I love hanging out with people who have amazing attitudes because sometimes a little of their amazing-ness (it’s a word)….. (now).. rubs off on me. One of the coolest things about working in radio is that I get to meet and interview people who have done, and continue to do, incredible things.
People who teach me, challenge my thinking and inspire me.
Recently I interviewed a man who is a legend of Australian Sport.
His name is Tom Hafey, he is seventy five years young and at an age when some people are putting on their slippers, smoking their pipe, watching the ABC and dealing with the realities of ‘being old’… he’s training like an athlete, doing speaking gigs all over the country, running coaching clinics and having a massive, positive influence on tens of thousands of Aussies every year.
He is in amazing physical and mental condition.
His physiology (from a functional perspective) is similar to that of a ‘fit’ forty year-old and his mind is razor sharp. He is still learning, still creating, still growing, still setting goals and still inspiring people.. because he has chosen to be exceptional.
Yes, it’s a choice.
For my international visitors who don’t know about Tom, he is an icon of Australian sport having been a very successful player and coach in our AFL (Australian Football League). An hour with him and you realise that we have the capacity and propensity to make things more difficult than they need to be. I love people who ‘break the rules’ and who change perceptions of what’s normal, expected, possibly, likely.
While he is unlikely (in modern society), what he does is very possible and inspirational… if only more people would choose to think, do and be like him.
He has chosen to be different, chosen not to behave like a ‘typical’ seventy five year-old and chosen to do, be and live amazing(ly).
Love that.
Here.. take a peek at Tom’s training schedule:
10 minutes stretching – daily
200 push-ups – daily
Beach swim – daily (regardless of water temperature)
700 sit-ups – daily
Gym – 3 to 4 days per week (heavy weights)
Runs – 7 to 8 kilometres every day (4 – 5 miles)
When many athletes ‘hang it up’ they get fat, lazy and depressed.
Tom has chosen otherwise.
Take a listen to our chat here and see if some of his attitude rubs off on you.
P.S. My co-host for this show is the very beautiful Tammy Van-Wisse (an Australian swimming legend)… she sounds much sexier than yours truly.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
What an incredible and inspirational man. He puts a lot of us to shame. Thanks for sharing this incredible interview Craig.
Ben (Kingston,Jamaica)
As Tom says. “People of all ages use excuses as to why they cannot achieve things”. He sounds like such a humble man. You Aussies sure do breed em tough.
Warwick
Lancashire
U.K
Hey Ben.
Tom’s the Man.
Cheers.
Hey Warwick,
he is tough… physically and mentally.
Thanks for saying hi.
I remember hearing Tom Hafey speak once. He is a remarkably interesting and motivational person. A great example to all of us of what we can achieve with focus and the right attitude. I truly hope I am fifty percent as fit and healthy as Tom is when I am seventy five. Wonderful interview.
Mark
Hey Mark,
he is indeed an inspiration.
Thanks for the feedback.
Cheers.
Yeah Tommy Hafey is a real inspiration!! I remember when he was coaching AFL he put some of the players to shame with his fitness regime and attitude. And that was 20 years ago!
And now at 75 he is still going strong and has a real passion for life that shines through his interview.
I hope that when I reach 75 I can still walk, let alone be anywhere as fit as Tom is today! Truly amazing!
Great interview Craig. Keep ‘em coming!
Skater Boy
Melb….
Hi Skater Boy,
you’ll still be tearin’ it up when you’re 75. Imagine how good the skates will be then!
You’ll just need to put ‘em on and they’ll skate for you.
Cheers.
I wish we had skates like that now Craig!!