Whitney Tuna: The Muay Thai “Formula” That Keeps Her Fighting at 37

There’s a certain kind of grit you only recognise when you hear it spoken out loud — not in a hype-up talk, but in a real, tired, honest voice from someone who has every reason to slow down… and still chooses to step forward.

In this video, Whitney Tuna opens up about what it takes to prepare for her 20th Muay Thai fight while juggling life as a business owner, a mum of two, and a fighter in Perth. And it hits hard because it’s not the usual “just work harder” talk. It’s about structure, emotion, and that quiet decision you make every day when no one is watching.

If you’re a busy mum, someone trying to get back into training, or just anyone who’s ever felt like life is too full to chase something big — her story will hit home.

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“It sounds boring… but it’s my formula.”

Whitney doesn’t romanticise fight camp. In fact, she admits the thing that makes it work is pretty unsexy:

“There’s like a phy7rocess or a formula… that you kind of need to achieve in order to get in and feel confident.”

For her, it’s a Monday to Saturday routine, mapped out day by day. She calls it her training “KPI” — the same way you’d track performance at work.

“Every day I just tick each thing off. And that’s how I know I’ve won my day.”

That line matters because it’s not about motivation. It’s about systems — the exact thing most busy people need when life is chaotic. And she’s honest about the payoff:

“When I’ve started ticking off every day… for 6 to 12 weeks, I know that I’m overprepared.”

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Being a mum and a business owner doesn’t stop the fight…

Whitney doesn’t pretend her life is set up for training. She’s blunt:

“I know my life is crazy with being a business owner and being a Mum.”

And she admits how easy it would be to bring stress into the gym — the problems, the mental load, the never-ending to-do list.

But she flips it:

“I use it as fuel… because it’s the limited time I have in the gym.”

That’s something busy mums in Perth (and everywhere) will recognise. You don’t have endless hours. You have windows. And if you’re going to show up, you make it count.

“I just make every minute… worth it.”

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The Age Gap: 20s vs your late 30s – “Training smarter”

One of the most relatable moments is when she talks about ageing as an athlete — not in a negative way, but in a “you can’t be reckless anymore” way.

“In your 20s, you’re kind of like… a cowboy.”

She laughs at the old cycle: train brutally, sleep badly, wake up and repeat. But now?

“You just can’t do that when you’re older… you have to have a different formula.”

That’s the message a lot of people need to hear: you don’t have to train like a maniac to be a fighter. You can train smarter, recover better, and still perform — especially if you’re balancing kids, work, and life.

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The opponent: respect, realism, and “gym mum” energy

Whitney shares who she’s fighting — Michelle Russell — and it’s not trash talk. It’s respect.

“I’ve actually been kind of like… in awe of her.”

She explains how she used to fight at 52kg before kids, and now fights around 54–55kg — right where Michelle sits. She’s watched Michelle take on experienced opponents and win:

“That’s so good to see someone that’s the underdog always take on more experienced opponents.”

Then she says something that quietly calls out a big misconception in gym culture:

“She’s a bit of a gym mum… Everyone thinks we can train all the time, but often we’re like the last on the list.”

If you work in a gym, you know this is real. You’re coaching, filling in, handling problems — and your own training gets pushed down the queue.

That’s why this matchup feels bigger than “fighter vs fighter”. It’s busy person vs busy person, both trying to carve out time to chase something that matters.

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Comebacks, losses, and why this fight means so much

Whitney doesn’t sugarcoat her comeback journey after having kids.

Her first comeback after Aida:

“We were ready, but I honestly think I was 60%.”

She got the win — but it didn’t feel like the win she wanted.

“I was really disappointed in the way I fought.”

Then her second fight in Koh Samui — she lost, but felt proud:

“I was so stoked with the way that I fought.”

And now, this third performance is the one she believes can bring it all together.

“The trajectory of this third one is hopefully going to be… another really good performance.”

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Training under pressure: a new coach with 500 fights

Another emotional layer is her relationship with her coach, Loma, and what it’s like being coached by someone with an insane level of experience.

“Loma’s had 500 fights… his expectations are up here.”

She calls him detail-heavy, intense, and honest about how that affects her:

“Which can make me quite anxious.”

But there’s something powerful in what she says next — because it’s not about proving people wrong online. It’s about making someone proud who has poured into you.

“I really hope that… I can make him proud on the night.”

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“Am I still even in the game… as a 37-year-old mum of two?”

This is the line that stands out.

“It’s a bit of a transition just to see like… am I still even in the game as a 37-year-old mum of two.”

That’s what makes this story bigger than Muay Thai. It’s about identity. About refusing to let one chapter of life erase another version of you.

And she’s honest: every fight means something now.

“Every fight means a lot to me.”

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The real reason she fights: the daily grind (and the car-cry moments)

Whitney admits it’s easy to get caught up in titles and wins — but that’s not why she stays.

“I love the journey.”

She loves the mental challenge of fight camps:

“They’re really mentally hard… the mind games you play with yourself.”

And then the most human moment:

“Even when I want to cry in my car and give up.”

That’s the reality behind “discipline” — it’s not always inspiring. Sometimes it’s just choosing not to quit, even when you feel like quitting.

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Being an example for girls who’ve been told “you can’t”

At the heart of her message is something simple and strong:

“I really want to be an inspiration for girls… when everyone tells them that they can’t do something.”

Not to be famous. Not to be perfect. But to be proof.

She wants to be known as:

• A good teammate
• Someone who shows up during other people’s camps
• Someone who never gave up

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October 25 — Muay Thai Super Series

Whitney finishes with the details:

“So October 25th I will be fighting on Muay Thai Super Series here Perth Rockingham…”

This is your moment to get behind her — and to support women putting themselves on the line in a sport that demands everything.

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Want more stories like this?

If Whitney’s journey hit home — especially if you’re a busy mum trying to get your confidence back — training doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. You can start small, build a routine, and earn that “I did it” feeling again.

Watch the full video now to hear Whitney tell the story in her own words, and feel the emotion behind every line.

Learn more on our site about Muay Thai programs in Perth, training options for beginners, and how to get started even with a packed schedule.

To get started in your own journey — Click here (beginner-friendly, no ego, real coaching).