Spring is here, and that means spring cleaning. Wash yo sh*t! 🧼
Wash your gear, your hand wraps, your work out clothes, your mouth pieces.
Scrub behind your ears, back of your neck and between your toes!
Looking forward to warmer and brighter days ahead! 🌻
BROKEN WINDOWZ
In light of the recent vandalism at the gym, I want to thank everyone who showed support over the last few days.
For the curious: Someone tried to break into the gym Monday morning. Although unsuccessful, they still shattered our windows which eventually broke and fell through leaving the gym wide open for hours until people started to arrive around 8 AM.
Fortunately no one walked in and took anything. I’d like to think the smell of the place was a perfect and successful secondary deterrent. 🙂
This was an unfortunate event but windows can be replaced. We will not let the actions of one affect our outlook, or make us less gracious to be part of the Mar Vista community.
GRAND NATIONALS 2025
Two Tournaments in March!
In Delaware, we went 2-1 with three fights within three days.
Mher won his lone fight and division while Coach Erin was matched up against two very tough opponents, winning her first fight by TKO in the 2nd round, and losing a split decision in her last fight in a very tough, close match. Congrats to our opponent and their team and wishing everyone else a speedy recovery.
We always really enjoy supporting USA Muay Thai and the events they throw. Everyone is super friendly and approachable, are looking out for the athletes and are always extremely professional. We appreciate everyone’s efforts and look forward to being back again next year.
Thank you to everyone that tuned in to watch, all the messages of support, encouragement and best wishes. We felt ALL the love and am truly grateful for you all.
Finally, thank you to everyone who helped with padwork, sparring and sacrificed their own training time to help the team. And thank you to our friends at 818 Boxing for all the sparring help.
USMTO SPRING 2025
I would like to start off by saying thank you to all the members that have been helping with training the fighters while I navigate my back injury. And a very big and special thank you to former member Andy Xia for keeping Alexis company during the weigh-ins and looking after him.
Second: I am extremely proud of Alexis’s performance this weekend.
We didn’t win our division, and admittedly, I did not agree with the decision of his second bout to the point that I contested the decision with the state commission. Not in 16 years of training fighters have I ever done this. I felt that strongly about it.
But regardless, Alexis was on fire.
Having to fight twice in one day within 4 hours, he TKO’ed his first opponent in the first round and then fought a strong opponent from the home gym of the tournament’s promotion. It was a great fight and Alexis demonstrated grit, will and an acumen of the sport utilizing all the techniques of Muay Thai. Thank you to our opponents for the time in the ring.
Thank you again to the TBI community for all the help training him and the good vibes and love sent over the airwaves. Thank you to 818 Boxing for the rounds.
Thank you to our current sponsors for your help getting us to Phoenix, and furthermore, Delaware.
And of course to all our past sponsors and supporters. Appreciate you all immensely.
5 fights in 2025 already. 3 wins, two via TKO. Not bad!
BRYAN POPEJOY SEMINAR
I am honored to announce a seminar in May with Kru Bryan Popejoy.
To celebrate our 13 year birthday, we will be having Kru Bryan do a seminar free for TBI members. Seminar will be open to the public though for those interested in joining us for it.
Bryan Popejoy is a highly respected Muay Thai coach and the head trainer at Boxing Works, a well-known gym based in Torrance, California with a career spanning several decades as both a competitor and a coach.
He has coached several world-class athletes, including Janet Todd, Nathan Ward, and Jackie Buntan, who have achieved significant success under his mentorship as well several high level amateur athletes competing locally and nationally.
He’s widely regarded as one of the best Muay Thai coaches in the U.S., with a strong emphasis on footwork, defense, and clean technique.
More about Kru Bryan:
In 1997, Kru Bryan Popejoy took over Boxing Works, a gym located in Torrance, California, and transformed it into a premier Muay Thai training facility. Kru Bryan was among the first U.S. fighters to compete in the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA), winning a gold medal in 2000. Retiring from active competition in 2001.
Kru Bryan Popejoy served as the head coach for the United States Muay Thai Federation (USMF) National Team during the 2018 International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) World Championships.
Lastly, an all around great dude and phenomenal teacher.
As always, all seminars for TBI members are free, but I think this seminar might be a little too technical for beginners so we please ask that you have a minimum of 6 months of training at TBI in order to participate.
Full details:
Bryan Popejoy Seminar at The Thai Boxing Institute
Where: TBI
3831 Grand View Blvd
LA, CA 90066
(We are near Venice Beach)
When: Saturday, May 10th 2025
11AM-1:00PM
Cost: Free for TBI members
$99 for non-members
Thank you for your understanding!
If you are a non-TBI member and are interested in joining us, please venmo/zelle/paypal your entrance fee or you can use the link in bio to pay with CC.
Venmo: @COACHVIK (confirmation digits: 5678)
Zelle: Info@thaiboxinginstitute.net
Paypal: Info@thaiboxinginstitute.net
CC: Reserve your ticket here: https://the-thai-boxing-institute.gymdesk.com/product/bryan-popejoy-seminar/77460
Cash accepted at door.
Any questions? Please let us know and thank you!
COMPETITION TEAM SPONSORSHIP
We had great fundraising a few years back and didn’t run any the last two years but we are running low on the reserves and a few people have been asking how else they can help. Thank you!
For our athletes, we try to subsidize as much of the cost of competition as possible so that they can focus on their training.
When we have active competitors, it helps the entire community with leveling up the skill level of the athletes and coaches. This in turn helps us become better coaches and training partners. It also helps with exposure and recognition of the gym.
How would you like to help grow a career & community?
Whether you are a long-time supporter of the US Muay Thai scene or are brand new to training, sponsoring a local gym or athlete is a great way to become more involved with the sport and community. While the majority of practitioners may never compete, every athlete that does gains invaluable experience and knowledge that then cycles back into the general population of the gym. Financially supporting an athlete is an investment into a future coach and leader, which ultimately propels the growth of the community as a whole.
Be a part of the success!
As a patron, you can be a part of the team’s achievement and success even if you have limited availability to directly help train with the athletes. Each win belongs to the entire gym community and its sponsors. This is a great way to promote yourself or your business!
You are also supporting a local Los Angeles native POC small business with a large online and in-person demographic, which serves as a potential opportunity to promote your own business’ products or services.
Also, you don’t have to own a business, you can just be a patron and donate to the team!
For more information:
Some of the metrics have to be updated, but all pricing information can be found in the ‘Sponsorship Tiers section’ of the page.
WE BID ADIEU TO COACH JEANNIE
From Coach Jeannie
“I am officially leaving TBI as a coach and athlete this month, forever here as a friend and supporter. It hasn’t been an easy decision. This place has been my home for all of my adult life, my comfort zone and safe space.
But it’s a necessary one as I transition into a new phase of life, focused on school and my own new ventures. That being said, a piece of my heart will forever be there with you all.
There aren’t enough words in the English language to articulate how much being a part of TBI has meant to me. It changed the trajectory of my life, gave me the courage to grow into the person I am, and carried me through one-of-a-kind experiences l’d never thought I would have. I am beyond grateful to The Thai Boxing Institute and everyone I have crossed paths with here. You have made me braver, kinder, stronger, more confident, more resilient, more compassionate. It has been a privilege to fight under this name and an even greater honor to have been trusted to coach you all.
Over the past nine and some years, I have poured so much of myself into this space and community and it doesn’t even come close to what I have received back in return. I have and always will have so much love for TBI and I hope that you can feel it, even as I leave.
To Coach Vic, you know. Thank you for everything.
My last day will be April 19th.
If you’d like to come kick me in the face one last time, we’ll be hanging out and reminiscing post-Saturday training.
I’ll be teaching one last class on April 15th at 6/7 pm, come through.”
A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSORS
Speaking of Coach Jeannie, did you know she runs a meal prep company?
Primeal Eats!
Feed your wild side. Eat to compete. Meal Prep Service + Nutrition Coaching.High-quality meals made from whole foods to help you perform at your prime.
https://www.instagram.com/primealeats
Feed your wild side.
APRIL CURRICULUM
3/31- 4/5 Shin Shield
4/7- 4/12 Splitting the Jab (Different ways of Countering the Jab)
4/14- 4/19 Striking Dynamic (Soft vs Hard strikes)
4/21-4/26 Volleying Strikes (Shell and Check Defense and Counters)
4/28-5/3 Switch Stance