We were lucky to catch up with Julio recently and have shared our conversation below.

Julio, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love for you to start by sharing your thoughts about the pros and cons of family businesses.

I own two gyms today—but more importantly, I own them with my family.
My wife is in it with me every step of the way. My mom and dad helped me build this from the ground up. And now I get to watch my sons grow up in the same gyms we built with love, sacrifice, and discipline.

This isn’t just business—it’s legacy.
It’s about showing my kids what hard work looks like.
It’s about teaching them how to lead, how to serve others, and how to build something real.
One day, I hope each of them runs their own gym. Not just because it’s what I do but because they saw what it meant to us.

A family business is never just about money. It’s about values.
It’s about doing what you love with the people you love.
And to me, that’s the real win.

Julio, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Julio Trana, and I’m the owner and head coach at Saekson Muay Thai, with gym locations in Van Nuys and Simi Valley, California. I’ve been deeply rooted in the art of Muay Thai for over a decade, both as a practitioner and a coach. But my journey started even earlier—my parents introduced me to Muay Thai as a kid, and since then, it’s become much more than a sport to me. It’s a lifestyle, a discipline, and a calling.

I didn’t go to college, but I like to say I earned a degree in Muay Thai. It was through years of training, traveling, fighting, learning from masters, and eventually building gyms that could pass this art on to the next generation.

What started as a passion turned into a family business. My wife works with me side by side, and my parents are still involved to this day. I’m now raising my two sons in the gym, and my hope is to one day pass these businesses on to them—so they not only inherit the name, but the values, the culture, and the legacy we’ve built.

What We Offer

At Saekson Muay Thai, we provide world-class Muay Thai training for all levels—from first-timers to professional fighters. Our services include:

Group classes for kids, teens, and adults

Private one-on-one training

Fight camp preparation for amateurs and pros

Youth development through our Cali Kids Muay Thai promotion

Seminars with elite athletes like Saenchai, Jon Jones, John Wayne Parr, and many others

Community events and in-house tournaments to grow the sport locally

We don’t just teach how to fight—we teach people how to be disciplined, confident, and resilient.

The Problem We Solve

A lot of gyms can show you how to throw a punch. Not many will help you become the type of person who throws it with purpose. We help people break through mental and physical limits—whether it’s a kid learning self-confidence, a parent trying to get in shape, or a fighter chasing world titles.

We’re not about hype—we’re about consistent work, real connections, and genuine growth.

What Sets Us Apart

Family culture: We’re a family-run business, and that feeling extends to our students. You walk in as a student, but you leave as part of the family.

Experience and legacy: We’re directly tied to Master Saekson Janjira, a Muay Thai legend. Our style is rooted in tradition, but we train modern fighters at the highest level.

Community-first mindset: We invest back into our students with free events, team support, and youth opportunities.

Loyalty and longevity: We build people up for the long run. No quick fads. Just fundamentals, loyalty, and progression.

What I’m Most Proud Of

I’m proud of the environment we’ve created. I’m proud that my sons get to grow up watching what dedication looks like. I’m proud of our fighters who give their all, of our students who show up daily, and of every person who walks through our doors and finds something greater than just a workout.

But most of all, I’m proud that we’ve been able to turn a dream into a legacy—something my kids will one day carry forward, and something that will continue to impact lives long after I’m done coaching

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Managing a team starts with leading by example. I show up early, I stay late, and I never ask anyone to do something I wouldn’t do myself. That sets the tone. People respect consistency and effort more than just words.

To keep morale high, I focus on culture. We treat each other like family—because we are a family business. That energy spreads to the whole team. We celebrate wins together, support each other through the losses, and always stay honest. Communication is key. I check in with my team, give credit where it’s due, and make sure they know they’re valued—not just as employees, but as people.

Another big part is purpose. Everyone on my team knows why we do what we do. We’re not just teaching Muay Thai—we’re changing lives. When people feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves, they give more, and they stay motivated.

Keep it real. Stay humble. Lead from the front. That’s how you build a team that lasts.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the moments that really tested my resilience recently was when everything hit at once—not to long ago I had to move out of my home unexpectedly, I was planning our gym’s 15-year anniversary event, organizing a Cali Kids Muay Thai show, coaching fighters, doing all my private sessions, and still showing up for my family. It felt like I was being pulled in every direction.

But I never stopped. I still ran my classes. I still trained. I still got my workouts in. Not because I had the time—because I had the discipline.

Resilience, to me, isn’t about pushing through one hard day. It’s about showing up day after day when nobody’s watching. It’s about knowing your purpose and refusing to let excuses get in the way.

That chapter taught me that I could handle more than I thought—and that pressure reveals your character. I don’t just coach fighters. I live the same fight outside the ring.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Saeksonacademy.com
• Instagram: Saeksonmuaythai
• Facebook: Julio Jose Trana
• Youtube: Saekson Academy
• Yelp: Saekson Academy /Saekson Muay Thai

Image Credits

These are all my photos