MMA FIGHTER’S HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
“Saint Lion” talks health, training, overcoming obstacles and E3Live
Short bio adapted from ONE CHAMPIONSHIP:
"ONE Championship Top Flyweight Contender Gurdarshan "Gary" Mangat aka Saint Lion is the child of Indian immigrants. He was a short, unathletic, academic child and was relentlessly bullied for his stutter and timid demeanor.
Mangat pursued a career in accounting, but his life changed when he saw mixed martial arts World Champion Rich Franklin on television and had an epiphany. He realized that not all combat sports athletes were born into it – some chose the path for themselves. Although he was already over 20 years old with no prior experience in competition, he vowed to become a professional mixed martial artist.
Within a year of first starting his martial arts training, Mangat was already stepping into the cage for his first amateur bout. After a successful amateur career, he made his professional debut and quickly put together an excellent 13-2 record to earn a place in ONE Championship. Formerly a weak child with poor self-esteem, he now finds himself competing in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and he hopes to represent the people of India well with his heart and resilience in the cage."
We check in with Saint Lion about a healthy lifestyle, MMA, Training, and how E3Live helps with athletic performance.
Tell us about yourself.
I moved to Vancouver to become an accountant and at the age of 22, I decided to drop it all and chase a dream that felt impossible — and found MMA. I had no prior background in Mixed Martial Arts, and just took it one day at a time. One day turned into 12 years, and now I’m considered one of the top flyweights in the world.
When and why did you become interested in a healthy lifestyle?
I was out of shape all through high school. I had asthma and was one of the shortest kids. This always played on my self-esteem. When I moved to the big city I knew I could create a new image, a new me — and so I started focusing on what it takes.
Besides what you do professionally, what is your favorite fitness activity?
My favourite activity is to go for long bike rides with headphones on. Living in Vancouver, BC, there is some amazing scenery making my ride an amazing escape while still being active.
What is your go-to healthy meal?
Anything with a mix of salad, some sort of fat (usually avocados), protein such as chicken, and some sort of spicy tangy sauce.
What E3Live superfoods do you take and how/when/for what?
I take the BrainON fresh-frozen in the morning on an empty stomach and again mid-afternoon. The Blue Majik I take mid-afternoon also with my multi-vitamins. They both serve as good mental clarity enhancers, and just overall I feel cleaner and healthier. Love to mix Blue Majik with yogurt.
What is the difference in your overall athletic performance since you started incorporating E3Live superfoods? What did you notice first/overall, and the most?
The biggest thing I noticed was that I wasn’t having that mental fog as much. Felt almost like a cleansing. My energy felt more stable and for longer periods.
What's your secret to health and happiness?
Eating clean, but also meditating for even 10 mins or so. Life gets busy and we forget these things (something that is an ongoing process for me) but breathing and meditating have been huge for me.
What are your #1 health and fitness tips?
We get excited at the start and go all in, and most people burn out. Better to go at a steady pace and implement healthy ideas and techniques slowly over time until they become your lifestyle.
What's next for you?
I am preparing to keep climbing up the ladder in the biggest fight organization in the world, ONE Championship. And keep growing as a person and a warrior in and out of the cage.
Learn more about Gary on social media
YouTube: saintlion135
instagram: @saintlion
facebook: Saintlion01
