I’ve been involved in Muay Thai for well over 20 years, starting at Strikeforce Gym under Aaron Boyes while working as a personal trainer and studying sport sciences. My studies started with a Diploma of Fitness Training at AUT, then continued through degrees in Sport Physiology and Human Nutrition, along with advanced studies in biomechanics, rehabilitation, sport nutrition, and other research.
Over the years, I’ve trained extensively in Thailand, including several years living in Chiang Mai to train and fight full-time. I’ve also worked as a private nutritionist and as a high-performance strength & conditioning coach, helping elite athletes perform at their best. Now comfortably back in New Zealand, I’m focused on sharing what I’ve learned—from the science labs to the fight ring—so others can train smart, push themselves properly, and simply perform better.
As a result, our classes are influenced by Thai training style - light and technical when drilling and sparring but really optimizing power and speed with pad and bag work, and also applying a science and evidence based training approach (which funnily enough, matches well to the Thai style of training), and of course we have that underlying background of NZ grit.
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FLOR RAVASIO
TRAINER | WOMEN'S CLASS COACH
Flor is an experienced fighter, with training and fight experience in both New Zealand and Thailand.
Prior to Muay Thai, Flor was a long time track and field athlete in Argentina, and with her dad playing rugby for the Pumas (and touring New Zealand in the 80's) competitiveness is certainly in her blood!
Flor is running the women's Muay Thai classes, and assisting in the beginners and fighters classes, but will often be training alongside you, so don't be afraid to push her!
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JUNIOR RAKAKALI
KIDS CLASS COACH
Junior started his Muay Thai training (and combat sport as a whole) right here at Fight Lab, fighting as a youth, an adult, and right through to unpadded Full Thai rules. We can safely say the kids class is in fantastic hands, as we taught him everthing he knows (except for any bad stance or guard habits- those aren't on us!). As well as coaching, he is still upskilling in our fighters class, so knows as well as anyone that the learning never ends.
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TALEI RAKAKALI
RECEPTION | KIDS COACH
Talei is usually the first face you see arriving to classes in the gym. She keeps everything under control at reception, will likely train alongside you 5+ days a week, and also assists in running the kids class.
With reception being the first impression at the gym, we strongly suggest being extra nice to her,
as we (the coaches/ex-pros & fighters) like Talei!
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