Health Hacker: Surfer Mick Fanning recovers from ACL injury
Surfer Mick Fanning became a new dad during the COVID pandemic. While he has been enjoying spending his time away from the competitive sport with his new family, he is also recovering from a crippling ACL injury.
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It’s truly been an incredible five years for Mick Fanning. It was this time of year, back in 2015, when the pro surfer sent heart rates skyrocketing when he fought off a shark attack in South Africa, live on TV no less, producing the iconic and terrifying footage that’s been whizzing around the internet ever since.
Fanning escaped uninjured, thankfully, but it was a moment that could have very easily gone another way.
You’ll be able to watch Fanning relive that horrifying incident, and his journey since, on his new National Geographic documentary, Save This Shark.
Fast-forward five years, though, and Fanning is in an entirely different place, with he and his partner Breeana welcoming a happy and healthy son, Xander, into their lives in August, right in the middle of the coronavirus lockdown.
And if you ask Fanning, the timing couldn’t have been better, with the always-travelling surfer suddenly grounded for the first time in years, which means he’s been there for every moment.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time at home which is really different for me,” he tells Health Hacker.
“Usually I’m in and out of the country, so this time was really nice as I got to watch my fiancee Breeana grow our beautiful little boy.
“Having just had a baby boy my happiness is through the roof. I’ve never been happier.”
In fact, the timing has been pretty great all around for the three-time world champion surfer, who has also spent this unexpectedly quiet period recovering from a torn ACL, which threatened to keep him out of competition for up to 12 months.
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But if an encounter with a great white shark wasn’t enough to keep him from the water (“I got straight back in,” he says), then there’s no way something so small as an injury was going to stop him surfing.
“I still surf everyday as the beaches were not closed on the Gold Coast and I’m also still keeping up my training,” he says.
“Cycling and gym work have been still a big motivation for me as I’m still fighting my way back to 100 per cent. We have been extremely lucky during all this home time as the waves all through winter were exceptional, so that’s definitely helped keep me fit.
“Like everyone, I have had to reassess my goals this year, but my big one was to get back to 100 per cent in the water. I’m only a little off where I want to be so that will feel good once I reach that goal.”
FAST FIVE WITH SURFER MICK FANNING
What’s your secret for staying fit?
Moving each and every day
What’s your favourite food?
Breeana’s Moroccan meatballs
What’s your favourite treat food?
Chocolate
What’s the secret to success?
There’s no secret — it’s just hard work
What’s your best motivation tip?
Look in the mirror and ask yourself if you’ve done the work. You can’t lie to yourself.
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Originally published as Health Hacker: Surfer Mick Fanning recovers from ACL injury
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