by Don Heatrick
@donheatrick

In this episode of the Science of Building Champions podcast I chat with Ognjen Topic, European born three-times world champion, WKA International Champion, and ranked number 1 in the United States, who’s also trained and fought extensively in Thailand too.

Ognjen’s introduction to Muay Thai wasn’t the easiest (on so many levels)…

And he shares how he became a champion, and what he believes is important for anyone to reach the top of their game in Muay Thai, or in fact any chosen field.

You can find out more about Ognjen’s latest fighting exploits through his website http://topicfight.com and @topicfight on Instagram and Facebook

And go to https://topiccreative.com for his graphic design work.

And if you found this valuable, please like, subscribe, and share this with someone else it could help too!

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Each episode revolves around my Four Big Questions…

1. What’s Your Story?
2. What’s Your Why?
3. What Makes A Champion?
4. Challenges And Lessons Learned?

Digging into the answers to these questions helps uncover and share both the commonalities, and the differences in the journey to become a champion. And can help inspire and fast-track your journey too.

Timestamped Links To Key Points of Interest…

• Fleeing Bosnia for the United States
• Settling for Taekwondo instead of Western Boxing, at parent’s request
• First ever glimpse of Muay Thai on ESPN, and this was it
• “Fighting” against parents wishes
• Busted by YouTube
• The elephant in the room… Fighting is reluctantly accepted, but not talked about
• Turning Pro and an ultimatum
• Muay Thai training, finishing college, and earning money
• Focus on today, and tomorrow – the titles will come
• Becoming a coach, athough “I can’t even beat Saenchai”
• Coaching keeps you in check, makes you a better fighter
• Seeing beauty in Muay Thai’s calm, solid, stability
• Simplicity is the reason Muay Thai is so efficient
• Forever seeking perfection, improving efficiency, keeps you in the game
• The role of a healthy ego combined with a strong work ethic in success
• Champions have a competitive nature and a passion for the sport
• Art imitating life! The carryover from Graphic Design to Muay Thai
• Overcoming pressure is the key unlocking your potential
• Valuing, and using the corner team’s perspective
• Experience teaches that you don’t have to work as hard
• Pressure teaches you who you really are
• Everything you do (even mistakes) shapes who you become
• The difference between loving what you do, and being in love with what you do

Further Resources

• Breaking Limits In Muay Thai
• Muay Thai Fighting Styles and Becoming a Complete Fighter
• Be The Best Muay Thai Coach
• A Few Good Words – Effective Coaching & Cornering
• Recovery – The Secret to Rapid Performance Improvement
• Strength & Conditioning for Muay Thai 101 – A Science-Based Approach to Accelerated Athletic Development

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• Free up more time for technical training AND life!

• The Optimum 12-Week Fight Camp