Former heavyweight boxing champion David Haye talks training after retirement, staying energised and Netflix
Despite retiring from professional boxing, the sports champion, 37, says training is still a way of life for him as he continues to lead a healthy lifestyle as a family man
I DON'T have an alarm. Most of the time I wake up naturally between 8.30am and 10am after around nine hours’ sleep.
In the mornings I try to give myself five minutes outside with no technology so that I can meditate and practise deep breathing before starting the day.
For breakfast I’ll tuck into organic porridge with blueberries, and then I’ll turn my phone on and catch up on various emails and messages that I’ve received overnight.
Training is a way of life for me. Since retiring from professional boxing in June, my workout sessions are much shorter.
I used to spend eight hours or more a day doing cardio, sparring and weights, but I’ve been able to relax that and have more fun and variety with my workouts.
I love learning new skills and I’ve recently started having tennis lessons. It’s great fun. My nine-year-old son Cassius is really talented and his dream is to play in a Wimbledon final – I’d love him to be a professional one day.
I drink a lot of green juice during the day. Last year I started intermittent fasting, and it really works for my body – it makes me feel energised.
Sometimes I’ll have a juice for breakfast and lunch before having a healthy dinner in the evening.
Since quitting boxing and cutting back on training, my appetite isn’t what it used to be.
No two days are ever the same. Some afternoons I’ll go to watch my son play tennis, while other times I’ll be at the Hayemaker office in London working on various projects or meeting with my sponsors.
I try to spend at least a couple of hours a day outside to enjoy the fresh air and natural light. I hate being cooped up indoors.
I’m not much of a party boy. Since retiring I do have the flexibility to go out more, but I prefer to be with a small, close group than at a big event partying until the early hours.
I’ve enjoyed spending the extra time that I’ve had on my hands with family and friends who
I didn’t see as much as I’d have liked during my boxing career.
As long as there’s good food, an interesting debate, great people and live music, I’m happy anywhere.
I used to be a night owl. Now that I’m back doing the school run I’ll normally be in bed before midnight, whereas I used to be up until 2-3am.
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In the evenings I like to go to the cinema or if I get into a series on Netflix I’ll binge-watch about five episodes back to back.
I’m vegan, so dinner will be something like Moroccan chickpea stew. Good-quality sleep is important to me, so I like to turn off all my electronics when I get to bed as well as wearing earbuds and an eye mask.
- David is an ambassador for Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts ()