From Jungle Meditation to Macchiatos and Mitts at Boxing Gym

“There will be a different kind of energy at Fortitude Boxing Gym this month, and it’s not just the sound of the punch bags.

Jimmie “2 Shoes” Phusomsai, a face many locals recognise from his days at New Farm State School, has made the “ultimate comeback” in the neighbourhood after a transformative stint as a Buat Nak in Northeast Thailand.

The undefeated boxing champ took part in the traditional ceremonies and processions that form part of the ordination of novice or fully ordained monks in Theravāda Buddhist communities.

Jimmie now aims to show the “Monk Mindset” – one of extreme focus and calm – is just as effective in the gym as it is in the forest.

The standout addition to the local calendar is the Boxing Baristas Program – a collaboration with The Coffee Commune designed to get unemployed locals back on their feet.

Participants spend their mornings learning the technicalities of a perfect espresso pour before heading to the gym in the afternoon to train with Jimmie.

It’s a Skilling Queenslanders for Work program that treats a busy café shift like a title fight – requiring the same discipline, stamina, and grace under pressure.

He said this year the gym will focus on becoming a genuine community hub where “Golden Oldies” can grab a session with Coach Tuffy to stay mobile, and where teenagers can find a healthy outlet for their energy that doesn’t involve a smartphone screen.

For the “Masters” who might have let their fitness slide – Jimmie is also leading a specialised program focused on maintaining the high intensity of a fighter’s workout, achieving peak condition and long-term health.

Jimmie said between the coffee steam in the morning and the footwork drills in the afternoon, the Fortitude Boxing Gym is now proving to be a place where the Valley comes to sharpen up and even learn new skills outside of the ring.

For more information on the Boxing Baristas Program, visit www.fortitudeboxing.com.au/baristas.”