Jeremie Eric Haynes
I found Muay Thai as I was turning 30 and immediately realized that it was going to play a major role in my life. As I moved from city to city, state to state and eventually country to country, I always made sure to seek out a Muay Thai gym in which I could train and grow as a person and martial artist. At the end of 2012 I was in a position to be able to do some traveling and decided that I would make my pilgrimage to Thailand. It didn’t take me long to decide on Phuket and Tiger Muay Thai & MMA Training Camp for my destination as I had been a fan of the TMT youtube videos that were being posted about the camp as well as the fight team tryouts. Once I booked my ticket, the excitement grew with each passing day. Upon my arrival to TMT, I knew I had made the right decision. The staff made me feel very welcome from the moment I walked into the office to the meeting the trainers to the staff at the cafe. I wasn’t in the best mental or physical shape when I arrived at TMT, but over the course of 6 weeks I was transformed!
I began each day with Ocean Bloom’s amazing yoga class, in which Ocean guided us in such a way that I was able to slow my thoughts down and get in tune with my physical and mental being. I got so into the yoga that I started to take the evening class that was offered as well! I have told many people that while I came to Thailand to train Muay Thai, it was the yoga that made the biggest difference! I don’t think my experience would have been as transformative had it not been for Ocean and her yoga classes.
The Muay Thai training I was exposed to at TMT was second to none! It was amazing to see and feel myself becoming a better practitioner of Muay Thai under the guidance of the TMT training staff. We were pushed physically and mentally to go beyond what we thought was possible. Having the opportunity to train with people from all over the world was a once in a lifetime experience. My private lessons with Chon were such a unique experience as he has had over 400 fights, is also a southpaw, and specializes in the teep. Not only was his instruction great, but we built a friendship along the way as I met his family and had a lot of laughs with him. I still keep in touch with Fasuchon and will continue to do so.
I had thought about fighting before I came to TMT, but never went through with it for one reason or another. As a result of all my training, yoga, and personal growth that took place at TMT, I decided to fight the BBQ beatdown 55. It was an awesome experience to fight in front of my friends and fellow TMT members. I came away with a victory and a friend in my opponent. Coming to TMT was easily one of the best decisions I have ever made! The physicality of everything we did lends itself to getting in superior shape, but it was what happened inside that was truly remarkable. Anyone can get into great shape while at TMT, but its what changes inside that last a lifetime. Oh… and one more, very important, thing I came away with was a group of awesome people i now call friends. The people I met while there were an amazing mix of all different sorts! I have made friends I know I will have for a very long time!