Ted's JAI Journey: From Gym Dropout to 500-Class Beast!

Many of us can relate to Ted, a JAI member celebrating his 2nd year anniversary! Ted, a quiet computer engineer by day, admits he wasn't always a gym rat. In fact, his gym memberships usually resulted in a week of enthusiasm followed by… well, nothing.

But JAI changed everything for Ted. Here at JAI, he found his fitness groove and a supportive community. Two years and a whopping 500 classes later, Ted is completely transformed!

The best part? Ted only committed to one month at first. That single month turned into a life-changing habit, proving that small commitments can lead to big results.

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FACES OF JAI: Delpreet Singh

You’re a former competitive bodybuilder who recently took up Muay Thai, have you seen any changes in your physique?

So my fitness goal is to have the best body for my age that I can have as an individual!

So you wouldn’t believe it - I’ve never been 12% body fat and currently, I'm running 12% body fat in off-season. So that goes to show the total holistic approach that is going on internally.

So before what percentage body fat were you?

I was running about 25%- 30% body fat, I was a big fat bloke. If I show you my picture you will freak out! Because COVID happened, and all my training went away.

How has Muay Thai helped you mentally and holistically?

So I recently lost my Mum about three months ago, and training has helped me to adapt.

I think I only took one-two weeks off. I remember you mentioned: “Oh where have you been?”. Buut after that I have been here! Coming here and getting Daya here… because I started Daya here when Mum passed away, has helped us to become stronger. Training harder has helped me to become a better person at home, which has helped my wife, and my dad adapt to what has happened in life.

Can you tell us your sleeve of warrior tattoos?

I am a Sikh, by religion. I am a second-generation Fijian, so before that our ancestors were from Punjab… we come from a line of warriors but I never got close to any sort of training (until now). I always wanted to do it, and the rest is history. Soyou see I've got a whole tattoo sleeve and it's full of warriors!

Mata Sahib Kaur, (one of the tattoos) - she was a woman warrior. This lady represents a time when most males backed away, she was the first warrior lady to go to war! She led a lot of men behind her!

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Featured Student: Isaiah "Izzy" Savelio

If ever there was a shining example of how Muay Thai can transform lives, Izzy would be walking proof. Despite being introverted by nature, Muay Thai has brought out his infectious enthusiasm and willingness to help others. This much-loved member and trainer at JAI are so addicted that even a moon boot couldn't stop him from training!


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Jarrod Lawson: Muay Thai Fighter and Graffiti Artist

Are there any similarities between Muay Thai and graffiti?

Definitely! Muay Thai is a martial art after all. Freestyling on the bag or shadow boxing is similar to freestyling when painting on a wall. You need to find rhythm and flow within yourself, so they both complement each other. Since starting Muay Thai last year, it has made me more focused on routine and lifestyle. I've cut down on drinking, stopped vaping, and focused more on my physical and mental state. When I'm healthy, it makes me enjoy and want to paint more, and my work also looks cleaner.

Tell us about the work that you did for JAI.

To me, Thai culture is a huge part of Muay Thai, which is why I incorporated temples and Buddha into the design. I'd like anyone who walks into JAI to feel like they are in Thailand!

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Student Feature - Joshua Smith

When we put a callout for people for members to help with classes, Josh surprised us when he stepped up. Yes, he was always the most respfectul student in class, but also the most quiet - it was hard to imagine him leading a class of students. However, he stepped up and now has helmed some of our beginner classes as well as being a firm favourite with the kids classes.
Now, Josh is ready to take on an even bigger challenge: his first fight! for us!

Join us on Saturday, October 28, 2023, to cheer him on as he steps into the ring and shows us what he's made of!

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JAI THAI BOXING GYM
November Bingo and 50 kicks in 60 seconds Challenge

Can you believe we're already in November!
Which means our November Challenges have begun!
Challenge 1. Do at least 50 Kicks in 60 seconds.
Upload the video HERE and stand to win a pair of gloves for the best kicks as judged by our trainers on technique, showmanship and heart!

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Meet Laura - our Septemer challenge winner

You may have noticed Laura around JAI. She’s been training since 2021, but made even more of her presence known by completing all 20 of our Septemer JAI Bingo challenges. Not only did she win herself some JAI threads and PT, but she made new friends, gained new skills and is now our official Bingo Champ.

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September Challenger Are you ready?

Who doesn't like a bit of friendly competition?

Well this one doesn't require being punched in the face (it's an option though )

Here's the deal. Complete 10 of the challenges to win a JAI top.

Complete all of 'em to get a free top AND a trainer with our new trainer Fa-Lan.

How are we going to vouch whether you completed the tasks?

Photos, witnesses, and our trusty lie detector test...

Just hit up our team at reception when you're ready to claim your prize!

You have one month team - let's get to it!

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Ladies Classes - check it out!

Ladies can Kick (and punch!)
And while it's true that most of our female regulars are comfortable in mixed classes, what about the other members who didn't feel confident enough to get that point yet? Or stopped coming because their female training buddy couldn't come with them, or a guy kicked them too hard and they were too shy to speak up for fear of looking soft.

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Bullies not welcome

Our member today was threatned by a much larger bloke who made a point of removing his hoody before threatening to F*** him up.

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If you can’t respect gym staff, stay home.

If you can’t respect gym staff, stay home.

We have rules for one reason – to make JAI a better place to train.

What makes us so sure that we know what is best for everyone? We don’t, and we know that one size doesn’t fit all. So we do our best to come up with rules, which allow people train safely, without being too draconian.

If you don’t agree with them, come have a chat with the team. We welcome feedback and constructive discussion. Whatever gives us the opportunity to make a JAI a more comfortable place for everyone is a worthwhile investment in time. But please don’t argue with our staff when they are just doing their jobs. One of their rules is to treat everyone fairly and by doing that means not making exceptions for anyone.

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Why we need your help going online

Remember the first time trying Muay Thai? It probably felt foreign compared to other workouts. The movements, while exciting seemed impossible to get the hang of. Trying to follow instructions, despite feeling like the worst in class. And on top of that, convincing yourself nobody was watching while feeling mortifed about how silly you must look.

Yet despite all this, for some crazy reason, you kept showing up. And with persistence, you got better, it got more fun and you started to crave the challenge. Before you knew it, it became a natural part of your routine, and something that improved your life. That’s how we’re looking at training from home.

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The countdown to 2,000 visits! Meet our top performer Vanessa!

Vanessa holds the record for the most visits by any JAI student.

Since joining in October 2014, she has accumulated 1885 visits!

(Although she'd like to add that the number is higher because of the times that our scanner was out of order and didn't record visits 😂😂)

With 200 Kicks, 300 Punches and 540 (conservative) calories per session that's a grand total of:

37,700 kicks 🦵

Over half a million punches 🤩

And over a million calories 🤪

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Why I choose the Muay Thai life

Why people choose the Muay Thai life boil down to very personal reasons. What may start out as: - curiosity 🧐 - a way to get fit💪 - a desire to meet new people👭 - a method of de-stressing ⭐️ - to gain self-confidence 😇 may change into something completely different as their journey progresses. Here are just three reasons, as modelled by our students Gracie, Rimma and Jinn. What's your reason?

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The Muay Thai Dance - the Wai Kru

Fighters open with this dance before fight and while it isn't so common outside of Thailand, in the Land of Smiles, it is considered an essential ritual.

Unlike what some people think, the Wai Kru doesn't have to be associated with any religion. It is a way to show respect for your gym, your trainers, your opponent and your loved ones - who could be your family OR a religion if you choose.

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JAI turns 11!

JAI Wellington celebrates 11 years today! What began as a pipe dream in Singapore, bounced around Thailand a fair bit and than found its way to our Capital is still a reality today thanks to you.

Whether you've just joined us, or are with us for the long haul - live down the road, or cheer for us from the other side of the globe, know that you've made a difference to us.

Words of encouragement, constructive feedback, sharing your wisdom and simply showing up to class are what get us out of bed excited to provide the best training experience for you.

It has been a challenging year for all of us, but the highs have definitely made up for the lows. Who knows, we may even have come out of this a little stronger and wiser!

Team JAI, we've got this!

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Muay Thai Must-Haves

What can you not train without? Here’s a list of our must haves – let us know yours!

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From CLEO journalist to Muay Thai Gym owner- interview with jai founder su-lin

From journalist to Muay Thai fighter and gym owner. JAI founder Su-Lin interviewed a Muay Thai fighter for CLEO Magazine, and swapped her pen for gloves. The NZ Herald interviewed her about what it’s like being a fighter and running two Muay Thai gyms.

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JAI THAI BOXING GYM
Say bye to Smelly Gloves

Ahhh new gloves (aka non smelly gloves). There’s nothing like slipping on a pair of new gloves. The fresh scent of new leather. The way the soft, protective insides fit snugly around your hands. And the fact your hands don’t smell like sweaty feet after training.
There are a special breed of Thai Boxers out there, who manage to recreate a similar feeling every time they slip on their gloves. Even when their gloves are six months old.
Read on for tips on how to join the No Smelly Club.

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