Monday, January 13, 2025

Q&A with Martin Stark

 


 

 

Martin Stark is the author of the new book Courage: Your Right Hook. He is also the founder of the World Gay Boxing Championships. 

 

Q: What inspired you to write Courage: Your Right Hook?

A: My inspiration came from sharing my journey of courage, from surviving comas to living with the rare autoimmune condition Addison's disease and leading global change in sport through my nonprofit World Gay Boxing Championships (WGBC). I also wanted to inspire and guide others on their courageous journeys.

 

Q: How was the book’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?

A: It's a fusion of my favourite word, courage, and my best boxing move, a right hook. The title signifies that courage is the best move you can take and helps you achieve in life.

 

Q: What impact did it have on you to write the book?

A: It was an extremely rewarding and cathartic experience. Writing the first draft was healing and helped me put my numerous life-threatening health scares into perspective. Writing the subsequent and final drafts validated my courage journey and how far I had come. 

 

In the past five years, I have delivered the world's first two LGBTQ+ boxing competitions, been interviewed by the world's media, including CNN and CBS News, and thrown the ceremonial opening pitch for the Chicago Cubs at my first baseball game.

 

Q: What do you hope readers take away from Courage: Your Right Hook?

A: I hope the readers adopt my definition of courage: taking ownership of fear and venturing forward with confidence and resilience. I hope they enjoy their courage journey at their own pace and make courage a habit.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

A: I am writing a second book about courage, which I plan to publish in 2025. I'm also creating a courage-based leadership development program.  

Q: Anything else we should know?

A: I started WGBC from my bedroom in 2020 during the Covid lockdown. It is now a global movement and has opened doors and unlocked opportunities. Anything is possible with courage. 

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb

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