Ajarhn (Master) Johnnie Yeo 

At age 58, the legendary Master Johnnie is still fighting fit. His muscles are still ripped, his waist trim and his legs hard as ever. Master Johnnie of Hilltop Muay Thai is one of, or possibly the first person to introduce authentic Muaythai in Singapore. He is also probably the only Singaporean who has true lineage in the art of Muaythai. He has been teaching Muaythai for more than 20 years in a private class. Many of Master Johnnie’s students were originally problem kids brought to him by their parents. They asked him to help talk to their kids and instill discipline, respect and humility in them so as to prepare them for life. Many trouble makers became exemplary citizens, touched by his compassion and changed by his training. Not too long ago, his inner disciples celebrated his 55^th birthday and on the screen were the words “our teacher and father to us all”.  

In the early 1970s, when the streets of Singapore were violent and nothing like the streets today, Master Johnnie roamed the nastiest streets looking for men with reputable fighting skills to challenge. At that time, he was a self trained brawler whose only goal in life was to improve his fighting skills. Seasoned street brawlers, boxers and other martial artists were all fair game. He challenged and fought them in a quest to find a way to improve his skills. Neither the law nor injuries were a reason to quit. A Thai lady (whom he addresses as Big Sister) was moved by his hunger and passion. Rather than risk him getting jailed or killed by his activities, she convinced him to travel to Northern Thailand with her where she would help him realize his dream.  

Upon arrival in Changmai, he was referred to a secret camp in the jungle. In this secret camp, enrollment was not allowed. Only through rock solid connections and recommendations was one able to gain entry. This camp trained warriors in Muay Boran (as performed by Tony Jaa in movies like Ong Bak and Tom Yum Koong minus the acrobatics). Unlike the pro circuit camps where people trained to compete in the ring for money, the fighters here were trained in extreme ways to prepare them for the battlefields of the past. They fought neither for money nor personal glory. Their only purpose is to defend the border against their traditional Burmese enemies and to keep the secrets of traditional Muaythai alive. It is hard for anyone from developed nations to believe this, but if one were to shift their paradigm, they will realize these men are the warrior equivalent of the monks who devote their lives to religion, forsaking all material benefits. Training was “tough as hell” and here Master Johnnie’s bones were tempered beyond a professional Muaythai boxer’s hardness.  

After several years of non stop intensive training, Master Johnnie finally left the camp in search for more knowledge. He spent several years roaming Thailand, training at many camps and gaining invaluable knowledge of Southern and Northern Muaythai. The masters there respected his skills and dedication and many described him as the embodiment of Muaythai. Till today, Master Johnnie is well known and respected in Thailand as well as in the martial arts arena in Singapore. He has also been invited to give unarmed combat demonstrations to the Police Special Operations Command consisting of Riot Squads etc.  

A very interesting point to note is unlike many martial arts instructors who disparage other martial styles in order to “push” their own style, Master Johnnie frowns upon people who do that. Instead he advocates respecting all martial arts styles both western and eastern. His logic being there has to be something valuable in them for them to have survived so long. It is up to you to discover their beauty and not insult them.  For those who wish to engage Master Johnnie for personal tutelage, please take note that only intermediate students and above are eligible and that should also be with the recommendation of the Chief Instructor or Gym Director. If one should be so privileged to come under his tutelage, you can expect to develop a rock solid physique and fighting skills that make legends of men. That is assuming you can commit yourself to taking the punishment. Hilltop “THE GYM”, stresses that this is not a fitness program of our gym. This is fighter training of Hilltop Muay Thai where the banner reads “No Pain, No Muaythai”.