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!!

HELLO AGAIN FRIENDS!

We are going WAY down under again talking to one of the most exciting fighters coming out of Australia - Rising Muay Thai star JAMES KOSTIC out of SRG gym!

I first saw James fight Ognjen Topic on the RWS and IMMEDIATELY became a follower and fan! James is just 20 years old and has such a fan friendly style mixed with beautiful technique, pressure, style and power - it's easy to see why big opportunities are starting to find James in the Muay Thai world!

SPEAKING OF OPPORTUNITES - James will be the main event April 18th in Spain vs Spanish champion, Antonio Orden on the sophomore event for the new AND VERY POPULAR - World Super Series! the World Super Series is a new promotion in the Muay Thai game and all eyes are on them as they announced their first 2 MOSTER EVENTS including the event featuring James V Antonio. The World Super Series is coming out of the gate SWINGING with BIG international fights! so follow them, get on board and help push another world class promotion so we get to keep watching our favourite fights fight around the globe on world class events like the WSS!

Great chat with young, humble man and a HELLUVA fighter!!

SHOUT OUT TO YOU JAMES!

Hello again Fight Fam!

Today we are going back to the nations capital OTTAWA - as a matter of fact, back to the Muay Thai Canada gym o' the year, Westside Muay Thai with retired professional fighter and now coach - Nick Wang! I have got to know the crew over at Westside over the last few years, so I wanted to actually sit and talk to Nick outside of events. We talk about the growth of the gym, one of the best Muay Thai promotions in the Country - Capital Punishment! as well as Nick's fight career in and outside of North America. We also went back and fourth on some topics that have been on my mind the last little bit

1 - do calf kicks ruin good fights?

2 - is the rise to the top of the sport too accessible in todays Muay Thai?

Nick is a thinking man as well as a Muay Thai man, so I thought it was a good time to bring this up, AND I'M GLAD I DID!! of course I also ask Nick his top 3, but catch him a little off guard asking first - who are your favourite Canadian fighters lol

I am a big fan of Westside Muay Thai, Capital Punishment and one of the men helping MAKE IT HAPPEN over there - SHOUT OUT TO YOU NICK!

HAPPY FAMILY DAY CANADA!!

Great Chat today! ONE Championship standout — and longtime friend of the show — Jake Peacock returns for his third appearance, fresh off one of the biggest moments and fight of his career. We dive straight into the journey behind his high-stakes showdown with Muay Thai champion SuaKim — a fight that demanded everything both had AND DELIVERED!

Jake takes the Shout Out Army inside the real fight camp experience: leaving home, stepping into the grind of Thailand’s legendary training scene, training and traveling with family, and living a routine where every single day is a push to a victory

We talk about the realities of life on the road — traveling between Thailand and Japan, Jake's international recognition, adapting to new environments, pushing through fatigue and injury, and staying mentally locked in when the pressure of the global stage starts closing in.

And then we bring you right into the ring.

Round by round. Exchange by exchange. Jake breaks down the strategy, the emotions, and the split-second decisions that defined his battle against one of the sport’s elite champions. for me, this is where I want to be! inside the mind of the fighter when it's going down in real time. I WAS TOTALLY LOCKED IN!

This episode is a front-row seat through the eyes of Jake!

If you’ve ever wondered what life looks like behind the scenes before the lights hit and the bell rings… this is one you don’t want to miss.

SHOUT OUT TO YOU JAKE!!

Hello Fight Friends!

If you are a fan of the podcast, you know I am a fan of Sumo wresting! I first got into it when I was on the couch, recovering from knee surgery and I was instantly hooked!!

Sumofest is having their first event March 13 & 14 in Calgary which is their only stop, lucky me I am in Calgary and I am absolutely going!! Susan from the Calgary Japanese Community Association who is one of the organizers was kind enough to join me today and discuss not just the Sumo that is happening, but the event itself including information booths, food and an opportunity to experience Japanese culture and some traditions.

I ask Susan some questions I am sure we all have like how does an event like this come to fruition? who's idea was this to try something so different for Calgary? is this something we can expect so to see in Calgary again? and of course - THE SIZE OF THE WRESTLERS!!!

I will be going on Friday the 13th (scary) - Come join me and help support Sumofest! I personally think bringing something like this is to Calgary is awesome AND ambitious! let's support them and show them that they have the support of the Calgary combat sports community !

SHOUT OUT TO YOU SUSAN!!!

Hello Again Fight Fam!

This week on the podcast I got to have a chat with multi time Canadian National Muay Thai champion from Alberta Tyson Green!

Tyson isn't just a multi sport athlete, but a ALL SPORTS athlete with a thirst for competition - but as fighters know, their's no high like winning a fight! which had Tyson naturally gravitate to combat sports. I have known Tyson for 12-15 years if not 20, I have seen him both win big fights and loose big fights, so with these things I combined - i was really looking forward to this podcast!

I personally call Tyson "The Modern Day Samurai" - he has never said no to a fight, nobody gets his respect in the ring - it will have to be earned, and he's coming to fight, PERIOD! I gotta tell ya - along with that fight style comes a similar podcast syle! Tyson held no punches and mixed no words when it came to this chat. We break down his INSANE barnburner with Cody Jerome, we talk about growth through fighting, life after fighting, we talk about some of the frustrations around growing the sport in Alberta and of course we talk about the "I WANT TO THANK ME!" speech which I personally loved and explain why.

Very few people on this podcast shoot from the hip like Tyson! I admit their's a few times I didn't even know how to respond haha. This man is a warrior through and through, mix that with some charisma and a lil frustration and you have a helluva podcast! SHOUT OUT TO YOU TYSON!!

Hello Fighty Friends!

Stepping away from chatting with people on the dangerous side of the ropes, BUT JUST BARELY! we are talking to fight photographer Jen Ball from The Social Collective YYC! Jen has been into photography for almost 20 years doing various projects like weddings and family photos - but not so long ago, found a real passion and expertise working the camera on fight night!!

I personally can say that I noticed the quality of not just the pictures themselves, BUT THE MOMENT IN THE PHOTO that Jen does an awesome job capturing. Of course we chat about how she got started on fight photography, but also why you need to look beyond the "action shot" to really capture a story. We chat bout her favorite fighters to capture photos of, what event is what she feels is her A+ night, how easy/hard it was to break into the scene, AND AND AND - if you are a fighter or a gym, how important is it to have consistent, professional photos and video to build and push your brand?

it's cool to chat with someone who shares the same passion of the moment on fight night, but with a totally different story to tell of the evening. I learned something this podcast! it was awesome! SHOUT OUT TO YOU JEN!