The short version
- Alexander Hagen (35) got his life in order through boxing
- The former professional boxer runs The Sweet Science Academy in Oslo, and uses boxing to help young boys cope with life and mental problems
- Several members of the team are engaged in social projects such as self-defence against rape and socialization for children
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– Boxing was what helped me most of all, says boxing coach and former professional boxer Alexander Hagen (35).
In newly moved premises at Kalbakken in Oslo, the boxers in the professional team The Sweet Science Academy train. Alexander Hagen follows his boxers with watchful eyes. With a gentle voice and frequent smiles, he corrects small details.
Life was not as harmonious when he grew up in Southern Norway.
– That was hard.
He tells of an upbringing characterized by drugs and mental disorders in people close to him.
– I struggled a lot with guilt as a child, and have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
He recounts years of his own mental challenges, admissions and medication that he felt were not good for him.
– I was not open about it for a long time. As a man, you are not. I had decided that I would not have children, I did not want anyone to experience the same thing that I had grown up with.
Got belonging
The men’s committeeAppointed by the government to investigate boys’ and men’s equality challenges in Norway. presented its report on Wednesday, which shows that men get drunk more, are more violent, and commit suicide more often than women, while at the same time they seek mental health care less often. The committee proposes that the low-threshold health services must be made more accessible to men.
Today, everything is different for Alexander Hagen.
– Now I feel very well. The boxing is what has helped most of all. Although there are still some old-fashioned attitudes among the older generation in boxing.
Also read: The men’s committee: Will give men equal rights to parental leave
Alexander Hagen has a successful career. Three NM titles in light heavyweight. Has been a professional boxer himself, and enjoys both respect and success with his own team.
– Boxing gave me belonging, a sense of mastery, self-confidence. When I was young, I dreamed of becoming something. Now I feel that I have become one.
The 35-year-old has several coaching jobs, he shares his own experience by giving lectures, and is active with a boxing project for Mental Health YouthInterest organization that works for increased transparency about mental health, prevention of mental disorders and a better mental health service.
Openness and conversations
Hagen is concerned with many of the same issues that the Men’s Committee has looked at: More men struggle or fall out, fewer men have children, fewer men are in relationships.
Within his team, he is concerned with how important it is to talk about feelings, fears and problems.
Brage Lange (25) thunders loose on a punching bag.
He is muscular, 2.02 tall, and has a reach (fingertip to fingertip) of 2.12, which is extreme even by international standards.
At the beginning of April this year, he won his first professional boxing match.
Brage has also had things to struggle with.
– I had low self-esteem, was unsure of what others thought of me, and have struggled with social anxiety.
– Lack of understanding
Boxing has given him confidence, and exposure therapy has helped with his anxiety.
Now he is also involved in the project “Slagkraft Mental Helse Ungdom”.
– Last year I decided that I wanted to help others. It’s becoming cool to be able to talk about feelings, says Brage.
– Yes, but I still think it is too difficult for many. We still have too many suicides in Norway, says Alexander.
– For me it is easy to be open, but I think there is a lot of lack of understanding in society, he continues.
He talks about a reflection he made about the relationship between boys and girls, when he went to group therapy.
– We were supposed to talk openly, but I felt that I was not a good match for the girls. I couldn’t express myself in my way without the girls becoming insecure, while the girls could say whatever they wanted. That’s why it didn’t work for me.
Bright future
The two other boxers who also train on this day, both talk about social commitment. Martin Skogheim (23) teaches children about play and socialisation.
Harda Karim (28) who is also MMAA practitioner of Mixed Martial Arts, a full-contact martial art that incorporates techniques from various fighting styles.-performer, trains boys in boxing, and teaches girls self-defence against rape.
– I am from northern Iraq, and come from a completely different background. I think it’s very good to be open, but sometimes it can be a bit too much safesays Harda with a grin.
And Alexander Hagen, he is no longer adamant that he will not give birth to children.
– My boyfriend is studying medicine in Poland. We look forward to the future. It will be good, says Alexander.
