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Phil Vickery: From World Cup Glory to Personal Triumphs in Bodybuilding and Life

December, 24, 2024-05:22

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Phil Vickery: From World Cup Glory to Personal Triumphs in Bodybuilding and Life

Phil Vickery, the former rugby star and World Cup winner, is now embarking on an unexpected journey into the world of bodybuilding, a far cry from his rough-and-ready rugby days. In late September, Vickery, dressed in a skimpy pair of black shorts, stands outside a small theater in Milton Keynes, preparing for a bodybuilder's debut at the Ultimate Physiques British Open. With a bottle of True Tan in hand, his old gym buddy, Lee, prepares to give him a bronzed, artificial glow. Vickery reflects on the stark contrast between his past as a World Cup-winning prop and his current transformation into a chiselled bodybuilder. It is a world he never expected to enter, but one he has grown to love despite its discomfort and challenges.

As he reflects on his journey, Vickery opens up about the highs and lows that have shaped his life after rugby. From receiving Queen's Honours to enduring divorce and bankruptcy, Vickery's personal life has been filled with dramatic twists. After rugby, he struggled with the lack of purpose in his training, eventually gaining weight until he hit 24 stone. A wake-up call pushed him to get back into the gym, where he focused not only on physical health but also on mental wellbeing. Now, at 18 stone, Vickery is building his body for his next show, using bodybuilding as a form of therapy and self-improvement. It’s a testament to the resilience he learned on the rugby field, finding solace in the pain and effort required to transform his body.

The fall from grace was hard for Vickery, who faced marital breakdown, bankruptcy, and the collapse of his restaurant business during the pandemic. Yet bodybuilding provided a much-needed escape, offering an outlet for his emotions during one of the lowest points in his life. Despite the public struggles, including a failed business and personal life in turmoil, Vickery found strength in his family and his own determination to rebuild. In an honest reflection, he admits to moments of doubt, but ultimately, he finds purpose through his children, family, and the pursuit of personal growth. Vickery’s journey from rugby glory to bodybuilding has not only allowed him to reclaim control over his physical health but also to rediscover his mental resilience.