Muay Ying

Host Angela Chang is joined by nutrition and fitness coach Parastoo Badie (P2) to discuss the pervasive issue of disordered eating in sports. Drawing from their accumulative experiences in combat sports, rugby, and bodybuilding, they examine the distinction between clinically diagnosed eating disorders and widespread disordered eating behaviors, highlighting how the search for personal control often drives unhealthy habits. The conversation breaks down common gym culture red flags, such as unguided weight cuts, casual comments about body composition, ignored missing menstrual cycles, and post-fight crash cycles. They also address orthorexia, the damage of labeling foods as strictly "good" or "bad," and how athletes can shift their mindset to view metrics like scale weight as neutral data rather than moral failures. Finally, they share concrete ways athletes can advocate for themselves, model healthy fueling behaviors on the mats, and choose environments aligned with their well-being. Links & Resources: Online holistic coaching for athletes: https://parastoobadie.com/level-up-method Find P2 on Instagram via instagram.com/parastoobadie P2's Youtube channel: https://youtube.com/@parastoobadie. Referenced Instagram Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DamDb00Dolr A Slice of Humble Pie with P2 (Podcast): https://parastoobadie.com/podcast/ ---------- If you'd like to more high-quality content, please consider supporting Muay Ying through Patreon. Any amount is appreciated and it will go towards my efforts to run all the platforms Muay Ying is on, as well as create content for each of them. http://patreon.com/muayying You can also find us: instagram.com/muay.ying muay-ying.com You can find the host (Angela) via instagram.com/angela.muaythai or angelamuaythai.com Intro/Outro music by Maki of the Moon

Host Angela Chang by David Serate to unpack the psychology of the beginner mindset and look at how cross-training in entirely different physical environments can patch up technical and mental leaks in your Muay Thai. David shares how the high-speed composure learned from downhill skateboarding helped him stay grounded when getting hit in sparring, and how the explosive intensity of bull riding fixed his habit of starting rounds too slow. We also address the realities of modern gym culture - moving past the "performative hardness" common among beginners, how to ask specific technical questions that actually yield useful feedback, and why experienced practitioners have a responsibility to keep sparring playful ("len") rather than forcing newer students into a survival-mode war. Find David on Instagram via (@serate.actual) ---------- If you'd like to more high-quality content, please consider supporting Muay Ying through Patreon. Any amount is appreciated and it will go towards my efforts to run all the platforms Muay Ying is on, as well as create content for each of them. http://patreon.com/muayying You can also find us: instagram.com/muay.ying muay-ying.com You can find the host (Angela) via instagram.com/angela.muaythai or angelamuaythai.com Intro/Outro music by Maki of the Moon

What happens when we become so obsessed with the outcome of a fight or the surface-level details that we completely strip the fulfillment out of the work it takesk to get there? In this episode, Megan McNelis joins me to discuss The Cost of Chasing Results in Muay Thai. We examine how attaching our personal self-worth to a referee's decision creates immense, unnecessary suffering - from the emotional pressure of Western tournaments where fighters apologize to their coaches for "letting the gym down," to the structural reality of gyms that treat athletes like financial commodities. We talk about how social media forces us to maintain a curated, performative image, and how to transition to an "observation mindset." By detaching from forced narratives and treating our training and fight outcomes as simple data points rather than moral failures, we can quiet our brains, protect our longevity, and find freedom in just showing up for the next session. Find Megs on Instagram: @c4ribou_megs ---------- If you'd like to more high-quality content, please consider supporting Muay Ying through Patreon. Any amount is appreciated and it will go towards my efforts to run all the platforms Muay Ying is on, as well as create content for each of them. http://patreon.com/muayying You can also find us: instagram.com/muay.ying muay-ying.com You can find the host (Angela) via instagram.com/angela.muaythai or angelamuaythai.com Intro/Outro music by Maki of the Moon

A few years ago, Silvia asked me a simple question: "Why do you choose to fight?" At the time, I answered it straight from the peak of my competitive career. I still believe everything I said then... but a lot has changed since. Now, I hear my own words differently. This episode isn’t a revision of that original answer. It’s just an honest look at the layers underneath with things I couldn't see while I was still in the thick of it. In this episode, I look at the motivations that stacked up over my years of competing: from needing to prove something early on, to the quieter shift of wanting to owe it to my future self, to realizing how much I subconsciously relied on the fight life to give me structure, community, and an identity. Whether you are currently fighting and dealing with what the ring exposes, or you're going through the slow, uncomfortable process of transitioning out of an environment that structured who you are, I hope this gives some language to it. Original reply to Silvia: https://youtu.be/-n4qv0n2ubQ ---------- If you'd like to more high-quality content, please consider supporting Muay Ying through Patreon. Any amount is appreciated and it will go towards my efforts to run all the platforms Muay Ying is on, as well as create content for each of them. http://patreon.com/muayying You can also find us: instagram.com/muay.ying muay-ying.com You can find the host (Angela) via instagram.com/angela.muaythai or angelamuaythai.com Intro/Outro music by Maki of the Moon

Angela Chang is joined by David Moore, co-owner of Old Guard Thai Boxing Club in Austin, Texas. They talk about what it actually takes to build a healthy gym culture. Dave breaks down his process for creating a space rooted in intentionality, accountability, and real inclusivity rather than just letting "the vibe" happen by accident. Content Warning: This episode contains brief, non-explicit mentions of sexual assault, sexual coercion, and sexual assault of minors. If you prefer to skip this discussion, please bypass the 23:00 to 29:00 minute mark. What’s covered: Emotional Volatility: Identifying the "mood ring" coach and why students shouldn't have to manage a trainer's personal drama. Professional Boundaries: Why a strict policy on coach-student relationships is essential for safety and trust. The Blueprint: How diverse coaching staffs and clear standards create a better environment for everyone, from hobbyists to fighters. Moving On: How to navigate the decision to leave a gym that no longer serves your growth. A Note on Recommendations: During the episode, I mentioned "gym reviews." I want to clarify that I specifically meant gym recommendations (I was so into the conversation that I didn't even notice I used the wrong word!). Culture is highly personal; one person’s perfect gym might not be the right fit for someone else’s history or needs. Connect with Dave Moore & Old Guard Thai Boxing Club: If you are in Austin, Texas, visit Old Guard for traditional Muay Thai in a professional, high-standard environment. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theogthaiboxingclub/ Website: https://www.theogthaiboxingclub.com/ Related Listening: If you're interested in the mental and emotional side of training, check out the episode on Mental Health ---------- If you'd like to more high-quality content, please consider supporting Muay Ying through Patreon. Any amount is appreciated and it will go towards my efforts to run all the platforms Muay Ying is on, as well as create content for each of them. http://patreon.com/muayying You can also find us: instagram.com/muay.ying muay-ying.com You can find the host (Angela) via instagram.com/angela.muaythai or angelamuaythai.com Intro/Outro music by Maki of the Moon