At only 20 years old, Mattéo Chayehoi, former cook at La Pam in Brest, shares in his latest Instagram post the reasons for his departure to Thailand. Marked by the determination and passion of the young man, this video has generated many positive comments, both from his subscribers and from passers-by in the street, who salute his courage and audacity in the quest for his dream of becoming a professional boxer. He made the decision to leave everything to realize his dream, a journey forged by fights in and outside the ring.
A journey marked by determination
Born in Brest, Mattéo grew up between several cities due to his mother’s professional transfers. He discovered boxing at a very young age, at age 10, after a difficult period marked by harassment and depression. “Boxing allowed me to channel my emotions and find my serenity,” he explains. This sport quickly becomes more than a simple activity: it is an escape and a driving force, a way to rebuild oneself.
By returning to Brest during the covid-19 crisis, Mattéo returns to competition. Vice-champion of France, several times winner of cups, and with five victories by knockout, he nevertheless feels that he is only getting started. His accomplishments are just steps toward his bigger dream.
“I have nothing to lose”
Before leaving for Thailand, Mattéo decides to resign from his job as a cook. “At first I liked cooking, but it became routine. An unpleasant customer was the trigger: I didn’t want to spend my life enduring that,” he confides.
So, in January 2025, he will fly to Thailand, where he will reinvent himself. “I’m 20 years old, nothing to lose, my family supports me despite their concerns,” he says. Aware of the challenges ahead, such as the language barrier, the heat and intense training, he is ready to sacrifice everything to achieve his goals.
Enter Luffy and Inoxtag
Mattéo is inspired by personalities who have demonstrated surpassing themselves. Athletes like Alexis Nicolas and Jon Jones, but also figures like Inoxtag, a YouTuber who climbed Everest. “His desire to surpass himself really had an impact on me, and I recognized myself in this quest for the impossible.”
His Instagram handle, Luffy, refers to the hero of the manga “One Piece”, who, like him, leaves everything to follow his dream. “Like Luffy, I leave everything behind to go on an adventure. He took a boat, I took a plane, but it’s the same idea: believe in yourself, no matter the obstacles.”
His short-term goal: to immerse himself in Thai culture, accumulate fights to become a professional boxer. In the long term, he dreams of fighting at ONE Championship, the equivalent of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) for Thai boxing.
We, the generations of the 2000s, we explore, we change. It’s not a weakness, it’s our strength
“What matters is to dare”
For Mattéo, his journey is a universal message: “We are often told that we are too young or too old to realize a dream. This is false. What matters is to dare.” For him, anything is possible, whether in art, cooking or any other field, as long as you give yourself the means to achieve it. Although sport is more accessible when you are young, because it requires certain physical abilities. He also underlines the specificity of his generation: “We, the generations of the 2000s, we explore, we change. It’s not a weakness, it’s our strength.”
For him, the quest for self requires change, and he is not afraid to start again elsewhere. “I’m not necessarily saying to go far away, but simply to have the desire to try something new, that excites us.”
There is no age to dream, but you have to adapt. If my dream evolves, I will get up after each knockout.
He remains realistic
Mattéo remains realistic about the uncertainty of the future. “If it doesn’t work, I’ll do something else.” Maybe I will come back to France if an opportunity arises in boxing, or I will change path,” he says. Passionate about cinema, he plans to retrain if necessary.
“There is no age to dream, but you have to adapt. If my dream evolves, I will get up after each knockout. », he adds. With a small camera purchased to vlog his training in Thailand, he will share his adventure and his sacrifices on his social networks, thus inspiring those who are hesitant to take the plunge.
Senegal
