When it comes to heart rate training, your maximum heart rate is far less important than knowing your anaerobic threshold heart rate. Most of the time, I don’t care what a fighter’s max heart rate is. But it’s vital I know their anaerobic threshold heart rate… Was that a hard training session?  Your heart will tell you – if you know what you’re doing! Testing for, and training based on your anaerobic threshold heart rate (your maximal sustainable pace) is the secret to knowing if your Muay Thai or cardio conditioning session was ..read more

Welcome back to part 2 of Training Youth Fighters! In this episode, we continue our exploration into the art of training youth fighters, focusing on the crucial concept of finding balance. Join me as we dive deep into the intricacies of youth training methodology. We'll dissect the common pitfalls of early over-specialisation and the detrimental effects it can have on our budding athletes. We explore why encouraging young fighters to engage in multiple sports not only enhances their overall athleticism but also reduces the risk of overuse injuries later on. Through a comprehensive breakdown of ..read more

In this episode, we dive into a crucial topic that concerns many coaches, parents, and young athletes alike: is weight training safe for youth Muay Thai athletes? As a seasoned coach with a deep understanding of athletic development, I break down the nuances of incorporating weight training into the training regimen of young Muay Thai enthusiasts. We'll explore the importance of timing, age-appropriate training protocols, and maximising the windows of opportunity for skill acquisition and physical development. From understanding the unique needs of different age groups to tailoring training pr ..read more

Join me in this video coaching session as I share a series of Muay Thai pad work drills using a concept I call “Observation Clusters”. I'll guide you through advanced techniques designed to sharpen your combat skills and enhance your ability to read and react to your opponent's movements effectively. We'll explore the art of throwing combinations while strategically observing your opponent's responses, allowing you to adapt and counter with precision. Learn firsthand from my experience as a coach as I break down the intricacies of pad holding and fighter interaction. Discover how to identify o ..read more

Dive into how my passion for Muay Thai triggered my transformation from engineer to Muay Thai pro and discover how you can fast-track your own journey to success! In this compelling video, I share my pivotal decision to leave behind stability for the thrill of Muay Thai. Learn how I merged modern science with tradition to create a winning formula. From founding a full time Muay Thai gym to reclaiming my spot in the ring aged 40, I've faced obstacles head-on. Explore Heatrick.com for game-changing insights and training tips to accelerate your Muay Thai journey. Ready to silence doubters and emb ..read more

Want to get better at slipping punches and angling off attacks? In this video, I break down my go-to combo for drilling evasive head movement - the classic 1-2-3 of jab, cross, hook. The key isn't just bobbing your head, but using footwork and hip rotation to naturally shift your head position as you step into your punch. We start by throwing the 1-2-3 continuous on the spot. Then I show how stepping out diagonally on the hook completely changes the angle and stance. You can go left or right for different looks. I also demonstrate mixing up the rhythm - jab, cross, pause, hook. Other important ..read more

You asked. Here are the answers! In this episode I answer your burning Muay Thai questions, covering topics like: * The benefits of Zone 2 cardio training and how to implement it into your Muay Thai training * Optimising for faster in-between round recovery * The ideal sparring frequency for casual and competing Nak Muays * The biggest weaknesses I see even in high-level fighters and how to fix them If you want to maximise your conditioning, accelerate recovery, spar smarter, and fix holes in your game, this video will give you the knowledge and training tools to make it happen! I know the Mua ..read more

Growth mindset for fighters? I used to believe my abilities were fixed - until sporting achievements opened my eyes to growth mindset. After childhood math trauma, I was convinced I lacked numerical talent. But unexpected successes in sports showed me that with strategic practice, I could improve dramatically. My fixed mindset began to crumble. I realised if I could excel in areas deemed "impossible," anything was achievable through dedication and incremental progress. This growth mindset quickly accelerated my Muay Thai. Rather than battling opponents, I saw fights as benchmarks for self-impr ..read more

Muay Thai sport specific training has it's place. But there are hidden risks. ? Many fighters don't realise there's a tipping point where more sport-specific training stops helping and starts increasing overuse injury risk instead. ? The more training hours you put in, and the more years you’ve been in the game, compounds this risk. And the older you are, the finer the line between levelling up and breaking down. In this episode we explore the hidden risks of sport-specific overuse in Muay Thai and outline a simple periodisation system to balance both general and sport specific training for be ..read more

Skip the outdated bro-splits and use the essential exercise patterns to start training like combat sport athlete… It's not enough to just lift weights - we need to train our bodies in a way that transfers directly to better striking, clinching, and evasion. In this video I break down the 8 fundamental exercise movement patterns that every fighter must master to build balanced, functional strength that enhances your speed, power, mobility, and injury resilience. By properly balancing agonist and antagonist muscle strength, you'll be able to strike faster and harder. Whether you're an aspiring n ..read more