There are a lot of things I would never call happy accidents. Accidents by definition usually suck. However sometimes there are exceptions …
I forgot my daughter’s water bottle in the car. That’s where it all started.
So after returning to the car to get it, going back into the classroom to give it to her and then heading back to my car I ran into this mom. She tells me about this thing called Muay Thai and I was like what?
I’m not of the Jean-Claude Van Damme fitness level, nor do I want to get punched in the face. She assured me it wasn’t that type of class. Intense and driven, but not at the Bloodsport level.
My other excuse was the fact that I was wearing my Big 5 Sweatpants with the hole in the right pocket that was expanding to the outer layers of my sweatpants. The kind of pants usually reserved for household cleaning when no one sees you, or running on the secluded track at the park where distance and a long t-shirt hides the hole. I wasn’t in the mood to be judged by people who wore matching stretchy outfits at a gym
She again assured me it wasn’t like that.
Just try it.
First class for free.
Well I had nothing to lose then.
Little did I know that four months later I’d be excited about Tuesdays and Thursday mornings. Muay Thai Mom Madness had slowly crept up and made it’s way into my inner circle. And that mom? I think she’s lost over 18 pounds and another mom lost like 36 pounds. Me? I gained two.
Funny.
It’s all good. I didn’t really join this Muay Thai Madness for weight loss, because I feel good in my skin. I joined for a different reason. One familiar to a lot of people in sports. So when the coach recently asked a few of us for references, I was more than happy to oblige. I was able to let others know about my reasons and hopefully convince them to pick up a set of gloves and have my coach introduce them to Thailand.
Here’s what I wrote …

I’m not in the picture, but it’s still a great shot of the class.
Dear Future Muay Thai Warrior,
I loooooooove my kids but there are some days when you wake up and motherhood beat you down by 9 a.m. You get lost and forget yourself. You forget you used to be badass. That’s where Coach Patrick comes in … I go in like Clark Kent and come out like Superman … Superman in Orange Venum Muay Thai gloves.
And when I walk in all I want to hear is … Esooooooooooo!
If Coach says that, I smile because I know I’ve done a good job. I know my left hook made an impact. I know the right power punch found the sweet spot on the pad. I know he’s proud of his student.
Some people like to go to class as part of a training regimen for their next fight, others are looking for a new exercise routine to help them stay in shape. But what I look for is how it makes me feeeeeeeel and how it’s become part of my active lifestyle. I love triathlons and obstacle racing, but have also embraced Muay Thai as a way to turn the corner when I lose my balance in life. With his welcoming nature and powerful kicks, Coach infuses the class with technique, style, encouragement, and awareness. His contagious passion for Muay Thai creates an inspiring environment that helps students reach their personal goals.
But not only do you walk away from the class with great combinations, knowledge of Muay Thai, and the ability to knock out an unassuming attacker, you also walk away feeling empowered. That’s something I always look for in whatever I do. So whatever drama, or disaster, life, motherhood, or work awaits, I have this bring-it-on attitude, because I just walked out of Coach Patrick’s Muay Thai class, and I got this. Esoooooooo!
Feeling inspired?
Try something out. You never know. Not all accidents suck.
That looks like so much fun!!!! Way to take a chance and try something new.
Duuuuuude it is! I had no idea how much fun and encouraging that whole group of women, plus coach would be. Definitely something that helps change my spirits when I’m off and pumps me up even more when I’m on. 🙂 I can totally see The Wild Rider punching away on the bag.
Courtney has taken punching bag classes and loved them. Have you heard of Class Pass? I’m thinking about buying into that program again. $55 a month for a big list of participating clubs. I can go to each one of them 3 times per month. I bet there’s a class like that offered! I write all day and need to get out!!!!
I’m very willing to try new things and lately I’m getting a lot more comparisons to Clark Kent than Superman. Maybe Muay Thai is just what I need.
Dude it may be the key to uncovering your whole Clark Kent side. It was a trip what came out of that whole I-forgot-the-water-bottle thing. I’d love to hear a report on The Good Greatsby’s first Muay Thai class. 🙂
You know me I CRAVE abc,xyz and a great way to stretch the old comfort zone and myself. I recently purchased a new bike and love getting out to ride – a great escape. Happy Adventuring – Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
It totally was a Happy Adventuring kind of experience! Now, months later I was super glad to have come across the whole Muay Thai thing, totally adding another avenue of support my way. 🙂