In Episode 235 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu sits down virtually in the Black Room at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, Arizona with Joel “The Wolf” Licata, a Muay Thai fighter turned coach who spent five years living and training in Thailand.

Joel shares his journey of starting Muay Thai later in life, moving across the world during COVID to train full-time in Chiang Mai, and developing his skills under legendary trainer Thailand Pinsinchai.

In this episode, they discuss:

•  What it’s really like training in Thailand with no other foreigners 
•  The difference between Muay Thai in the U.S. vs Thailand 
•  Fighting in Thailand as an older athlete and smaller weight class fighter 
•  Competing internationally, including fights in Thailand and Mexico 
•  The risks of fighting, including injuries and Joel’s decision to retire 
•  How Muay Thai evolves across different rule sets and promotions 
•  The importance of clinch work and technical development 
•  Joel’s transition into coaching at Rising Tide Academy in Maryland 

Joel also breaks down how training in Thailand shaped his understanding of Muay Thai and why bridging the knowledge gap between Thailand and the United States is critical for the sport’s growth.

This episode is a must-listen for fighters, coaches, and anyone considering training or fighting in Thailand, as well as those interested in the long-term journey of Muay Thai beyond just competition.

Follow Joel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelxthewolf

Train with Joel at Rising Tide Academy: https://risingtidemartialarts.us/

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In Episode 234 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu sits down in person in the Black Room at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, Arizona with Mike Martinez, founder of Monster Promotions and longtime coach, matchmaker, and event promoter.

Mike returns to the podcast (previously featured on Episode 164) to break down what it actually takes to build Muay Thai events in the United States — from matchmaking and fighter development to the real economics behind running a show.

In this episode, they discuss:

•  How Monster Promotions started and why it was built 
•  The reality of running Muay Thai events in the U.S. (costs, logistics, and risk) 
•  What makes good matchmaking — and why “easy fights” don’t grow fighters 
•  Building fight cards, tournaments, and title bouts 
•  The challenges of promoting in smaller markets like Flagstaff, Arizona 
•  Elevation, travel, and preparation for fighters competing at altitude 
•  How fighters and gyms can better support promotions and grow the sport 
•  The importance of relationships, collaboration, and long-term vision in Muay Thai 

Mike also shares insight into upcoming events like Cinco de Monster, expansion plans into Las Vegas and Phoenix, and how promotions are evolving with media, livestreaming, and modern marketing.

This episode is a must-listen for fighters, coaches, gym owners, and anyone interested in the business and growth of Muay Thai in the United States.

Learn more about Monster Promotions: https://www.monsterpromotions.org/

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In Episode 233 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu explores a question that’s becoming more common in conversations around the sport:

Is Muay Thai losing its identity?

With the rise of international promotions, new rule sets, and growing influence from MMA, the way Muay Thai is practiced and presented around the world is changing rapidly. From small-glove fights to altered scoring systems and shortened fight structures, many fans and practitioners are asking whether these changes represent healthy evolution — or a shift away from the art’s traditional roots.

In this episode, Jonathan breaks down several of the biggest factors shaping modern Muay Thai:

• The growing influence of MMA striking styles
• The debate around small-glove Muay Thai vs traditional boxing gloves
• How different scoring systems change the way fights are fought
• The impact of international promotions and global audiences
• Changes happening inside historic Thai stadiums like Rajadamnern and Lumpinee
• Why understanding Muay Thai culture matters for preserving the art

Drawing from nearly two decades of experience as a student, fighter, coach, gym owner, and ring official, Jonathan explains how Muay Thai has always evolved — while also highlighting the elements that make the art unique and worth protecting.

Muay Thai today is more global than ever before. But with that growth comes an important question: how do we allow the sport to evolve without losing the traditions, culture, and technical depth that define it?

Whether you’re a fighter, coach, fan, or someone new to the sport, this episode explores the ongoing conversation about the future of Muay Thai.

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In Episode 232 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu breaks down how to evaluate whether a Muay Thai gym is legitimate before you commit your time and training to it.

With nearly two decades of experience as a student, fighter, coach, gym owner, and ring official, Jonathan has seen the full spectrum of gyms — from excellent programs with deep cultural roots to places that simply market Muay Thai without truly teaching the art.

In this episode, Jonathan explains the key things to look for when evaluating a Muay Thai academy, including:

• Why coaching lineage matters and how to ask about it
• What a structured Muay Thai class should actually look like
• The difference between authentic Muay Thai training and cardio kickboxing
• Why gym culture and community reveal a lot about legitimacy
• Technical details every Muay Thai gym should be teaching
• The role of sparring and safety in a healthy training environment
• Common red flags to watch for when choosing a martial arts gym

Muay Thai is more than just hitting pads or getting a workout — it’s a cultural martial art built on discipline, respect, and technical depth. Choosing the right gym can shape your entire experience in the art.

Whether you’re new to Muay Thai or thinking about switching gyms, this episode will help you understand how to recognize authentic Muay Thai training and avoid common pitfalls.

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In Episode 231 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu joins Fox Sports Radio KVTA 1590 in Ventura, California for an in-studio conversation with host Spence and guest host Spencer Noren.

The discussion centers around the Eat Sleep Teep Semi-Contact Muay Thai event, a local amateur competition designed to introduce kids, teens, and adults to Muay Thai in a safe and structured environment.

During the interview, Jonathan explains how Muay Thai differs from other martial arts, why the sport is growing across the Central Coast, and how events like Eat Sleep Teep help develop future athletes while staying family-friendly and accessible to beginners.

Topics covered in this radio segment include:

• What Muay Thai actually is and how it developed historically
• Why Muay Thai is one of the most effective martial arts for self-defense and discipline
• How Eat Sleep Teep events help build the next generation of fighters
• The benefits of Muay Thai training for kids, adults, and beginners
• Why most students train for personal growth rather than competition
• Jonathan’s experience officiating professional Muay Thai events across the United States
• The role of local gyms and community events in growing combat sports

The conversation also touches on Jonathan’s roots in Ventura County, the local martial arts community, and how Muay Thai programs are helping young people develop discipline, confidence, and physical fitness.

If you're curious about Muay Thai, amateur competition, or the growing combat sports scene on California’s Central Coast, this episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at how the sport is developing at the local level.

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In Episode 230 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu sits down in person at Teep Studios with Michael Corley, former President of USA Muay Thai, professional fighter, coach, and longtime advocate for the growth of Muay Thai in America.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level talking points and dives into leadership, governance, athlete development, and the realities of building Muay Thai at a national level.

In this episode, they discuss:

• What it was like leading USA Muay Thai during a pivotal era
• The challenges of running a nonprofit in combat sports
• National team development and international competition
• Governance, politics, and controversy within Muay Thai organizations
• The responsibility of protecting standards in the U.S.
• Athlete pathways from amateur to elite competition
• The long-term vision for Muay Thai in America

Michael shares candid insight into what worked, what didn’t, and what the next generation of leaders must understand if Muay Thai is going to grow without losing its integrity.

This episode is essential listening for fighters, coaches, gym owners, officials, and anyone serious about the future of Muay Thai in the United States.

Be sure to follow: https://www.instagram.com/heritagemuaythai/

And Heritage Muay Thai online @ https://heritagemuaythai.com/

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

In Episode 229 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu breaks down a pattern almost no one talks about — the two-year Muay Thai drop-off, when many students quietly disappear right as they’re getting good.

This isn’t the beginner phase. It’s not fear, soreness, or lack of toughness. In fact, most people who quit around the two-year mark are more skilled and confident than ever. What they’re actually experiencing isn’t failure — it’s transition.

In this episode, Jonathan explains:

• Why year one is survival and year two becomes an identity crisis
• The psychology of conscious competence and false plateaus
• Why your original reason for training often expires around two years
• How progress becomes quieter — but deeper — at this stage
• The difference between familiarity and mastery
• Why most people don’t need motivation, but a new target
• How mentors, environment, and community prevent long-term dropout
• Why this phase is the most important retention window for coaches

Jonathan also shares his own near-exit from Muay Thai at the two-year mark, what stopped him from quitting, and how staying through that transition changed the entire direction of his life.

If you’re around two years into training and wondering “what’s next,” this episode explains why you’re not stuck — you’re standing at the doorway to the next phase of Muay Thai.

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In Episode 228 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu breaks down why Muay Thai in America is still widely misunderstood—even by people who think they know what it is.

From being confused with kickboxing or cardio workouts to being seen as “too violent” or “only for fighters,” Muay Thai has often been introduced in the U.S. without its cultural, technical, and developmental context. As a result, many people miss out on what Muay Thai actually is—and what it can offer beyond fighting.

In this episode, Jonathan explores:

• How Muay Thai was first introduced to American audiences through violence and highlight reels
• Why the fitness industry unintentionally stripped Muay Thai of its identity
• How fighting became the only measure of legitimacy in the U.S.
• Why impatience and short-term thinking clash with Muay Thai’s long-term nature
• The difference between borrowing techniques and truly training the art
• What Muay Thai actually represents: discipline, regulation under pressure, humility, and community

Drawing from nearly two decades of experience as a student, fighter, coach, gym owner, promoter, and ring official, Jonathan explains why Muay Thai isn’t struggling because it lacks value—but because it hasn’t always been represented or explained properly.

This episode is a call to protect the integrity of Muay Thai without watering it down, and to help more people understand it as a lifelong practice—not a phase, trend, or workout.

If Muay Thai in America were better understood, fewer people would quit—and more would stay long enough for it to change them.

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

In Episode 227 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu reflects on what Muay Thai gave him over nearly two decades — not in techniques or fights, but in the lessons he didn’t know he needed at the time.

Like many people, Jonathan didn’t start Muay Thai searching for discipline, clarity, or purpose. He just wanted to train, learn how to fight, defend himself, and push his limits. But over time, Muay Thai quietly provided structure, humility, emotional control, confidence, and a sense of belonging that carried far beyond the gym.

This episode explores:

• How Muay Thai provides structure before you realize you need it
• Why humility and patience are built through long-term training
• Learning emotional regulation under pressure and discomfort
• Developing confidence without chasing validation
• How Muay Thai creates real community and belonging
• Why the most valuable lessons often appear years later

Jonathan shares how Muay Thai helped him stay grounded during uncertain stages of life, taught him to regulate emotion under pressure, and build a quiet confidence rooted in consistency rather than outcomes.

This episode isn’t about motivation or hype. It’s about the deeper, lasting impact of staying in Muay Thai long enough for it to shape who you become — on and off the mats.

If you’ve ever wondered why Muay Thai feels like more than just training, this conversation explains why.

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

In Episode 226 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu breaks down exactly what beginners should focus on in their first year of Muay Thai — and just as importantly, what they should stop worrying about.

Most students quit not because Muay Thai is too hard, but because they’re focusing on the wrong priorities. In this episode, Jonathan lays out a clear framework to help new students stay consistent, build real fundamentals, and avoid the overwhelm that causes early burnout.

This episode covers:

• Why consistency beats intensity in your first year
• The correct order of learning
• Why fundamentals matter more than looking sharp
• How listening, learning, and being coachable accelerate progress
• What to ignore
• The real goal of year one
• Why students who stay past the first year almost always win long-term

Whether you’re brand new to Muay Thai or a coach working with beginners, this episode is a practical guide to staying in the art long enough for it to work.

If you want to make real progress in Muay Thai, this episode will help you focus on what actually matters — and let go of what doesn’t.

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Leave a message or text us 24/7/365!
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👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!