Intro
Glen Lee is an amateur MMA fighter, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai coach, and strength and conditioning trainer at Field Assembly and The Physio Circle in Singapore. With a record of five wins and one loss, Glen represents a new generation of hybrid martial artists — balancing full-time coaching with competitive fighting.
In this episode, we talk about Glen’s path from student athlete to coach, what drives him to keep competing, and how he balances ambition with responsibility. He opens up about the physical and mental demands of training, the lessons he’s learned from losing, and why his definition of success has shifted from chasing titles to making an impact.
Story Highlights
- How he started training Muay Thai at 14 and evolved into MMA
- The challenge of balancing work, coaching, and competition
- What overtraining taught him about discipline and recovery
- How COVID-19 shaped his career path and mindset
- Why he now defines success as helping others grow
Quote
“I just want to be able to still do it when I’m young and not wait ten years down the road and then not be able to compete. If I have any kind of regret, I hate it.”
About Glen Lee
Glen Lee is a Singapore-based MMA fighter and coach specializing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and strength and conditioning. He teaches at Field Assembly and The Physio Circle, where he works with both competitive athletes and everyday clients. A graduate of Nanyang Technological University with a degree in Sports Science and Management, Glen combines academic understanding with practical experience. His coaching philosophy centers on consistency, discipline, and helping people achieve lasting change.
Why This Conversation Matters
Glen’s journey captures what it means to balance passion and purpose. From fighting in local promotions to mentoring beginners, his story shows that success isn’t only measured in wins but in the lives you influence. His reflections on overtraining, mindset, and motivation offer valuable lessons for anyone trying to sustain performance over time.
Turning Points
After switching from business studies to sports science, Glen faced uncertainty during the pandemic when gyms closed and job prospects disappeared. A friend’s invitation to join a new fitness startup changed everything, leading him into coaching full-time. Along the way, he learned to merge his competitive drive with empathy — recognizing that every student, whether an athlete or hobbyist, deserves personalized guidance. Today, Glen’s goals have evolved from chasing victories to mentoring others and building community through sport.
Key Lessons
- Discipline is balance. Knowing when to push and when to rest sustains progress.
- Purpose matters more than titles. Impact outlasts individual achievement.
- Adaptation fuels growth. Career pivots can become lifelong callings.
- Coaching is service. Helping others succeed sharpens your own craft.
- Stay curious. Learning never stops, whether in sport or life.
If You Enjoyed This Episode
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Ariff Zin on Heritage, Reinvention, and the Future of Nasi Padang — balancing tradition, ambition, and growth.
Kenneth Tay on Fighting, Failure, and Finding Balance — about rebuilding structure and purpose through sport.