After spending a month at a Muay Thai camp, I can confidently say that it wasn’t what I expected—it was better. Sure, I knew I’d gain more confidence, strength, and stamina—but other benefits caught me by surprise in the best way possible.

A woman's legs chill in a hammock over the grass, with boxing gloves to her size, and trees and huts in the background — An incredibly relaxing spot—swinging in a hammock to the sounds of birds, near my room at Battle Conquer Muay Thai camp.

When I first signed up for 21 days at Battle Conquer Muay Thai Gym, I thought I had a solid plan. But within my first week, I knew I had to extend my stay to 28 days. And I wasn’t alone—many people here have stayed longer than planned, each finding something they didn’t know they needed through this experience.

Battle Conquer isn’t just a Muay Thai gym; it’s a retreat, with a packed schedule that includes yoga, pilates, CrossFit, cooking classes, nature excursions, temple visits, and more. But what really sets it apart is the sense of community—a group energy that keeps everyone moving at their own pace, whether they’re training hard or enjoying a wellness escape.

Here are some of the most unexpected (and welcome) benefits I’ve experienced at Battle Conquer Muay Thai camp in Phetchabun, rural Thailand.

1. Loving Mornings & Building Routine

I am not, by any definition, a morning person. Sunrise yoga (6 AM)? Absolutely not. But to my own shock, I found my groove in the 7 AM Muay Thai group classes. And since Battle Conquer’s schedule is so varied, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a hardcore athlete or just easing into movement.

Eventually, that meant waking up at 6:15 AM, stretching out whatever muscles were sore (there’s always something!), then hitting Muay Thai from 7-9 AM, followed by a hearty breakfast. At 10:30 AM, I’d join gentle yoga, then spend midday working or lounging by the pool before tackling the 3 PM Ab Attack session (a short but brutal 20 minutes). People who aren’t working use the time in between to train more, socialize, or explore the nearby town. Every other day (since I can’t handle Muay Thai daily), I’d swap my morning session for a nature walk, excursion, or yoga.

And then something magical happened—my body actually started waking up before my alarm. It craved movement. I, a certified night owl, began to (begrudgingly) embrace mornings.

“ The feeling of having accomplished something before breakfast? Incomparable. It’s a rhythm I hope to carry with me long after I leave.”

A group of students hold plank pose in a circle in a large Muay Thai gym, while the instructor in the middle does a handstand. — Muay Thai warmups consisted of 30-minutes of running and conditioning exercises. Here, a trainer does a handstand while we hold plank between runs.

2. Meeting Unexpected Characters

I won’t say this is entirely surprising, but considering how remote this camp is, it’s pretty amazing the variety of people you meet. Yes, there are your usual gym bros, but I also met people from all walks of life, each with their own reasons for being here. In total, 87 people checked in during my month at Battle Conquer—so I truly met a lot of characters!

I trained with people as young as 7 (there are a few Thai kids who train here after school!) and as old as 64—although I think most were foreigners from Europe and North America in the 25-50 age bracket. Some were trying Muay Thai for the first time, others refining their skills after years of kickboxing or other fitness activities. Some are here to lose weight or get strong, others are just looking for a change after a major life shift. I met people who had just quit their jobs or been fired, people with awesome seasonal jobs enjoying their months off, drug addicts in recovery, people figuring out life after a breakup or divorce, people who never work out and wanted to kick their butts into gear, and people who return here every year.

Six friends sit together at a wooden table at Battle Conquer Muay Thai gym in Thailand — It’s hard to imagine where in the world we would have crossed paths if not for this camp. So interesting the characters you meet!

I became friends with a ragtag group of misfits, brought together by a quick-witted 50-year-old British man who kept us laughing and adventuring with side missions to temples and restaurants. There was an American woman my age who was both a lot like me and completely different from me—we bonded over jokes and overanalyzing ourselves. Then there was an American-Aussie couple who met at another Muay Thai/Jiu Jitsu camp in Thailand and now work seasonally on yachts, spending the rest of the year traveling and training—not a bad way to live!

My lodge neighbor—a fast-talking British dog trainer—and I shared nightly chats, recapping our days and laughing about how different we were. Another British friend—here on a long-term stay during a career transition—from the other camp would join me for effortless poolside catchups or morning walks. And, of course, I made a Canadian friend—a hardworking nurse from Ontario who shared her experience with Ayurvedic retreats in India.

“There’s a unique camaraderie that comes from showing up at a rural martial arts camp in Thailand and pushing through tough sessions together—somehow, even an Ab Attack class turns into a good time.”

I think having a camp so far from popular touristic attractions attracts a certain type of adventurous, open-minded person. The mix of personalities, backgrounds, and goals made for some of the most unexpected and enjoyable conversations I’ve had in a long time.

Even when conversations weren’t the most enjoyable, they gave me a chance to reflect on what I value and how I engage with different perspectives. With people from all walks of life, political beliefs, and backgrounds, it’s an opportunity to expand your worldview—whether you agree with them or not.

3. Pushing Your Boundaries… or Not

Muay Thai can be tough on the body—aches, pains, and even injuries are part of the journey. As you go through the motions, especially the repetitive ones, you’ll likely feel new sensations, particularly in your shoulders and hips. Everyone here is navigating their own balance—figuring out how many sessions to attend, which cross-training to add in, how hard to push in each session, and whether to opt for 1-on-1 training (spoiler: it’s worth it!).

The natural instinct is to go all-in when you’ve paid for the experience. But if you're sticking around longer than a week, that approach can quickly become unsustainable—or worse, lead to injuries that sideline you.

“The real lesson here is learning to recognize the difference between your comfort zone and your ability zone. It’s not easy, but it’s one of the most valuable things you’ll take away from the experience—whether it’s learning the hard way that you pushed too far, or finally tuning in and respecting what your body is telling you.”

Two men run through an obstacle course of plastic cones and tires in a Muay Thai gym — On Saturdays, Muay Thai group classes were usually different and fun — including obstacle races and games.

If you do get injured, the mental challenge is respecting your body’s need for rest. I learned this the hard way when I injured my left hip and then tried to run during CrossFit the next day—it only set me back more. Pushing yourself isn’t always the answer. Consistency is key, but sometimes that means swapping out Muay Thai for a walk or a session with the acupuncturist.

4. Taking a Makeup Break

Wearing makeup at a Muay Thai camp? Not practical. Between the sweat from training, the pool, and the constant 30-40°C heat, my makeup bag stayed packed for the entire month at Battle Conquer—and I didn’t miss it. I stuck to a simple skincare routine: washing, moisturizing, and a gentle scrub a few times a week. And of course, some sunscreen for nature walks.

It was liberating to leave the makeup behind. I don’t want to be worrying about mascara running in the heat. I’m here to focus on how I feel—strong, refreshed, and naturally glowing (or pummeled, haha).

“In a place where everyone’s focused on their fitness and well-being journey, no one cares about your makeup. Maybe they don’t really care in the real world, either. And maybe I don’t need to care so much anymore.”

A woman smiles and gazes at an orange sunset over farmland in the Thai countryside — Catching the sunset in the ultra-calm countryside was always a treat. This is the view from a cafe a 20-minute walk from camp.

I’ve never worn a ton of makeup, but I have felt the need to wear some to feel good and appear energized enough when I’m with others. Now, I’m really looking forward to wearing makeup less often and enjoying the natural glow gained from consistent sweat sessions. I’ll still wear makeup sometimes because I do think it can be a fun accessory, but certainly not daily.

5. Finding Peace & Stress Relief

It could be because I’m at an exciting crossroads in my life, but my month at Battle Conquer gave me a unique opportunity to slow down, recharge, and connect with a more peaceful version of myself. In this rural setting, the biggest distractions are the chirping birds and the occasional café chat with interesting people.

A man and woman walk off on a trail in a mango farm in rural Thailand, near Battle Conquer Muay Thai. — Enjoying a peaceful nature walk in a mango grove during one of my mornings off Muay Thai.

It’s funny to refer to it as slowing down because I was also doing more than I’ve ever done in terms of fitness, spending 2-3 hours doing exercise almost every day. Here, the slowing down was about what I wasn’t doing — doomscrolling, worrying, and overworking. I took the first week off work completely, then eased in with 2-4 hours a day. I didn’t post on social media at all for two weeks, just letting myself soak in the experience without thinking about what I would write or document.

“It’s a DIY pace—there’s no pressure, but there’s tons of motivation and support. You can go full throttle or take it easy and enjoy the tranquility. Every day can be the same or different. You can find the rhythm you need to feel a sense of routine, self-confidence, and energy.”

The downtime here is where the magic happens—whether you're lounging in hammocks at Camp 1 or soaking in the views by the pool at Camp 2. It’s a chance to integrate everything you’re learning and, more importantly, just to “be” without the usual daily chaos and notifications. Plus, many people hit the hay early to feel refreshed for the next day’s grind, so evening’s aren’t too distracting either.

6. Appreciating Fleeting Friendships

You’ll meet a lot of people at Battle Conquer—in fact, 87 checked in during my month-long stay alone.

Everyone is on their own timeline, some staying for five days, others for five months, and everything in between. It’s a constant cycle of hellos and goodbyes. I could barely keep up with the farewell messages in the group chat—half the time, I wasn’t even sure who was leaving.

A man and woman smile for a selfie outside of a cafe, holding coffee and juice — Out for a countryside walk and coffee with my Muay Thai camp neighbour.

I love meeting new people, but at this pace, it can be a lot. My approach? Find my people—the ones I naturally connect with, especially those staying a similar length of time—and invest a bit more energy in them. With everyone else, I just aim to be friendly, open, and present. And when opportunities arise, I make space for conversations because time and time again, I was surprised by the stories people shared and how insightful they could be despite first impressions.

For some—especially newer travelers—the hardest part is realizing that you can’t keep up with everyone as closely as you’d like. You have to get comfortable with forming meaningful connections that may only last a few days or weeks. It’s a strange feeling to build such fun, deep friendships and then watch people disappear into the next leg of their journey.

“But fleeting friendships don’t have to be any less meaningful. Some people leave a lasting impact through a shared experience, a passing piece of advice, or just the way they showed up in the moment. And in a place like this, where everyone is pushing themselves physically and mentally, those moments can happen kind of often.”

I’ve learned to appreciate these connections for what they are—brief but valuable. And sometimes, that’s enough.

7. Meeting Single People

Whether or not you find love at Battle Conquer or another Muay Thai gym doesn’t really matter—but it is refreshing to meet loads of interesting, single people living their best lives. It’s a great reminder that there are plenty of eligible people out there who care about their health and well-being and are making good choices during their holidays. And it’s not just the guys—there are plenty of strong, single women here too, each on their own journey, which is just as encouraging to see.

While I haven’t found my match, I can see how this could be an ideal setting to meet someone you click with. In fact, the couple I mentioned earlier met at a camp just like this.

Meanwhile, you can enjoy some innocent flirting, or maybe even something more, because let’s be honest—the menu here is quite appetizing. It felt a bit like Love Island, minus the drama and forced couplings (okay, there’s been a little bit of drama, but just enough to keep things interesting). Just a bunch of sweaty, endorphin-filled people in a Thai countryside setting, working on themselves and looking good doing it. And there’s something undeniably fun about that!

A group of international students and Thai trainers pose in Battle Conquer Muay Thai gym, in front of a fighting ring. — Muay Thai group class photo after a 7 AM sweat session at Battle Conquer Muay Thai gym in rural Thailand.

Enjoy Muay Thai Camp!

Battle Conquer Muay Thai is right up my alley—a mix of healthy lifestyle and local culture makes it a top-notch adventure travel experience. The rooms here are comfortable, clean, and safe, and the natural environment is ideal for an active life reset. You’ll have hiccups along the way—maybe people you don’t get along with, food you aren’t used to, or aches and pains from training- but it’s all part of the experience,

I’ve done so much here in just 28 days—learning Muay Thai, visiting temples, taking ice baths, practicing yoga, working on my business, and more. But I’ve also learned to embrace mornings, push my boundaries, respect my limits, and expand my perspectives through new fleeting connections. I saw myself in others who I grew to respect, and I was able to put a lot of thought into my values and what I want for the coming year.

I felt immensely challenged and immensely respected in this environment, making it easier to lean into lifestyle transformations. It’s not just about Muay Thai—it’s about finding balance, community, and a rhythm that works for you, whatever your goals may be.

While I came here for a fitness challenge, I leave with something even more valuable: a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me. If you’re looking for a transformative experience that goes beyond the expected, I’d highly recommend giving a Muay Thai camp a try—and I’d highly recommend Battle Conquer.

Muay Thai Camp Wasn't What I Expected—It Was Better