If you’re over 35 and thinking about starting Muay Thai, you don’t need a closet full of gear — you just need the right equipment. In this episode of the Puʻu Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu breaks down the must-have gear for beginners and adults returning to training after years away.

From gloves and shin guards to mouth guards and Muay Thai shorts, Jonathan explains what you actually need to train safely and comfortably — and what’s just marketing hype. Drawing on his 18+ years of experience teaching and officiating Muay Thai, he shares insider advice on buying gear that lasts and keeps you coming back to train.

Learn about the best brands for Muay Thai equipment, how to avoid cheap fitness gloves, why the traditional Thai steel cup still reigns supreme, and the importance of gear that supports your longevity. Plus, Jonathan reveals his go-to recovery tools and electrolyte solutions for fighters and everyday practitioners.

Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent, or someone looking to stay fit and learn real Muay Thai, this episode will help you train smarter — not harder.

📌 Follow on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast

🎙️ Join the Black Room for exclusive content: https://tribe.puumuaythai.com/communities/groups/black-room-at-teep-studios/home

Impact Mouthguards: https://www.impactmouthguards.com/discount/EATSLEEPTEEP?ref=WcVKARtZuQLGsY

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👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

ver wonder why Muay Thai fighters always wear shorts and not MMA leggings or gym gear? It’s not about fashion—it’s about identity and respect.

In this episode, Jonathan Puu, founder of Pu’u Muay Thai, breaks down the real reason Muay Thai shorts are so important in the West, and why every student should understand the meaning behind the uniform. From cultural roots in Thailand to building legitimacy for the sport in the U.S., this conversation dives deep into what makes Muay Thai unique.

Jonathan shares:
🥊 Why uniforms matter for tradition, community, and recognition
🇹🇭 How Thailand’s culture shapes the sport’s identity
🏫 Why Western academies must uphold Muay Thai’s standards
💬 The story behind the viral “Charlie Potatoes” gym hopper video
⚖️ The difference between Muay Thai and Kickboxing—and why labeling matters

Wearing Muay Thai shorts isn’t just about looking the part. It’s about respecting the art, the coaches, and the generations that built it.

📌 Follow us on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast

🎙️ Join the Black Room for exclusive behind-the-scenes access: Black Room at Teep Studios

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👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

In this episode of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, host Jonathan Puu tackles one of the most controversial topics in the Muay Thai world: Semi-Contact Muay Thai.

He breaks down what Semi-Contact events actually do right, how they can support grassroots growth, and why they’re not the magic bullet to making Muay Thai mainstream in the U.S.

Drawing on his experience running the Eat Sleep Teep Semi-Contact Muay Thai Series, Jonathan exposes how some organizations mislead fighters into believing Semi-Contact competition alone will take them to the top—and how this illusion is hurting the sport.

Learn how Semi-Contact can serve as a stepping stone, not a dead end, when combined with:
🥊 Certified officiating and real structure
📈 Storytelling, marketing, and sustainable promotion
🌎 Clear athlete pathways from training to full contact competition

Whether you’re a coach, promoter, or athlete, this episode challenges you to rethink how we grow Muay Thai the right way—through authenticity, development, and community.

💬 Do you think Semi-Contact helps or hurts the sport? Drop your thoughts in the comments or DM us on Instagram.

👉 Links:

• 🎙️ Follow the Podcast: https://instagram.com/muaythaipodcast
• 🥊 Join the Black Room for exclusive content: https://tribe.puumuaythai.com/communities/groups/black-room-at-teep-studios/home
• 🔥 Learn more about Eat Sleep Teep Events: https://eatsleepteep.com

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👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

In this episode of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan sits down with Eric Adams, owner and head coach of Teep City Muay Thai in Parker, Colorado — and a proud Pu’u Muay Thai Licensee.

Eric shares his full journey from working at Pu’u Muay Thai Ventura during the pandemic to launching his own Muay Thai academy in Colorado. He opens up about the struggles of finding a space, dealing with landlords who said “no martial arts,” and how mentorship and structured systems helped him build a thriving community from the ground up.

They discuss:
✅ How Eric went from teaching in a 25x25 yoga studio to a full-fledged Muay Thai academy
✅ The biggest mistakes most gym owners make when starting out
✅ How Pu’u Muay Thai’s License Program provided the foundation for business systems, marketing, and curriculum
✅ Why consistency, structure, and mentorship are key to sustainable growth
✅ Advice for anyone dreaming of opening their own Muay Thai gym

Eric’s story is proof that with the right guidance, structure, and community, you can build something that changes lives.

👉 Learn more about the Pu’u Muay Thai License Program: https://license.puumuaythai.com

📌 Follow us on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast

🔥 Join the Black Room at Teep Studios for exclusive behind-the-scenes content: Black Room

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👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

Thinking about searching “Muay Thai near me”? Before you walk into your first academy, there are a few key things you should know that could save you time, money, and even injuries.

In this episode, Jonathan Puu breaks down:
✅ What to look for when you step into a Muay Thai gym for the first time
✅ Why environment and community matter more than you think
✅ How your very first class should be handled (and red flags to avoid)
✅ The importance of culture, tradition, and respect in Muay Thai
✅ A bonus tip on structure, safety, and hygiene that separates great gyms from the rest

Jonathan has been training, fighting, coaching, and officiating in Muay Thai for nearly two decades, and has helped thousands of beginners find their path in martial arts. Whether you’re brand new or looking to restart your training, this guide will help you know what to expect when you search for “Muay Thai near me.”

📌 Follow our dedicated podcast Instagram: @muaythaipodcast

📌 Join the Black Room at Teep Studios for exclusive behind-the-scenes content & support the show: Black Room

Support the show

Leave a message or text us 24/7/365!
+1-805-456-3316

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
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📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

Looking for a Muay Thai event near me? The EAT SLEEP TEEP Semi Contact Muay Thai Series is coming to Nashville, Tennessee on October 12th, 2025 at the Nashville Fairgrounds!

This Muay Thai event is the perfect way for beginners, kids, teens, and adults to experience competition in a safe, semi-contact format. Unlike full-contact fights, the focus is on technique, skill, and control—making it the best way to test yourself or watch your students grow.

In this episode of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu shares:
✅ Why the Semi Contact Muay Thai Series is changing competition in the U.S.
✅ What makes Nashville the next stop in this nationwide expansion
✅ How this event helps coaches grow their programs and give students safe competition experience
✅ What competitors, fans, and families can expect on October 12th, 2025

📅 Date: Sunday, October 12th, 2025
📍 Venue: Nashville Fairgrounds
🎤 Promoter: Bruce Panyapol, Chonburi Muay Thai

👉 Competitor registration is open now at https://eatsleepteep.com
⏰ Registration cutoff: October 4th, 2025
🎟️ Fans—tickets available at the door.
📩 Sponsors—get involved through the website.

If you’re searching for a Muay Thai event near me after this date, head to https://eatsleepteep.com to see upcoming Semi Contact Muay Thai Series events happening across the U.S.

Support the show

Leave a message or text us 24/7/365!
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📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

In this episode of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, we highlight exclusive segments from our Whatnot livestreams, showcasing how we’re growing the Muay Thai community both in Ventura and worldwide.

First, we sit down with Coach Vinny Chew of Pu’u Muay Thai Ventura. Vinny shares his journey from being one of our first front desk staff to stepping into the ring, his current coaching role with kids and adults, and his fight preparation for WCK Muay Thai in Long Beach. He also talks about the energy inside the new Ventura academy and why sparring, steady training, and mindset matter most.

Next, we bring in Veronica Slavin, our media director for our Thailand training camp, who has decades of experience capturing sports and cultural stories through photography. Veronica will be joining our team in Bangkok, Thailand, documenting the upcoming Thailand Training Camp and creating a short documentary to share the experience with the Muay Thai community. She offers her perspective on blending culture, family, and fight storytelling.

This episode gives you a look at how Pu’u Muay Thai is using training, competition, media, and livestreaming platforms like Whatnot to connect with the global Muay Thai community, support fighters, and grow the sport.

👉 Watch & shop our livestreams on Whatnot: https://www.whatnot.com/s/gjRhS7gH

👉 Follow the podcast on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast

🔥 Join the Black Room at Teep Studios for exclusive behind-the-scenes content: Black Room

👊 Train with us in Thailand: thailand.puumuaythai.com

🥊 Learn more about EAT SLEEP TEEP events: eatsleepteep.com

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Leave a message or text us 24/7/365!
+1-805-456-3316

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
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📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

Thinking you’re too old to start Muay Thai? Think again. In this episode of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Chief Instructor Kru Ed from Ventura shares why people in their 40s and 50s are some of the BEST candidates to train. Discover how Muay Thai improves balance, reduces stress from busy careers, and builds lasting confidence. Whether you’re a doctor, lawyer, parent, or professional in Ventura, this episode shows why it’s never too late to reclaim your edge through high-level coaching.

Interested in receiving coaching? Just call us 805-665-3311 or visit https://muaythaiventura.com

Follow Ed: https://www.instagram.com/edwardgo.pmt

Support the show

Leave a message or text us 24/7/365!
+1-805-456-3316

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
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📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!