Hello again Fight Fam!

** I apologize for my audio in this one - I don't know what to say, I am at the mercy of tech sometimes.. BUT - you aren't here to listen to me anyways!

Today I chat with a man I have been watching since 2003-05 ish area - World Muay Thai champion, Andy Howson!! as far as Muay Thai goes, Andy has done it all! fought legends, beat legends, won big fights, lost big fights, collected titles along the way and NEVER had a boring fight!! along with doing things on the dangerous side of the ropes - Andy is also a world class trainer and one of the masterminds behind the renowned Hitman Fight League! it has been cool to watch the journey for decades and finally get a conversation with the Punisher!

On this one we chat about Andy's new venture into the sweet science and life after competing in Muay Thai, we talk about where his RABID BADGER style in the ring comes from, why he still wants to compete and what he gets out of it as well as the a little behind the scenes of Hitman Fight League. I also ask Andy a few questions about some of his most memorable fights, his UK Mount Rushmore and of course - his top 3 fighters of all time!

I am always grateful to speak to the legends like Andy Howson, it's so cool to piece together the questions you've had as a fan for decades!

SHOUT OUT TO YOU ANDY!!

Welcome back fight friends!

Today I got to talk shop with one of the men helping lead the surge of Irish Muay Thai - Collie Mahon from Dublin Combat Academy! I have been really watching and paying attention to Collie and his team at DCA on social media the last few years. Seeing his unique but clearly effective pad work with his fighters, the fighters themselves fighting at top level-on top promotions-winning big fights, and the culture and camaraderie of his team that you can clearly see shine through their social media. So I wanted to have a chat - and BOY did it deliver!!

with the rise of the new breed of Irish Thaiboxing, I wanted to know where this explosion came from, why and who is responsible! haha - we also chat about Collie's coaching philosophy and why it works so well for him and his team - we talk about his return to the ring after a 10 year layoff - the global evolution of the sport and how his team at DCA stay at the forefront - and you all know my opinion on calf kicks!! but I wanted to hear from Coach Collie what his opinion was on the subject.

Collie really does have a coaches eye with a healthy obsession for Thaiboxing, which makes him on of the best trainers in the sport! I was a fan before, but an even bigger fan after that awesome podcast - SHOUT OUT TO YOU COLLIE!

Hello Fighty Friends!

Doing something a little different today - I haven't done a podcast on my lonesome for some time and I admit, I was a little unsure how to fill an hour, so I thought I send out an insta story to include a lil Q & A in the podcast, but I got so many questions it took up the whole podcast! LOVE IT!! I am always the guy asking the questions and putting guests on the spot - well, the tables have turned today!!

I thought I had the answers secured in my head when I was getting ready for the pod, but I gotta tell ya - some of the answers changed as the words were coming out of my mouth! so I apologize for me arguing with myself and getting a little marble mouthed.. it's been a while since doing this on my own AND answering questions.

I had everything from local fights I want to see, how do we come together as country for Muay Thai, who are my favorite fighters, what are my favorite techniques I like to throw, why did I start the podcast and everything in between! I had a lot of fun with this one, totally new to what I am used to - but I want to grow and be challenged too!

SHOUT OUT TO YOU ALL WHO SENT QUESTIONS!! I am grateful for your support, encouragement and engagement .

Hello again fighty friends!

Today - back for round 2 on the podcast we have Jen Ball from The Social Collective YYC! Jen was on for the first time in January and we had a long chat about going from photographing weddings to stepping into the fight world with a camera AND KILLING IT BY THE WAY!!! But since our first chat, Jen has really kicked it into high gear now adding MMA into her photography game which she did say was a goal of hers on the last podcast. So naturally we had a conversation about the differences - pro, cons and challenges between the 2, and just the general experience of being involved in the biggest MMA promotion in the country.

We got to learn what Jen did/does on the first pod, so this time we got to just have a real conversation instead of an introduction - which honestly, was one of the best flowing podcasts to date!! Jen lets us in on some big changes since the first episode, what it's like having a husband as a fighter/coach AND if she would be able to photograph a fight her husband is in, or would she be too emotionally attached - working with Gloves Not Guns and why she wanted to be part of it, help give back and why it is important to her.

Jen also has a marketing background, so she educated me (and you!) about professionalism, presence and how a fighter can stand out (or disappear!) when it comes to sponsorship and social media. This turned into a real look at the fight game from the safe side of the ropes .

If you are a fighter/coach or even just a fan of the sport, this episode gives you a behind the scenes look at how the fight world is documented - and how the lens can shape perception, opportunity and reputation.

Awesome podcast, with an awesome human being. SHOUT OUT TO YOU JEN!

Hello again Fight Fam!

I know the podcast has been a bit slow this month - But with events popping up all over the place, I have been MAD BUSY with commentating as well as getting my fighters in the ring. PRIORITIES PRIORITIES!

Today I got to chat with one of the best trainers, fighters AND STORY TELLERS to come out of the Great White North - Mr. Ruben Yanez! I met Ruben on the floor of a van that picked me up in Mexico for an event (haha! we talk about it on the podcast) and stayed in contact ever since! I have been to Mexico with him three times, I ALWAYS see him when I get to commentate out east, and I hear from him live when I am commentating in Alberta about some of the fighters I'm not as familiar with. And after several years, we finally get to have a real chat outside of an event!

I start off asking Ruben about a recent post he made with a bit of a "Ya'll must have forgot" vibe to it (TOTALLY EARNED IN MY OPINION!) and we were off! We chat about what fighting was like for him in the mid/late 90's as opposed to today, his proven recipe for what is needed to be a successful Muay Thai coach, finding a gym where community is as important to the gym as it is him, as well as why he wants to have his fighters fight outside of Ontario to gain experience. I ask Ruben a few fan questions and of course his top 3 favourite fighters of all time and why.

I knew Ruben was a "real one" already - but i was excited to dive deep with someone I really do hold in high regard and also genuinely look forward to seeing at events! I can tell you that 3 of some of my favourite Muay Thai memories have Ruben involved - and Mexico...... I LOVE MEXICO! haha

What a great chat with not just a top notch Muay Thai man, but a great man and coach - listen to this, you'll see why!

SHOUT OUT TO YOU RUBEN!!

PS - dood, did you know he fought the "woodenman" ?!

Hello Fighty Friends!

Coming in hot off a sensational win at the Muay Thai World Cup, we have 8x champion, Anthony Palombo on the podcast today for the second time! Anthony made his pro debut at the MTWC in the co main event - Canada vs Australia in March and in my opinion, was FAR AND AWAY the fighter of the night!

I'll tell you what, not only did Anthony look like a new, mature fighter last fight. But I also noticed a new and mature man on the podcast! our first podcast, Anthony was a little more playful on his approach to fighting - but this time you can hear that their's direction, purpose and vision to why Anthony chooses to be a fighter as well as coach, living the lifestyle and being present. Myself and co commentator, Kyle Messenger noticed how this Anthony looked like I totally different fighter than we were used to seeing, and for all the right reasons!

So we discuss, because I definitely wanted to know! - where did this change and maturity come from? and so sudden? we also break down the fight with Jerome Simbahan living in Anthony thoughts round by round, we break down what he thought the strengths and weakness's were on BOTH sides, the back and forth with 147lbs king in Canada - Thomas Mandra and what's it's really about. And I ask Anthony a few fun questions as I'm going to be adding more of these in future episodes.

I have watched Anthony "grow up" in the ring and he has really come into his own. He's fun to watch and couldn't more friendly, likeable and approachable - all those reasons are why I am a fan of this young man!

SHOUT OUT TO YOU ANTHONY!

Hello Fight Family!

HAPPY EASTER LONG WEEKEND!

Today I get to have a chat with the BOSS over at Boss Thai Boxing in KEMPTVILLE - NOT OTTAWA (sorry Boss friends....) - my man Yuki Yamanaka!

I first saw Yuki fight on the ICONIC Journey Fight Series around 10-12 years ago and I was really impressed with his skills in Muay Thai in the ring and, well, I have been following him since! Yuki like many others post fighting career, opened up Boss Thai Boxing in 2019 and has a great stable of students and fighters alike. Along with this, Yuki has cemented himself as one of the most respected and trusted officials in Canada today.

In this pod we talk about Yuki growing up in martial arts as a karate kid and how he made the transition to Muay Thai, why he was drawn to Muay Thai and what made him take more than 1 fight. Some of the trials, tribulations and success's of running your own gym, when it was time to pull the trigger from full time, comfortable work to being responsible for your own income, and the hot topic as of late - officiating, judging and the divide that I feel is holding us back from reaching where WE ALL want to be from local to across the country.

Yuki is a stand up fighter, coach, official and man. And this man has a lot of my respect - SHOUT OUT TO YOU YUKI!!

AND ANOTHER ONE!!

Hello again Fight Fam! April is right around the corner, but we have a few days left in March to squeeze out a few podcasts!

Today on the podcast, I speak with renowned Muay Thai trainer and coach, Kieran Walsh - Kieran has been to Canada a few times now for Muay Thai as a head coach of the Australian Jr National team, commentator and most recently, the coach/trainer/cornerman for the main event at the MTWC 14 with the WBC international title on the line.

Once the results were read, Kieran made it very clear that he disagreed with the outcome. Following the decision, Mr. Walsh went through the proper channels to have the fight reviewed. That process ultimately led to the bout being overturned to a no contest. SO - striking while the iron is hot! I wanted to talk about why it was over turned, who over turned it, what did - the committee and Kieran see that the judges, the crowd and even myself didn't see that led to this decision.

Along with this - we have an honest chat about the judging system here in Alberta which hits home for me, because I have lived in Alberta my whole life and the Alberta combat sports community has been an overwhelmingly huge part of my life! but I genuinely think taking an honest, non emotional look at how we judge Muay Thai SPECIFICALLY in Alberta needs to be discussed and how do we improve going forward. This is not a conversation about assigning blame - but maybe, this can be the olive branch between the judges and the fighters/coaches that helps open up discussion and dialog for a better, more clear understanding of expectations from officials and fighters alike in Alberta.

This is my honest take. I'm not trying to be perfect, and I'm not saying I have all the answers - but I've been around long enough to know when something doesn't sit right. And I think this worth talking about.

Hello again fight friends!

I know March has been a lil quiet for the podcast - real life has to come first, BUT BOY are were finishing off the month tossing podcasts out like Oprah gives away cars!! One of Canada's BIGGEST AND BEST fight nights is right around the corner, in Ottawa - CAPITAL PUNISHMENT 6! this is my 3rd time commentating this event and it's truly is one of my favourite nights of the year. The fights, the venue, the production, the crowd and Ottawa itself make this an event I really look forward to - I REALLY like Ottawa!

Today I talk with friend of the show, promoter and my friend in general Mr. Ben Pride - the promoter of Capital Punishment breaking down the 10+ A class fights including the 2 title fights, some BIG match ups including some suspected fights of the night as well as the general workings of such an event.

BUT ...... right away we talk about the big dust up and controversy that happened at the MTWC on Saturday with a decision being overturned in the main event. From the fighters to the judging, we dive into it a bit and give our opinions from opposite sides of the country - more to come on tomorrow's podcast! IN THE MEANTIME - if you can't make it to Ottawa to see A class North American Muay Thai in the nations capital - Make sure you check out the PPV stream on Millions.com and listen to my beautiful voice commentating!

Great chat getting AMPD with Big Ben on the doorstep of a enormous fight night in April, I honestly can't wait and I thank Ben and the team at Westside Muay Thai for trusting me bringing the action to the crowd at home - SHOUT OUT TO YOU BEN!!

Happy International Women's Day Fight Fam!

Today, I have a chat with Jamie Droeske, one of the the stand out fighters in the Western Canadian kickboxing scene a few years ago - now running a gym in the 'Hat - SACA, and the ALWAYS AWESOME Fists Of Fury kickboxing and Muay Thai event, which will be going down for the 22nd time!!! on April 25th, 2026 in Medicine Hat!

Since this event is right around the corner, we spent some time chatting about what it's like going from fighter to promoter and some of the issues needed to be solved to run such an event. We also kick back the clock a few years and talk about her fight career including fighting on almost every fists of fury events, fighting regional AND world champions and out of my simple curiosity "what do you get out of fighting? what are you wanting out of it"

Jamie let's us in on her need for competition and how the transition from bike ridin' to fightin' scratched that itch for competition, when she had her final ring walk as a fighter and soaked it all in, as well as some of the issues with combat sports competition in a small town.

this was an awesome chat with someone I've watched for years, and I truly do appreciate Jamie's little bit of vulnerability on the podcast which really helped make this a deep and important chat at some points! A GREAT CHAT WITH A STAPLE OF THE ALBERTA FIGHT COMMUNITY INSIDE AND OUT OF THE RING

SHOUT OUT TO YOU JAMIE!!