Twenty-Six or so years ago, Mick Fanning was born. He had a skint upbringing in Western Sydney, and his Mum moved the family to Queensland in search of greener pastures. They did it tough. He grew up, he surfed like no-one else. He got loose, he got good, he got sponsored and got loose some more. He went through the tragedy of losing a brother, he pushed on, and then destroyed his hamstring in a freak accident that threatened to never let him walk again, let alone surf.
Mick Fanning became almost monk-like. He became focussed, he became driven. Peace came in to his heart. A woman he wanted to marry came in to his life. He started again and became unstoppable.
At the start of the year, he said to friends, “I am going to win the world title while Kelly (Slater) is on tour”. He remained steadfastly commited to that goal until the other day in Brazil where he achieved his dream.
To have an Australian male athlete come through such incredible personal, spiritual and physical hardship to turn around and become the best in the world by focus, positive energy and commitment is truly incredible. For Mick to achieve this goal while the best surfer that’s ever surfed in competition is on tour is mind-blowing. For him to be a role model for young men in this country, a poster boy for positive living, peace in your heart, care of your body and discipline is super fuckin’ duper.
I am so glad that young men of Australia have athletes like him to look up to rather than grubby footy players.
Congratulations Mick, you are super-awesome like Brad Pitt in fight club, except without all the megalomania and insaneness. Ok you’re nothing like Brad Pitt at all. You are Mick Fanning, world champ. Huzzah!!
xx aa
I enjoyed reading about his win. What a refreshing young guy. Admired the way he had turned the negative chapter in his career into the best chapter of his personal life. Perhaps this attitude is the secret to his success.
His achievement against the odds is inspiring.
Everybody is so over footy players and their behaviour. After all we can all kick a footy guys!
You should update his wikipedia.
Totally agree with you about having a decent role model for young men. All we have to do now is get the media to get the footy players off the front page and put decent people there.