We finally made it to Episode 100! It took us a while but we did it. But the goal is now to get to 200 and keep the conversations about Muay Thai going and continue helping this sport grow in the U.S. and worldwide. Thank you for your continued support through all these years, it is very much appreciated. With that said, in this episode, we speak with USMF President, Michael "Chase" Corley. We thought it was only right that someone who has worked tirelessly these last 4 years to get U.S. Muaytha...
Jun 12, 2020•1 hr 23 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner Podcast, we speak with Head Coach of Pittsburgh Muay Thai and Head Judge of the United States Muaythai Federation, Stephen Strotmeyer. In addition to his years of expertise in Muay Thai, Stephen also has a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh and currently serves as a Trauma Epidemiologist at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Many of our listeners are either gym owners, coaches, or students of Muay Thai gyms across the US. We...
May 26, 2020•1 hr 30 min
In this episode, we speak with our friend Carl Gebhardt, who is the head coach & owner of Steel MMA and Fitness in San Diego, California. We discuss his journey in martial arts and as a gym owner. We also discuss the momentum of U.S. Muay Thai before the COVID-19 crisis as well as the frustrations about owning a Muay Thai gym during this time of quarantine. Chatting Muay Thai during these crazy times and hoping all of our friends in the Muay Thai community can get back to work soon!
May 06, 2020•1 hr 8 min
This episode was our first attempt at a Facebook LIVE. We cut out a bit of the technical difficulties and the time we waited for a few more people to jump in before starting. With everyone on lockdown due to the pandemic, we decided it would be a good time to talk about the movies, fights, coaches, and other inspirations that got us all into Muay Thai. We also discuss why you should support your local gym in this time of crisis as for many of us our gyms are more than just a place we train, they...
Mar 31, 2020•1 hr 3 min
This is our first ever video podcast of The Striking Corner! The audio-only version of the podcast is of course still available on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeartRadio, etc.. We are very excited to be able to offer the video version of the podcast in addition to the audio version, and while it is still a work in progress, we hope you all enjoy it! Leave us comments below. With the current situation around the world with COVID-19, it is a bittersweet time to get this video p...
Mar 17, 2020•1 hr 5 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast we speak with up and coming women's Muay Thai fighter, Jackie Buntan. Training out of Boxing Works in Torrance, California; Jackie has been active in Muay Thai since she was 11 years old and won her first TBA Muay Thai World Expo title at just 13 years old. We discuss Jackie's journey in Muay Thai and discuss the recent news that she has signed with rapidly flourishing Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and MMA promotion ONE Championship.
Nov 05, 2019•52 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast we speak with LA-based fighter and 2019 IFMA World Championship Silver Medalist, Kennedy-Reilly Maze. Kennedy discusses her journey through Muay Thai, how the sport has shaped her life and helped her overcome past issues and insecurities. Kennedy is an extremely focused and driven athlete who feels that her journey in the sport is just beginning. She is definitely a fighter to look out for as it is evident that she is willing to sacrifice everything...
Oct 22, 2019•1 hr 5 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast we speak with New York-based fighter Jessica Ng. Jessica is one of the most recognizable female fighters in the NYC Muay Thai scene, in addition she has represented Team USA on various occasions at both the IFMA World Championships and the IFMA Pan-American Championships. We discuss her passion for the sport, her experiences at IFMA, the growth of Women's Muay Thai and Women's combat sports, and Eric completely sticks his foot in his mouth at one po...
Sep 25, 2019•1 hr 23 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast we talk with Rami "The Son of Palestine" Ibrahim. Rami has had a long successful career in both the American and International Muay Thai scene. In addition to being an accomplished fighter, Rami is also a passionate and successful coach that has instilled the same dedication and sacrifice in his students that he has always demanded from himself. Rami, has always been a confident, passionate, and fearless individual who speaks his mind and has a gift...
Sep 08, 2019•1 hr 7 min
This is it! One of our biggest podcasts to date! Recorded at the 2019 TBA Classic Muay Thai World Classic in Des Moines, Iowa, Vinny and Eric sit down with a few of the top coaches in the US; Bryan Dobler of Double Dose Muay Thai, Bryan Popejoy of Boxing Works, Danny Brandt of Dan's Gym, Pete Peterson of the TBA and Roundkick Gym, Stephen Strotmeyer of Pittsburgh Muay Thai, Patrick Rivera of Valor Training Center, Sean Madden of Easton Training Center, and last but not least USMF President, Mich...
Jun 27, 2019•2 hr 22 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner, we speak with Muay Thai photographer extraordinaire, Jeff Dojillo. If you are a fan of Muay Thai and follow the sport, chances are you have seen Jeff's work. Jeff is a professional photographer that luckily for the Muay Thai community fell in love with the sport and has used his talent to capture the beauty of Muay Thai and showcase it to the world. Aside from photography, Jeff is now also the Chief Brand Officer for the USMF and helps them with everything...
May 28, 2019•1 hr 7 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast, we speak with Muay Thai power couple, Pete & Pam Peterson. Since 2007, they have been the minds behind the largest, and one of the most respected and organized Muay Thai only tournaments in the U.S., The TBA Classic Muay Thai World Expo, known in the Muay Thai community as simply, "The T.B.A.'s We discuss what it takes to put together a tournament of this size, their favorite and least favorite moments of organizing the event, and how it all be...
May 15, 2019•1 hr 13 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner Podcast, we speak with USMF Vice President Marcy Maxwell. Marcy is extremely passionate about the growth of Muay Thai in America and has been an integral part of the United States Muaythai Federation's efforts to organize and grow the sport in the US and help our athletes gain recognition as well as experience internationally. In addition to her work for the USMF, Marcy also works with the Sport is Your Gang initiative in order to help at-risk youth stay of...
May 01, 2019•59 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast, we speak with 3x Muay Thai World Champion and renowned coach, Kieran Keddle. We discuss Kieran's move from the UK to Canada, both the opportunities and issues he sees in North American Muay Thai, European vs North American Muay Thai, his promotional aspirations, and more! Kieran is accomplished coach and former fighter with a wealth of knowledge and was genuinely a pleasure to talk to. We're sure you will enjoy this episode! Check it out!
Apr 16, 2019•1 hr 3 min
In this episode, we speak with IFMA Pan-American Gold Medalist and Canadian Pro Muay Thai fighter, Scott "Smash" MacKenzie. Scott has been on an absolute tear as of late in his Muay Thai career and will soon be facing his biggest test as he makes his professional debut versus Naruepol Fairtex at Triumphant 7 on April 13th. We discuss Scott's recent change of fight camp and how it has helped his game, his journey so far in Muay Thai, the Canadian Muay Thai scene, and we also discuss Scott's staun...
Apr 02, 2019•57 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner we speak with USMF Referee and Judge, Joshua "JJ" Ferraro. JJ has reffed over 2,000+ Muay Thai and MMA bouts throughout his officiating career and currently assists the United States Muaythai Federation in conducting Judging and Refereeing courses throughout the United States. We discuss the rules of Muay Thai and the differences between judging and refereeing a Muay Thai fight as opposed to MMA. We also discuss Muay Thai scoring and the criteria that exper...
Mar 19, 2019•1 hr 15 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner, we speak with writer, fighter, and a total pain in Eric's ass, Matt Lucas! Matt currently lives in Thailand where he works as a fight commentator for Max Muay Thai and the Social Media Manager for Fairtex. Matt truly lives and breathes the sport of Muay Thai so we decided to speak with him about the current state of Muay Thai in Thailand, his perspective on the growth and current direction of American Muay Thai, the growth of promotions like One Championsh...
Mar 06, 2019•1 hr 15 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast we speak with Mark "The Hyena" Beecher. Mark is without a doubt a straight shooter who is brutally honest and well...likes to talk a little shit and drop some "Beecherisms" from time to time. But his dedication, knowledge, and passion for Muay Thai is without question so he feels very strongly about protecting the sports integrity and toughness and does not want to see it get watered down. Also, if you are one of those "no touch knockout" masters......
Feb 22, 2019•1 hr 8 min
In this episode, co-host Vinny Scotto and guest Patrick Rivera join the podcast from Stockton, Calfornia as Kru Patrick Rivera just finished up another edition of his very popular Muaythai Youth Academy workshop. These workshops are designed to help coaches, gym owners, and future business owners understand the value of starting a Youth Muaythai Program in their gyms. Patrick Rivera has help develop amazing young athletes that have gone on to compete in word class tournaments and bring home gold...
Jan 29, 2019•50 min
It's 2019! New Year, New TSC! Yes....we are back from our holiday although Vinny argues that our self-imposed holiday had more to do with Eric's inability to juggle a new job and the podcast than taking a holiday break. And while there is some truth to that accusation, we used the time off to change our website, begin to make some changes with our equipment, and refocus our efforts for 2019! We have new guests, a new contest, and a new way for you to sponsor our podcast if you are interested in ...
Jan 15, 2019•43 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast Eric and Vinny speak with Triumphant Muay Thai Series promoter Geoff Quares. In our conversation with Geoff we discuss his background in martial arts, how he got into promoting, his passion for the sport, and of course...what it takes to run a successful promotion and some of the headaches that come along with it. Often times a lot of promoters get a bad rap because some seem to be in it for all the wrong reasons and do not have the best interests o...
Oct 31, 2018•1 hr 19 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast Eric and Vinny welcome back our friend Jason Farrell to the show. We discuss one of Jason's newest projects that will serve as a website/database for fighters and promoters to track fighter's records and keep tabs on their progress as well as the various organizations they have fought under. In addition we talk about cherry picking opponents, matchmaking or promoting at events where your own fighters are competing, and we also touch on one of our fa...
Oct 16, 2018•1 hr 23 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast Eric and Vinny once again speak with Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and soon to be MMA star, Gaston "Dreamkiller" Bolaños. Gaston is undeniably one of the top Muay Thai fighters and Kickboxers in the US. However, he explains that as a competitor he also wanted to try his hand at MMA. A decision that leads him to a current record of 3-1 in Bellator MMA along with earning 2018's Knockout of the Year for the organization. The guys discuss Gaston's plans to com...
Sep 25, 2018•1 hr 5 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner, Eric & Vinny speak with 3x IFMA Youth Muaythai World Championship gold medalist, Bekah Irwin. At only 17 years old Bekah already has a string of high-level accomplishments in the sport of Muay Thai. Her incredibly focused and quiet determination is one thing that stood out the most in this episode. Bekah wins because she absolutely must and because the thought of anything other than winning is something she will not tolerate. Her determination coupled ...
Sep 11, 2018•1 hr 16 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast, we sit down with USMF and Dan's Gym coach, Daniel Brandt as well as his daughter, 2018 IFMA gold medalist Tierra Brandt. We discuss Daniel's start in Muay Thai, coaching for the USMF, and the success of the USMF Junior Team's recent success at the 2018 IFMA Youth Muaythai World Championships. We also talk with Tierra about her love of Muay Thai, her fights at IFMA and earning one of the 8 gold medals for Team USA as well as discussing what it is li...
Aug 21, 2018•1 hr 39 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast Eric and Vinny speak with Head Coach of Bang Muay Thai at Onnit Gym in Austin, Texas; Alex Anoushian. Alex is an experienced coach who has trained and fought in Thailand on multiple occasions. We discuss how he chose to leave it all behind and travel to Thailand to pursue his passion for Muay Thai, and how his journey to Thailand eventually led him to meet his wife and start a family. We discuss his return to the US, the Bang Muay Thai system, tradi...
Jul 19, 2018•1 hr 18 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast, Eric & Vinny speak with Professional Muay Thai fighter Magalie Alvarez. Magalie fights out of Muay Thai America Gym (MTAG) in North Hollywood, California and was undefeated as an amateur before making the jump to pro Muay Thai. In the ring, Magalie is a firecracker who works non-stop and hits HARD! Outside of the ring, Magalie works as a personal trainer but has also begun using her voice to address mental health issues such as anxiety and depr...
Jun 26, 2018•1 hr 33 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner Podcast, Vinny & Eric speak with San Diego's Selina Flores. A talented Muay Thai fighter that has quickly made a name for herself in the California Muay Thai scene, Selina recently competed as part of Team USA at the IFMA Muaythai World Championships where she fought in the Elite A Class looking to compete with the very best the sport has to offer. Selina is competitive, driven, and hungry. She and the guys talk California Muay Thai, takeaways from her ...
Jun 05, 2018•1 hr 8 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner, Vinny and Eric discuss the recent IFMA Muaythai World Championships, supporting Team USA (USMF), and how we as Americans need to understand that the pro and amateur model we use in the United States is out of step with the rest of the world. The guys also rant about fighters pulling out of fights in order to preserve their undefeated record, social media fighters, and why fighters should be choosing gaining experience, fighting against the best fighters in...
May 22, 2018•1 hr 2 min
In this episode of The Striking Corner, Eric and Vinny speak with former professional fighter, coach, and Smash Gym owner Rudi Ott. Rudi started out his career in Sanshou, also known as Chinese Kickboxing, which is the same fighting discipline that both Eric and Vinny started in before making the transition to Muay Thai. Rudi talks about the old Sanshou scene in his native Boston, how he made his way out west and began training with Cung Le, his career in Sanshou, making the transition to Muay T...
Apr 11, 2018•59 min
