Zak Sylvester shares the personal story that inspired his new online community & webinar series honouring Ricky Hatton’s legacy through real stories and honest conversations.

Friday October 10th saw thousands line the streets of Manchester ahead of Ricky Hatton’s funeral service to pay their respects to the beloved boxing icon. The incredible turnout and the heartfelt eulogies shared on the day were a testament to the positive impact Ricky had on the lives of so many. Not one person had a bad word to say about the legend of British boxing. He truly was the ‘People's Champion’ who will be dearly missed by us all.

At the start of this year, I had the immense honour and privilege of being taught by Ricky at a seminar in Thailand. I was extremely excited to get the opportunity to learn directly from ‘The Hitman’ himself. Ricky and I shared a conversation after the event and what he said to me has stayed with me since…

When I initially heard the tragic news of his passing, like all of his fans, I was devastated. I could not stop thinking about what he told me that day. However, it wasn’t until I saw his son, Campbell, very bravely discussing the difficulty of his father’s passing and announcing the launch of “The Ricky Hatton Foundation”, that I felt compelled to share my story of meeting Ricky in hopes that it can play a small part in keeping his memory and legacy alive.

I remember seeing Ricky walk onto the mats to begin the session. He immediately had us smiling and I can remember how present and down-to-earth he was. A true master of his craft, he began by breaking down several variations of the jab before moving in to his infamous body shot! I was captivated. For all the years I watched content about Ricky, I had heard how funny, self-deprecating, and easy to talk to he was, but to have had the opportunity to experience that myself will be something I will never forget.

Photos from the seminar - You can watch it here, including a second part with a Q&A here.

Later that evening, Ricky was able to dive deeper into his stories and perspectives. He spoke so openly about his highs and lows, the toll of fame on his professional and personal life and the importance of staying true to yourself. Again, I was captivated by his sense of humour along with his ability to articulate his struggles with mental health and the journey he has been on.

Ricky asked himself the question, and I paraphrase, “How did a kid from a council estate in Manchester make it to the highest level of world boxing?” His answer was simple but profound, as he said that it wasn’t his talent but his “heart, determination and passion” for what he loved that saw him rise to become a World Champion.

I went over to him and thanked him for the day, keen to tell him that his message had really resonated. Ricky went on to say;

“Life is short, you never know what’s coming, so whatever you’re passionate about mate, go and make it happen.”

After the tragic news, that moment has and will continue to ring in my mind. I have found it truly inspiring and hope that by sharing it, others can also take away the power of Ricky’s perspective and call to action.

With that said, for me simply being inspired is not enough. I have decided to act on what he told me and that has led to the launch of “Take Action Daily” - a community and trusted space for young men to experience honest connection and growth.

Alongside watching stars like Ricky on TV, I have been fortunate to grow up around many positive male role models. These are men who have had very different careers, from being under the spotlight on the world stage, to being vital support structures to those dealing with the pressure of elite sport. Despite their different lived experiences, they share one thing in common: they deeply care about people.

Not just about performance or results, but about truly helping others find meaning and purpose in what they do.

And yet, even surrounded by such inspiration, I’ve seen how easily we can lose community, how life gets busier and how men, in particular, can struggle to maintain their identity. With this happening in the context of the current instability in job markets and overall future uncertainty, it’s clear we are facing a real crisis.

Take Action Daily has been developed from a desire to contribute to solving this. Our community will help young men to build meaningful connections, develop gratitude and implement healthy change in their lives. I have attempted similar ideas in the past, but they’ve fallen into the background. However, as I mentioned, what Ricky said to me has changed everything. Life really is short. We all should take action, no matter how small, on the positive ideas we have. In the four weeks since launching the community, I am even more grateful for Ricky’s advice.

With such momentum, I will also be launching a webinar series to bring together positive role models who have inspired me for an opportunity to hear real, honest dialogue about themes of purpose and identity. They will be sharing their experiences and perspectives on important topics, followed by a Q&A with our audience. As Ricky often said, the impact that a single, honest conversation can have in someone’s life could make all the difference and that is the principle that we will carry with us through the series.

We begin on November 2nd, starting with my Father, Chartered Psychologist Steven Sylvester, who will be exploring the identity crisis athletes face after sport and how to rebuild purpose, belonging and meaning, (Life After Sport). Across Steven’s career he has helped athletes address this difficult topic and in today’s climate, many of us can benefit from the insight into dealing with change and uncertainty.

Following this webinar, I will be joined by former MMA World Champion Shay Walsh on November 6th, for an episode about finding purpose. You can register for this as well as upcoming events on our website. Each guest speaker will bring their own story, but the goal is the same: to share an open conversation. It really is a simple idea, but one that carries forward Ricky’s message in the best possible way.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Further information about the Ricky Hatton Foundation can be found on the website address below and I’d encourage you to share it in memory of Ricky.

Please feel free to make contact with any thoughts or questions you have.

Zak

To visit the Ricky Hatton Foundation click here, or to learn more about the webinar click here.