Artur Nowacki

  “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"

Lumpinee, Rajadamnern Stadium and World WMC Champion”

Beginnings

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 worthwhile undertaking begins with courage.  It may be the courage to be curious, or the courage to brave the unknown, but at the eventuality, it is simply the courage to live a meaningful life.  At the age of twenty-two, 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.  Finding 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.  Today Art looks back on these years with a profound sense of meaning and fulfillment.  He travelled Nepal during political unrest, crossed the cold desert of Ladakh at high altitude,  motor biked 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, a key chapter of his life, where he first began Muay Thai under Master Giyong Kim (Kang-il gym).  He was 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 after  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 use of “Heart” and the capacity and use of “Will”, Art would discover 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 and ranked number one 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.

Another Path, Toward Wisdom

  Shortly after fighting in Rajadamnern, Art’s immune system weakened  and he became very ill.  He spent some time away from competing and went through a period of self-assessment.  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.

Equanimity

  Thailand was where Art would once again find guidance, a mentor, someone to temper him further... but this time coming as a teacher rather than a fighter.  Sangtiennoi Sor. Rungroj  aka “the deadly kisser”, one of Thailand’s top trainers and former champion.   He was a man who could see into the very depths of an individual’s soul with no more than a glance.  He would bring Art into a whole new world of Muay Thai.  In a family based all-Thai camp, Art was assigned the role of a pad holder, 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 focused into making it through the next minute.  A minute would pass and then every single ounce of energy remaining would be focused 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.  It was an embrace of nonresistance, a strategy to weaken unnecessary survival instincts to combat the defilements of the mind.  Developed through Muay Thai, this stratagem would provide a framework, 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 go back to our roots.

An Eternal Pursuit

  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 a 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 warrior’s 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 left undealt with is one of the more formidable tasks.  After the 10 day period and after leaving Thailand, Artur would continue to meditate daily.  In his practice he would find yet another vital piece to his development: a deeper understanding on the cultivation of Wisdom – An irreplaceable 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.  Gladstone would become known as Canada’s most accomplished female Muay Thai athlete, and be invited 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, 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 not only his understanding and person ability, but also his blunt and inescapable honesty.  Students have come far and wide to learn about his way of life, his teachings, as well as for his Muay Thai expertise.  “A meaningful life begins with the truth.”   Art’s students stay in close contact with him and visit from time to time; they often describe their time with Art as irreplaceable and a vital part of their lives as they move forward.  

  Today new students, regardless of background, capability, or expertise, can contact Artur via this website contact page.

Testimonials

  “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, former Professional Model) - Canada

 “I met Art at charn chai Muay Thai gym, in Pai, Northern Thailand, I got there in the pursuit of a nice body, like the one you see professional Thai Thai boxers are “wearing”.
I thought that training the same way they do then I will have it.
At the time I didn’t know I was pursuing self acceptance.
So during one of my first mornings at the gym this guy, which was not Thai as usual but a foreigner, steps in front of me and clearly and concisely explains what to do. I get the drill he is explaining but I also get an overwhelming feeling.. then, head down, I just do the drill.

During the next month at the gym me and Artur bond, he is my trainer and I feel it as a meaningful connection which inspires me and gives me many important insights about myself.

I notice I’m not the only one feeling that way about Artur, many of the trainees attentively listen to him like they are feeding from his words, they trust him blindly and come back to Thailand just to see and/or train with him.
They train with him and than open a successful business, they train with him and their fighting skills raise levels in so short time, beginners train with him then fight the best Thais in matters of months.

... This guy has something.

Gets time to leave Thailand for me, and moving on even my life starts taking a different direction.
Some resistance but I feel it’s time for a change, this moments happen but this time I’m not scared to put all I have on the line and leave everything I have to take the risk of investing in a all new project.
Go deeper inside myself and look for who I really am and so what I really feel like doing.
..What’s going on now?
Now, This is what was happening,
Artur has the power to show you that you can actually do what you didn’t even trusted a second you could even try to do. And show that you can walk the path you feel, and can make it happen.
With him Is not just about Muay Thai. Is about being brutally honest and accepting yourself where you are now.
It’s seeing what the confidence of trusting your own legs to go towards what seemed not possible feels like, and start walking down the way you always wanted to.
My encounter with Artur Changed my life.

-Matteo Pasquali (Body Worker and Therapist)- Italy

  “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) - South Korea

  “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, Director of The Martial Arts Academy Papamoa) - New Zealand

“Here is my testimony, with pleasure:
I have been training with Arthur in Paï, Thailand, for a month, in late 2013.
Arthur is a very talented trainer, which explains very well all kind of techniques, from basics to very specific techniques. He also explains the reasons of practicing each technique, which enables you to improve fast.
If you train with him, the best is to take notes of what you learn, and practice by yourself before starting the next training, and to train for a long time with him.
I enjoyed very much training with him.

-Raphael Curtz - France

In 2011 I met Artur Nowacki, he is a very nice person as well as very respectful, then I said to myself that he could be one our representative to my cause, to spread our art and culture in many ways. He told me that he had a few students that would like to come to my small event at my gym. So because he is such an amazing guy, he brought 8 of his students over with their sleeping bags from victory island British Columbia. They slept in my gym and they fought the next day. After the fight they slept in my gym once again some in the boxing ring, some on the floor then from that day forward we developed a great friendship. His students are amazing and all of them were game they all wanted to fight. some of them went on to become champions. Then in 2013 because he showed me how great a person he is, I invited him to join our brotherhood of USEACA he gladly agreed, so we swore him in to join our organization of USEACA. To this day he remains our brother, and hopefully many years to come in the future.

-Srab Sroeuy (USEACA President) - USA

“Artur is a very technical and skilled Muay Thai trainer – not only techniquewise but also in his methodology of teaching. He is very precise, sharp and doesn't make you copy his style but will make you understand the body mechanics behind it.

I highly appreciate his background in sport science as well as his fundamental understanding of the Thai training mentality which is often neglected (or not to be found) in Westerner's approach.
In that sense, he is somewhat of a bridge that connects the best parts of both mentalities.
I highly recommend anyone to train with him – no matter if you're pro or a bloody beginner!

-Linda (Muay Thai Athlete and Physical Therapist) - Germany

“Thank you for your teachings, all of them; technical, tactical and profound. The quality you wear can be seen by the depth of your explanations and how you connect them together. You paint a beautiful picture of what it is to be fully present at the moment of a fight.
I will forever be grateful that you shared your knowledge.”     

-Gabriel Rossi (Muay Thai sparring partner for Georges St-Pierre, trainer, & professional fighter) - Montreal, Canada

I have been involved in Muay Thai for over 20 years as a fighter, trainer and a gym owner. I have travelled all over the world and seen many gyms, trainers and fighters; Artur Nowacki is one of the best trainers that I have had the honor of meeting. Not only does he understand the sport, but he understands people and how to help them reach their full potential. To see proof of this, just look at his young stable of fighters and the amazing things that they have accomplished in such a short period of time. More important than all of that though, is that the whole Nak Muay team is a great credit to the sport.”                                 

-Jason Fenton (Owner of Iron City Muay Thai gym in Vancouver, North American Muay Thai Champion, & World Muay Thai Champion) - Vancouver, Canada

Jessica Gladstone

   Jessica “Thumper” Gladstone was born in Calgary, AB, Canada.  She grew up on a small farm outside of Airdrie, until she was 14 years old.  Thereafter came the move to the Cypress Hills, where she helped run a cattle ranch for the remainder of her school years.  It was a good friend and neighbor who sparked the idea about the sport of Kickboxing, at the time unknowing, that it was an idea that was about to influence the course of this girl’s entire life.  She tried her first class in Medicine Hat, AB, at the age of 16.

   Jessica was used to hard work having befallen an upbringing in the sphere of cattle ranching, training horses and driving tractors.   Kickboxing was naturally a good fit.  She remembers being captivated by the sheer power one could produce with their own body.  She also was drawn to the community and support that belonging to a club entailed.  Jessica joined SACA Kickboxing in Medicine Hat, in 2000, being coached by Shayne Morgan.  He introduced her to her first matches and prepared her for some arduous fights.  He was especially skilled as a coach in boxing and instilled a good foundation in this aspect.  He also taught her about doing what you love for yourself and to never give up.  “Go hard or Go home” was the motto, which she carries to this day.  She had her first fight at the age of 17, with just eighteen months of training, and soon after earned the Canadian Lightweight National Kickboxing Title in 2002.  She continued to train with Shayne Morgan for six years.

   Due to work and school obligations, Jessica made her way back to living near Calgary again.  As an athlete, it is never an easy decision to change coaches but she wanted to continue on with the sport.  She knew that changing her teacher was part of the journey and would contribute to her growth.  She joined Team Smandych, at the time called National, and started to train under Trevor Smandych.  The progression was seemingly organic, as she was launched into the amazing world of Muay Thai.
   

  With nearly twenty fights under her belt, Jessica was ready to accelerate to a broader fighting scene.  Training with Trevor Smandych, or “T”, she further developed her body and mind.  Trevor had a unique way with training one’s heart.  He also refined her techniques, especially her kicks, and she was introduced to more tools.  The clinch, knees, and elbows were added to her already deadly arsenal.  Under Team Smandych she was able to travel internationally and fight top names of the world.  She fought in tournaments in the USA and won the 2008 IKF World Classic title.  Climbing the ladder of experience, Jessica took the next step in her career and turned professional in 2010.  She went on to achieve the LBTM North American Muay Thai Championship in Mexico in 2012 against a tough and respected opponent.  “That was one thing about training with Trevor” she says, “He always challenged me to my absolute limits with opponents and set up fights that he knew would push me.  He believed in me no matter what the outcome might be.” 

  It was in 2014 when again Jessica was blessed with yet another “step- up” in the course of her career.  Artur Nowacki, a well-known and incredibly experienced Muay Thai trainer or, “professor of the sport” as he is called by many, came to coach at Team Smandych.  He became head trainer and those who trained with him were introduced to a whole other level of Muay Thai.  Jessica couldn’t believe the vast amount of knowledge available to be learned from this coach.  Training with Artur she was again able to expand her skills.  He dissected technique, shone light on impractical habits, and gave insights to help her further develop the mind and heart, and body.  “Training and fighting under Artur Nowacki brought me to places that I never dreamed I would go in the sport.  I learn so much training with him, he is an inspiration and absolute specialist of the sport.”  He also introduced her to Vipassana Meditation, which not only became a key element in her training, but in life overall.  Perhaps it was timing, maybe it was readiness, or possibly one cannot label a reason if tried, but it was with Artur that Jessica truly witnessed the meaning of it all.  Muay Thai brought her life.

  Jessica has fought the top girls in the world and has travelled far and wide to do so.  She touched gloves with the former UFC Champion from Poland, Joanna Jendrzejczyk, in Bangkok, Thailand, and travelled to Perth, Australia, in a tenacious battle for the WMC Intercontinental Title with multi-time World Champion Caley Reece.  She faced off against absolute femme warriors in England’s two-time European and five-time World Champion, Alexis Rufus, and one of Germany’s sensationally seasoned fighters, Meryem Uslu.    

  Jessica showcased on the most prestigious K-1 Kickboxing show to date called Glory.  This promotion is televised to over a hundred countries world-wide, with only the best fighters of the world in performance.  On this show, she touched gloves with Germany’s highly touted and nearly undefeated fighter, Daniela Graf, at Glory 33 in New Jersey, USA.  This spectacular feat earned her a semi-final spot in a Super-Four Elimination tournament, for the first ever, Glory Super Bantamweight Women’s World Title.  And with vivacious expression, she subsequently faced off against American famed fighter Tiffany “Time Bomb” Van Soest at Glory 36 ‘Collision’ in Oberhausen, Germany.  This event was said to be the biggest Glory show to date, with over 15,000 people watching and broadcasted all over the world.   

  Artur and Jessica, at the moment, are “living the dream” in beautiful Chiang Mai, Thailand.  She continues to train and grow with Artur and the Nak Muay Gym.  Her last fight to date was on her birthday in 2017, on the biggest promotion in Düsseldorf, Germany, Steko’s Fight Night.  There, she once again battled it out in ten amazing rounds of heart, grit and passion for a WKU Kickboxing World Title in true warrior fashion.  

“I don’t think I will ever stop training and learning.  This fighting journey has been my life. I am truly blessed!  I have been doing this for 18 years, it has brought me to see things in myself that I may have never known had I not kept going.  Doing what you love to do, that is the key.  Do what you love, do what makes you shine the absolute brightest, what makes you learn and grow.  Shine bright and pass it on.”   

Fight Record  

25W15L1D

Titles and Achievements

2002 WKA Canadian Lightweight Kickboxing Title

2003 WKA Canadian Lightweight Kickboxing Title – defense

2003 WKA Canadian Super Lightweight Golden Gloves Champion

2008 IKF World Classic Lightweight Muay Thai Champion

2012 LBTM North American Super Bantamweight Muay Thai Champion

2016 IFMA World Tournament contender

2016/17 Glory Super Bantamweight Tournament qualifier

2017 WKU World Lightweight Kickboxing Title contender

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"

Lumpinee, Rajadamnern Stadium and World WMC Champion”

 “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. Everyone I've had the pleasure of training with at Nak Muay is friendly, skilled, and hardworking. Canada Island is very fortunate to have someone of Artur's skill level building Muay Thai talent.”                         

-Gabriel Varga (six-times professional Kick boxing World Champion and K-1, Glory & Bellator Champion) 

“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)

“Thank you for your teachings, all of them; technical, tactical and profound. The quality you wear can be seen by the depth of your explanations and how you connect them together. You paint a beautiful picture of what it is to be fully present at the moment of a fight.
I will forever be grateful that you shared your knowledge.”     

-Gabriel Rossi (Muay Thai sparring partner for Georges St-Pierre, trainer, & professional fighter)

    “I have been involved in Muay Thai for over 20 years as a fighter, trainer and a gym owner. I have travelled all over the world and seen many gyms, trainers and fighters; Artur Nowacki is one of the best trainers that I have had the honor of meeting. Not only does he understand the sport, but he understands people and how to help them reach their full potential. To see proof of this, just look at his young stable of fighters and the amazing things that they have accomplished in such a short period of time. More important than all of that though, is that the whole Nak Muay team is a great credit to the sport.”                                 

 -Jason Fenton (Owner of Iron City Muay Thai gym in Vancouver, North American Muay Thai Champion, & World Muay Thai Champion

“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, Director of The Martial Arts Academy Papamoa, New Zealand)

“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, South Korea)

“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, former Professional Model, Canada)

President: Robert Arsenault

Phone:                                       Canada (403) 312-1043          Thailand (063) 671-3383

Coach: Artur Nowacki

Gym Address: 

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Inquiries can also be sent to us via email.

Gym Information
 

Those who know it will tell you that the smallness of the gym is intentional, meant to preserve the integrity of its vision, and the modesty of all who set foot on the premises.  This facility is not about pomp or hype; it’s about the sacredness of a sport, the honouring of a traditional style of martial art.

In 2010, Nak Muay Muay Thai evolved from thought into form.  It took shape as a small space in a garage where its first members eagerly flocked to try a different approach to health and fitness.  It began as a presence in a community, and quickly morphed into something much larger, much more meaningful.  In 2017 Artur decided to bring Nak Muay Muay Thai to Calgary Alberta. The gym's 2nd iteration holds true to the original vision while embodying lessons learned over the years.

 Presently, in the Muay Thai and martial arts communities, the name “Nak Muay Muay Thai” is synonymous with professionalism, dignity, and respectability.  Kru Artur Nowacki is renowned both locally and nationally for producing world-class fighters brimming with skill, self-confidence, and humility.  Watching one of his competitors in action is observing an individual who executes the highest quality of skill and precision, and does so seamlessly, with grace, composure, and acuity.  Nak Muay fighters are a testament to the level of training that takes place in this gym, and a testament to Kru Artur as a coach and mentor.

Character of the Gym

Entering Nak Muay Muay Thai is incomparable to any other gym experience in Canada.  Every sense is awakened one-by-one, as you step through the door and are greeted by each sensory occurrence.  First, it’s the menthol tickle of Thai oil that slowly climbs into your nose, only partially covering up the familiar musk of body sweat and sports equipment.  Equally bracing is the sound of athletes training on the Thai pads and heavy bags.  One strike after another fills the air with a deafening smack, contributing to layers upon layers of piercing sounds that seem to shake the facility right down to its very foundations.  One might be intimidated by the tenacity here, except that almost instantaneously, a warmth is generated by the other athletes and gym members.  Smiles are exchanged, welcomes extended.  The feeling is one of unity, team, and family.

This feeling has been at the core of Nak Muay’s vision since it opened.  No pretense: just an honest desire to deliver quality coaching and training, and to preserve the integrity of Muay Thai itself.  This vision has shaped a unique atmosphere in the gym; not only is it inhabited by some of the best fighters in Calgary and Canada, it is also graced by the presence of hard-working individuals looking to be part of something special, something bigger than themselves.  Different people from differing walks of life come together at Nak Muay Muay Thai to learn from each other, and to help each other grow.  Beginners are just as welcome as seasoned athletes, and the unique blend of skill levels allows novices to advance their techniques faster.

In order to maintain the gym’s standard of excellence – not just in skill level, but also in attitude and ambiance – membership is limited in number.  This ensures that Kru Artur Nowacki can devote an equal amount of time and energy to every individual who joins the gym and chooses the Nak Muay path.  Members are hand-picked based on their character, personality, and attitude about training.  Once chosen, a member of Nak Muay is provided with the highest quality of training experience.  Kru Artur teaches the art of Muay Thai almost identically to how it is delivered in Thailand: participants engage in rounds of conditioning exercises, followed by cycles of shadow-boxing and bag work.  Some days include drills, while other days consist solely of sparring.  Of maximum importance, however, is the one-on-one pad work that Kru Artur provides for promising students.
 

The combination of practices and exercises at Nak Muay Muay Thai creates an individualized training experience tailored to each gym-member’s needs.  Serious fighters are able to come and glean the quality of coaching they need to advance their amateur and professional careers.  Recreational athletes can reap the rewards of training elbow-to-elbow with world-class Muay Thai fighters and a coach that is renowned in the industry.  Beginner students, new to the sport or to athletics in general, can submerse themselves in a safe and nurturing environment of discipline and hard-work where they are supported and encouraged to grow in both skill and character.  There truly is something for everybody at this facility, regardless of specific training goals or objectives.

Words from the Fighters

“My training at Nak Muay Muay Thai has been something indescribable, though I will attempt to put my experience into words.  Muay Thai is a pure sport with such strong traditions that it has the ability to completely change a person in an extremely positive way.  It has not only taught me one of the most intense forms of martial art, but it has also developed my character as a person.  My lifestyle today is so much more humble and respectful than it used to be, and I credit that to Muay Thai, as well as to Nak Muay Muay Thai.  Because of this sport, I have been moulded into what I believe to be a stronger, more disciplined person.  A turning point in my life was joining this gym.”

~Andrew Lewis (Canadian and BC MuayThai Champion)

“In the past year and a half I have taken an interest in the brutal, yet beautiful sport of Muay Thai.  I have subsequently developed a passion for an art that is able to show me something new every day.  Kru Artur has a way of teaching that goes much deeper than the striking techniques and physical demands he teaches.  Last year we took a team trip to Thailand for training and competition; that trip revealed to me that his was not just a personal style of instructing.  All of us students at Nak Muay Muay Thai have been learning the traditional Thai style of training and fighting, with the individual’s character and perseverance being equally important to physical ability. The combination of mental strength, athletic conditioning and technical skills, that Kru Artur has taught us, allow the Nak Muay team to compete and win against opponents who often have an advantage in terms of experience and number of fights.  I feel very grateful to be learning and competing with this team.”

~Ron Pearce (USEACA and Canadian Muay Thai Champion)

Artur Nowacki

Muay Thai Trainer

Artur's experience as a trainer has given him the opportunity to teach and corner high level fighters in such prominent Muay Thai stadiums as Rajadamnern, Lumpinee, Pattaya World Boxing Stadium, and multiple stadiums in Chiang Mai, as well as the highly recognized world kickboxing promotion "Glory". Rajadamnern is the oldest and most internationally renowned Muay Thai venue in the world while Lumpinee is comparably prestigious. To corner a main event fight in Rajadamnern as Artur has done is an honour only the top trainers have experienced. Pattaya World Boxing Stadium was host to a MAX Muay Thai event when Artur's fighter competed, while other events include a televised event at Asawindam Stadium, the Queen's Birthday Cup: Thailand vs. China, All star fights, and OneSongchai Promotions, all of which carry a high level of significance in the Muay Thai world.

    A number of fighters began their Muay Thai journeys with Artur in Canada and achieved a high level of success in an incredibly short amount of time under his tutelage. In less than two years, his gym boasted Canadian champions at 160lbs and 154lbs, BC titles, and Pacific Northwest titles, among others in Vancouver and the U.S. One of these champions received offers to fight for MAX Muay Thai, 'Thai Fights' Promotion, and Rajadamnern Stadium. For a fighter with under two years of experience to have the opportunity to compete against prominent athletes including Antuan Pinto and Rajadamnern and WMC champion Berneung is unheard of. This student has since fought professionally in China and Thailand. He was praised by 'Golden Era' Muay Thai fighters Sangtiennoi Sor Rungroj and Lamnamoon Sor Sumalee, both of whom were impressed with the skills and style he learned at Artur's gym. Sangtiennoi is famous for his 20-year career in which he became Lumpinee, Rajadamnern, and WMC champion. Lamnamoon is equally well-known as a four-time Lumpinee champion. Artur's other Canadian champion achieved Muay Thai fight of the year (2013) in Journey Fight Series. Two other students proceeded to teach Muay Thai in BC and Alberta after only a year of training, proving once again the effectiveness of Artur's teaching style in achieving feats that are normally only possible after many years of training.

   Artur and Thanonchai (Awarded Fighter of the Year in Thailand)

    After establishing his gym in British Columbia, Canada, Artur was sought out for training by internationally recognized fighters Gabriel Varga and Sean Kearney, both of whom are top-ranked in the World. Artur worked extensively with Gabriel Varga, six-time world champion, twice Glory champion, and K-1 fighter. MAX Muay Thai, 'Thai Fights', and Lion Fight Promotion fighter Sean Kearney also practiced technique with Artur on many occasions. Kearney's recent accomplishments include winning an 8-man tournament in Lao.  Artur was recently invited by Gabriel Rossi, professional Muay Thai trainer, fighter, and sparring partner of MMA Superstar Georges St-Pierre, to travel to Montreal, where he put on a weekend-long seminar. Artur's skills as a coach are further illustrated by the following testimonials.

    “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. Everyone I've had the pleasure of training with at Nak Muay is friendly, skilled, and hardworking. Canada is very fortunate to have someone of Artur's skill level building Muay Thai talent.”                         

     -Gabriel Varga (six-time professional World Champion and K-1,Glory & Bellator Kickboxing Champion

Artur and Sean Kearney at IFMA World Championship

     “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)

     “Thank you for your teachings, all of them; technical, tactical and profound. The quality you wear can be seen by the depth of your explanations and how you connect them together. You paint a beautiful picture of what it is to be fully present at the moment of a fight.
I will forever be grateful that you shared your knowledge.”     

        -Gabriel Rossi (Muay Thai sparring partner for Georges St-Pierre, trainer, &                  professional fighter)

    “I have been involved in Muay Thai for over 20 years as a fighter, trainer and a gym owner. I have travelled all over the world and seen many gyms, trainers and fighters; Artur Nowacki is one of the best trainers that I have had the honor of meeting. Not only does he understand the sport, but he understands people and how to help them reach their full potential. To see proof of this, just look at his young stable of fighters and the amazing things that they have accomplished in such a short period of time. More important than all of that though, is that the whole Nak Muay team is a great credit to the sport.”                                 

        -Jason Fenton (Owner of Iron City Muay Thai gym in Vancouver, North American Muay Thai Champion, & World Muay Thai Champion)

Artur and Bee at Charnchai Muay Thai

    After owning a gym for three years in Canada, Artur's career took him to Thailand, where he worked as a pad holder and trainer at Charnchai Muay Thai with Bee 'Mongkoldej Sitthepitek', who at one time was ranked number one in both Rajadamnern and Lumpinee. He recommended that Bee form separate fighters' class at Charnchai, of which Bee put him in charge. Artur ran his own small gym in Chiang Mai before taking up a position coaching, pad holding, and teaching technique at the legendary Sangtiennoi's gym outside Bangkok. Sangtiennoi made Artur responsible for overseeing the training of top-ranked fighters Thanonchai Tor Sangtiennoi and Moses Tor Sangtiennoi. He created game plans and taught technique for these two fighters, in addition to his duties in training a variety of other Lumpinee and Rajadamnern fighters. Eventually, he was selected to be the Muay Thai trainer for Thailand's first mixed martial arts team, a project started by Thai television's Channel 7. This four-man team consisted of high-level fighters from gyms including Samart Payakaroon's gym. His role as trainer included pad holding, building strategies, and overseeing the training and health of the fighters.

           In 2015 Artur returned to Canada, continuing his work as a high level Muay Thai trainer. Within a year of working as Head Coach at Team Smandych, Artur took five athletes (Team Canada) to the 2016 IFMA World Championships. One of the more prominent athlete, Jessica “Thumper” Gladstone, would continue under Artur’s tutelage as a focus. Gladstone would be soon known as Canada’s most accomplished female Muay Thai athlete. She was invited by the world’s most prestigious kickboxing promotion – Glory – to New Jersey, which was the location of the quarter finals for the first ever female Glory title. Shortly after defeating Daniela Graf, Gladstone faced off against Tiffany Van Soest in the semi-finals – Glory Collision in Oberhausen.

    While Artur's skills as a coach allow him to hone the skills of professionals, his real talent lies in his ability to bring beginners to a high level in an incredibly short amount of time. This aptitude is even exemplified in his own experience as a fighter, during which time he fought in Rajadamnern Stadium against a world class professional after less than two years of training. This opponent has since gone on to become Intercontinental World Muay Thai champion. Artur's capacity for understanding the style and needs of his students in their training, both physically and mentally, gives him an expertise that makes him stand out from the crowd as a Muay Thai coach.