ABOUT
CHRIS ROMULO
UNCOVERING THE CHAMPION WITHIN
From Muay Thai Champion to Youth Empowerment Speaker
Chris retired after the winning the WKA North American Super-Middleweight Muay Thai Title and turned his focus to coaching the next generation of Muay Thai athletes. Along with his wife Sarah, he opened a series of training facilities around Rockaway Beach, New York, each one growing in size, membership, but more importantly, reach.
During those years, Chris was a role model, mentor, and even father-figure to many of the community’s youth. He even helped at-risk students train at no cost as part of his youth scholarship program. All the while, Chris realized he could make a profound impact on more lives if his message could just reach more ears.
With that, Chris ventured into the world of public speaking and began holding talks at schools around New York City.
From Dilapidated NYC Garage to Muay Thai Ring
Chris Romulo’s youth empowerment speeches began nearly 30 years ago in his mom’s dilapidated Queens Village garage. But Chris’ pep talks weren’t aimed at an audience, but rather himself.
As a misguided youth from a broken home Chris only had himself to fall back on, but that turned out to be a blessing because little did he know, his anabolic self talks were helping him forge the mental tools needed to win at life – and win he did.
Chris found a local Muay Thai gym, signed up, and the journey took him from NYC to Bangkok, Thailand, and back again. In the process, he won both amateur and professional championships and became a pioneer of America’s Muay Thai scene.
Inside the ring, Chris found plenty of success as an athlete, but what he uncovered inside himself was something he wanted to share with the next generation.
Chris is Known for His Engaging Speeches in Which Students are Fixated on Every Word
Chris discovered who he is and what he is capable of achieving while practicing the dynamic art of Muay Thai, so his philosophy is to bring that same dynamic energy to every youth empowerment speech he delivers.
Expect shadowboxing, break-dancing, and more as Chris empowers students with the mental tools needed to overcome what he calls the Seven Mental Dictators. Because of his engaging delivery style and ability to bridge generation gaps, it’s not out of the ordinary for students to get in front of the audience and open up about their own stories.
What Others are Saying About Chris’ Speeches
During Spirit Week 2022, Chris Romulo shared his journey of perseverance with a packed auditorium of LWA Middle School and Upper School students.
The students were fixed on every word, each strategy to overcome their fears and detractors. The honesty and humility of the presentation cultivated trust with the students. Tweens and teens from 12 to 18 were made comfortable to go up to the microphone and share their reflections in front of their peers, something highly unusual for this age group.
After the interactive assembly, the greatest sign that Mr. Romulo’s message was well received became clear when multiple students made their way to the front of the theater to thank him and share their stories, demonstrating how they connected with him.
This is an assembly that all students need. Honest, respectful, light at times, but also an exchange of reality with salient coaching tips on how to deal with internal and external stressors and barriers to success.”
Brian O’Connell, Headmaster, Lawrence Woodmere Academy