It’s a been another week that has been light on the ground training wise, and I’m looking forward to getting back into the swing of things next week onwards. I think I’ve been giving myself a hard time of late for not training as much as I normally do but I’m beginning to take that in my stride a little and I should be back to the norm next week onwards.

I’m putting my energy into some positive outlets at present and just welcome the time at the gym. There may be an opportunity to fight again in a couple of months but it’s not something I’m making a ‘thing’ over. I’m confident I’ll win my next fight whenever that may be so as I mentioned last week,  I’m just enjoying training for training’s sake.

I’ve been thinking this week (I still do that a lot) about observation. In fact I’ve been actively practising it whenever I can. I wrote a little while back about situational awareness and this week when I can I’ve spent time working on what’s called the ‘baseline’ “the baseline is the equilibrium state of what things look like, sound like and feel like at any given moment within the normal state.” It’s funny what you notice when you put your mind to it. Or rather you don’t.

At the risk of sounding a little like Jason Bourne I think it’s important to keep yourself “switched on”  whether that be inside a ring or outside of one. Training regularly is also something I’ve found that helps with this immensely. Working pad drills, sparring and generally training hard keeps you in good shape mentally and physically.

I think at some point I may even consider cross training in Panantukan. Muay Thai is my foundation and my passion but I think it’s equally as important to keep your mind open. I don’t believe in becoming regimented to think only inside a ring, or simply from a competitive perspective. I never have done and I never will do.

I was shown some Panantukan many years ago now and think pretty highly of Filipino martial arts across the board and have cross trained a little before in other styles but have always stuck with Thai. Just watching the video show in the link above I can see some similarities. I personally like the flow and I’ve always picked up the self defence based systems pretty well. Besides, it’s an investment in myself just like with Muay Thai.

Going back to observation for a moment I can still see the benefit of being able to detach from a situation and observe how you feel (or the situation in itself) rather than let your emotions get the better of you.Trust me I’ve been there, I’m constantly going there and I am sure it’s going to be a long time before I don’t.

Even some of the top fighters even practice the technique of staying in the moment or in the now without letting emotions clog their mindset if you will, and I guess when you see something (a situation) as neither good or bad “We open the doors for opportunity for action” (thanks John Perkins for that. It’s on the hard drive.) whether that be in combat or in anything else I’m committed too.

I’ve found that there’s a lot I’ve learnt from training and martial arts in general that translates well into other areas of my life but I’ve always been someone who is keen to improve myself in and out the ring. I’m happy with where I’m at but I always want to be the best I can be. Thai boxing hasn’t just got me fitter and tougher inside and out, it’s built my character as an individual too.

So next week, I intend to be back at the gym as usual  and it’s going to be good to give the one thing I really love the time it deserves. I still wouldn’t have that any other way. Have a great week, train hard, fight easy…I’ll see you on that road.