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!
Join the most informed Muay Thai performance community out there!
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Each episode revolves around my Four Big Questions…
- What’s Your Story?
- What’s Your Why?
- What Makes A Champion?
- 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
Every so often, an opportunity emerges that can redefine how we train, fight, and thrive.
Today marks one such epic day. The coveted Heavy Hitters Barebones program is swinging its doors open – a golden chance that surfaces just twice a year.
Why does this matter for every western Muay Thai enthusiast, fighter, or coach?
Why Heavy Hitters is Different:
– Streamlined Efficiency: The life of a Muay Thai enthusiast, coach, or fighter, especially in the West, is brimming with demands. Heavy Hitters understands that. No need for endless hours. You need potent, impactful hours. This program is your answer.
– Real-world Results: From enthusiasts in Australia to champions in the USA, the feedback is unanimous – Heavy Hitters changes the game. Take it from Paul Banasiak:
“From broke and broken to moving and competing better than ever. Since working with Don 3 years ago, I haven’t had a single major issue. Don gave me the confidence that has translated itself into three straight knockout wins and a WBC title.”
– Holistic Training: It’s not merely about more power in your punches or lasting longer. It’s about cultivating a body that’s nimble, powerful, and resistant to injuries.
– Be Part of Something Greater: Beyond the program lies a fraternity, a global assembly of like-minded souls, all driven by the singular passion to redefine their Muay Thai boundaries.
If tales of triumph intrigue you, delve deeper into Jonathan Lane’s saga – from grappling with an ACL recovery amid fatherhood to clinching the MTA NSW State Title. His secret weapon? The Heavy Hitters program.
Seize your golden chance to embark on this Muay Thai odyssey. Remember, the doors to Heavy Hitters Barebones will shut on Dec 31st and won’t swing open again until April 2024. But here’s the silver lining – even if you’re not geared up to start immediately, you can reserve your spot in this cohort and initiate your journey whenever you’re primed.
Discover Everything About Heavy Hitters Here!
Loyalty Rewards: If you purchased either the S&C Accelerator or Minimum Equipment Program (or both) in the past, here’s the deal: Email me with your login username (email address), and I’ll send you a coupon code to take that amount off of your Heavy Hitters purchase. Commitment has its rewards!
Don Heatrick
Founder of Heatrick Strength and Conditioning
Don Heatrick is a family man from the UK, former mechanical design engineer, European Muay Thai silver medallist, former pro Thai boxer (ranked 4th in UK while aged 40-years), a Muay Thai coach, podcast host, and the go-to expert on Muay Thai performance training with over 25 years of coaching experience.
Don helps ambitious fighters and coaches take their game to the next level by bridging the gap between Strength & Conditioning, Performance Science, and Muay Thai.
Follow Don Heatrick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donheatrick/
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