On Aug. 23, 2025, the fourth-ever “Eat Sleep Teep” event took place in the Tuttle Gym at Ventura High School. As the tournament’s starting time approached, the tension and excitement among the fighters only grew. Athletes sharpened their Muay Thai skills on Thai pads while coaches offered small critiques and adjustments to their fighters, giving them the best shot possible at a hard-won victory.
Although the main highlight of the tournament was the fights, the underlying dedication, discipline and hard work poured into training also deserved recognition. The athletes spent weeks supporting their peers and training at Pu’u Muay Thai, a Ventura-local studio, preparing for the excitement to come. Many fighters expressed that much of their progress and repetition was driven not only by personal effort, but also by the strength of their community and the importance of showing up for each other throughout the journey leading up to the tournament. In the gymnasium, two large mats were set in place where each fighter competed in three sets of three-minute rounds, only broken by a one-minute break between bouts. There were 40 fights in total, each showcasing its own unique exhibition of fighting styles and endurance.
Gabriel Rodriguez ’29 is a student athlete who participated in Eat Sleep Teep. When asked how he felt about his upcoming fight, he emphasized the importance of friendship and leadership in his journey to become the best fighter he can. “Everyone’s really helpful, they always give me good work and are always there for me,” he explained. Rodriguez added that his experience in high school so far does not restrict his opportunities as he attends high-level classes. He first started Muay Thai in teenage classes before attending classes with a higher adult demographic.
Isaiah Castellanos, one of the opening fighters, described his experience with fighting as an opportunity to triumph over adversity. “Being able to prove to myself I am more than what I am now,” Castellanos said, just minutes before prevailing in two rigorous matches. Castellanos also spoke about the significance that his team had in supporting his journey. “No doubt about it, in my mind I have made lifelong friends.”
Although Muay Thai is a martial art, there is a common misconception that it’s dangerous. When Muay Thai is practiced correctly and safely, it is very healthy and beneficial in multiple aspects. Oscar Nicholas Ramirez ’30, another fighter, explained the benefits as he waited for his time on the mats. “You will not be injured that much, and it’s really fun and really healthy for your body.” A common theme between fighters is their positive descriptions of average Muay Thai classes leading up to the showcase. These classes consist of cardio, sparring and padwork, all practices that help progress and prepare them for the tournament.
As the number of fights left slowly edged towards zero, the roaring atmosphere only grew louder. The bleachers full of family, friends and fans shouted in support when a strong punch landed and jeered in disapproval when the fighter they were cheering for was struck. Julia Geib, an intrigued spectator, described how even as a less formally educated fan, she still felt welcomed and encouraged by the fellow onlookers. “It’s really awesome to see all these people gathered together over their love for such a fun sport. A lot of the people are from Ventura, so it’s cool to see the community come together to support the people attending today.”
The fourth Eat Sleep Teep tournament was truly not just a sequence of fights, but a representation of the sweat, commitment and solidarity that inspires all the competitors. From the early morning classes to the week of excitement, the true story is in each fighter’s journey in preparation leading up to the event. As the event came to a conclusion, it was clear that the friendship and perseverance throughout the event was no less than the victories themselves, leaving a lasting impact on each attendee.
