Mati Parks Boxing Coach

For a number of years, I had wanted to visit Tanya’s holistic retreat in Koh Samui. Ralph Beale had spoken to me many times over the years about the benefits he personally experienced there, having returned on several occasions. He also shared how friends and family who attended had seen profound improvements in their health and overall wellbeing.

I was there among many people, a number of whom were suffering from life-altering illnesses, and in some cases had been diagnosed with terminal conditions, most notably cancer. I met Niam, who shared his story with me. Four years ago, he was given just four months to live after being diagnosed with stage-four cancer, and yet he was there, still standing, still telling his story.

Tanya herself has a very similar journey. She is now cancer-free and has devoted her life to helping others who come to the retreat. She is a unique soul, someone who works tirelessly and with deep care to support as many people as she possibly can. I created a video log of my journey and have put the link in my bio. As I show in parts of this video diary, we are not charged for accommodation, only for the treatments themselves. As I understand Tanya receives vast donations from the people she has helped and their extended their lives or lives of family members. Not only did we see those who are of age but also the young.

I came to Tanya’s at a point where I was leaving the UK indefinitely and felt the need for a full reset, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I also had some underlying, age-related health issues that I wanted to try to clear. After seven full days of fasting, I genuinely felt I could have continued for another for longer.

Tanya’s website I believe is intentionally quite vague about what actually takes place, which is one of the reasons I wanted to make this video, to share my personal experience. Ralph and I were the only Westerners there, surrounded by people from Taiwan, Singapore, and China. It was a real privilege to meet them all. I can’t help but feel that the West is missing out on something truly special here. I’ll leave it at that.

A while back my good mate decided to get me in front of the camera 📸, which, if you know me, is never a serious experience. These are a few of the more respectable ones… the rest were a bit too tongue-in-cheek to post (funny though 🤣). Check Kieron’s page. Check his work and hit him up for some profile shots. Well worth it. The guy is a “G”enius

Kieron’s not just a wizard with a lens, 📸 he’s also the man behind the clippers 💈 , so technically he’s responsible for both my hair and my awkward and very short modelling career.

Anyway, I’m posting these to let everyone know, those who train with me, used to train, or have been meaning to jump back in, now’s the time. 💥 I’ll be leaving the UK on 13th December, this time with no return ticket.

So if you want to squeeze in a session or two before I go, hit me up, before I swap British rain for sun. ☀️🥊 watch this space.

After 6 hard years of pushing, fighting, and giving everything to this dream, will be closing its doors this Saturday 6th. Join us for one more round! 9am, 10am and 11am. Or drinks from around 5pm.

This journey has been filled with blood, sweat, tears, joy, laughter and frustration. We created something special, a formula that worked, but running a studio in a bad location in the London has become an impossible fight to win. Sky-high rents and rates, endless licensing costs and bills, and platforms like ClassPass, designed to “help” businesses, ultimately made it a lose-lose game “F**ked if you do, f**ked if you don’t”

To those who stayed loyal and supported us through thick and thin: thank you. You made these years worth every ounce of effort.

Though Circle8Fitness is ending, this is not the end of the journey. From October 1st, you’ll find me coaching and training at

Thank you for being part of this chapter. Here’s to what’s next.

Closing Chapter – One Last Round 🥊

We opened our doors on 5th January 2020, full of hope, energy, and belief in what Circle8Fitness could become. Nearly six years on, it’s with a heavy heart that we announce our final day will be Saturday, 6th September 2025.

Despite every effort, including ongoing attempts to secure investment, the reality is that we’ve never been able to meet the costs of running a business in this location. From the start, Circle8 has been sustained by passion, community, and the incredible generosity of an anonymous angel investor, who quietly supported us behind the scenes all these years. Without him, none of this would have been possible.

To all our loyal members, friends, and extended fitness family, we invite you to join us one last time on Saturday 6th September for a day of movement, memories, and gratitude.

📅 Final Schedule:

9am, 10am & 11am – Final classes
12pm – Our last interclub event
All day – Food & drinks outside the gym
Afternoon/Evening – After-party to wrap it all up (till around 8/9pm)

Let’s celebrate what we built, sweat it out one last time, and send Circle8 off with the spirit it was founded on.

Thank you to everyone who played a role in our journey, whether for a season or to the very end. Especially Sam, Tyrone, Alex, and Josh, your loyalty and belief never wavered.

We didn’t land where we hoped, but we gave it everything we had. And in the end, it wasn’t about the space or even the concept, it was about the people.

Much love,

Matt

This woman right here — .akeel — is pure inspiration.

I’ve known Dania for around 20 years, and recently, as in currently, had the privilege of training her to support her performance at the highest level of motorsport.

Not only did she race superbikes earlier in here career, she now drives Dakar cars for Toyota and Team Red Bull, competing against the best in the world in one of the most extreme racing disciplines on the planet.

There’s no special treatment in this sport. No favours. No quarter given. Dania isn’t asking for space, she’s taking it. Competing with men on their terms, and beating them! Not just as an athlete, but as a woman from the Arab world, rewriting the rules by embodying strength, discipline, determination and relentless drive.

She came to me and back to Muay Thai to sharpen her reflexes, improve conditioning, and level up mentally and physically — and within just two weeks, the transformation has already started. Not only my words but hers. Follow Dania and her progress. Video soon to come

Fight training isn’t for everyone. It demands heart, discipline, and resilience. But it delivers more than fitness, it unlocks something deeper. If you’re ready to train like a fighter, like a champion, DM me.

18 years ago today! Dam! Time flies!

It’s been 2 years and a day or two since opened its doors to the public. And closed numerous times as well due to the pandemic. It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride and I couldn’t done any of it without these two by my side .the_spaniard and . This year we hope will be the year where we get on the map and show the world we are here to stay. We hope to grow and keep growing. We hope to grow our team and recently we have a new team member Annie who is helping us push forward and take a step further towards our goals of success and world domination 🤣🤣 If you haven’t been to see and try our classes yet, give it go. Most that come keep coming back. We deliver on all fronts. A massive thank you to Carlos and Sam 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼