Be Like Paige: Teach in Thailand Without Giving Up What You Love

Moving abroad — do you have to leave your passion behind? Absolutely not.

Many people share various passions that are not always related. Maybe you love painting, but teach science. Or perhaps, you love cooking but work in STEM. Naturally, it can feel a little bit tricky balancing all of our interests as we work day to day. We must be realistic about work-life balance and sometimes make compromises based on the amount of time and effort we can dedicate to each.

At home, I had a long-term, well-established routine. I worked 9–3, four days a week, and trained Muay Thai and kickboxing six days a week, between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. I found myself very comfortable in this flow—perhaps too comfortable—which is why moving to Thailand posed some concerns for me in relation to finding my flow again. The good news is that by trusting the process and making some adjustments to time management, it is entirely possible to balance your passions and interests while teaching in Thailand.

Finding My Gym and Learning from Thai Kru’s

I joined a gym around 10 minutes from my house. An essential factor to note is that many Thai kru’s (trainers) are used to revolving doors of tourists; therefore, they may not fully be invested in your training until it is clear to them that you are there with a strong goal. Whether you are there short-term or long-term, you are definitely going to be working with very experienced fighters who have been studying the art of eight limbs since they were toddlers.

They have a vision for detail more precise than any coaches I have worked with, and over the past three months, I have developed more technically and efficiently as a fighter. I have unwired bad habits and learned a new approach to developing my strengths.

It can be daunting to join a new gym, especially as a female in a male-dominated sport. However, I have been welcomed warmly, with kru’s who are very smiley and energetic. They speak a basic level of English, and the small gaps in language have actually benefited my communication style, as I can mirror body language and demonstrate things based on a mirror style.

Living a Double Life: Teaching and Training in Thailand

It’s hard to put into words how fun and fulfilling this double life has been.

When I first arrived in Thailand, I thought teaching would be the primary focus of my time here—and in many ways, it is. My students bring me joy, chaos, and more laughter than I could have imagined. Every school day ends with me covered in whiteboard ink and a little bit mentally drained, but always with the satisfaction of having done something meaningful.

But once the school bell rings, I’m onto my second shift—the one where I sweat, punch, kick, and grow stronger every single day.

I still vividly remember my first training session, where I showed up to the gym a bit nervous but excited, with no idea what to expect. I was warmly welcomed by the coaches, who immediately recognized my enthusiasm and pushed me hard—not just physically, but mentally as well. Training professionally is no joke; it’s disciplined, intense, and non-stop. Yet it never feels like a chore. It feels like play, like passion, like something I’m truly meant to be doing.

Building Rhythm and Discipline Through Muay Thai

Over time, I built a rhythm. I’d finish class around 3:30 p.m., grab a quick bite or a protein shake, then hit the road on my motorbike to make it to the gym by 4. The next four hours would be full of pad work, clinching, strength training, sparring, and technique drills. And through it all, my coaches have become mentors—fine-tuning my form, challenging my limits, and constantly expanding my knowledge of Muay Thai.

Their dedication has strengthened not just my body, but my mindset. They’ve helped me understand what it means to push past fatigue, to stay disciplined when my muscles scream for rest, and to trust in the process even when progress feels slow.

One of the biggest highlights of this journey so far was getting the opportunity to step into the ring for my first professional Muay Thai fight. I had no idea what the experience would be like. The nerves, the crowd, the adrenaline—it was overwhelming, but in the best possible way.

When the referee raised my hand in victory at the end of the fight, I felt like all those hours of training, all the sweat, bruises, and exhaustion had been leading to that one moment. I won. And I knew I wanted to do it again.

Celebrating Friendship and Finding Family Abroad

One of the most touching moments of my time in Thailand was when my coaches and training partners surprised me with a birthday cake. I hadn’t told anyone it was my birthday, and I wasn’t expecting anything—just another evening of training. But after our session, they turned off the lights, brought out a cake, and sang to me in Thai and English.

I was completely shocked and genuinely moved. Being so far from home, little gestures like that mean the world to me. It reminded me that I’m not alone out here—I’m part of a community that truly cares.

That sense of belonging—of being welcomed into something that feels like a family—is something I’ll never take for granted. I might be far from my real home, but here in the gym, I’ve found a second home. The coaches don’t just train me; they see me, support me, and help me become the strongest version of myself—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Balancing the Classroom and the Ring

Balancing teaching and training hasn’t always been easy. There are days when my legs are sore in the classroom, or when I’m too mentally exhausted from school to give 100% in the gym. But somehow, the two roles support each other. Teaching keeps me grounded and emotionally connected. Muay Thai keeps me disciplined, fit, and focused. One feeds the other in ways I never anticipated.

Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for this experience. I’ve grown professionally, physically, and emotionally. I’ve lived a routine that’s uniquely mine—lesson plans in the morning, roundhouse kicks in the evening. And best of all, I’ve found a life rhythm that feels exciting, purposeful, and fun.

Missing Home but Finding Belonging in Thailand

Of course, as exciting and fulfilling as this life has been, it’s not always easy. Living so far away from home comes with its own set of challenges. There are days when I miss my family more than anything—their voices, their hugs, even just the comfort of sitting around the kitchen table. I miss my hometown streets, the changing seasons, and all the small, familiar things that made up my daily life before I moved abroad.

Sometimes, after a long day at school, when the heat feels heavier than usual or the lesson didn’t go as planned, I feel the weight of being far from home. On holidays or birthdays, it hits even harder. Social media makes it even more difficult—you see the photos, the gatherings, the moments you’re missing out on. And while life here is incredible, it’s a strange kind of loneliness to feel like you’re living two lives in two different worlds.

Finding Family and Support Through Muay Thai

But what has made all the difference—what has genuinely kept me going—are the people around me at the gym. The coaches aren’t just trainers; they’re a support system. Their smiles, encouragement, and genuine care have helped me through some tough emotional days. Even when they don’t know I’m feeling a bit low, their warmth somehow lifts the mood.

There’s something special about the way they greet me with a smile every time I walk in, how they remember the small things, like asking if I’ve eaten or giving me a pat on the back after a hard session. Some days I arrive at the gym tired and missing home, but by the end of training, after being pushed hard and sharing laughs with the coaches and other fighters, I always feel lighter.

A Second Home and Lessons Beyond the Ring

That sense of belonging—of being welcomed into something that feels like a family—is something I’ll never take for granted. I might be far from my real home, but here in the gym, I’ve found a second home. The coaches don’t just train me; they see me, support me, and help me become the strongest version of myself—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

It’s in those everyday moments—the smile of a coach, a joke after a hard round, the respectful nod after sparring—that I remember why I’m here. I’m growing, I’m learning, and I’m surrounded by people who believe in me. That’s more than enough to keep me going.

If you ever find yourself in Thailand, I can’t recommend enough the thrill of doing something outside the usual. Whether it’s Muay Thai, teaching, or both—this country has a way of making you fall in love with challenge and change.