About Muay Thai 50+
Hello, I'm Mark. I started Muay Thai at 56, and I'm 59 now.
How it started
I found Evolve MMA in Singapore on YouTube and kept watching its "student of the month" videos. Many of them featured older students. I thought: maybe I could do that too. So on a trip to Singapore, I went to a class.
I wasn't in great shape. My fitness was low and I wasn't leading the healthiest lifestyle, but I had the mental strength to give it a go. The first class was exhausting but incredibly enjoyable. I quickly realised I'd need to pace myself, but I was hooked from day one.
Where I train now
I train at home in the UK and travel to Phuket, Thailand, about three times a year for two weeks at a time. Most of my training is with Kru (coach) Marn at Dragon Muay Thai on Soi Taied in Chalong, and I've also trained with Kru Bird at Tiger Muay Thai. In March 2026 I completed Dragon Muay Thai's pad holder course: 10 sessions in 5 days, learning to hold the pads (the cushions a coach holds for you to hit) instead of hitting them.
Before training in Thailand, I built up my cardio slowly at home with a "couch to 5k" style routine and online classes. Years ago I practised Tai Chi, and Qigong is still part of my routine.
What this site is, and isn't
I'm not a fitness influencer, a martial arts expert or a transformation story. I'm a normal person who started later in life, sharing what makes it feel approachable. Everything here comes from my own training: the doubts, the mistakes, the stiffness and the gradual confidence.
If you're over 50 and quietly wondering whether Muay Thai could have a place in your life, I hope this site helps you find out, calmly and at your own pace. Please check with your doctor before starting any new exercise.
Find me: Instagram @muaythai50plus · mark@muaythai50plus.com · New here? Start here