The Science of Building Champions

Don Heatrick
The Science of Building Champions

In this new podcast, “The Science of Building Champions”, I interview top-level Muay Thai fighters and coaches and dive into their stories to discover what makes champions. 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.

  1. NOV 8

    Eddie Abasolo Talks Muay Thai Flow!

    When you think of “slick,” “crafty,” and “unpredictable,” there’s one name that stands out in the ONE Championship Muay Thai world: Eddie Abasolo. Known for his unique, almost unbreakable flow, Abasolo has redefined the approach to fighting for countless Western Muay Thai enthusiasts and fighters. In this interview, we dive deep into his mind, uncovering the techniques, mindset, and work ethic that have made him a fan favorite—and a nightmare for opponents. Whether you’re a seasoned fighter looking for inspiration or a fan of Abasolo’s creative fight style, get ready for an inside look into the world of a true Muay Thai innovator. EPISODE BREAKDOWN Follow along with our conversation using these quick timestamps: 00:00 Eddie "Silky Smooth" Abasolo Teaser! 01:24 Accidental Muay Thai Fan: Sagat, Ong Bak, Bloodsport 05:04 The First Competition Ripple Effect 07:24 Taking Responsibility & Making It Happen 09:15 The Real Secret: Consistency 12:29 Evidence: Roles Are Reversed 13:35 Injuries as Opportunities for Growth 17:13 Fun and Flow: The Key to Peak Performance 19:46 Harnessing Fear 21:06 Optimism: The Foundation of a Fearless Mindset 23:51 What Muay Thai "Passion" Is, And What It Does 28:01 Muay Thai & Relating To All Walks of Life 30:59 Life Is Like a Fight–You Need Self Belief 33:47 Outro and Links! Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/11/08/eddie-abasolo-talks-muay-thai-flow/

    35 min

  2. AUG 23

    Asa Ten Pow Modern Martial Artist – ONE Championship Interview

    Asa Ten Pow is a modern martial arts fighter who's upsetting the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai division with a string of recent KO's. From traditional martial arts roots to becoming a knockout sensation in multiple combat sports, Asa Ten Pow’s journey is a testament to adaptability and evolution. Starting with a strong foundation in traditional martial arts, Asa didn’t just stick to one path—he competed across various disciplines, blending techniques and philosophies into a style that’s uniquely his own. This modern, hybrid approach has led to some spectacular upset victories, where he’s taken down seasoned fighters with his dynamic and unpredictable fighting style. In this exclusive interview, Asa shares how his diverse background has shaped him into the fighter he is today, offering insights that could revolutionize your approach to Muay Thai and combat sports as a whole. Don’t miss the chance to learn from a fighter who’s breaking the mold and making waves on the global stage. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Asa "The American Ninja" Ten Pow Teaser! 00:52 Early Martial Arts Background 03:17 Finding Full Contact Competition 05:46 Competition = Long-term Engagement 07:42 Transition to Kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA 11:32 Blending Styles: Creating a Unique Fighting Approach 14:23 Muay Thai: Pinnacle of Artistic Brutality 17:55 Competing in Multiple Combat Sports 21:25 The Challenge of International Travel 23:34 Dual Roles: Gym Owner & Pro Fighter 26:17 Mindset and Preparation for Fights 28:22 Unique Style: Upset Victories and KO Wins 32:38 Philosophy and Evolution as a Fighter 36:00 Outro and Links! Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/08/23/asa-ten-pow-modern-martial-artist-one-championship-interview/

    38 min

  3. MAY 31

    Johan Ghazali Teenage KO Artist! – ONE Championship Interview

    Johan Ghazali is a teenage fighting success story! With a 5-fight winning streak, including 4 KOs, 17-year-old Johan “JoJo” Ghazali is amazed at how quickly he’s ascended to the ONE Championship pro ranks. Despite his success, JoJo isn't afraid of losses – he values the experience they bring. Patience is key for him, and he's been aiming for the top since he was 10 years old. JoJo exemplifies what happens when opportunity meets motivation. He's the product of consistent hard work and a supportive environment. Now, with high school behind him, he can focus entirely on his fight career. Next in his sights is the veteran Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat from Vietnam. With both fighters known for their knockout power, this head-to-head promises to be thrilling. Johan looks forward to the challenge, saying, “Win, lose, or draw, I’ll make sure it’s entertaining. Don’t worry!” Discover how a modern-day martial artist from a family of warriors has fast-tracked to the big leagues. Hit that subscribe button, like, and share this video with fellow Muay Thai enthusiasts, fighters, and coaches. Let's spread the love for the sport and see how far it can take us. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Johan "JoJo" Ghazali Teaser! 00:45 From A Family With Warrior Blood 02:37 Addicted Since That First Fight 03:24 Sibling Rivalry? 04:29 Other Sports Don't Feel "Real" 05:28 Martial Artist By Nature 07:15 Not Afraid To Lose – If It Builds Experience 08:36 Labelled a Muay Thai "Prodigy"? 10:32 Aiming At Rodtang And The Flyweight Title 11:58 KO's Come To You, You Don't Chase Them 13:30 Successful Traits For Fighting Are The Same For Success In Life 15:03 Inexperience – Greatest Challenge! 16:23 Maturing And Making Weight 18:40 No More High School – Full Time Pro! 20:47 Getting A Nutritionist To Cut Weight Correctly 21:46 Don't Listen To The People That Say You Can't 23:32 Outro Links! Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/05/31/johan-ghazali-teenage-ko-artist-one-championship-interview/

    25 min

  4. MAR 1

    Janet Todd – Remember To Have Fun

    Janet Todd's Tips – Exclusive Interview with the ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion! Join us for an exclusive interview with Janet Todd, the reigning Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion, as she shares invaluable insights and tips on how to stay at the top of your game while having fun! In this interview, Janet opens up about her mindset leading up to her farewell fight and how she's embraced the journey with a renewed focus on enjoyment. Discover how she maintains composure in high-pressure situations and the importance of balancing structured training with the freedom to experiment and play within your skill development. As a competitive athlete with a background in gymnastics and cheerleading, Janet reflects on her journey from amateur Muay Thai to professional kickboxing, highlighting the role of perseverance and the willingness to push past setbacks in achieving greatness. But it's not just about physical training – Janet delves into the psychological aspects of competition, emphasising the significance of a positive mindset, courage, and the acceptance of vulnerability in the pursuit of excellence. Whether you're a seasoned fighter, aspiring competitor, or dedicated coach, this interview offers a wealth of wisdom and inspiration to elevate your performance and approach to the sport. Don't miss out on Janet Todd's invaluable advice – hit that subscribe button, like, and share this video with fellow Muay Thai enthusiasts, fighters, and coaches. Let's spread the love for the sport and remember to have fun along the way! TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Janet Todd Teaser! 00:38 Lessons Learned From The Last Fight 02:11 Farewell Fight vs Phetjeeja – Tactics 03:43 Designing Muay Thai Skill Sessions 05:01 The Power of Mental Repetitions! 06:23 Remaining Composed in a Farewell Fight 06:43 The Power of PLAY! 09:16 Evolving From Gymnast to World Class Pro Fighter 11:20 Parallel (Engineering) Career – The Lessons 14:27 Champion Traits – Life Traits 17:29 If You Love It, You'll Face Your Fear 19:29 Outro Links! Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/03/01/janet-todd-tips-remember-to-have-fun-exclusive-interview/

    20 min

  5. 09/16/2023

    Matt Lucas – Greatness Sucks!

    Muay Thai greatness sucks? Step into the vibrant world of Muay Thai with Don and the Muay Thai aficionado, Matt Lucas... With a decade under his belt in Thailand, Matt offers unparalleled insights into the fighting world and what it truly means to train, fight, and evolve. And why greatness sucks! Highlights: – Gearing up for the Showdown: Analysing the imminent ONE Strawweight Muay Thai Championship battle between Smilla Sundell and Allycia Rodrigues. How will Allycia strategise against the towering presence of Smilla? – Snapshots of Combat: Delve into the world of combat photography, capturing moments of triumph, despair, and sheer determination. – Muay Thai's Journey: Navigating its evolution from high-stakes betting to a stage that celebrates pure entertainment. What’s been gained, what’s been lost? – Small Gloves, Big Impact: Delving into the heightened risks and rewards of smaller gloves in combat, and what this means for fighters. – Bridging Cultures: The nuanced challenges Westerners face when dipping their toes in the deep waters of Muay Thai culture. Tune in for a mix of personal anecdotes, expert analysis, and a deep love for the sport. If you're passionate about Muay Thai's past, present, and future, this conversation is unmissable. Drop a comment below on what stood out for you, and don't forget to hit subscribe for more deep dives into the realm of Muay Thai. Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2023/09/15/matt-lucas-greatness-sucks/

    56 min

  6. 06/02/2023

    Regian Eersel: Time Is Limited

    Two-sport ONE World Champion Regian Eersel rarely loses. It's been 7 years since he last experience defeat. So, how has he successfully avoided over confidence? What would he do differently in his training if he could turn back time? And what are Regian's two biggest pieces of advice to any fighter wanting to achieve their best? Regian shares insight into what drives a world class fighter, and proves once again that mindset shapes your results. We wish Regian success in his ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Title defence on June 9 against Dmitry Menshikov at Lumpinee Stadium! Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2023/06/02/regian-eersel-time-is-limited/

    20 min

  7. 07/08/2022

    Rich Cadden: Real Deal Muay Thai Veteran

    What happens when a 45 year old Muay Thai coach returns to the ring to compete for a Muay Thai veteran title, after 11 years out, and with 20kg to lose in 15 just weeks? …Huge lessons, and a big win! Rich Cadden, former 2x Muay Thai world champion, performance coach and chief instructor at his own gym, Chokdee Academy in York (UK), took on this mission and shares the lessons he learned from it. Rich’s approach has always to be “obsessed” with his training, sacrificing his “party years” to take his fight career as far as he possibly could. As a coach, he realises others often don’t have the same level of motivation he’s always had. And that presented an opportunity to distil training down into the most effective elements and doses to achieve the greatest benefit. This was something he found to be vital during his preparation for his Muay Thai veteran title fight. He had to temper his obsessed nature, and strive for optimal instead of maximal or he would have failed to make the starting line, let alone cross the finish line as the winner. But what was found to be essential for a Muay Thai veteran also proves to be optimal for fighters of any age.  Video version and full show notes at https://heatrick.com/2022/07/08/rich-cadden-real-deal-muay-thai-veteran-sobc-podcast-ep-16/ Guest Links You can follow Rich on Instagram @richcadden https://www.instagram.com/richcadden/, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/richcadden/, and follow the Chok Dee Gym @chokdee.gym https://www.instagram.com/chokdee.gym/ And check out the Gym website https://www.chokdeeacademy.co.uk/

    1h 8m

  8. 05/13/2022

    Iman Barlow: The Secret To Winning In Muay Thai

    What's the secret to winning in Muay Thai? Iman Barlow can shed some light! In this episode, she shares valuable insight into what it really takes to take your childhood dreams all the way. Part of the first generation of child nak Muay outside of Thailand, and with a competitive career spanning 25 years and counting, Iman knows a thing or two about what it takes to reach the top and stay there in arguably the most ferocious striking sport there is. Few fighters start out as early as Iman Barlow, even fewer remain in the game as long she has, and fewer still achieve the kind of long-term success she has while she continues to grow! She’s been incredibly successful, rarely losing. But here comes a paradox… The greatest opportunities to level up are exposed when you fall short. And with fewer opportunities to learn this way, Iman has evolved a system of incremental gains designed to stay ahead of the competition. At the heart of this is the open-mindedness to accept there are always things to improve, and even small things add up to make a huge difference. Adopting an incremental progress mindset means even fighting at the One Championship is Iman’s new normal! The secret is not one thing, it’s constantly chasing the challenge level a little higher, having the eye to gleam small wins from every opportunity, and the mindset to see yourself as a continuous work in progress. Child or adult, beginner or advanced, there’s a lot to learn from Iman’s journey so far. What are the small wins you’re taking away from this episode? Video version, show notes and further resources at https://heatrick.com/2022/05/13/iman-barlow-the-secret-to-winning-in-muay-thai-sobc-podcast-ep-15/ Guest Links You can follow Iman on Instagram @prettykiller3 https://www.instagram.com/prettykiller3/, and follow Assassins Muay Thai on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Assassins-Muay-Thai-131679950242442

    45 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

In this new podcast, “The Science of Building Champions”, I interview top-level Muay Thai fighters and coaches and dive into their stories to discover what makes champions. 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.

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