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We chat to Nicole Bessick about prepping for her celeb boxing match

Cape Town - Local actress Nicole Bessick and TV presenter Jade Hübner are set to face off in the boxing ring for charity.

Nicole has been training hard, and has dedicated herself to training just like a professional boxer. She has lost 10 kilograms in the last month and a half and is feeling and looking healthier than ever. 

The fight is taking place in Cape Town on June, 10 and will be hosted by actor and presenter, Siv Ngesi.

The purpose of the celebrity fight is to raise awareness around the bullying epidemic in South Africa, and encourage South Africans to start talking about this important issue.

Here's what Nicole had to say:

How have you been preparing mentally and physically for the fight?
It's been tough, especially given that I'm preparing for the fight from the other side of the country. I live in Johannesburg whilst my coach, Bruce Benjamin, lives in Cape Town. Maintaining a steady training regime is hard, especially with the distance and our conflicting schedules, but he really is the best in the biz. As concerns the physical element, he flies in every weekend to keep my boxing up to speed. As concerns the mental element, he's just a call away should I need an ear or a shoulder.

How did you get into boxing?
At the beginning, boxing formed part of my training regime only insofar as keeping fit goes. We incorporated boxing into my workouts in small increments. I took quite a liking to the sport and we started incorporating it into my workouts more and more. I never intended to box competitively, but Bruce was adamant that I could hold my own in a ring... especially after I chipped a piece of his tooth with my left hook at one training session hahahaha. 

Have you always been athletic?
Yes. I was a figure skater for 10 years. Started when I was 3 years old, and went on to represent my province at the age of 8, and my country at the age of 10.

You lost 10kgs in the past month, how did you accomplish this?
Cardio, resistance training and boxing here and there. 

Tell us about your training and diet regime
My diet consisted of lots of white proteins and healthy veg. I eat about 6-7 meals per day and train 5 times a week. 

Why is it important for you to be involved in the campaign against bullying in SA? 
This cause hits close to home. I was bullied for 12 years. Literally every single day... for 12 years. From my experience, no bully is simply malicious... nine times out of ten, bullies are children who are going through the most at home, and don't know how to grapple with or channel what they're experiencing at home. They get to school and end up taking those frustrations or unhappiness out on other kids.

I firmly believe that had my bullies engaged in some sort of combat training... I would never have been bullied. Boxing, first and foremost, teaches you discipline. Secondly, it teaches you how to understand emotions you may be feeling, and thirdly, how to channel what you're feeling, safely. You're so much calmer after training. Boxing centers you in ways you can't imagine!

Most importantly boxing teaches you to be mindful and have an understanding of not only your body, but of your opponent's too. You're constantly needing to understand their headspace, their intentions, their motions... Perhaps had I trained when I was a kid, I would have never been a victim of bullying. I would have known and understood where my bully's emotions were coming from, may not have internalized their actions in the ways that I did, and most importantly, would have been able to shake it off. 

After the fight, will you continue to train?
Absolutely! But maybe only like a week after my fight. Really craving a cheeseburger! Think a good week of stuffing my face is in order!


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