https://www.morethanafighter.com/blog daily 0.75 2025-04-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/7145f69b-3c5b-4f39-b44a-a32818b177a2/IMG_0338.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/469fe2a0-0d1a-4104-a75f-69cf085b1ed7/IMG_3500.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/865f8938-decd-4369-b733-b2c0943428ff/IMG_5161.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/33375ba1-ea14-4f91-a6c5-13d64563e404/tournament.jpg https://www.morethanafighter.com/blog/triggered-in-training monthly 0.5 2024-07-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/d042745e-3f06-4a33-8b8d-bc42b3d56a32/IMG_0984.JPG Blog - The Traumatized Fighter - Muay Thai is for Everyone Some might wonder why someone with PTSD and a complex trauma history is so determined to practice a sport that puts me in situations that can be triggering. I believe the only way you heal is through triggers as long as all of your needs are met, and you are in a safe space. For me, fighting is not only the physical manifestation of overcoming the pain and traumas but rewriting my history. This time when I’m attacked or hurt, I fight back and can even win. When talking about the mindset or mental toughness that fighters need to develop, I find that people try to separate themselves as “special or different” because “not everyone could do this.” I don’t believe that. Anyone can do this if they desire. Not everyone wants to, and that’s their right. If you find Muay Thai and enjoy it, then make it yours, whatever that looks like. If you never have an interest in fighting, you are still a valid practitioner and teammate. Muay Thai helped me to heal even through the dark times, I find myself better for practicing this sport. So why wouldn’t I want everyone to have that opportunity? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/06ca5c16-b298-4fe1-bb92-180efcba91f2/IMG_9491.JPG Blog - The Traumatized Fighter - Make it stand out Photo By Anthony Liam Starr https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/6fd65754-26f3-432d-805c-2419706f52c2/First+teaching.jpg Blog - The Traumatized Fighter - Environment is Everything People grow more when they are in environments that encourage growth. As someone who has already spent so much of my life in survival, I know I’m capable of pushing through a lot. However, when I go to the survival space, I am no longer learning. I’m not creative, and my responses come from a sense of urgency to survive rather than being smart. It’s why it’s taken me so long to develop a good fight IQ because my fighting has been reactionary. In this state, I find myself getting frustrated with my mistakes and tensing up more as I repeat them, so the learning process is even slower. Being in a place where I know I can make mistakes without judgment and train on my terms, supports me to do what I need and allows me to learn and think for myself. Making me a better student, fighter, and teacher. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/c497f228-8a9d-4700-b5f7-3b33ee63c380/1655149597273.gif Blog - The Traumatized Fighter - The Yerkes-Dodson Law The Yerkes-Dodson Law proposes that you reach your peak level of performance with an intermediate level of stress, or arousal. Too little or too much arousal results in poorer performance. A safe environment is not a stress-free environment. Stress is an important part of development, but working on the optimal amount of stress that you or your students undergo is important for not only their learning but their mental and physical health as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/cd8cc2c9-ebd3-4e7b-9396-9c4a5e028ce1/IMG_4873.JPG Blog - The Traumatized Fighter - This was not the first time I had been triggered in training, but it was the most visceral. Triggers have manifested in various ways - feeling cornered and trapped in sparring, especially with men who are larger than me. I had a dear friend - a man three times my size, and whenever we would spar, he consistently moved forward and put pressure on me. He didn’t strike me hard, but the feeling of not having a second to breathe or having a way out was overwhelming. I would feel angry and scared and even want to cry afterward, but it was never unmanageable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/659dbf7e-7e8d-4798-b213-2710859312be/kao+soi.jpg Blog - The Traumatized Fighter - How I manage/work through triggers: Recognize that you’re feeling triggered - symptoms include: sudden panic, fear, or anger; being overwhelmed; flashbacks and more. Pause - Step away from the situation - in the bathroom, leaving the gym, or missing a training session. Identify/feel the feelings - Audibly naming what sensations I’m feeling in my body, then trying to understand where they come from. Alone - journaling, voice notes, etc. Supported - talking with someone I trust. Ground yourself - Saprea Grounding Techniques https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1718169408637-C6XSIPYLCQ2TU4H3205V/off+the+zone.jpg Blog - The Traumatized Fighter - Off The Zone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1718169577353-OKJY73QLYULMGPRPJALM/connection+martial+arts.png Blog - The Traumatized Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1718169642097-OULTPV4OC9QUJTI0MFB5/conscious.jpg Blog - The Traumatized Fighter https://www.morethanafighter.com/blog/codependent-fighter monthly 0.5 2023-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842099838-KF0GWG3AD9PCOVYMTSU3/1.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842119499-GZ5AJBBVSSRU70YBIH3Q/10.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842100621-V8XCF53PY8V00K21XA3J/2.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842104415-6LZU9E13M6Z6P2I4Y1IY/3.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842105947-G2I6Y95G874XRDRVBO37/4.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842109054-5BH5I4WD2CESF78FW0RM/5.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842112403-1IN9P89S63EYH6J8SJAP/6.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842114711-AD6QBZQUY3DNC2SWGNGB/7.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842116907-9I14534XAV7F7M7UP75E/8.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842118445-SUZBBO48HNHBTU0WS2JZ/9.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842411335-0C63BI83XWWJVU8FHYC9/1.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842411847-65CXF2MDF11FJ4P06YLB/2.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842413830-VC54ZBWTUQBS604PX29U/4.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842412925-Y1MNSGQWTQ3S05NY8H2K/3.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842414646-AXCTQ0X1MZOOQZWUSXB5/5.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842418537-VGW3DRZAC6KOI7TOPDQ0/6.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842422867-ABF6PY7A11GKDKGECMZQ/7.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842426806-95MZ55BBEONOA6CXA5YL/8.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842432072-L07HEVVQZ91H99T1A2RD/9.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/1685842435711-JN0VBGD0NEQ1BZTIILYP/10.png Blog - The Codependent Fighter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/c149ab10-0588-4a16-87b9-f77c8a7c19af/IMG_6397.JPG Blog - The Codependent Fighter - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/a17382c1-b8bc-46ae-8aa8-cc43e56ad9a5/codependent.jpg Blog - The Codependent Fighter - My Experiences as a Codependent Fighter I used to believe that one of my greatest strengths was that I could put my head down and do whatever was asked of me—no questions. I was willing to do anything if it would help me get to improve my Muay Thai. If I had trainers who I trusted, why shouldn’t I do anything that they said? As I’ve healed more, I’ve realized that was a result of my upbringing. I substituted the controlling parents or strict religious leaders for my trainer. So, while the activity was physically healthier, I was still leaning into codependency, trusting someone else to know what was best for me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64079b7e1b62834c36ec320e/be2b28de-b9f7-42b3-a175-a6be974adff6/old+sparring.jpg Blog - The Codependent Fighter - Understanding Codependency Codependency can be defined as any relationship in which two people become so invested in each other that they can’t function independently anymore. Your mood, happiness, and identity are defined by the other person. 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