Max Holloway is drawing inspiration from Israel Adesanya’s documentary, “Stylebender,” to prioritize mental health. The film, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, delves into Adesanya’s life and highlights his work with mental health professionals. Holloway, a former UFC featherweight champion, attended the premiere and expressed his admiration for the documentary’s portrayal of fighters’ vulnerability. He commended Adesanya’s openness and was particularly moved by the film’s exploration of mental health.
Although Holloway and Adesanya are not close friends, they share the same manager, Tim Simpson, which granted Holloway access to the premiere. Holloway not only praised the documentary but also revealed that it prompted him to consider seeking therapy. Despite initially being resistant to the idea, Holloway acknowledged the importance of seeking professional help after witnessing Adesanya’s journey and learning about the various individuals he consulted. The documentary opened Holloway’s eyes and made him realize that he was not alone in his struggles. Holloway expressed relief that the film would enlighten others and acknowledged the similarities between his experiences and Adesanya’s.
While Holloway has not yet scheduled any therapy sessions, he acknowledged his sporadic discussions about mental health and expressed his intention to arrange sessions to assess their impact. He admitted to previously dismissing therapy but acknowledged that witnessing Adesanya’s story changed his perspective, emphasizing the importance of seeking help for mental health concerns.
Holloway also shared personal experiences with depression, specifically during the challenging period of 2018. He recounted a series of unfortunate events that included injuries and missed opportunities in his fighting career. Holloway questioned why he faced these setbacks but eventually sought support and discovered the significance of mental health during that time. He highlighted the collective discussions about mental health that occurred in 2017-2018 and encouraged others to remember that tough times eventually lead to growth and resilience.
Despite his past struggles, Holloway overcame them and continues to be a beloved figure in the UFC. He is currently preparing for a main event fight against The Korean Zombie at UFC Singapore on August 26.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about mental health awareness
What is the documentary “Stylebender” about?
“Stylebender” is a documentary that covers the life of Israel Adesanya, a renowned UFC fighter, and his coach Eugene Bareman. It explores Adesanya’s childhood, his journey into fighting, and notably sheds light on his work with mental health professionals.
How has the documentary inspired Max Holloway?
Max Holloway, a former UFC featherweight champion, attended the premiere of “Stylebender” and found inspiration in Adesanya’s openness and vulnerability portrayed in the film. Seeing Adesanya’s journey with mental health encouraged Holloway to consider seeking therapy and prioritize his own well-being.
Did Max Holloway and Israel Adesanya have a close relationship before the documentary?
While Holloway and Adesanya are not close friends, they share the same manager, Tim Simpson, which allowed Holloway to be present at the premiere of “Stylebender.”
Has Max Holloway scheduled any therapy sessions?
As of now, Holloway has not set up any therapy sessions. However, the documentary made him realize the importance of seeking professional help, and he expressed his intention to arrange sessions to assess their impact on his mental health.
Did Max Holloway face struggles with depression in the past?
Yes, Holloway experienced bouts of depression in 2018 due to a series of unfortunate circumstances, including injuries and missed opportunities in his fighting career. However, he sought support and eventually overcame those challenges, emerging as one of the beloved fighters in the UFC.
What is Max Holloway’s upcoming fight?
Max Holloway is set to face The Korean Zombie in the main event of UFC Singapore on August 26.
More about mental health awareness
- Max Holloway’s interview on The MMA Hour
- Israel Adesanya’s documentary “Stylebender” at Tribeca Film Festival
- Max Holloway’s UFC profile
- Israel Adesanya’s UFC profile
4 comments
max holloway and israel adesanya are two awesome fighters! mental health is so important, glad they’re talking about it. can’t wait to watch the documentary!
Holloway and Adesanya are warriors in the octagon, but it’s great to see their vulnerable side too. Mental health is no joke, and it’s important for fighters to take care of themselves. Excited to see Holloway’s upcoming fight!
It’s refreshing to see fighters like Holloway and Adesanya open up about mental health. This documentary will shed light on their journey and inspire others. Can’t wait to see how it impacts the fightin community!
I love how Max Holloway is gettin inspired by Adesanya’s documentary. Mental health is somethin that needs more attention in the fightin world. Props to them for speakin up!