Real Slick, Jack: Psyche Organic Arrives in New York
Shop Psyche Organic at Happier Grocery and Dimes. Coming soon to @citarellagourmetmarket @unionmarket @gourmetgarage @deciccos @fairwaymarket plus many more.
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Shop Psyche Organic at Happier Grocery and Dimes. Coming soon to @citarellagourmetmarket @unionmarket @gourmetgarage @deciccos @fairwaymarket plus many more.
What got you into MMA?
I grew up playing soccer and basketball, but I liked everything: tennis, skateboarding, even golf. I started to train in Muay Thai in my early 20’s and then I discovered MMA later in my mid-20’s. I loved it right away, the excitement, the challenge, I embraced all of it.
What was it like growing up in La Roche-sur-Yon in western France?
The western part of France is nice and quiet. Surrounded by family and friends, it was a great place to build a solid foundation. I go back there anytime I can to enjoy laid-back weekends with my family. My best friend Thomas Le Souder whose stage name is Myth Sizer is also from there. We grew up together listening to hip-hop and dreaming about a great future. It’s funny to look back and see what we have accomplished.
What made you switch from fighting as a hobby to fighting as a career?
Honestly, I stumbled upon it by accident, but my competitive spirit fueled my ascent. The rush of competition, the high of winning, and my relentless drive to improve propelled me to take the next step in the fight game.
Tell me about your parents’ reaction when you told them you wanted to be a professional MMA fighter?
Aha, that’s a good one. Well, my parents always supported me even if they did not know what MMA was at that time. My grandfather boxed as a hobby, so my dad got the boxing bug as a fan. I would say that them attending my Muay Thai competitions prepared them, even if my mom is scared to death and cannot watch any fight live. At the end of the day, they support whatever I do. Ups and downs, they are there for me and by my side.
CIRYL wears JACKET and PANTS by ZEGNA, SHOES by UNITLAB, SUNGLASSES by GIVENCHY, WATCH and JEWELRY is CIRYL’S OWN.
What would you say if your kids told you they wanted to be MMA fighters?
My advice would be to pursue their passions with confidence, and I'll be there to back them up!
You have incredible skin. What’s your current skincare routine?
I'm very mindful of my skin, especially due to irritation from my multiple training sessions throughout the day and the dryness due to taking several showers. I use hydrating creams and Horace products, specifically designed to keep my skin healthy and to prevent irritation. My body is my day-to-day tool, and it's essential to care for it. Staying healthy is crucial, both in and out of the octagon.
CIRYL wears COAT by ASTRID ANDERSEN, SHORTS by IAN CHARMS, BOOTS and SOCKS by GIVENCHY, SUNGLASSES BY KENZO, WATCH and JEWELRY is CIRYL’S OWN.
Who got you into skincare?
I would say my father first! He was always the one staying in the bathroom the longest. But honestly, it mainly comes from other professionals recommending what is best for my skin type.
Where do you live? Where do you wish you lived?
Currently, I am living in Paris, but I like to travel, to discover new cultures and to share memorable moments. I like Paris, it is a fun and bustling city, but who knows, I really love warmer climates and laid-back environments, too.
Outside of MMA, what are your biggest passions?
Nothing crazy, I like spending time with my kids and friends, having big dinners together. Playing video games with friends, traveling to exotic places, golfing, and more recently going to the shooting range. All these activities are great ways for me to unwind and at the same time staying grounded in what matters most.
What’s going through your mind when you’re fighting? Are you ever afraid?
During a fight, I'm focused on executing my strategy to win. Stress is inevitably present, but I channel it into positive energy. Stepping into the octagon is just a huge adrenaline rush, it keeps me on my toes to navigate all the various threats like punches, kicks, wrestling moves, and submission attempts.
What does it feel like to win?
I'm a competitor, I love to win. Each victory is an achievement and rewards weeks of a long and intense grind. My last fight was in Paris, at home, in front of French fans — the atmosphere was electric. It gave me an extra boost of energy and pride. Winning is just the best feeling in the world.
Athletes and fighters are in many ways like artists. And for many artists, once they’ve finished a big show feel a sense of doom and ask themselves, “What’s next?” What does that experience look like for you after a big fight?
After a big fight, there is obviously a time of euphoria, but it also can veer into despair on bad days… it depends. The fight game is cruel. There are only two in the octagon and there are only two possible outcomes: winning or losing. I do not really feel the sense of doom that some artists may experience. I’m never asking myself, “What’s next?” because I have only one objective in mind, and it is to get the world heavyweight title. Maybe once I get it, this feeling will come.
Tell me about your fashion sense.
I love fashion, it’s kind of my thing. I'm quite particular about my clothing choices, nothing is left to chance. My style reflects my personality — relaxed and outsized, yet elegant, like me! I appreciate brands that combine comfort and style. I like clothing that is unique with some “wow” effect. I like mixing vintage stuff with more modern cuts.
If you weren’t an MMA fighter, what other career could you see yourself doing?
Probably I’d do something else in sports like soccer or basketball. I’ve always known I’d do something with my body. I like to perform. I would also love to be a Hollywood movie star one day. I love cinema, playing roles, and getting into characters.
Where were you born?
London.
Where do you feel most comfortable?
London.
What quality do you think defines you most?
Not for me to say — I’m sure others see various qualities in all of us.
What do you look for in a companion?
Companionship, humor, and humanity.
What is your biggest weakness?
Low confidence at times.
What is your biggest strength?
I haven’t found it yet.
What has surprised you most in life?
The things life throws at us unexpectedly.
What does your perfect day look like?
Blue skies, seeing a green woodpecker or a fox, smelling fragrant roses in my garden, meeting nice people, and realizing that despite all the negatives, this old world really has some beautiful and amazing things right in front of our noses.
What is your favorite color?
Blue.
Who are your favorite fictional characters?
Elliot Riley and Cyril Parks, the tattooists in the book The Electric Michelangelo by Sarah Hall.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
In tattooing, Don Ed Hardy, but in life, my Nan was inspirational. On the world stage, so many people in so many walks of life have inspired me. Some of them are still living but most are in the past.
What is your favorite food?
Italian.
What quality do you dislike most in someone?
Rudeness or self-entitlement.
What is your earliest memory?
Cuddling my mum and dad.
What is your biggest luxury?
Not having to pay a mortgage or rent.
How do you show someone you love them?
It depends on what definition of love we are talking about; love is very malleable and it comes in many forms. I love many people in different ways and I’m sure they know the love I show them.
What is your biggest achievement?
I don’t think I've achieved it yet.
Where were you born?
Sutton, Surrey (suburban south London).
Where do you feel most comfortable?
In my home, or somewhere quiet and peaceful in nature.
What quality do you think defines you most?
Realness, integrity, and humanity. I don't do fake. I don't care what other people think about me. I care what I think about myself because I know that my standards are very high.
What do you look for in a companion?
I have my companion, my dog Bette. She is loyal and loving, fun and sweet, and at times extremely cheeky.
What is your biggest weakness?
Ignoring my instincts.
What is your biggest strength?
Trusting my instincts.
What has surprised you most in life?
Having a chronic pain condition with multiple tedious symptoms has made my physical life much smaller, and at times caused me to want to leave the planet. But through learning to manage it, and having no choice but to completely reassess my life, I've gone deep, and actually become a much better person. That's been a big surprise. A bittersweet but nonetheless welcome surprise.
What does your perfect day look like?
Perfect day is by the sea. It's warm with a gentle breeze, the beach is sandy and wide and empty, and I can sit on a rock and relax, while Bette can run around. A good ice cream afterwards tops the day off nicely. I'm a woman of simple pleasures.
What is your favorite color?
Red, orange, pink or a combination of all three. But I love all colors!
Who are your favorite fictional characters?
Mrs. Taggart, the one-eyed mother in The Anniversary, as played by Bette Davis in her eye patch. She's deliciously evil!
Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
There are too many things and too many people to choose one, or even a handful. Nature is a massive inspiration for me. The young people organising themselves in protest against the Israeli genocide of the Palestinians is extremely inspiring. I am my own inspiration.
What is your favorite food?
That varies depending on my mood. I'm 47 years vegetarian, and I like simple but delicious food. Pasta with spinach, garlic and cream sauce is always a favorite, and easy to make. I always thought I could live on good dhal and rice. I love South Indian food particularly. My current favorite for eating out is Fat Ted's Streat Food in Sheringham, Norfolk. It's a takeaway and set up in a wooden shed, and their dirty fries with avocado, hummus and halloumi are absolutely delicious. But I'm in London so I only get to eat from here if I'm holidaying in the area!
What quality do you dislike most in someone?
Fakery. Lack of integrity, humanity, or conscience.
What is your earliest memory?
I must have been somewhere between 18 months and 2 years old. It was morning and I was in the kitchen with my family on a summer day, with the sun streaming in. I said "hold on" in answer to something, and my brother grabbed and pulled my hair, and I squealed. It was his 13-year old boy's idea of a joke. I said hold on so he held on. To my hair.
What is your biggest luxury?
Waking up every day. Life is a luxury so I need to make the most of it.
How do you show someone you love them?
By being truthful and honest.
What is your biggest achievement?
Still being here. Still walking, albeit with pain. Knowing who I am.