Behind the Gloves: Lesley Yuen Wins First Fight!

What started with a women’s kickboxing cardio class inspired by the workout routines of the Victoria’s Secret Angels later developed into Lesley Yuen winning her first Muay Thai fight five years later. “In 2020, I stumbled across a Muay Thai/Kickboxing gym hoping to just keep my fitness up, but instead learned the art of Muay Thai and was intrigued at how every move and hit you make is with purpose,” tells Lesley when reflecting on her early days of training.

With martial arts, and Muay Thai specifically, growing in popularity amongst women, it demonstrates the positive impacts it can have on women’s overall well-being. “Muay Thai completely changed my fitness level and how I view health and wellness. It gave me confidence in my abilities, and as I slowly became stronger, I was interested in seeing the potential in me,” Lesley explains. That’s what sparked her initial interest in the sport and fuelled her passion to grow into the athlete she is today.

Who or what inspires you to train and compete in Muay Thai?

Lesley Yuen: “I want to keep training hard because there is still so much to learn! Whether it be sparring or drilling with experienced fighters or beginners, I always find myself learning how to read my opponent and different ways to respond. I decided to compete because I can learn so much from the experience and to challenge my younger Victoria’s Secret-loving self who would never have done it!”

What originally drew you to training at Kingdom Muay Thai and how has it helped you improve?

“The community! It is so refreshing to be at a facility that is positive, uplifting, and most importantly, safe! It is a bonus when the gym is clean too, haha. Kingdom has helped me sharpen my tools and my sparring, how to respond and defend effectively and efficiently. I also gained lifelong friendships that inspire me to be a better fighter!”

How did you prepare for your recent fight? What did your training schedule look like?

“Coach Oscar and Kru Arash emphasized simulating the pressure and intensity of an actual fight during our sessions. I would train 4 to 5 days a week. From Monday to Thursday, I would do my regular classes in the evenings. Pad work, sticking back to basics, and refining my skills is always beneficial. It is also helpful when it comes to cardio too. Each training session we would usually spar and frequently do shark tanks, which are three 3-minute rounds. This was the most strenuous part of training but definitely helped with my fight. There are three 2-minute rounds in an actual fight; therefore, the purpose of our shark tank was to get us used to the 3-minute rounds so on fight day it shouldn't come as a surprise.”

How do you balance physical training with mental preparation?

“I try to focus on one goal at a time. There were many things I had to work on before my fight, for instance, my hesitation, responding vs. reacting, and many more. Instead of trying to tackle all of it at once, I tried to focus on one technique at a time and really succeed in that skill first before moving on to the next. This helped me not get too overwhelmed and try not to get too discouraged when training got really tough. Sometimes it is the small wins that really count! These goals that I set for myself don't necessarily have to be skill-related either. For example, one task I set for myself was to not get emotional and remain calm during a challenging shark tank. When I succeeded, it would give me the confidence I needed to carry on to the next goal that I set for myself.”

What was a challenge during your training and how did you overcome it?

“This whole experience really tested my mental and emotional strength. It was more of a mental battle than it was physical for me. The whole month before my fight was filled with so much anxiety and self-doubt. I would get so nervous on my way to the gym, and every time I would think about my fight, I would experience knots in my stomach, sweaty hands, and anxiety. It started to show during my training as well. I would feel really defeated after more challenging training sessions, and I would get really discouraged and insecure.

“I realized a trigger was the fear of disappointing myself, my coaches, my team, and everyone who took time to train me. When I experience challenges, I tend to keep it inside and brave through it, however it doesn't always end well because I would eventually break and get overwhelmed. This experience taught me how important community is.

“The key for me to help overcome this challenge was to allow myself to feel these emotions and validate them. I've met so many amazing people and friends at the gym who allowed me to speak my mind and made it safe for me to be vulnerable. Instead of bottling and keeping my emotions inside, I had a space to release it and be myself with those who understood what I was going through. I had fighters at the gym who would give me pointers to feel more confident in the ring and a team that would make me laugh when I was feeling drained after training. I also had friends outside the gym and family I could go to, and when I felt unconfident, they would pick me up and cheer me on. I felt closer to all my friends and the team throughout this whole experience, and I am so grateful for that.”

How did you feel stepping in the ring? Was there a moment that stood out to you?

“It was an unbelievable feeling! It's really hard to describe, but all the fear, anxiety, and the 'what ifs' all faded away, and it was just me and my opponent. I just knew what I had to do, and for once, I didn't care about the end result of the fight or what people thought of me. I had a game plan, and I just stuck to it. I trusted my training, my skills, my guard, and my strengths, and whatever the outcome was, I knew I was going to put up a good fight. Once I stepped in the ring, I became a different person. Whether I faked it till I made it or the confidence finally came through, I kept telling myself, "Bring it on!"”

What did it feel like to win? What thoughts were going through your head?

“It was a really proud moment for me. I was so proud to represent Kingdom and my coaches, and it felt like we won it together as a team! The whole night was filled with so much gratitude. I'm grateful for my opponent, the event itself, my friends and support system, and of course, everyone at Kingdom who came to support and watch the fight in person and virtually.”

What did the fight teach you about yourself or about Muay Thai as a whole?

“I learned to not be so result oriented. I was so worried about failing and disappointing people around me that at times it would affect my training and my emotions. I still had the fear of disappointment up until stepping in the ring and realized none of my fears or insecurities mattered. I learned that I had already gained and won the personal battles that I had set for myself during this whole process. There are different means of achieving success, but it is so important to enjoy the journey and trust the process!”

What advice would you give to someone looking to get into Muay Thai? How about someone who is thinking about training for their first fight?

“Muay Thai is truly such a beautiful sport! Every strike has a purpose, and not every shot has to be a guaranteed win. Sometimes it is just a setup for something even more powerful! I encourage everyone to give Muay Thai a shot, whether it is to get in shape and live a healthier lifestyle or if you are looking to try something new. It is a full-body workout, and if you stay consistent and push yourself to your potential, you will be amazed at how strong you actually are! For anyone who is thinking about stepping in the ring for the first time, always go back to your basics and stay humble. Even if you trained for many years, it is always beneficial to refine your technique and skills. I would also advise having an open mind and literally being a blank canvas for your coaches and teammates, there's always something new to learn!”

What is next for you? What goals are you currently working towards?

“I am going to keep training hard and be even more prepared for my future fights. I've rewatched my fight many times, and there were a lot of things I could've done better. My goal is to hone down on certain techniques that need to be improved and also be a more aggressive fighter. I also want to work on staying calm and being more responsive rather than reactive. I look forward to working hard in everything I do and enjoying the process while I am at it. I look forward to being in the present and in the moment to see what else I can pick up that is valuable.”