Zen and the art of Mixed Martial Arts
- Text by Advertorial
On the face of it, the world of mixed martial arts can seem a chaotic enterprise where aggressive physicality reigns supreme. But for British fighter Nick Osipczak, MMA has helped him cultivate a more spiritual perspective.
As part of a new collaboration with Lynx, Vice Sports meets with the London-born UFC welterweight fighter during his downtime to learn how the art of Zen influences his outlook.
The video is part of a larger campaign by Lynx to make guys feel more comfortable with who they are. Sport can provide a much needed release for many people, but the industry is no stranger to conventional notions of masculinity. For athletes like Nick, being unafraid to express himself is a crucial part of who he is.
Nick’s devotion to martial arts has also allowed him to incorporate Tai Chi and Taoist tenants into his daily life, with an interest in sacred geometry helping him focus his energy.
“I believe that there are fundamental underlying patterns which make up all of our reality and can be found in many examples in nature,” Nick says in the film. “And one of the ways I find I can learn about them more is by painting them.”
Art has not been a constant in Nick’s life. After studying it during his A-Levels, he didn’t paint again until a decade later. But ever since then, he has harnessed it as a way to navigate his consciousness.
“Once you’ve found the way, you can see it in all things. I like to think I’m just applying the same formula to whatever endeavour I take on.”
Nick’s experiences highlight the importance of expressing yourself and not shying away from your internal being. Regardless of what’s expected of him, he has found a way to channel art, spirituality and self-expression into everything he does – and is all the more powerful because of it.
Off-Day is a series of short films exploring the fun and weird ways that top athletes use their limited free time. Watch the rest of the series on Vice Sports.
You might like
In photos: Lives of solitude at the world’s edge
Coirón — Pie Aerts’s new photobook documents years spent in close quarters with puesteros in Patagonia – a group of aging gauchos who live almost completely isolated existences.
Written by: Isaac Muk
The raw, fledgling intimacy of Peter Hujar’s contact sheets
Hujar:Contact — A new photobook highlights the process of the legendary queer photographer, and his process of growing into the artist he ultimately became.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Jesse Glazzard’s messy portrait of queer friends, lovers and chosen family
The Sound of Dirt and Beauty — The photographer’s debut monograph explores tender, unpolished moments shaped by the people who he surrounds himself with, while offering a window into the UK’s working-class LGBTQ+ community.
Written by: Sunny Sunday
Behind the curtain at Alternative Miss World 1981
Olympia glamour — Running a subversive take on the traditional beauty pageant, the Andrew Logan organised event prioritised underground creativity and invention. Photographer David Corio went behind the scenes at its biggest edition.
Written by: Miss Rosen
What life on the Strait of Hormuz is really like
Southern Winds — Bandar Abbas based photographer Morteza Niknahad has been capturing the diverse communities and stories of his local region since he first picked up a camera. His new series highlights the human impact of war.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Nick Haymes’s intimate portrait of his family’s life
Chronograph — Over 25 years, the photographer documented his son’s lives as they grew into adults. The resulting photobook is an exploration of the passage of time, as well as the optimism of youth.
Written by: Miss Rosen
