Anthony Joshua took the decision to go on a spiritual retreat that consisted of spending four days in a completely dark room, in a half-buried cabin in the Oregon forest in the United States.
This is where lions are made: Anthony Joshua shares his experience of complete isolation
The former unified heavyweight world champion himself revealed on social media that he entered the place on Monday and left the place on Friday, with the purpose of seeking complete isolation.
“Myself and my friend are about to embrace the darkness and solitude for four days. Isolated with nothing to do except relax and clear the mind while being immersed in infinite darkness,” wrote Joshua on Instagram on Monday.
Although the place is in total darkness, the cabin is equipped to offer comforts and amenities such as a queen-size bed, a yoga mat, a bathroom, and fresh water that comes down from the mountains.
Guests have access to a light switch that they can use in case of an emergency, although the experience consists of remaining in total darkness for periods that can either be short or can span up to 40 days.
In the clips that his friends uploaded to their social networks, Joshua stated that he often asks himself why he puts himself through such tests and then says this is the way “lions are made”.
“Many times I’ve asked myself this question; why did I put myself in this situation?” Joshua is heard saying in one of the clips. “But, this is where lions are made. Do you know I’m saying? Too many people don’t want to detach themselves. What I’m trying to do is showcase to myself, there’s actually not much I need. I just need myself.”
Anthony Joshua's friend has now posted footage of the moment they arrived at their £2,000 darkness retreat on Monday before they went into separate huts and AJ spent four days alone with his thoughts in a pitch black room: "This is where lions are made."
[🎥 Healthy Mindset] pic.twitter.com/6ScKk0x7UR
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 21, 2023
The cabin, located in the woods 30 minutes from Ashland, Oregon, went viral last February when NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers decided to undergo the experience. The experience costs around $2,500 and is already filled with reservations for the next one and a half years, along with hundreds of people on the waiting list.