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.

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👊 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

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

In Episode 194 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, recorded at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ, Jonathan Puu returns from a jam-packed trip to Ventura, California to share major updates and powerful insights into the future of Muay Thai officiating in the U.S.

🔥 What’s covered:

• Eat Sleep Teep 3 – Over 100 registered athletes for the third event in our semi-contact Muay Thai series happening May 17th at Ventura High School
• Big Move Alert – The new Ventura academy location at 2424 East Main Street is under construction with a full buildout underway
• Muay Thai Officiating is Broken – Why the current standard isn’t working, and how the Siam Standard Ring Official Course is designed to raise the bar
• The differences in refereeing Muay Thai vs. boxing, MMA, and kickboxing
• Why semi-contact officiating is harder than full-contact—and how we’re building a new generation of educated ring officials
• Announcing: custom Muay Thai referee boots made in Thailand, built for both style and safety

Whether you're a coach, athlete, or aspiring ring official, this episode dives deep into the overlooked world of officiating, how to do it right, and why fighter safety starts with better education.

🎓 Learn more or enroll in the Siam Standard Ring Official Course:
👉 https://muaythairingofficial.com

📢 Follow our new podcast-only Instagram: @muaythaipodcast

🎟️ Want to compete or attend Eat Sleep Teep?
👉 https://eatsleepteep.com

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

In Episode 193 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, recorded at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ, Jonathan Puu dives into the exciting chaos happening in May for Pu'u Muay Thai!

We talk about Eat Sleep Teep 3, our next big semi-contact Muay Thai event taking place on May 17th at Ventura High School, featuring competitors from across California, Arizona, Nevada, and beyond. Plus, Jonathan reveals all the details about Pu’u Muay Thai Ventura’s big move to our brand-new upgraded facility just down the street on Main Street in Ventura!

This episode covers:
🥊 Eat Sleep Teep 3: New updates, matchups, sponsorships, and community impact.
🏠 Behind the scenes of the Ventura Academy expansion—more space, a boxing ring, brand-new mats, a retail pro shop, parking (!!), and better experiences for students and families.
🛠️ Moving logistics, community volunteer opportunities, and how we're building for the future of Muay Thai in Ventura.
📢 Updates on our new podcast Instagram — follow us at @muaythaipodcast for behind-the-scenes content, guest previews, and episode drops!

May is going to be a massive month for Pu'u Muay Thai, and we couldn't do it without the support of our incredible students, families, coaches, and friends.

🎟️ Want to get involved with Eat Sleep Teep or help with the big move?
Visit: https://eatsleepteep.com

Follow our podcast-only content here: @muaythaipodcast

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

In Episode 192 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, we sit down in-person at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, AZ with a very special guest: Jason Cruz, the legendary frontman of the punk rock band Strung Out and a dedicated student at Pu’u Muay Thai Ventura. Jason was in town for the Punk in the Park festival in Chandler, AZ, but made time to talk about his powerful journey through music, fighting, and finding purpose.

At 51 years old, Jason shares how Muay Thai has transformed his life—and how discovering it with his wife during COVID gave them a shared mission of empowerment, discipline, and community. From touring the world with his band to stepping into the ring at our Eat Sleep Teep event, Jason’s story is a unique and deeply authentic one that bridges punk rock and martial arts like few can.

Topics include:
🎸 Jason’s 35-year journey as a musician and what keeps him inspired
🥊 How Muay Thai became his new passion and emotional outlet
💥 Parallels between punk rock and Muay Thai’s underground culture
🧠 The power of community, personal growth, and training at 50+
🌀 Japanese influence, global travel stories, and preserving Muay Thai culture

Whether you’re a lifelong punk, a Muay Thai fanatic, or someone chasing purpose later in life—this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

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

In Episode 191 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, we’re coming to you straight from Bangkok, Thailand with a special crossover segment from CHOK Chats—hosted by content creator and RWS commentator Joe Comerford, joined by Jonathan Puu and Josh Soliva.

This wide-ranging, no-filter conversation digs into the realities of training and fighting Muay Thai in Thailand, the cultural expectations for foreigners, and the ongoing issue of influencer fraud—people selling online content and courses without real experience.

We discuss: 🇹🇭 What foreigners often get wrong about Muay Thai culture
🥊 The rise of Rajadamnern World Series (RWS) and its influence in the U.S.
💰 Fighter pay, matchmaking politics, and the danger of pulling out of fights
⚠️ The danger of unauthorized self-defense instructors and fake certifications
📉 How fake fight records and content creators are harming the sport's growth
🔥 And how to truly earn respect in Thai gyms and fight circles

We also share personal stories—from training in legendary camps to dealing with unsafe training partners—and talk about how Muay Thai’s expansion into North America could change the game if done right.

This episode is packed with honesty, experience, and some powerful insights from people living and working in Muay Thai on the ground in Thailand.

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

In Episode 190 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu visits the stunning Marrok Gym in Bangkok, Thailand, for a powerful in-person conversation with co-owners Mimm and Golf, alongside special guest Josh Soliva. This episode dives deep into how Marrok is reshaping the Muay Thai and MMA landscape in Thailand—focusing on fighter empowerment, fair contracts, and long-term athlete development.

Jonathan explores: 🥊 How Marrok Gym was founded to give fighters fair treatment and freedom from exploitative contracts.

💥 Stories of buying fighters out of unfair deals and helping them gain educational opportunities.

🏛️ The inspiration behind the name “Marrok,” its symbol of transformation, and the gym’s inclusive culture—where everyone has a seat at the table.

🌴 The gym’s unique setup: a Muay Thai + fitness hybrid built on private land with a coconut farm, near the river, minutes from Bangkok’s city center.

🇹🇭 The legendary Ajarn Pipa’s role at the gym, having trained some of Thailand’s greatest fighters including Saenchai and Lerdsila.

⚔️ Golf’s experience promoting BKFC Asia, future MMA expansion, and their mission to grow combat sports with integrity.

Whether you’re looking to train in Thailand, explore Muay Thai’s evolution, or get inspired by gym owners who are doing things the right way, this episode is a must-listen.

📍 Interested in training at Marrok Gym?
👉 https://www.marrokgroup.com/

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