Turkish man earns living by getting beaten up

ISTANBUL

A Turkish man in Istanbul has been earning a living by taking a beating from his clients.

Licensed as a “stress coach” since 2012, Hasan Riza Gunay said he was inspired by Turkish comedy actor Kemal Sunal’s movie Sark Bulbulu, in which the protagonist voluntarily lets himself be beaten.

Based on the famous line from the movie "Bring Mazlum to me,” he began to be beaten in exchange for money by those who were bored or angry with their boss or wife and wanted to relieve their stress.

Some people meditate, others scream, while others opt to beat someone to relieve stress, he said, adding it is a legal alternative in which no one suffers.

“Most of my clients suffer from depression or panic attacks or are overwhelmed because of their daily routines,” Gunay said.

Noting that he accepts only two to four clients per day, he said a session lasts 10-15 minutes on average. Most of his clients are women.

He stressed, however, that he would not just accept booking requests from anyone.

“I have to feel right [about those making such requests],” Gunay said.

"I would like to train other potentially interested people as ‘stress coaches’ and hand over my gloves to the new generation," he added.

*Writing by Ahmet Gencturk