Harry Garside on life outside boxing, fighting back, GQ awards, Sportsman of the Year | Biden News

Harry Garside has had plenty of time to sit down and think about life outside of boxing after his arm injury.

The legendary Aussie boxer suffered the longest hiatus of his career, going months without even throwing a punch.

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Growing up in the working-class town of Lilydale, Victoria, Garside picked up gloves at the age of nine and from then on hooked.

He quickly fell in love with sports and threw everything he had into it. While still young in his professional career, the tough as nails has already won a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a bronze during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

His star shines and once his hand heals, he stares down anyone who will step into the ring with him.

Garside is one of the 10 nominees for the 2022 GQ Men of the Year Awards in association with BOSS which you can vote for here.

But Garside’s life is not your typical boxer’s. Yes it trains better than the average sports car and has more drive than a commodore V8, but outside the ring it is a different person.

Garside is something special, itself.

In a day and age that often ends up with everyone not following what society sees as normal back in the world, Garside is breaking down these barriers and showing the young generation not to give up let your light shine.

Among the fights he has done in the ring where he shows his boxing prowess and his unbelievable heart, he fights the biggest fight outside.

At the age of 16 he started to question everything about himself and life in general and for years he never stopped thinking. But the main question of everything that moves him forward is to know what his real purpose in life is.

“I think probably since the Olympics there has been a policy of being completely honest and I’m a person who fights to see things and I think about it often but because he’s here I’m going to say it,” said Garside. news.com.au.

“Before the Olympics my dream was my dream as a child. I knew what it was and I put everything I had into focusing on that. I, I, I, very focused.

“After the Olympics, I was debating whether I should go to the next Olympics, and what to do about the boxing I did and all these things were happening.

“I think trying to find a purpose that is bigger than me. Ben Crow, Ash Barty’s mental coach, has a great quote, ‘The great truth of life is that life is not about us but about the impact we can have on others’.

“Now I’m trying to implement a goal that’s bigger than me. You know the Olympic goal is good, but at the same time I think I’m at the age where you start doing things that aren’t about it. You and I are in the same situation. now we are trying to implement what I believe my purpose is.

A negative response to anyone making a special joke

Garside isn’t afraid to step out in the spotlight in a skirt or walk the runway for a show.

He understands that his life path is not what many people consider normal, but he will not hold back from showing who he really is. A lesson that he has learned over the years and one that he hopes will be passed on to young people who hope they are not afraid to show their true colors.

“I’m not perfect, I definitely try my best not to read as many comments as possible, sometimes it’s inevitable,” he said.

“There are some big ugly ants hanging around, but there are also people who are really asking me questions about ‘what influence do you have on young people’. I mean here I am wearing a skirt and confusing young people. ?

“I really believe that as a society we should be more supportive of each individual and being different and the herd supporting that instead of the herd supporting people who think they need to fit in and be like each.

“I think you realize as an adult that being different is really a great strength, but when you’re young you feel this need to fit in. I felt that in my childhood, this need to not want to be too different or and you will separate.

“But what I realized growing up is that the most special and unique and different is that you have a little bit of power in your senior years so I just want to try and show the young people that it’s good to walk in your own. theme and try things. Even if it’s not your calling, try things because you don’t know what your calling is until you try it, I try to encourage young people to do that.

While many have pointed the finger at Garside’s style as being similar to that of Harry Styles, he credits the Reach Foundation for giving him the ability to show who he really is.

He said: “I’m a kid from Lilydale at the working end of the town, trying to prove to everyone that I’m a man and I’m playing like the player I’m supposed to be,” he said.

“And then these guys come to school and they’re wearing weird clothes, they’re acting funny, they’ve got weird haircuts and they’re walking in their original selves.

“They took us through a workshop that day and were showing their true colors and diversity. And I think that was the beginning of inspiration from her and from there she grew and blossomed into this amazing beast that she is now and I think I’m on it for the ride.”

Garside is currently training as a half-metal fighter, which is a far cry from his boxing. But with his hand wrapped in cotton, he expects to return to the squared circle in February-March next year. From there he is eyeing the world and a move to Europe or America in the latter half of 2023.

Garside pity mom

When he’s in the ring, Garside is a beast that never gives an inch and won’t go down without giving everything he has to give.

The idea of ​​where his drive and his thoughts fell in his mind even though he grew up among three boys, his drive came from his parents.

“I wake up every morning and I see that my father is not there, he is already working as a roofer and I will come home at about 6:30 and he will come home,” he said.

“I saw that and I saw the meaning of hard work. Then my mother prepared for us three rebellious boys who were getting ready to go to school and took us to sports.

“Of course I’m the best, my two brothers, I told you what they work hard for so I feel sorry for my mother.”

Garside recently took social media by storm when he posted a video of himself reading a letter he wrote to his father.

The letter, an ode to the man Garside calls his hero, is for Father’s Day and he explains how much he means to him.

Good luck trying to watch this without your eyes just getting watery.

Garside is one of the 10 people selected for the election 2022 GQ Men of the Year Awards in collaboration with BOSS.

Some of the biggest names in Aussie sport sit on the list with Garside only happy to be mentioned alongside the stars.

“I think I’m at the bottom of the pack. I am very grateful to have been chosen. There are big names there from Bam Bam (Tai Tuivasa) to Pat Cummins who is one of my favourites.

“I think my chances are not many but at the same time I’m very grateful to join the black team which I haven’t done in many years. Mom will be very proud.”

Of course when asked if his look for the night would be a casual black suit and tie, Garside played his cards close to his chest.

Cast your vote for the 2022 GQ Men of the Year Awards here.