Anna “Supergirl” Jaroonsak has traded the bustling streets of Bangkok for the tropical paradise of Phuket – and the move has given her a new lease on life, both as a fighter and entrepreneur.
The Thai sensation, who makes her return against Bulgarian striker Teodora Kirilova in an atomweight Muay Thai clash at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Prime Video in U.S. primetime on August 1, has channeled her passion for “the art of eight limbs” into opening Supergirl Jaroonsak Gym.
After a two-year hiatus from competition, the 21-year-old has found renewed purpose in building something bigger than herself. That purpose just so happens to be a family-oriented training facility that combines world-class instruction with genuine care for every student who walks through its doors.
A Life-Changing Decision
The decision to relocate from Thailand’s capital wasn’t made lightly.
For “Supergirl,” who has been honing her Muay Thai skills since she was a toddler, the move represented both a fresh start and an opportunity to create something meaningful for her entire family.
Anna told onefc.com:
“We moved to Phuket to open a gym because we saw that there are a lot of fighters here, and the weather is much better.
“In Bangkok, I had air pollution allergies, so we decided to move here. I felt like Phuket offers more opportunities for a gym, with more places to run and train.”
The youngster’s main purpose behind the move wasn’t just about business or the more serene setting the city located about 845 kilometers away from the Thai capital had to offer. It was about family.
Her parents had worked hard their entire lives to guide “Supergirl” and her sister, Nat “Wondergirl” Jaroonsak, up the Muay Thai ranks.
With age catching up, Anna convinced her mother and father to call it a day at their family-run outfit, Jaroonsak Muay Thai Gym, in the Bang Wa district, southwest of Bangkok.
Anna’s boyfriend, Peter “Saint” Danesoe, also made the move, turning the gym into a true family affair that reflects the close-knit values that have guided the young superstar throughout her martial arts journey.
“Supergirl” added:
“It was a huge decision, one I thought about for about a year.
“My parents supported it completely. They’re both teachers and have been working really hard in Bangkok. I wanted them to finally get some rest, so I told them to leave their jobs, and we all moved to Phuket. My boyfriend moved here, too. Everyone is really happy now.”
Building From The Ground Up
Unlike many world-renowned gyms that heavily rely on big names for marketing, Supergirl Jaroonsak Gym operates as a hands-on, family-run business where every aspect receives personal attention from its owner.
The facility had its grand opening on January 1, 2025, and it continues to grow. Despite the hardships that come with balancing training, daily commitments, and entrepreneurship, Anna took it as a chance to enhance her resume outside of her Muay Thai career.
She shared:
“It’s been really tough. I don’t have any business partners. It’s just me, my parents, and our family. I do everything myself – accounting, website, marketing, etc. I spent about a year focusing entirely on setting all of this up when I was away from fighting.”
The gym’s foundation rests on the expertise of her father, Jaroon Chanthasri, who serves as the head coach and brings decades of Muay Thai knowledge to the facility.
Apart from her father, Anna has recruited other coaches to ensure anyone who walks through the doors gets only the very best of Muay Thai.
Rather than treating students as customers, “Supergirl” explained that the facility operates with a family mentality that creates lasting bonds between instructors and trainees:
“My dad is the main coach. He oversees the trainers and helps develop new Thai fighters. The main selling point of our gym is definitely our coaches. They’re all very skilled and genuinely care about the students.
“My dad gets very involved, and everyone who comes here loves it because they feel like we genuinely care. We want the gym to feel like a family, not just a place to train.”
More Than Just Muay Thai
While Muay Thai remains the gym’s primary focus, Anna added that her new dojo offers a comprehensive approach to training that emphasizes building a complete martial artist.
“Supergirl” explained:
“Besides Muay Thai, we have a small fitness area. Our Muay Thai training really focuses on building physical strength with bodyweight exercises, and we also teach powerful striking techniques to make our fighters well-rounded.”
As the number of students continues to grow at Supergirl Jaroonsak Gym, the Muay Thai specialist is diversifying her coaching staff to provide something different from her competitors.
The 21-year-old continued:
“I’m also working with a sports science coach who’s helping me build strength and improve my physical conditioning. He teaches me techniques beyond just running and push-ups, focusing on strengthening specific areas like my ankles and back.”
A New Lease On Life
The gym project has provided “Supergirl” with something invaluable – a renewed sense of purpose that extends beyond her own combat sports career.
After struggling with mental health issues during her time away from competition, the focus required to build and operate the facility has given her a new perspective on life and martial arts.
She shared:
“Over the past couple of years, as I started gaining recognition, and social media became a big part of it, it affected my mental health.
“I almost quit fighting because of all the negative comments online. I felt so down, almost depressed, and was having panic attacks. Sometimes, I couldn’t even sleep.”
As she prepares to return to ONE Championship’s global stage, Anna carries with her not just the skills honed through years of elite competition, but the confidence and renewed energy that comes from building something meaningful with the people she loves most.
It also serves as proof that sometimes the best way to rediscover your passion is by helping others find theirs.
The atomweight Muay Thai star said:
“Before, fighting was fun for me, and I felt so happy. But when the negative comments started coming in, it just wasn’t enjoyable anymore. It felt like it wasn’t a sport anymore.
“However, taking a break and trying other things, like modeling and working on the gym, really helped. When I came back to training, I felt like I regained my energy. My training is really coming together now.”
