Athletes Authority ON AIR | Ep. 188 ”What It Really Takes: Muay Thai Prep, Pain & Performance”

2025-04-15

What It Really Takes: Muay Thai Prep, Pain & Performance In this episode, S&C coach Anthony Sams sits down with two of his elite Muay Thai athletes—Deren Chen, the current NSW Welterweight WBC Champion, and Ibrahim Abou Saleh, former national champion and multi-title holder who’s represented Australia at the Olympics—for a raw, behind-the-scenes look at life in and out of the ring. From fight prep and cutting weight to building explosive strength and managing recovery, the boys talk throu...

What It Really Takes: Muay Thai Prep, Pain & Performance

In this episode, S&C coach Anthony Sams sits down with two of his elite Muay Thai athletes—Deren Chen, the current NSW Welterweight WBC Champion, and Ibrahim Abou Saleh, former national champion and multi-title holder who’s represented Australia at the Olympics—for a raw, behind-the-scenes look at life in and out of the ring.

From fight prep and cutting weight to building explosive strength and managing recovery, the boys talk through what really gives them an edge in competition. You’ll hear why conditioning might be the most underrated weapon, how their training changes throughout a fight camp, and the real difference between “just lifting weights” and sport-specific performance.

Plus, there’s plenty of banter, fight-day rituals (yes, showering and haircuts included), and candid thoughts on the gaps most fighters still have in their physical prep.

Whether you’re a fighter, coach, or just curious about what goes into elite-level Muay Thai, this episode is a must-listen.

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