June 2023 – Sacha Gosselin
Bringing it in for the month of June we have Sacha Gosselin! Sacha has been coming to Contenders for just over 6 months and has recently began sparring. He has also worked on some of your (possibly) favourite animated movies. Check out our Q&A with him below.
Q: What is your history like with sports/athleticism and boxing?
A: I always liked to play any sports with friends from primary school and really enjoy soccer and fighting sports. I did 3 years of Taekwondo when I was 15yo and stopped before university. I have been watching MMA since High School and I missed learning and practicing a fighting sport. I feel like I could be better at using my upper body compared to my legs so when I first arrived in Vancouver I subscribed to Contenders to try boxing. I am addicted to this sport now and it motivates me a lot.
Q: What was your skill level in fitness and boxing prior to
Contenders? And where is it now?
A: I am active in my everyday life so I’ve never been in bad shape per se but I am working to gain speed and endurance. Boxing was new to me but I watched a lot of professional fights on TV so I was knowledgeable in a lot of the punches. I was still a beginner for sure and after 6 months now, I feel more efficient and powerful with a better understanding on how to move and dodge but I think it’s too soon yet to say I am at an intermediate level but I’m getting closer !
Q: What is your favourite thing about the community/teaching environment at Contenders?
A: I like that it’s going deep into the techniques. The training has a good pace which forces beginners and amateurs to use their brain a lot without losing the rhythm. The coaches are always there to answer questions and make you feel comfortable in the gym. People help each other to improve and there’s a lot of respect for everyone. There’s no ego in the gym, and everyone contributes to each other’s improvement.
Q: So, you’ve recently started sparring. Was this something you always wanted to do? Where are you hoping to go from here?
A: I want to be the next Heavyweight Champion of The World in like 2 years.
Nope… I just wanted to amplify my training and test myself. Sparring was my first goal when I joined the gym and I waited a bit till I felt like I had at least some defense tools and a good understanding of the punches. I think sparring is the best option to gain skills and improve faster. It is different than doing drills, your mindset is not the same and movements become more automatic, you have to rely purely on your instinct and that’s what makes it real.
Q: How do you stay consistent and motivated with your practice?
A: I just love boxing, so for the first time I don’t even motivate myself to go to the gym. It feels good because at the end of the training your body is dead, you are proud of yourself and it’s great to combine skills, power and brain together.
Q: What advice would you give to someone just beginning their boxing journey?
A: If you think you’re doing something cringe when boxing for the first time.. remember that everyone did it before you when they started too. And don’t act cold ahah.
Q: …And lastly, tell us something people would be surprised to learn about you?
A: I am a computer guy doing color grading and lighting for Animation Movies, I love playing piano too so I hope my hands won’t get destroyed because of boxing.
