In Conversation with Raymil Samuel: Why Breathing Is His Secret Weapon

After years of competing at a high level in kickboxing, Raymil knows exactly what it takes to perform under pressure. But over time, he discovered that peak performance isn’t just about training harder, it’s about recovering smarter. For him, breathing turned out to be the missing piece.

“When I was actively competing, the focus was always on training and pushing performance,” he explains. “Later, I realized how big of a role sleep and recovery actually play. Once I became more conscious about breathing through my nose — especially at night — my sleep scores improved and I started waking up much more rested. That’s when I understood that breathing is really the foundation for everything you want to achieve during the day.”

That same focus carries over into his workouts. While high-intensity efforts sometimes force mouth breathing, Raymill emphasizes that the biggest gains come from everything around those peak moments.

“At maximum intensity, you sometimes have no choice. But during warm-ups, lower zones, and recovery periods, I want to breathe through my nose as much as possible,” he says. “The BreatheMore Performance Series nasal strips keep my nasal passages fully open. That supports nitric oxide production, improves oxygen uptake, and helps my breathing stay controlled. I recover faster between heavy blocks, and that makes a big difference over an entire session.”

He also notices that many athletes overlook breathing altogether, until it starts holding them back.

“A common mistake is breathing too high and too fast when things get tough. Your heart rate spikes and you lose control. If you learn to manage your breathing earlier, you avoid burning yourself out. Supporting nasal breathing, especially in crucial moments, helps me stay calm and use my energy much more efficiently.”

His advice for athletes who want to get started is simple and practical.

“Start small. Focus on your breathing during warm-ups and recovery moments. If you can maintain nasal breathing there, it becomes easier to carry that control into the harder parts of your training. Tools like the BreatheMore Performance Series help make that transition easier. In the end, it’s the small adjustments that create the biggest results.”

Raymil Samuel is a Dutch kickboxer, coach, and performance-based athlete known for his disciplined training style and strong online presence. After years of competing at a high level, he now helps others optimize their fitness and recovery. Through both sport and coaching, he’s built a community around smarter training and sustainable performance.