The author recounts their journey from a desire to box to discovering muay thai in Rome, where they joined a team and helped establish a martial arts club at their university. The experience has fostered personal and professional growth through lessons in respect, discipline, teamwork, and improved management skills. Ultimately, muay thai has enhanced their confidence, strategic thinking, and resilience, shaping their approach to challenges in life.

1. MUAY THAI
Mishaal Al Rashid

2. Ever since I graduated from high school, I
have always wanted to do boxing.
However, after I’ve moved to Rome, Italy
to start my undergraduate program, I’ve
met one of my closest friends (four times
champion of Lebanon) who introduced
me to Muay Thai or Thai Boxing.

3. During my first year in Rome I joined an
Italian muay team “Cesarini Acadamy.”
With my team, I started learning the core
basic techniques of Thai Boxing form
masters and professional fighters.

4. After a while, my close friend, with my help, wanted to
start his own muay thai team. He decided to open the
Martial Arts Club in our university.
We’ve held training sessions in the university’s gym. The
practice has been always intense and tough, even for
advanced students.
The reason for the tough practice is to get us prepared –
mentally and physically- for tournament fights.

5. HOW DOES MUAY THAI CONTRIBUTE
TO MY PERSONAL AND
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT?

6. Muay Thai has taught me respect,
discipline, and confidence…

7. Muay thai is not only about defeating your opponent,
and winning fights. I believe practicing muay thi is
also about meditation.
Muay thai has helped me control my self. I am more
calm person and able to control my anger in hard
times. Moreover, it makes more energetic and
optimistic

8. Muay thai has improved some of my
management skills. It’s made me better
listener and a better comprehensive thinker.
Listening to my teammates’ struggles and
fears help us to be understand each other,
and strengthen our bond.

9. In addition, even though Muay thai is a one
man sport, which relies mostly on your
abilities, especially in the ring, it has taught
me team work.
At the beginning and during every semester
we set goals and work together towards these
goals.
During the training sessions we rely on each
other to achieve our goals, and that is by
working hard, and encouraging each other at
a time when we need it the most.

10. To conclude, Muay thai has help strategic and
decision making skills. I see things from different
angles before reaching a conclusion. It has imporved
my concentration ability, and have faith in myself. In
our club giving up is not an option. This way of
thinking has helped me to gain more confidence, and
resistance.
Going in one more round when you don't think you can - that's what makes all the difference
in your life.” - Rocky Balboa

11. THANK YOU!