https://www.xxzza1.com
20 C
Newcastle

Fight for a cause

SHARE

Nathan Zajac has dusted off his boxing gloves to train for an amateur fight and a cause he believes in. 
The Novocastrian will compete in three two-minute rounds at Sydney’s Star Casino on 5 April to raise awareness of mental health.

“I boxed a little when I was a teenager,” Mr Zajac says.

“Every guy has that little thing in there – they watch[movies like] Creed or Rocky and think they’d like to do that.”
Mr Zajac was inspired to step into the ring after losing three friends to suicide within a six-month period.

He has since thrown himself into the challenge.

A five-day-per-week training regime consists of 500 crunches, skipping, bag work, shadow boxing, strength and conditioning, and running.

The father-of-two believes that balancing children and work with early morning starts and late-night finishes has shown him the importance of resilience.

“This challenge wasn’t something I’d ever thought about doing,” he says.
“I haven’t hit a punching bag like this in over two decades, so this is what is going to really challenge me.

“But, while I’m going to be uncomfortable and the training is going to be testing, it is nothing compared to what people with mental illness endure on a daily basis.”  

Mr Zajac will pay tribute to the friends he’s lost and raise money for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention through his chosen charity, beyondblue.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, three million Australians live with anxiety or depression, while only one in four men speak out for help.

Mr Zajac says he hopes to make a difference.

“If I can get out of my comfort zone to raise money to help even one person, if I can save one life, or just touch one person, it’ll all be worth it,” he says.

“Since I’ve done this, I’ve had a lot of people come up to me to say this and that…[nearly] every single person has a story about suicide.”

Mr Zajac’s employee, Australian Sports Nutrition (ASN), teamed up with professional sports promotion company, Corporate Fighter, for the black-tie event.

You can follow his story on Instagram via @nathanfightforacause or visit give.everydayhero.com/au/asnfightforacause to donate.

More stories:

More Stories

Newcastle Weekly

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Newcastle Weekly. News, Community, Lifestyle, Property delivered direct to your inbox! 100% Local, 100% Free.

You have Successfully Subscribed!