Tony Myers: Mental Toughness, Skilfulness, & Playfulness – SoBC Podcast EP 07

I’m hard pushed to think of anyone who has made such an impact on raising the level of worldwide Muay Thai as Tony Myers.

And this made for my biggest podcast episode to date!

Tony Myers is Professor in Quantitative Methods at Newman University, a Muay Thai coach, referee and judge. Turning out fighters like Dean James, Nathan Bendon, & Rob Allen from Pra Chao Suua gym in the West Midlands, and a world authority in Muay Thai judging.

And his unique perspective is one that both respects the traditional, but also questions and validates his methods, to either justify or inform a new direction or variation.

I’d describe him as equal parts martial artist and scientist – and a man after my own heart!

Using observation, experimentation, and available evidence to update your approach is something Tony’s now late teacher, Mr Pimu installed in him during his training in Bangkok.

And Tony has taken this so much further. Pimu would be proud!

This episode is huge (both figuratively and literally), you’ll need to break it into multiple sessions…

And I’m not kidding, get a note book handy!

You can find out more about Tony’s research on the Newman University website here

And of course, you can check out the Pra Chao Suua Muay Thai gym here too.

Join the most informed Muay Thai performance community out there!

Subscribe Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/donheatrick

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-science-of-building-champions/id1493554765

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5OEb22M1K9G4e3eDp8IcQD?si=7WAY7G-hSsqj-5rrFHpaJA

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

• Late 80’s – Era of mixing full contact martial arts & door work
• Putting on a show – providing an opportunity to compete
• Training with Tony Moore at his Sitsiam Gym, and links to Thailand
• Gaining experience at Ajarn Tong’s makeshift gym, south of Bangkok and forming a Thailand pilgrimage
• The influence of Ajarn Pimu at Pinsinchai gym – “Have a reason for everything…”
• Ajarn Pimu influencing, and influenced by Europe
• Finding a balance within Thai society – Ajarn Pimu
• Valuing tradition where it’s proven to be useful, but being openminded to new evidence
• Becoming an academic by chance – dealing with college trouble makers, and being good at art!
• Researching Muay Thai for a Masters Degree and a PhD
• Comparing the techniques of elite Thai and (historical) UK Muay Thai fighters
• Muay Thai judging consistency influences how coaches train fighters to win
• Initial findings using biomechanical analysis to predict power in rear limb kicks, punches, and elbows
• Relaxing delivers the most impact – don’t drive with the hand brake on
• Communicating as a coach to help a fighter feel a technique for themselves
• The sports science base is growing in Thailand, but iterative evolution of Muay Thai technique is biomechanically sound
• Tentative observations regarding fighter’s feet during kicking
• Crucially, physical and technical aspects holistically interact with a fighter’s psychology
• Initial thoughts on kicking leg drive into the floor, being balanced, and connection to the floor 
• Considering the sharper, quick strike and the bigger, slower strike – velocity vs momentum
• Physiologically and psychologically capable – technical playing in sparring, not just hard sparring
• The importance of making mistakes in learning
• Pimu coaching experienced fighters out of “staleness” – reconnecting with the basics
• The small things become the bigs things – the power of revisiting and refreshing your practice
• Constantly training, exploring, playing… Don’t train only for a fight
• Muay Thai isn’t forced, rather a matured, effective full contact solution, with humility
• Muay Thai – Eastern ways exported to the West
• An individual sport, but with a support team
• Psychologically, know what you can and can’t change
• Mental toughness – why do some people have it and others don’t?
• Inspiration creates motivation, and builds champions
• Champions are all very different
• Labelling as “naturally talented” does an injustice to the amount of work done
• The importance of those around you… A community and relationships that fits you
• Understanding different personalities better
•  The importance of knowing yourself 
• Understanding the variation in your personality depending on situation and circumstance
• We’re story telling animals – emulating those around you
• “Winning is everything” isn’t the best approach, not even for winning!
• Focus on performance, being the best you can – the developmental journey
• We all have difference faces that we show in different situations
• Regretting not connecting deeply enough with Liam Robinson to help influence a change
• Ask the question… Don’t worry about seeming silly
• Being tough is important, but being technical and skilful is equally important
• Learning lessons (even the hard way) can shape your path (in a good way)
• Other’s stories of overcoming struggles are powerful, motivating you to overcome your struggles too
• Students teaching you as much as you’re ever taught them
• Learning from other discipline’s, such as dance!
• Maturation and the effect on body aesthetic and suitability to your chosen activity
• Talent ID – Identifying talent early
• Muay Thai allows all types to play well, it’s a skill sport, with less restrictions
• Successful people all overcame struggles, it was the imperfect journey that made them
• Communication is the key… Using stories achieves this well
• Uncertainty! Coaching is an art as much as a science
• Being prepared to change your mind – challenging you own confirmation bias
• Bad experiences (fear) can create a bias (self limiting beliefs)
• Strive to challenge your assumptions
• Making learning enjoyable and overcoming bad experiences
• Find what interests you, a supportive environment, and don’t be put off by failure

Further Resources

• Muay Thai Mindset – Who Are You Competing Against?
• Thais Aren’t Powerful, They’re Efficient
• Brain Saving Sparring – Don’t Be Dumb
• How A Novice Can Become An Expert – And Why Some Never Will
• Breaking Limits In Muay Thai
• Muay Thai Engineer: Who I Am, and Why I Think the Way I Think
• The 3 Biggest Mistakes I’ve Made
• Strength & Conditioning for Muay Thai 101 – A Science-Based Approach to Accelerated Athletic Development