Anthony Joshua doles out £2,000 on special darkroom retreat
Anthony Joshua parted with £2,000 for special darkness retreat experience which has seen the former world champion spend four days with no light at all.
Though not overly popular, the retreat is used by various sporting stars, including NFL star Aaron Rodgers, as a method of meditation to help athletes be alone with their thoughts.
It could be used before a big decision or as a method of strengthening the mind. Before Rodgers completed the process in February he said he was ‘really looking forward to it’.
On Monday, Joshua posted on social media: ‘Myself and [my friend] are about to embrace the darkness and solitude for four days (separate rooms).
‘Isolated with nothing to do except relax and clear the mind while being immersed in infinite darkness.’ He will emerge on Friday.
Aaron Rodgers was expected meditate and self-reflect without modern comforts, such as television, phones, or illumination on his retreat – the location of which is pictured here and is similar to the one used by Joshua
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The 34-year-old has been fed via food passed into the room but there has been no social interaction or light all week.
Rodgers, in March, said of his experience: ‘It was a great reset for me, for my body and my mind,’ the 39-year-old said of the four-day excursion. ‘Maybe a little bit longer than I needed. I feel like by the time I got to the fourth day, I was like, ”Alright, I’m ready to come out”.’
He also said he experienced hallucinations on day three of the retreat. Rodgers attended SkyCave retreat in Oregon for his trip and pictures on their website show a similar environment to the one Joshua will experience, with simple furnishings for his stay in total darkness.
Participants use a blacked out eye mask for the duration to ensure darkness throughout and are often filmed removing them at the end for social media purposes as they adjust back to daylight.
At Rodgers’ retreat he was given a yoga mat and a light switch if needed.
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Coming towards the end of his career, Joshua has enjoyed immense success. From Olympic champion to two-time world champion to British icon, he’s done it all, but may have one or two regrets.
One regret is around the mental side of boxing. He told Men’s Health earlier this month that he used to think boxing was ‘all physical’ in his career. ‘Wake up, get on with your day, train,’ he said. ‘After losing fights, you question yourself and start realising the mental side is as important.’