With the recent announcement of the new reality TV Muay Thai show "In Search of America's Muay Thai Team" many questions have been asked. To help keep fighters informed president of "In Search of America's Muay Thai Team" Don McDaniels has provided Muay Thai Authority with the following FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) list. The FAQ provides answers to many of the questions that are being asked by fighters, and further explain the show and the tryouts.
Frequently Asked Questions:
• Is the show for real? Yes, the show is for real. It will be filmed for
television and has been accepted for broadcast, in South America, North America, Asia
and Europe, Russia and the Philippines.
• What will the tryouts consist of? The initial auditions will be basically a
hard workout. We understand that some of the fighters trying out for the show have
already scheduled upcoming fights. There may be some sparring but no you will not have
to fight in the audition, though you may be scheduled to fight as part of the eliminations
at a later date. Please come in shape, this will not be a casual workout.
• Do I have to pay my own way to the audition? Yes, much like other tv
reality shows that accept talent from abroad you will have to initially pay your way. If
you make it through later in the show there will be a per diem that will help pay for
fighters to travel to film for the show.
• Are we going to be staying in a house like some of the other shows? No.
We are very aware that most of the Muay Thai fighters in America have full time jobs
and could not stay out here the entire time we will be filming. You will be able to fly out
on weekends for the show, however, at some point it may pay you more than your job so
you will have to make that decision when you get there.
• When should I fly in for the audition? It is best if you fly in early to get
acclimated to the area. Some fighters are flying in as early as the week before and staying
until the week after. If you are not able to come that early please try to get here by Friday
July 1st.and schedule your departure for Monday or after. If you will be here for the 4th of
July you are welcome to attend the annual BBQ at Double Dose Muay Thai.
• What airport should I fly in to? Ontario Airport (ONT) will be the closest
to the auditions and we can arrange a shuttle to pick you up from there. If you fly into
another airport you are on your own to get here.
• Where should I stay for the audition? The hotel nearest the gym is the
Comfort Inn in Fontana (909) 463-5900 or choicehotels.com/hotel/caa70 Mention that
you are part of the reality tv show and they may give you some perks.
• Will it always be filmed in Fontana? No. Some of the episodes may but it
will be filmed in various locations throughout California. A film crew may even travel
back with finalists to their hometown for some filming of their everyday training and
lives.
• Can my trainer still train me? Yes. Since you will be flying out for the
show on weekends you could still train with your current coach. Some fighters will end
up staying in California for the show and there are plenty of great trainers and gyms here
as well so it is up to you. We will have a full time coaching staff as well as guest
instructors on the show so we advise all who are trying out to accept advice from those
who are coaching on the show (be coachable).
• So what do I get if I make the team? You get a very lucrative contract to
go on an international fighting tour and get all expenses paid to destinations around the
world. Also, you will get a merchandising contract. These contracts will pay you more
than you have ever made fighting Muay Thai before. We are trying to allow those who
fight in Muay Thai to make a living travelling the world and doing what they love to do
best.
• Can I try out for Americas Muay Thai team if I was born elsewhere? Yes.
But you must be an American citizen and have proof of citizenship.
• How old do you have to be to try out for the show? You must be an adult
18 years or older.
• Do I have to be a professional Muay Thai fighter? No. However, if you are
not professional you must be an amateur, who is ready and willing to go pro for the show.
We will be travelling around the world and fighting professional fighters in other
countries.
• What if I am an MMA fighter? That’s fine. However if you do not know
Muay Thai you will not be right for America’s Muay Thai Team. Remember, the show is
about Muay Thai not MMA.
• What traits are you looking for in a fighter for the show? The fighters we
choose should embody the very essence of Muay Thai. Honor, respect, discipline,
strength and a fighting spirit like no other.
• What if I am a good fighter’s but am not an actor? We are looking for
fighters. You do not have to act. A good personality and story will help but we feel that
Muay Thai fighters are interesting anyway and tell a story all the time. It is that story we
are looking for. The story of the sacrifices each individual makes to reach their dreams
and goals.
• Does this have anything to do with the Muay Thai In America promotion
last year? Yes and No. Though this is done by the same people it is a reality tv show.
Muay Thai In America was a fight promotion like none that had ever been done here
before. There will be fight promotions as part of the show that will be like the Muay Thai
In America at the Barker Hanger Santa Monica.
• I heard that Muay Thai In America had some financial problems is that
true? Yep. We had a big investor that backed out last minute. Muay Thai In America was
a dream and vision based on the respect and love I hold for Ajarn Surachai Sirisute and
his vision of spreading Muay Thai throughout the world. I really appreciated the unique
relationship between Ajarn Chai and Guro Dan Inosanto, to me it it very similar to the
relationship and mutual respect Guro Inosanto had with Master Bruce Lee.
• One evening I had a conversation with Kru Bryan Dobler and Ajarn Rex.
It was a very heartfelt, emotional conversation on the honor, respect, dedication and
discipline. Many of the these elements have been lost in sports today. It was this
conversation and my respect for the people that have fought and dedicated their lives to
the preservation, culture and integrity of this sport that motivated me to do all that I can
to help elevate this incredible sport to a level it has always deserved. Ajarn Chai holds a
annual Thai Camp in Oregon, where a select group of highly disciplined Muay Thai
practitioners are hand picked to attend. My son Khayman and I were blessed to attend
Oregon Camp for the first time a few years back and immediately I thought, this is
America's best kept secret!!! Until I experienced Ajarn Chai's Oregon Thai Camp, I truly
believe I too, had lost a level of belief in human spirit. The respect and discipline I
witnessed during the very special Muay Thai camp was a healing experience.
• Muay Thai In America was by far, the largest independent budget spent to
produce a Muay Thai event in America, at close to $500,000 and without one sponsor, I
still believe it was a risk worth taking. Although It never really felt like a risk to me, once
the decision was made to move forward, people came together in a way I had never
witnessed before to make sure the show would happen. People that had already dedicated
years of their lives, in hope that Muay Thai would one day find a home here in America.
People came together like they had rehearsed that moment a thousand times in their
minds… There were many individuals that sacrificed and committed their time and
efforts to make Muay Thai In America happen, in the end, we were all one family.
• I knew that without sacrifice there can be no reward. Kru Bryan and Ajarn
Rex told me, that to elevate Muay Thai to the level it truly deserves, a promoter must
initially be willing to lose money. They were right, I did lose money but it doesn't really
matter, because I’ve gained so much more. Because of the April 2010, Muay Thai In
America event, I now have an opportunity and the support to help elevate Muay Thai
globally, to bridge the international gap between American Boxing and UFC.
There will always be inherent risk in pursuing the things we love, if it were easy, we
would all be running around smiling and this interview would not be necessary. Big
dreams never come easy. It is most important to remember that when things get tough to
turn back inside and re-focus on that spark that motivated you in the first place. I don’t
think anyone knows this more than a fighter. Many people, including family and friends
will take pleasure in reminding you that your dream is quickly becoming a nightmare…
all you can do is try and smile and keep fighting for your beliefs.
“You can't break new ground in anything, without moving a few stones out of the way."
• "In Search Of America's Muay Thai Team" is the next step in the
evolution of Muay Thai In America. It is our goal to bring back, honor, respect, discipline
and integrity to combative sports. We don't care how strong a fighter you think you may
be, if you don't have discipline or a teachable spirit, you will not make the team. We are
searching for Kick-Ass Gentlemen. We will show the people of the world that America
can produce real Muay Thai heroes. Participants that make the team will be able to
support themselves and their families and truly call themselves professional Muay Thai
Fighters. Those fighters that make the team will no longer have to struggle financially to
support their families, they will become household names and heroes to millions of
viewers world wide.
When is the show supposed to be on air???
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