An Olympic boxer turned reality TV star has revealed he is in a “war zone mentally,” amid court claims he assaulted a former partner.
Olympian Harry Garside on Friday took to social media to express he’s at “war” with himself mentally after facing assault charges in court.
The 25-year-old was arrested at Sydney Airport earlier this month as he flew home from South Africa following filming of I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!
In an emotional Instagram post, the boxer said he’d promised himself he would meditate and “get a freshwater source every day” – acts he says he’s let slip from his daily routine.
“The last three weeks I’ve been in a bit of a war zone mentally with myself and I found myself finding it really hard to sit by myself to meditate,” Garside said.
“Pretty much at the start of the three weeks I stopped meditating, and it’s so interesting to watch the flow on effect.”
He said he found it “really difficult to move” and then began “thrashing” himself in practice sessions and trying his best to “stay out” of his head.
“It’s very strange that when you’re when you’re at war with yourself mentally and you let one thing slip, and then other things slip and you just get into a negative feedback loop,” he said.
NSW Police arrested the boxer, who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, as he made his way to baggage claim and charged him with a domestic violence charge of common assault against his former partner.
According to court documents, Garside allegedly assaulted his former partner Ashley Ruscoe between 4pm and 7pm on March 1 at Bellevue Hill.
Garside fronted Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday alongside high-profile defamation barrister Sue Chrysanthou and solicitor Rebekah Giles.
Ms Chrysanthou told the court there was video showing Garside’s alleged victim, ex-girlfriend Ashley Ruscoe, as the aggressor.
The matter will return to court on June 7.