We recently connected with Ryan Hodges and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ryan, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Purpose is something that fuels my everyday work. I find my purpose within my personal passions. In order to maintain motivation even on days where you don’t “feel” like doing the work, you have to remember your ‘Why’s”. Why is it you are doing what you do, and what led you to do it in the first place? Most often times the answer is highlighted in your personal passions. You have a love, for what you do, and that love gives you endless purpose. Even on the days I may have to dig a bit, that purpose is there.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
For the readers who aren’t familiar with our brand, we run Point Muay Thai events under one of the worlds leading International Kickboxing and Muay Thai sanctioning body with IKF. When my partners and I started our tournaments over a decade ago, we started with a few goals in mind. We wanted an avenue for athletes to showcase their talents and skills in a safe and sanctioned event. We also wanted to build our athletes from the ground up, so anyone new to the sport with zero experience could make their way up to the Amateur or Pro leagues if they wanted. We also wanted our athletes to develop in a regulated environment, so they could practice competitively and safely. We wanted to eliminate unfair and dangerous smokers which at the time, were unregulated and happening all the time. Lastly, we wanted to grow the sport of Muay Thai. Our very first event had only eight competitors! To promote my brother Daniel, my girlfriend Jaqueline and I would drive around our beater cars to every gym in CA that we could go to, personally educating them and introducing them to our events. At this time, a small few knew about Muay Thai martial arts, and most didn’t really know what Point Muay Thai was.
Today, Daniel, My wife Jaqueline and I are so proud to see the growth and the community we have built from the ground up. We now have a team of promoters underneath us and events all over the entire state of California. We just brought the events to Texas and Nevada as well, and our team continues to grow!! An average show typically showcases 100 or more athletes! I couldn’t ask for better partners and the people that we work with. We have an outstanding team of Official Referees, and Judges we couldn’t run the events without and a solid team of promoters as well. The greatest part is seeing the athletes grow in their careers as well. We have had numerous athletes compete for the first time ever in our events, who are now signed as professionals with big promotions like UFC, Bellator, and even internationally! It’s really such an honor and leaves us so grateful for it all.
In addition to the events, we also started Nak Muay Foundation, which is our non profit organization, where we donate to charitable causes and communities from all over the world. We also love to focus on athletes and communities in need who want to practice Muay Thai but may not have the access to local gyms, and or equipment.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three qualities that have impacted my journey the most start with my childhood. Growing up, My brother Daniel and I were wrestlers. He became one of my number one sparring partners. Among that and other sports we played, this really opened the avenue for me to become a well rounded athlete. After high school Daniel really got into MMA, so I would help him train. Overtime he started competing in Kickboxing, which ultimately led to us really getting into Muay Thai and competing. To both have that experience, of what it’s like to be in the ring gives us the unique perspective and expertise needed when it comes to hosting our own events.
The next Skill was joining The United States Marine Corps. Boot camp was really where we developed the discipline and grit. The marines really got us both into the overall mindset of training harder than we ever had before. It certainly was a catalyst and foundation for the discipline it instilled and the fuel to not give up.
Lastly, I can’t overlook the skills I developed in College. This was a huge time of growth. receiving my Bachelor Degree in Global Business at CSU really gave me the skills and missing pieces I needed to thrive in the business world.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I can’t emphasize the importance of my partners, and I am lucky enough to call them my family. I feel honored to work with my brother Daniel, and my wife Jaqueline. Working with family doesn’t always work for everyone, but we have learned how to work together, and emphasize our individual strengths, while helping each other in our areas of weaknesses. Sharing the same passions for a collective cause has also helped tremendously in giving us a sense of purpose and common goals. On a personal level though these are the two people I rely on the most when I’m going through challenges.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pmtwest.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/technical_bouts_pmt/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IKFPMTWEST
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ikfpointmuaythaica
- Other: https://www.nakmuay.foundation/
- www.pbscwest.com
