’re growing the Muay Thai community both in Ventura and worldwide.

First, we sit down with Coach Vinny Chew of Pu’u Muay Thai Ventura. Vinny shares his journey from being one of our first front desk staff to stepping into the ring, his current coaching role with kids and adults, and his fight preparation for WCK Muay Thai in Long Beach. He also talks about the energy inside the new Ventura academy and why sparring, steady training, and mindset matter most.

Next, we bring in Veronica Slavin, our media director for our Thailand training camp, who has decades of experience capturing sports and cultural stories through photography. Veronica will be joining our team in Bangkok, Thailand, documenting the upcoming Thailand Training Camp and creating a short documentary to share the experience with the Muay Thai community. She offers her perspective on blending culture, family, and fight storytelling.

This episode gives you a look at how Pu’u Muay Thai is using training, competition, media, and livestreaming platforms like Whatnot to connect with the global Muay Thai community, support fighters, and grow the sport.

👉 Watch & shop our livestreams on Whatnot: https://www.whatnot.com/s/gjRhS7gH

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👊 Train with us in Thailand: thailand.puumuaythai.com

🥊 Learn more about EAT SLEEP TEEP events: eatsleepteep.com

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📺 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!

Thinking you’re too old to start Muay Thai? Think again. In this episode of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Chief Instructor Kru Ed from Ventura shares why people in their 40s and 50s are some of the BEST candidates to train. Discover how Muay Thai improves balance, reduces stress from busy careers, and builds lasting confidence. Whether you’re a doctor, lawyer, parent, or professional in Ventura, this episode shows why it’s never too late to reclaim your edge through high-level coaching.

Interested in receiving coaching? Just call us 805-665-3311 or visit https://muaythaiventura.com

Follow Ed: https://www.instagram.com/edwardgo.pmt

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

In this episode, Jonathan Puu sits down with Ognjen Topić (@topicfight), one of the most respected Muay Thai fighters to ever come out of the United States. Recorded during his visit to Ventura for a seminar, Ognjen shares his journey from graphic designer in New Jersey to Omnoi Stadium Champion in Bangkok, Thailand
.

We cover:

• His breakout fight against Neungsiam from Fairtex and why it was a turning point for him.
• What it was really like to fight legends like Saenchai and face off under the brutal stadium system in Thailand.
• The harsh realities of the gambling culture, gym politics, and the infamous “Round 6” treatment fighters endure.
• Why Ognjen quit his steady 9–5 career in design to go all-in on Muay Thai, and how branding, social media, and content creation became critical to sustaining his career.
• His perspective on ONE Championship’s small-glove era, bonuses, and how the sport is changing for better or worse.
• What authenticity means in Muay Thai, why some fighters fall into “influencer fraud,” and how to truly stand out as a fighter.
• Reflections on his future as a coach, seminar leader, and what he believes is next for the sport.

This is a must-listen for fighters, coaches, and anyone passionate about the culture and evolution of Muay Thai.

👉 Follow Ognjen Topić on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/topicfight

Support the show

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
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👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

Ever wondered which gloves ONE Championship fighters actually use and why they’re different from other Muay Thai gloves? In this episode of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, we break down the exact gear used in ONE Championship, why it matters for safety and performance, and how it compares to traditional Muay Thai gloves.

We’ll cover:

• The official gloves used in ONE Championship Muay Thai bouts
• How glove design impacts striking, defense, and fighter safety
• Why understanding the gear can change your training approach
• Insights from years of experience in Muay Thai competition and officiating

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

Should elbows to the back of the head be legal in Muay Thai? In Thailand, some stadiums say YES—while in the West, it’s a clear NO. In this episode, Jonathan Puu, an experienced referee and coach, unpacks the history, dangers, and rule variations behind this strike.

Inside this episode:

• The origins of “rabbit punches” and why they’re dangerous
• 12-to-6 elbows: from MMA ban to legalization
• How Thai stadium culture views back-of-the-head shots
• The viral KO that reignited the debate
• Jonathan’s verdict on whether these strikes should be allowed

If you’ve ever wondered why certain strikes are banned in one country and celebrated in another, you need to hear this.

👉 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muaythaipodcast/
👊 Join our Thailand training camp: https://thailand.puumuaythai.com/
🎙️ Subscribe for weekly Muay Thai insights

#MuayThaiPodcast #MuayThai #CombatSports #MartialArts #Elbows #MuayThaiRules #FighterSafety #MuayThaiTraining

Support the show

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
📩 DM us on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast
💥 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 this episode of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu breaks down the gloves you should NEVER use for sparring—and why they’re putting you and your training partners at risk. From low-density foam to dangerous plastic reinforcements, we go deep on what makes a glove good or garbage.

Jonathan shares his professional experience as a fighter, coach of national champions, and ring official for thousands of fights. You'll also get recommendations for trusted brands like Top King, Fairtex, Twins Special, Windy, Combat Corner, Yuth, and Ghost Brand.

📦 Need gear or glove help? We carry recommended gloves at Pu’u Muay Thai Ventura.

🔗 Links:
• EAT SLEEP TEEP Events
• SIAM Standard Ring Official Certification
• Train in Thailand with Pu’u Muay Thai
• Ghost Brand Gloves

• Other sparring gear recommendations

Subscribe and share this with a teammate who needs to upgrade their gear!

Support the show

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
📩 DM us on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast
💥 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!