02/17/2026
Long post. I never post about myself, but felt the need to for this one.
4 years ago today, I walked into my first muay thai class at this gym. People come to muay thai for many different reasons, whether it is fitness, self-defense, or maybe you just enjoy getting hit 😆. For me, it was for my health.
The first photo was taken a few months before my first class. I had weighed around 170-180 pounds throughout most of my adult life and had been pretty thin. But by the time I turned 30, I had really started to put on weight. I was 32 in that first photo and weighed around 235 pounds. At my heaviest, I weighed almost 250 pounds. Friends that I knew in my 20's didnt recognize me at first because of how much bigger I was. My doctor also noticed and told me some health issues, like high blood pressure, were happening way too early for someone my age, and I had to get my weight and diet under control.
At about the same time, Vonnora Muay Thai had just opened up. I had always said if a real muay thai gym opened near me, I would go. So, the time was right and I went. It hooked me immediately but it was very difficult at first since I was so out of shape. I threw up after my first two classes. But I kept pushing and showed up as often as my body would let me.
The second photo was last summer, after my second fight. I weighed 200 pounds, 50 pounds less than I weighed at my heaviest, while also adding around 10-15 pounds of muscle. I put on about 5 pounds of muscle in just the 6 months leading up to this fight. Once again, people I haven't seen in awhile almost didn't recognize me, but this time in a good way. I am stronger and more athletic than I've ever been in my life, and it is all because I took a chance and stayed consistent to reach my goals.
I guess the point of this post is to hopefully inspire anyone who is thinking of trying Muay Thai to take the leap. Whatever your goals, I believe Muay Thai will help you get there. Whether it is better health, more confidence, or simply being part of a supportive community, if you put in the work, you will get a lot out of this sport just by showing up and making the effort.
