The unprecedented pressures placed on the planet by the COVID-19 situation have taken a massive toll, with hundreds of thousands of lives already lost to the unforgiving virus.
Businesses and sports leagues have come to a halt as the planet has communally shifted indoors in an attempt to halt the rapid spread of the pandemic, which has brought its own set of stresses with it.
But for ONE Championship superstar Brandon Vera and ONE Championship Vice President Meisha Tate, it's all a matter of perspective. Both are looking at the silver lining involved with such an experience, viewing it as an opportunity for self-reflection and self-improvement.
The demands of everyday life in a pre-coronavirus existence scarcely allowed such extended moments of respite to take stock and opportunity to re-evaluate what really matters in life.
"Let this teach us of a more simpler life we all could and should have with our loved ones," said Vera. "So, when this is all over, let your appreciation shower them everyday and always make it count.”
As much of a challenge as it has been, the virus has had a galvanizing effect on society, uniting people of all races and religion across the planet in a fight for the common good.
That's given former women’s mixed martial arts world champion Tate a sense of genuine gratification. She recommends using the extra time to help upgrade yourself as a human by learning something new.
"I feel [the boredom] too but I also am proud of my sacrifices and you should be too. Let's try to turn this into a positive and do some things you normally wouldn't have the time to,” said Tate.
"For me, reading and learning new skill sets like video editing has been very rewarding in my downtime."
Vera and Tate have both been busy in the kitchen, while Tate has tried to rekindle an old passion she had for a musical instrument.
"I have finally found the time to re-learn how to play my flute again, something I've had on my goal list for a long time," she laughs. "I've also been baking with my daughter quite a bit".
Fans will soon be able to see firsthand how both athletes are keeping busy in their bubble via ONE's new #TogetherAtHome social media series.
Alongside fellow ONE stars such as Bi Nguyen and Gurdarshan Mangat, Tate and Vera will take viewers inside their homes for a rare glimpse behind the scenes, as well as provide hints and tips for how to stay healthy and active during lockdown.
The series runs as part of Global Citizen's #TogetherAtHome initiative and continues a long-standing relationship between the martial arts organization and the humanitarian organization.
ONE has also pledged to donate 10% of all net proceeds from its new online merchandise store, ONE.SHOP, to WHO’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund and other local community organizations to support those whose lives and livelihoods have been greatly impacted by COVID-19.
The culmination of these events will be the ‘ONE World: Together at Home’ global special, which will be streamed live on the ONE Championship Facebook page and ONE Super App Sunday, 19 April starting at 2.00am SGT.
For ONE Heavyweight World Champion Vera, working with Global Citizen has always been a highlight and he's eager to get involved.
"Out of everything I get to do with ONE, Global Citizen is one of the partners I smile and say ‘yes’ before I even know what the plan is," he said.
"Their message of ending global poverty through education is so simple and it makes sense. I love how they always make a call to action for you to get out and do something."
Tate feels a huge sense of pride in ONE's continued support for, and association with, Global Citizen.
"It's a wonderful organization whose mission is to end extreme world poverty by 2030. Together we are working towards this in numerous ways and it makes me really proud to be a part of ONE Championship who wants to get behind more change for the better in the world,” says Tate.
Lethargy is a common enemy to everyone at the moment, and Tate and Vera are eager to share their favorite methods for keeping in shape around the home with limited means.
"I like to put a tally on my fridge, or anywhere visible throughout the day, and I do ten squats for every tally," said Tate.
"I spread them out but I try to get 100 everyday. Make your own goal and include the workouts you want to incorporate like pushups, sit ups and/or lunges. Another tip, I set reminders spaced about 30 minutes apart on my phone to help me not forget and get far behind on my daily squat goal."
Meanwhile, "The Truth" is thinking outside of the box when it comes to staying ever-ready to defend his heavyweight belt whenever that time comes.
"I've been staying in shape doing basic home bodyweight workouts, roadwork, and clearing the jungle, which is probably the hardest one," he laughed.
His advice to those without gym equipment at home? Improvise.
"Try everything and make stuff fun. Don't have weights? Use household items for weights. Just make sure you're having fun and try to involve the ones you're home with,” Vera concluded.
