The nation’s leading health and performance supplement company, Australian Sports Nutrition (ASN), is gearing up to take mental illness head-on in an amateur fight to raise awareness and funds for Beyond Blue on April 5 at Sydney’s Star Casino.
Newcastle local professional and ASN’s National Sales Training Manager, Nathan Zajac knows the hardships of mental illness first-hand after losing three friends to depression within a six-month period.
Having not touched a boxing bag for over 20 years, Nathan is dusting off his gloves and teaming up with professional sporting promotions company, Corporate Fighter, to pay tribute to the friends he’s lost and to raise money for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention through his chosen charity, Beyond Blue.
Nathan said that many people have come across mental illness in their everyday lives.
“Mental illness is something that touches all of us at some stage – through people we know and people we love. But unfortunately, we don’t talk about it, because we don’t understand it,” Nathan said.
Following a rigorous training regimen, Nathan is training twice a day, five days a week in a 12-week intensive training program to prepare for the Corporate Fighter black tie event. With a five star three-course meal, charity auctions and raffles, and an unlimited beer and wine package, Corporate Fighter will bring like-minded people together for an evening to raise money for charities all around Australia.
“I haven’t hit a punching bag in over two decades, so this is what is going to really challenge me,” Nathan said.
“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.”
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, three million Australians are currently living with depression and anxiety, with only 35% opting to access treatment. Yet only one in four men speak out for help.
“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 will all be worth it,” Nathan said.
IMAGE | Local professional and ASN’s National Sales Training Manager, Nathan Zajac, is gearing up to take mental health head-on.
