Tindall Children Inherit Competitive Spirit

Mike Tindall, a former Rugby World Cup winner, has revealed that his three children with Olympic equestrian Zara Tindall exhibit a strong competitive streak, a trait they appear to have inherited from their parents. Tindall, 47, recounted anecdotes at the Henley Literature Festival, including how even simple activities like racing upstairs to bed can become a contest.

"Even if it's just a race upstairs to bed, there will be ankle taps," Tindall said, referring to a tackling technique from his rugby days. He humorously added, "It might lead to a broken leg one day, but they will learn. Hopefully the children will turn out like us. And if they are as competitive as their mother, then we are all f****d!"

Tindall also spoke about his own competitive nature, which he attributes to his father, Philip, who recently passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. His father worked as a bank manager, and Tindall described his upbringing as middle-class in Yorkshire before his successful rugby career, during which he earned 75 caps for England.

Appearing with his podcast co-presenters James Haskell and Alex Payne on "The Good, The Bad and The Rugby," Tindall touched upon his life journey from Yorkshire to his marriage with Zara Phillips, daughter of Princess Anne. He even jested that his life story could be a potential television series, responding to a question from Haskell by saying, "It's the making of a great story isn't it? Waiting for Netflix on that one."