‘That Mindset Really Blew Me Away’ – How Psychology Books Reshaped Yu Yau Pui’s Fighting Career
Yu Yau Pui may not be a doctor, therapist, or health professional, but she’s deeply invested in psychology.
While most fighters prefer reading biographies, nutrition guides, or fiction, the Hong Konger has found inspiration and mental resilience in the pages of psychology books that explore human behavior, peak performance, and the mindset required for success.
The 32-year-old will put those mental tools to the test when she faces Thai sensation Anna “Supergirl” Jaroonsak in an atomweight Muay Thai contest at ONE Fight Night 41 on Prime Video. The bout goes down live in U.S. primetime inside the fabled walls of the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, March 13.
The southpaw striker brings a 28-4 record into this matchup, having experienced both the peaks and valleys that define combat sports careers.
After a late start to martial arts, Yu spent years struggling to make it as a professional in Hong Kong before finally breaking out as a star. That breakthrough came at ONE Friday Fights, where she claimed five consecutive victories to earn a life-changing six-figure contract and global roster spot.
That momentum continued rolling in her U.S. primetime debut in March 2024, as Yu defeated former ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Title challenger Lara Fernandez via unanimous decision, validating her arrival on ONE Championship’s global stage.
However, she then hit a rough patch, suffering back-to-back defeats against Amy Pirnie and Martyna Dominczak that snapped a five-year winning streak. Those consecutive losses forced the southpaw to confront difficult truths about her approach to both fighting and life itself.
Yu’s love for psychology books has provided perspective that helps her navigate the emotional turbulence that accompanies winning and losing at the highest level.
The Hong Konger explained:
“I love reading books about psychology – psychological behavior, for example. I read books that tell people how they can maintain their peak. Like, what behavior should you adopt, or what kind of mindset leads you to that level?”
While she trains her body relentlessly in the gym, Yu has discovered that training the mind through reading provides equally important tools.
One particular book about the psychology of success fundamentally changed how she views both victories and defeats in her career.
The 32-year-old revealed:
“There was a book about the psychology of success, and it taught me that success is not a point. It’s a line. You can’t let your failures define you. It’s about how you react, and it’s a process.
“You need to treat it as a long-term process instead of defining yourself by a particular moment, success, or failure. That mindset really blew me away.”
The wisdom extracted from books isn’t just applicable to fighters or athletes.
Yu believes these concepts can benefit anyone navigating life’s inevitable challenges and setbacks, making the lessons universally valuable.
She added:
“You have to learn through different failures, and if you can overcome that, you can really achieve more. You’ll be successful enough. But [beyond that], you achieve more, and you become better than your yesterday. It’s a very good mindset for everybody.”
Reading Becomes Yu’s Path To Mental Clarity After Setbacks
The consecutive losses to Amy Pirnie and Martyna Dominczak forced Yu Yau Pui to examine not just her fighting techniques, but also her entire lifestyle and approach to training.
That period of introspection led her to make significant changes, including dedicating more time to reading books that have provided mental clarity during a challenging period of her career.
Yu found solace and wisdom in the pages of books that explore human behavior, success patterns, and resilience. That intellectual engagement has proven as valuable as physical training in preparing her for the comeback fight against Anna “Supergirl” Jaroonsak.
The southpaw shared:
“After my last two losses, I tried to adopt a different lifestyle. I started reading more, and I really think it has helped me a lot to clear my mind. And you know, I love reading. It’s a very good exercise – spending time with yourself through books instead of just scrolling through Instagram because you can discover more about yourself through reading. It’s like a self-talk.”
Given her deep passion for reading and the profound impact books have had on her career and mindset, the natural question emerges: will Yu eventually write her own book sharing the lessons she’s learned through martial arts and psychology?
The idea brings a smile to her face, though she admits the timing isn’t quite right. There are still too many chapters left to write in her fighting career, too many lessons yet to learn before she can offer a comprehensive account of her journey.
Yu said:
“I have thought about maybe doing that one day. Perhaps when I get older, but not right now. It’s not something I need to do just yet.”
