[Pre Substack] I haven't written for over a year, so here is something to tide you over

June 22 2019

I haven’t written for over a year, so here is something to tide you over

Posted on June 22, 2019by FaraazKhan

Alright, hi.

I know its been a very very very, inexcusably, long time. Right, fair, yes I agree. You see, I have been incredibly busy and well, putting alot of unnecessary pressure on myself. As such I have not written a single blog post in over a year. Even now I am scrambling to quickly type this all out as a foreword to what you are about to read. I’ve got food on the way, my eyes are tired, and I need to do dishes and shower… but! Well, the last few weeks I have been writing (not for you mothers). The writing isn’t in my usual style, its much more formal, and I’ve had several people look at it and help me proof. Its a writing about my coach: Artur Nowacki. He is someone who I am quite close with and whom has taught me quite a bit about well… life. So, because I am short on time… I will cut the explanation. Here is a document that took around a month to write, countless hours of edits and re-edits and clarifications. Hopefully you may find some value within. anddddddd….. before i go… I will try and give you chubs an actual blog post… sometime… not never.

The following letter is from Sangtiennoi “The Deadly Kisser” Sor. Rungroj, translated from Thai to English.

Artur Nowacki, Poland

He has visited me, staying and practicing at my gym since 2014. He also assisted me
with my Thai and international boxers. Artur is a great Thai boxing trainer. Before he arrived, I
researched his profile about his boxing skills; he trained about boxing (Muay Thai) in Canada for
3 years then he came to Thailand. His character is a perfect match for coaching Thai boxing on
an advanced technique level, as he is calm, has brilliant skill, and loves to help others.
He surprised me once when we went to Ratchadamnern Boxing Stadium, where he
coached my fighter in a World Class fight (Thanonchai Tor. Sangtiennoi vs Sangmanee Sor
Tienpo). That day, my boxer got cut by the elbow; during the fight he was still bleeding a lot.
Artur was able to stop the bleeding of my fighter and the fight went to the full five rounds, with
my fighter winning the fight. Later my fighter had 38 stitches to his face. This situation showed
me how he is World Class. I am so proud to have worked with him.
Kind Regards,

Sangtiennoi Sor. Rungroj
The Deadly Kisser

What follows is a description of both the development and the utility of the discipline of Artur Nowacki. As a child, Artur was constantly subject to an intense and unrelenting interest in what could only be recognized as the Warrior’s mentality – Courage, Equanimity, and Wisdom. While he was young Art would spend his time immersed in books. Books detailing the wise teachings of aboriginal chieftains, books detailing the virtues and struggles of martial arts masters… books focused on the warrior’s way of life. As the years passed and Art matured, he would come to realize the life he sought wasn’t at home in his small village near Szczcecin, in post communist Poland. The answers were to be found elsewhere in the vast and unknown.

Courage – every undertaking must begin with courage, the courage to be curious, the courage to brave the unknown, the courage to live a meaningful life. At the age of 22 Art left his home country to travel the world. With hardly any money to his name and no concrete plan, he headed off into the broad reaches of the extensive and wide world. There was one thing that Art knew for certain: he was looking for a master, a mentor, someone to guide him and teach him the way of the Warrior. He needed someone to harden and temper his untapped potential into what he was meant to become, however that someone would not be found so easily. Between the ages of 22 and 27 Art would pass through 18 countries, hitchhiking over 20,000 km alone. Food was a constant struggle and he would often find himself unsure of where his night would be spent. It was a hard and dangerous time, but it was also the call to adventure, and today Art looks back on these years with a profound sense of meaning and satisfaction. He travelled Nepal during political unrest, crossed the high altitude cold desert of Ladakh, motorbiked through India amidst a devastating drought, lived and studied for a time with the Shaolin monks in China, and vagabonded through most of Europe. The Journey alone was a harsh training in itself. Throughout the span of his life Artur has passed through over 35 countries.

At the age of 27 Art found himself in Korea, the next chapter of his life, where he first began Muay Thai. Master Giyong Kim (Kang-il gym), a firm and disciplined, but very caring man, “Without him, I would not be where I am today”. Art had finally found the guidance he had sought his entire life. Subject to grueling and unforgiving training regimes, an unrelenting hammer to the malleable and misshapen metal that was his body and mind, Artur would evolve, harden, and grow. Through hard work and discipline, with the intense beauty of Muay Thai as his medium, Art gained a new understanding of himself. Learning the differences between the capacity and uses of “Heart” and the capacity and uses of “Will”, would allow Art a mental stamina that would serve him for the rest of his life. A new perspective was found, a new way to model and regard the thoughts and desires he faced: Equanimity – the abiding calmness, the development of an unshakable heart, the undaunted composure, the unwavering soul in the raging storm. Artur would look at the world through new lenses, more calm, more content, more akin to the warriors of the past.

A year into his stay at Kang-il gym, Art’s journey eventually led him to fight in the legendary Rajadamnern stadium, a place for only top Muay thai fighters. Hardened by Master Giyong Kim, Art was soon to be honed and sharpened by top Thai fighter Monkoldej Sitthepitak, also known as Mr. Bee. Bee, the former head coach at Fairtex, ranked number 1 in both Lumpini and Rajadamnern, now would use his expertise to refine Art even further. Art and Bee grew close during this time, and today they still work together with a friendship based upon a deep and extensive trust. Unfortunately, shortly after fighting in Rajadamnern, Art’s immune system would weaken, he would become very ill and need some time away from competing. Rather than submit to illness, Artur decided this was an opportunity to develop outside of fighting. He would remain in Muay Thai, but this time as a trainer. Artur was a fast learner and a natural teacher, his instructive abilities developed rapidly as he embarked on the next chapter of his life’s journey. He travelled to Canada, opened a gym on Vancouver Island, and over a period of 2 years, transformed two fresh athletes into Canadian champions. Once Canada was no longer suitable competition, Artur decided that the next step was to return to Thailand, the home of Muay Thai.

Thailand was where Art would once again find guidance, a mentor, someone to temper him further… but this time as a teacher rather than a fighter. Sangtiennoi Sor. Rungroj – “the deadly kisser”, one of Thailand’s top trainers and former champion, a man who could see into the very depths of an individual’s soul with no more than a glance, would bring Art into a whole new world of Muay Thai. In a family based all Thai camp, Art was assigned the role of padholder, teacher, and strategist. He would spend 4 months at this particular gym, his main focus being Thanonchai Sor. Sangtiennoi. Thanonchai, who was awarded fighter of the year 2015, would go on to defeat Sangmanee (One of the greatest fighters this decade) with Art as his trainer and strategist. Looking back, Art would describe his stay with Sangtiennoi, due to underlying circumstances at the time, as one of the most difficult experiences of his life. His time there was physically demanding, but more significantly, incredibly taxing mentally, “Every single ounce of energy I had was focussed into making it through the next minute. A minute would pass and then every single ounce of energy remaining would be focussed into making it through yet another minute, and so on and so forth until the day was done. This would repeat every day for the duration of my stay.” While it was incredibly difficult, the stay with Sangtiennoi allowed Art to further develop equanimity and gain rare and valuable perspective. The idea of fighting to live rather than to survive, a confrontation of the ego through good will and a higher purpose in search of one’s true nature. An embrace, a non resistance, a strategy to weaken unnecessary survival instincts and to combat the defilements of the mind. Developed through Muay Thai, this stratagem would provide a framework, a navigation for any and every difficult future task. Now considered a world class trainer by one of the few living legends of Muay Thai, Artur decided it was once again, time to move forward. However, sometimes in order to advance we must come back to our roots.

A young boy sits quietly in a forest near his home. He sits there as still as a boy can manage at that age. After a time deemed sufficient the boy stands up, eyes the chosen nearby elm tree, takes position and… strikes. The tree does not budge but surprisingly, neither does the boy, his fist now bruised from the hard bark that was his opponent. The boy sits down… closes his eyes… breathes… and once again is still. So one may ask, why? The answer: even when young, Artur knew that there was more to a warriors life than just sheer brutality. That young boy would spend many hours of many weeks of many months of many years with this self directed meditation. Finally, before he would leave Thailand for Canada, Art would formalize his practice. Vipassana, 10 days, sitting meditation for 10 hours a day, no music, no writing, no speaking, no distractions of any kind. Subject to only his innermost thoughts, demons and all, Artur would make a deep dive into himself. There was nowhere to run, no way to avoid, and confrontation of all the things left untouched was necessary. In life’s journey dealing with the things undealt with is one of the more formidable tasks. After the 10 day period and leaving Thailand, Artur would continue to meditate daily. In his reflection he would find yet another vital piece to his development: a deeper understanding on the cultivation of Wisdom – A sudden realization and an eternal pursuit.

The boy who set out into the world in search of a master, in search of guidance, in search of the warrior’s mentality, had not done so in a way devoid of meaning. Through the trials and tribulations of the last decade Art had developed a central method – a strategy; a way to communicate the Warrior’s way of life, methods to break down the various lessons and truths of every situation’s reality. In Calgary, Canada, Artur would share his teachings with his students, Jessica “Thumper” Gladstone and Abdou “Montreal” Haddad. Haddad, with only 18 months of training, would go on to fight Saenchai – widely considered the best pound for pound fighter to have ever lived. Gladstone would become known as Canada’s most accomplished female Muay Thai athlete, and be invited to and participate in the prestigious promotion “Glory Fight Series”. Now with numerous accolades and accomplishments under his belt, Artur would continue to teach and expand his methodology. In doing so, it would soon become very clear that his methods were applicable to not only high level athletes, but to individuals from all walks of life.

Courage, Equanimity, and Wisdom, through the expansive and rare experiences that characterize his life, Artur Nowacki has cultivated these three virtues into an integrated method. First, the task is understood, identified and analyzed with eyes seeking reality, one must be courageous in approach. Second, a perseverance developed through discipline and hard work is used to see the task through from a perspective that cuts through fear and doubt, one must be equanimous in the undertaking. Third, decisions are made through wisdom, one must be aligned with reality and see things as they are in order to find purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. This method is applicable to any and every problem for any and every person – a fighter, a farmer, a businessman, an actor, a speaker, a model, the method is applicable all the same.

That brings us to the present day. Artur Nowacki currently resides in Thailand where he lives with his now significant other, Jessica Gladstone. He is a man who is known for his understanding and personability, but also his blunt and inescapable honesty. Students have come far and wide to learn from his way of life, his teachings, as well as his Muay Thai expertise. “A meaningful life begins with the truth.” Art’s students stay in contact and visit from time to time; they often describe their time with Art as irreplaceable and a vital part of their lives moving forward. Today new students, regardless of background, capability, or expertise, can contact Artur via email (ArturNowacki8@gmail.com), or find him as a consultant for Clarity Thailand, where he consults on the basis of his Muay Thai expertise and life experience. Testimonials can be found below.

“I trained with Professor Artur Nowacki and his students/fighters for several of my professional Muay Thai fights in North America. Artur’s passion and willingness to engage fully with his fighters is what sets him apart from other trainers. Not only is he willing to share his craft with his students but also is always learning himself and trying to make himself a better trainer. He has spent the past 6 months at Tor Sangtiennoi gym holding pads for Lumpinee level fighters and learning from a legend in the sport Sangtiennoi Sor Rungroj. In a short period of time (2 years) he has developed several fighters who can compete on a high level in Thailand and North America. I call Artur the Professor because of his scientific approach to a flowing art form. He is able to explain every technique from the inside out. I’m so grateful for the period of time I have spent with Artur and I am excited to see the next great fighters he produces.”
Sean Kearney (First North American MAX Muay Thai & ‘Thai Fights’ winner, High Ranked Fighter in Prestigious Thai Stadiums)

“I’ve been training with Artur Nowacki for two years at his gym, Nak Muay Muay Thai. He has been my primary sparring partner for my two professional world title fights and for my K-1 debut. He is a very skilled Muay Thai fighter, but equally impressive is his ability to instruct. He has brought his students’ skill level extremely high in a relatively short period of time.”
Gabriel Varga (Six-time Professional World Champion and K-1,Glory & Bellator Kickboxing Champion)

“Last training session this morning with the legendary “Polish Professor” before he and his team head off to Thailand on Monday. It’s hard to put into words what he and I have shared over the past couple of years; there have been many challenges and hard earned victories both in and out of the ring. Above all though are the lessons I carry forth with me, that little “Art” voice inside me that always has seen how capable I am and speaks with unwavering confidence of my abilities. This man has taught me that I can endure and overcome anything, and I remind myself of that almost daily. Artur Nowacki, thank you for being the coach I needed right when I needed it most. I am forever grateful for everything we accomplished together, and the unending journey still ahead that you will always be a part of!!”

Hilary Herman (IFMA Bronze Medalist, Professional Model)

“I was always that one fat kid when I was young. Because of my weight, I was always very shy and introverted. Meeting people was extremely difficult for me so I spent most of my time just playing computer games. I could no longer live my life that way as it was hurting my parents and myself so I decided to try to exercise. That’s when I first encountered with a Muay Thai gym in Korea at the age of 16. The Muay Thai gym was where I met Artur Nowacki for the first time. It also hadn’t been that long for him to have started learning Muay Thai at that time. As he didn’t really have an appropriate workout partner, we naturally got to spend a lot of time together which eventually took up the most important part of my adolescent years. As I still struggled when meeting new people, he taught me how to treat others, how to speak English, and how to exercise properly. In addition, we became very close as he told me what foreign cultures were like and his own travel stories. As I spent more time with Artur, I became more confident and it allowed me to make new friends much more easily and make great memories. I cannot describe how much I value my time I have spent with him and how much influence he has left on me to become a coach today. He is the best coach as well as the most perfect training partner in my life who has made me the person I am today. I send so much gratitude to my amazing Muay Thai coach Artur Nowacki for all the things he has done for me.

Thank you, Artur”

Jaemin Lee (John Frankl Jiu-Jitsu Chungju Academy, Public speaker, Consultant, Gym and Business Owner)

“When Artur asked me to write a testimonial for him, I was honoured as a lot of my success can be attributed to the coaching and life lessons he has shared with me. Most of our time together was spent in Thailand training and fighting in Muay Thai. I never imagined I would train Muay Thai Let alone participate in competitions but when I meet Artur, he saw something in me and took me under his wing. Artur has an innate ability to take any negative self-image you may have, break it down, make you believe in yourself and empower you to be a stronger more resilient human being. Artur uses Muay Thai as a tool to pass on his lessons in physical, mental and spiritual strength all of which I try to incorporate into my teachings. Without Artur’s belief in me and continual encouragement and support, I wouldn’t be in the position I am, teaching over 120 students and trying my best to inspire them as he inspired me.”

Ryan clement (Head Muay Thai trainer of The Martial Arts Academy NewZealand, Director of The Martial Arts Academy Papamoa)