I had a fascinating interview with famed Mancunian Crolla (as his friends call him!) who very kindly came up to my health food store in Garstang.
Starting with his formative years and Italian ancestry we talked about life in Manchester and the influence of his father, himself a former boxing professional, who used to take him to the gym to train.
I was interested to find out what creates the drive to get to the very top of a sport and Crolla eloquently explained how so much of his achievements came about through the strength of his will power. He identified how our body is always looking for the easy route out and that is when he would force himself to drive further progress.
He paints a picture of being in the dressing room before a fight and how he would enjoy the moment and try to savour it as he came out and was faced with a crowd of thousands of people.
What makes Anthony’s story more remarkable is how he overcame a serious injury when burglars he chased and caught up with fractured his skull using a piece of concrete.
Yet, using herbs, nature and sheer determination he was able to recover and gain the WBA World Lightweight title in 2015.
We also discussed how he does not like using medication and much prefers nature’s way and this instinctive knowledge has allowed him to have a healthy retirement.
It is not every day one gets to meet someone so utterly focussed and yet so well rounded and kind. I’m sure this will come across as you listen to his amazing story.