If you ever wanted to uncover some of Gary Player’s fitness secrets, here is your chance.
The Hall of Fame golfer stripped down for the 2013 ESPN The Magazine Body Issue. This video above takes you through the crazy passion the now 77-year-old has for fitness. From his weightlifting to being able to go to any gym he wanted to whenever he wanted to, the interview has it all.
Here is an extract of the extended interview, and photos of the ESPN shoot.
Why did you decide to pose?
Very few people do what I’m doing at my age. I want to show the world how fit you can be at this age and not justacceptbeing old. I still work on my ranch, I represent a lot of companies, I do golf course design, I’m traveling seven months a year. You’ve got to keep moving. If you sit and watch TV on your backside all day, you’re going to die.
Posing in the magazine is just part of my plan. My big dream now is to help people become healthy. Obesity, as far as I’m concerned, is the greatest problem facing the planet at the moment. What worries me is there is nothing worse than when you see children getting all of these diseases now. Look at our foods; our foods have steroids in them, antibiotics. People are overeating and eating all kinds of fatty foods and high sugars and junk. We have a massive challenge. It’s actually easier to get a camel through the eye of a needle than to get the average man to worry about diet and exercise.
My brother went to war when he was 17. Before he left, he asked me, “What do you want to do?” I said, “I’m going to become a professional sportsman.” I didn’t know about golf then; I thought I would play rugby or cricket. He said, “Well, you’re very small in stature,” and he bought me some weights. “I might not come back. Will you promise me you’ll exercise?” I did, and I’ve adhered to that for 63 years.
Do you allow yourself any junk food?
I’m a normal human being. I allow myself one cup of coffee a day, though I don’t think coffee is good for you. If you try to deny yourself entirely, it won’t work. I have a Snickers when I want one. Lee Trevino teases me. He roomed with me at the U.S. Open once and he said, “I went to make Gary’s bed and next to the pillow were two big Snickers!” I am not a martyr, I love my chocolate and I do everything in great moderation…
For the rest of the extended interview, click here.
