From Punches to Peace
Muay Thai has been long associated with mental wellbeing despite the physical risk involved. Rose Xu goes down to visit Wicker Camp, the oldest Muay Thai gym in Sheffield to explore how the sport helps the members.
Trix March, owner of the oldest Thai boxing gym in the UK believes that Muay Thai has not only helped numerous people, but has kept her family in one piece.
Muay Thai promotes emotional well-being by reducing stress and improving mood, while physically enhancing strength and cardiovascular health, contributing to a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
However, life has not been easy for her throughout her 33 years running Wicker Camp.
It was established in 1977, the gym witnessed numerous fighters stepping into the world stage, fighting to be a champion.
Ms March shared: “My partner is not in the best mental health status. He has not felt as worthy since he retired from fighting.
“His real passion is arts, but he has devoted his whole life to Muay Thai. He is very successful in what people see him, but his true passion never was invested and achieved.”.
Unfortunately, his case is not unique. The research results according to Mind UK indicate as following.
In England, 1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem each year.
1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem like anxiety or depression in any given week.
Children are not exceptions, 1 in 10 of them experience mental illness.
Dave Moore, a GP, who works in a crisis center in urgent care, says: “The things I see through my work mostly are anxiety and depression. There are cases of stress and burn out. But definitely anxiety and depression are significant problems.”
Stress and anxiety have been a very common issue in the modern world where people are pressured to perform and meet deadlines.
Anyone can get a mental health problem. But some groups are more likely to get them than others, according to Mind UK.
It can be commonly seen in competitive sports as well. Ms March commented: “Mental health problems are so common for all the competitive sports when you compete at a high level.”
To be a Muay Thai fighter, they spend hours and hours training with strict diet control. Most of them will train five days a week intensively. However, things could change as they age and eventually reach retirement point. They tend to experience mental health issues when they have to stop fighting and change careers.
Ms March said: “I see too many fighters who are retired and then come out of retirement and fight again.
“It is almost like they are trying to improve something for themselves and to the rest of the world.”
She believes some fighters find it difficult to admit that their fighting journey is over and they need a different journey.
She started a new journey as a coach and is building a community for people coming through the door. She said: "I have seen so many people walking in the door with a heavy heart, and able to walk out with a brand-new self."
A picture taken inside of Wicker Camp while fighters practicing in the ring
A picture taken inside of Wicker Camp while fighters practicing in the ring
A picture of one fighter doing side kick training.
A picture of one fighter doing side kick training.
A picture of a flag with Wicker Camp logo.
A picture of a flag with Wicker Camp logo.
Here are some voices from Muay Thai coaches and fighters at Wicker camp. They shared their perspective of Muay Thai and its impact on their mental health.
John Abbott, 31, works at Hallam University as a security guard.
“I initially started Muay Thai to build confidence against social anxiety. I can blast out all my issues when training. It gives me a routine and helps to start my days.
“I get a full family and so many friends through Muay Thai."
Marie Munden, 22, has just graduated Biology from University of Sheffield.
“Coming down to Wicker Camp makes me feel like I can just be myself and let things go.
“I definitely become a more confident person and I can stick up for myself more now.”
Diyako Firoozi,42, is an Iranian Thai boxing fighter, came to this country with no friends and family.
“I came to this country to fight. I find friends and have a big family through Muay Thai in this new country.
"Muay Thai is like a help through life and keeps me out of trouble. ”
Dr Moore suggested that Muay Thai has a lot of benefits and helps to build mental toughness.
However, he added: “My reservation will be around head injuries. The risk associated with Muay Thai and the long term impact of injuries can lead to mental health problems.”
Ms March agreed. She sees a lot of fighters ending up with injuries, and It has a huge impact on their mental health as they cannot do what they expect with injury.
Darren Casteldine, 49, is a Muay Thai coach who has been in Wicker camp for nearly 33 years. He has had quite a few injuries over the years.
He said: “I have injured my forearms many times and I have bad knees, but it does not change how much I love Muay Thai training. There is no perfect fighter who does not get injured.
Despite the possibility of getting injured in Muay Thai, the physical intensity, focus, and discipline required in Muay Thai can help individuals reduce stress and anxiety, improve self-confidence and a general sense of well-being .
In addition, it helps to develop a stronger mindset, which can be carried over to everyday life.
Mohammed Yaseen, former president of the United Kingdom Muaythai Federation (UKMF), said: “Endorphins released during exercise can improve mood and reduce stress. Also, the discipline of training can build resilience and improve mental clarity.”
More importantly, the sense of community that comes with being a part of a Muay Thai gym or a fight team can provide support and a sense of belonging.
Mr Moore said: “As a family doctor, a lot of the health problems that I see have a preventable component to them."
He also emphasised: “it is okay to not be okay and it is okay to ask for help and support. Being available for your friend and checking in on them can mean a lot.
Margaret Lewis, CEO of Sheffield Mind, suggested: “At Sheffield Mind, we believe that being active can help with getting better sleep, happier moods, managing stress, self-esteem.
Mr Lewis also listed the details of each positive impact of being active.
• Better sleep– by taking part in physical activity, we can really tire ourselves out, making us feel sleepier at the end of the day.
• Happier moods– physical activity releases endorphins which are hormones that make us feel good and give us a burst of energy.
• Managing stress – being physically active can also relieve the mind and help focus on other things. This can help us to cope with difficult times.
• Self-esteem- regularly exercising can help with self-esteem, because we not only improve ourselves physically but we also begin to believe in ourselves.
Research suggests that no matter what people's physical ability is, their self-esteem will improve when they exercise because they are more motivated and energetic.
You can find more information and support about mental health at their website: https://www.sheffieldmind.co.uk/.
Generally, getting active and physical activity have a positive impact on people’s mental health. It opens up lots of opportunities to make friends and try something new.
Muay Thai is a beneficial form of exercise and self-defence, and contributes to improved mental health and well-being.
To get started with Muay Thai and have better mental health, you can visit Wicker Camp's wedsite: https://wickercamp.co.uk/.
