The Magic Of Hope

Thank you to the incredible children of Boys Town Home, Singapore’s home for orphans and abandoned kids, for spending another amazing night of soccer, basketball, tug-of-war, pizza, McDonalds, BBQ, and fun with EVOLVE!

At the end of the night, I gave my usual speech to our kids about how the past does not dictate the future. I stressed to them that it does not matter if you are an orphan, an abandoned child, or an underprivileged kid today. What matters most is what your dreams are. The vast majority of our team at EVOLVE has overcome poverty, tragedy, and adversity in life. If all of us have gotten this far in life, then anyone can do it too. I told them that success happens when two things are aligned: a good, honest heart and a strong, pure work ethic. I encouraged them to do good always, and to fill their hearts with compassion and kindness, reminding them also that it takes hard work, tenacity, focus, and perseverance to succeed in life. If you are willing to commit yourself fully to your dreams, then good things will happen. I truly believe in the power of dreams, the magic of hope, and the strength of the human spirit to conquer all.

Since 2010, the EVOLVE Community Outreach Program has been helping underprivileged kids through charitable donations, free martial arts training, life mentorship, gift drives, and sponsored activities such as Movie Nights, Bowling Parties, and Team BBQs. EVOLVE has a mission to change the world for the better by making a positive impact on the lives it touches. A big part of our joy stems from giving back to the community, especially to those less fortunate. Almost all of our instructors and World Champions overcame a life of hardship and poverty with very little food and shelter. Martial arts gave them confidence, tenacity, discipline, and a path to a better life.

Inspired by the life of my Muay Thai master, Kru Yodtong Senanan, and my own experience with poverty, I launched the EVOLVE Community Outreach Program almost 10 years ago with Papa Rich Wee as a way for the EVOLVE Family (students, instructors, World Champions, fighters, and staff) to give back to the world. With partners like the Boys Town Home, Singapore Children’s Society, Children’s Cancer Foundation, and several other organizations, the EVOLVE Community Outreach Program serves as a pro-bono program for various orphanages, youth homes, and charities and as a platform to unleash human potential through martial arts.

One of the best things about entrepreneurship is that I get to express my soul through my work, and change the world in a way that reflects who I am. I am truly blessed to live the life of my dreams. #gratitude

Chatri Sityodtong is a self-made entrepreneur and lifelong martial artist from Thailand. His rags-to-riches life story has inspired millions around the world on BBC News, CNN, Financial Times, Bloomberg TV, CNBC, Channel NewsAsia, and other major media. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of ONE Championship, Asia’s largest global sports media property in history with a global broadcast to over 2.6 billion potential viewers across 145+ countries around the world. Forbes most recently selected Sityodtong as one of Asia’s next generation tycoons. He was also named “Asia’s King of Martial Arts” by the Financial Times and the “3rd Most Powerful Person in Sports in Asia” by FOX Sports. He is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at INSEAD, Europe’s top business school. A Kru in Muay Thai and a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sityodtong holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Tufts University.