Angela Chang: Female Fighters, Thai Culture, & Self-Honesty – SoBC Podcast EP 11

Back home in New York, Angela Chang fell in love with Muay Thai.

So much so, she left family and friends to spend the last 5 years training and fighting pro in Bangkok, Thailand.

Nothing about this choice was easy. And after the initial honeymoon period, the challenges have come from all directions, and still keep coming!

But armed with an incredible mindset, Angela learns from every failure and success along the way.

And has built considerable experience in the process.

Fighters like Angela are highlighting the impact that female fighters are making on the world Muay Thai scene – including in Thailand, which traditionally and historically hasn’t been encouraging of women in the sport. This is changing.

There’s a rising tide that can positively shift Muay Thai as a whole.

In this episode…

Angela Chang, a New Yorker now living and fighting in Bangkok, WBC ranked 12 super flyweight in the world, a social media manager and writer, and author of the Muay-Ying website which promotes muay thai for everyone – equal pay, spotlight, and opportunities for everybody…

Guest Links

You can follow Angela on Instagram @angelasitan https://www.instagram.com/angelasitan/, and to follow Muay Ying @muay.ying https://www.instagram.com/muay.ying/

And check out the Muay-Ying website https://muay-ying.com/

Episode Summary

The Path from Kickboxing to Muay Thai

Angela Chang’s journey into Muay Thai began with a kickboxing fitness class in New York, which was fortuitously taught by Muay Thai practitioners. Initially attracted to martial arts from a young age, Angela quickly transitioned from a general fitness class to a more dedicated Muay Thai environment. She joined a gym known for its rigorous training and high-level fighters, setting the stage for her eventual move to Thailand. This transition marked the start of a significant evolution in her career, leading her to a prominent position in the Muay Thai world.

Facing Gender Challenges in Muay Thai

Angela Chang Muay Thai reflects not only her personal growth but also the broader challenges faced by women in the sport. Despite the increasing participation of female fighters, Muay Thai remains predominantly male-oriented, especially in Thailand. Angela noted the disparity in representation and treatment between male and female fighters, which was evident from her experiences training in Bangkok. The cultural and traditional barriers she faced highlighted the ongoing struggle for gender equality in Muay Thai.

The Role of Social Media in Promoting Female Fighters

Angela’s initiative, Muay Ying, underscores her commitment to elevating female representation in Muay Thai. Through Muay Ying, she aims to spotlight women fighters who often remain underrepresented in mainstream media. Angela’s observations on gender disparities in social media followings and fighter recognition reflect a broader issue within the sport, where female fighters need more visibility and support to achieve parity with their male counterparts.

Training Experiences: From Traditional to Modern Approaches

Angela’s training journey has taken her from traditional Thai gyms, with their rigorous routines, to more modern and flexible training environments like PK Saenchai Gym. Her experiences reveal the limitations of traditional training methods and the benefits of incorporating contemporary approaches, such as tailored strength and conditioning programs. This shift highlights the importance of adapting training methods to optimize performance and recovery, which is crucial for any fighter’s development.

Cultural Insights and Training Dynamics in Thailand

Angela shared insights into the cultural dynamics she encountered in Thai gyms, including the treatment of female fighters and the challenges of working with trainers accustomed to traditional methods. The disparity in training practices for Thai and foreign fighters, as well as the issues surrounding overtraining and recovery, illustrate the complexities of integrating into a new fighting culture. Angela’s adaptation to these dynamics demonstrates her resilience and ability to navigate a challenging environment.

Personal Growth Through Muay Thai

Angela’s time in Thailand has not only been about fighting but also personal growth. She spoke about the loneliness and identity struggles that came with living abroad and the impact of overtraining on her well-being. Her reflections on finding balance, addressing personal issues during the pandemic, and discovering new interests underscore the broader journey of self-discovery and growth that comes with being a professional fighter.

Advice for Aspiring Fighters

Drawing from her extensive experience, Angela emphasized the importance of showing up and giving your best. She highlighted the need for perseverance and a fighting heart, or “chaitsu,” which is highly valued in Thai culture. Angela’s advice serves as a powerful reminder that dedication, resilience, and self-awareness are key components in achieving success in Muay Thai.

Conclusion: Embrace the Journey

Angela Chang’s journey in Muay Thai from New York to Bangkok is a testament to the challenges and triumphs of being a female fighter in a traditionally male-dominated sport. Her experiences offer valuable lessons on navigating cultural barriers, adapting training methods, and maintaining personal growth. For those looking to follow in her footsteps, Angela’s story underscores the importance of persistence, adaptability, and a genuine passion for the sport.

Episode Timestamps

• 0:00 – Intro and how Angela Chang started her journey into the world of training Muay Thai.
• 4:27 – The difference in numbers of women training Muay Thai in New York compared to the Men.
• 5:25 – Angela Chang is talking about the demographic following her social media and website.
• 6:40 – Don and Angela discuss minority threats between females and males in the Muay Thai world, and how underrated the female fighters are.
• 12:22 – Angela sharing the experience of being a foreign female fighter in Thailand.
• 15:48 – Angela talks about her experience with her trainer at Sitsongpeenong Gym in Thailand.
• 18:56 – Angela and Don discuss why she switched to P.K. Saenchai Gym and her experience there.
• 22:25 – Angela discusses not having consistent sparring partners during her time at Sitsongpeenong Gym.
• 25:20 – Angela talks about the training structure in P.K. Saenchai Gym and how it affected her performance.
• 28:36 – Angela and Don discuss training under the Thai culture and how it affects the fighters’ performance.
• 31:37 – Angela and Don speak about why they admire Muay Thai over other martial arts.
• 37:39 – Don and Angela are talking about the mental side of fighting, also about being alone in Thailand and during Covid.
• 44:42 – Angela talks about the downside of overtraining as a full time Muay Thai fighter.
• 51:11 – Angela’s advice to everyone who wants to be a fighter, especially in Thailand.

Further Resources

• Developing a Successful Muay Thai Mindset
• Muay Thai Mindset – Who Are You Competing Against?
• Muay Thai Fighting Styles and Becoming a Complete Fighter
• The 3 Biggest Mistakes I’ve Made
• Strength & Conditioning for Muay Thai 101 – A Science-Based Approach to Accelerated Athletic Development
• Breaking Limits In Muay Thai
• Your Training is Your Responsibility
• Struggling With Motivation? UNSTOPPABLE Muay Thai Mojo