Interview: Professional boxer Ünsal Arik on nutrition, sport and his new book “VegBoxing
Ünsal Arik is a German-Turkish professional boxer, multiple World Boxing Champion (WBU Interim & GBU, as well as UBF), two-time European and International, as well as Intercontinental Champion.
So far Ünsal can point to 27 won fights and two defeats.
He has been eating a vegan diet for several years and last week brought out his book "Vegboxes" from VeganVerlag.
Here he clears up with the prejudice of the powerless Veganer.
As the son of Turkish parents, he had to deal with discrimination from an early age, and later lived on the streets and took drugs. But he did not give up and boxed his way to the top. With a lot of charisma, he tells in his very own, honest way how he became what he is today: a tolerant, cosmopolitan athlete and at the same time fit as never before.
We talked to him about how he stays in top shape all year long and what goes on the plate of a vegan professional athlete. Are you a beginner, athlete or aric?
Hello Ünsal, thank you very much for taking the time for the interview. What made you a "real fighter"?
Ünsal Arik: Faith in Myself.
I saw or realized that it's never too late to fight for your goals and fought my first professional boxing match at the age of 30. When I then realized what a difference you can make as a person in the public eye, it spurred me on even further to do good.
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Do you have role models who inspire you on your path?
Ünsal Arik: My father is my greatest role model. Whoever comes with a suitcase and debts to a country of which he knows neither the faith nor the language and then achieves so much, shows me that I too can achieve anything.
What are the biggest challenges in everyday life for you?
Ünsal Arik: You have to motivate and strengthen yourself every day anew for what you do or want to do. You have to put away disappointments and setbacks as quickly as possible. Fortunately, I'm managing that very well by now.
At some point came the decision to go vegan. How did that come about and how do you feel about it today?
Ünsal Arik: I feel good about it because I know I am doing good. Because every living being in this world has a right to live a happy and peaceful life. I became vegan out of love for my dog.
His unconditional love for me made me think and made my decision easier.
"In my role, it's easier to convince with performance. Instead of talking people full of it, you should model it for them."
How do you respond to critics?
Ünsal Arik: I hardly have any critics left. The ones I have, I don't take seriously. Fortunately, the achievements and successes speak for themselves.
This month your first own book "VegBoxes" comes out. Congratulations on that! What exactly is it about and what exactly can we look forward to?
Ünsal Arik: Readers get an insight into my very personal training plan and I challenge them to an interesting challenge.
Besides the whole training part, there are also great, completely vegan recipes and a short insight into my life.
There is something for everyone!
How does a professional athlete like you eat?
Ünsal Arik: As with every athlete, I have my individual diet. Now, I don't want to mention how much I eat of what because it inspires some people to eat the same way I do and my diet is not equally good for everyone.
The main thing is that it is vegetable and rich in protein. 🙂
Recipe: Turkish lentil soup
What top 5 tips do you have for our readers?
- Go your own way!
- Do not copy anyone!
- Be convinced of what you are doing!
- Use your popularity for good!
- Don't “just” eat vegan. Live it!
What else are you dying to get rid of?
Ünsal Arik: Be prepared to give up a lot in order not to give up. Respect all living beings on this earth! Go vegan!
Photos: Lars Walther | Boxing ring: Jan Kosters
Frequently Asked
FAQ - What readers ask
Hello Ünsal, thank you very much for taking the time for the interview. What made you a "real fighter"?
Ünsal Arik: Faith in Myself. I saw or realized that it's never too late to fight for your goals and fought my first professional boxing match at the age of 30. When I then realized what a difference you can make as a person in the public eye, it spurred me on even further to do good.
Do you have role models who inspire you on your path?
Ünsal Arik: My father is my greatest role model. Whoever comes with a suitcase and debts to a country of which he knows neither the faith nor the language and then achieves so much, shows me that I too can achieve anything.
What are the biggest challenges in everyday life for you?
Ünsal Arik: You have to motivate and strengthen yourself every day anew for what you do or want to do. You have to put away disappointments and setbacks as quickly as possible. Fortunately, I'm managing that very well by now.
At some point came the decision to go vegan. How did that come about and how do you feel about it today?
Ünsal Arik: I feel good about it because I know I am doing good. Because every living being in this world has a right to live a happy and peaceful life. I became vegan out of love for my dog. His unconditional love for me made me think and made my decision easier. "In my role, it's easier to convince with performance.
How do you respond to critics?
Ünsal Arik: I hardly have any critics left. The ones I have, I don't take seriously. Fortunately, the achievements and successes speak for themselves. Order here!
This month your first own book "VegBoxes" comes out. Congratulations on that! What exactly is it about and what exactly can we look forward to?
Ünsal Arik: Readers get an insight into my very personal training plan and I challenge them to an interesting challenge. Besides the whole training part, there are also great, completely vegan recipes and a short insight into my life. There is something for everyone!
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