Phil Vickery's Post-Rugby Pivot to Bodybuilding at 50

Phil Vickery, a prominent figure in English rugby and a World Cup winner, has embarked on a new competitive path at the age of 50 as a bodybuilder. The transition from the rugby pitch to the bodybuilding stage has evoked familiar feelings of pre-competition nerves, drawing parallels to his days as a professional rugby player.

"It reminded me of being in the changing room before the big game, your nerves - are you going to be sick, you're happy, you're not happy, I can do this, this is raw," Vickery stated, describing his experience backstage at the Physical Culture Show in Hull. He noted the shared nervous energy experienced by athletes across different sports.

What began as an initiative to regain fitness has evolved into a deep passion for mental and physical well-being. Vickery sees bodybuilding as a deeply personal and isolated sport where individuals compete against themselves, emphasizing that the physical outcome is a direct reflection of one's effort and dedication. "There is no out. You can't hide behind a keyboard. You are stood on stage. Your physique and what you look like is a direct reflection of your effort and what you have done, and that is quite scary," he remarked.

Vickery, who earned 73 caps for England and five for the British and Irish Lions, including a victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, has also been managing personal struggles and a diagnosis of probable CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). He is part of ongoing litigation concerning the condition. Vickery finds that the gym and dedicated training spaces are crucial for his mental and physical health.

He explained that a significant challenge after retiring from professional rugby was finding a compelling reason to continue training. It was only after a pivotal moment or low point that he rediscovered his drive. The bodybuilding journey, he stated, has allowed him to bring a sense of completion to his plans, requiring commitment and follow-through.

At the bodybuilding competition, Vickery weighed approximately 99kg, a more defined physique compared to his playing days when his weight fluctuated between 118kg and 135kg. He described the experience of looking his best on stage while feeling physically depleted as paradoxical but acknowledged the impressive capabilities of the human body. Age, he feels, is not a deterrent, stating, "I still think I'm 27. My body tells me different."

His current training regimen includes three to four weightlifting sessions per week, daily fasting cardio, and a protein-rich diet. Vickery expressed interest in participating in more shows in the future.

Vickery has been open about his health and fitness journey on social media but is hesitant to embrace the label of "influencer." He believes that everyone acts as an influencer in their own way and hopes his message encourages positivity and action. "I know I will never be a top bodybuilder. But it doesn't stop me, it doesn't stop me having a go and being the best version of me that I can be," he concluded.