Saturday, August 11 2018
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Hope NYC in NYC on November 15th. They’ve committed to four months of fundraising and training in preparation to get in the ring and literally fight for a cure. Whether they've had first hand experience, their father has passed or their friend has put up a victory against the disease – they’ve all got a story to tell and they’ve all got a reason to fight. Below you’ll hear from Alec Ginsberg, fighting out of Gotham Gym in New York City.
Where are you from?
Jericho, NY
Where did you go to college?
The University of National Champions (UNC - Chapel Hill)
Did you play any sports growing up?
I played hockey and lacrosse throughout high school, and continued to play club hockey in college. I still play in a league once a week.
What do you do for work?
The simple answer is that I'm a pharmacist at CO Bigelow Apothecary in the West Village, but I'm also the 4th generation of the owning family, so I spend a lot of time focused on our retail beauty, social media, in-house brand, and any other projects we happen to be working on at any given time.
Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting?
I got into boxing in high school because I wanted to get the most out of my workouts. I had taken a lesson just to try it out and immediately realized there's no tougher way to train. I've always felt that if I'm going to spend an hour in the gym, I might as well make it as hard as I can. I never pictured fighting because I never imagined a situation that would allow me to do it without making it my occupation. Then I discovered Haymakers for Hope!
Why on earth did you sign up to fight?
I've always loved the process of setting short term personal goals or challenges, making a plan, sticking to it, and accomplishing. Above all else, I love to test my limits. For example, most recently I went to Tanzania on my own to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. Fighting in H4H fits the mold for exactly the kind of challenge I love to take on. It's an opportunity very few people ever get to experience, and it brings not only the physical/mental challenge of pushing my boundaries but also the fundraising aspect. I attended the NYC event last year and got swept up in the excitement. I couldn't wait to get involved.
You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure – where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you?
I choose to fight for those who don't have a choice. Today it feels like everyone has had their life affected by cancer in some way, shape, or form, whether they themselves have been diagnosed, or someone close to them. For me, it's not just my own family and friends who have been attacked by the disease, but also the people of the West Village community that I care for at my pharmacy. Not a day goes by that I don't speak with someone who is fighting for their life, and it's time for me to do my part.
What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training?
I'm a huge NFL fan, and one of my favorite things to do is wake up on a Sunday during football season and sit on the couch from the minute I wake up until I go to sleep watching all the games. While I'm training, I'm going to have to shift to using that time in the gym or prepping meals for the week. That first Sunday after November 15th is going to be great!!!
When you’re not throwing punches and training - what other hobbies/interests do you have?
Outside of work and the gym, the rest of my life is spent doing/consuming all things music and sports. I'm a die-hard Knicks, Jets, and Tarheels fan and really love to follow the NBA, NFL, and NCAA basketball. There's rarely a time when I'm at home and don't have a podcast playing in the background discussing one of those things. I also play guitar, and while my days of playing in a band have come to an end, I still enjoy subjecting my girlfriend to my talent on a nightly basis.
Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night?
I'm really not sure, but I do know that my mother is by far the least excited. She will be the woman ringside on fight night yelling, "DON'T TOUCH MY BABY!!!!"
Be sure to check out her fundraising page and wish him luck! Best of luck, Alec!