Gary Player is a champion many times over in golf but believes he is also a world champion in life itself. Player, a World Golf Hall of Famer, believes the success he has had didn’t happen by accident.
Player believes that adversity has molded him into a world champion. He recalls thanking God every day of his life for the difficulties he has encountered. Player’s mother died from cancer when he was 8 years old. His brother fought in World War II, his sister was in boarding school and his family struggled financially.
“Adversity makes you a champion,” Player said recently. “Adversity makes your marriage better. Adversity makes you a better business man, a better father, a better mother. We got to be thankful for adversity.”
Player married his wife, Vivienne, in 1957 and doesn’t take anything she does for granted. His wife is currently battling cancer and Player believes that their love is the strongest part of her recovery.
“Your whole life has got to be a honeymoon if you want it to be successful. Work at it. Love is the greatest word in the world.”
Player sat down with Averee Dovsek for the latest episode of her podcast “WHY YOU SUCK AT GOLF!” and shared some tips on how to achieve a successful life. He believes to be successful in life you need to do at least four things: “Eat as half as you eat, exercise twice as you do, laugh three times as much as you do, and have unmeasured love in your heart.”
“I don’t think there is a human being in the world that gets the love I get,” said Player. “The love I get is unbelievable, but I also give it.”
Player is 85 years old, but half his age in spirit. He believes that this pandemic has presented a lot of difficulties for many, but he argues that obesity and lack of exercise is more detrimental to human health than COVID-19.
“When I get in the gym, I move like a 40-year-old. I move like crazy,” Player said.
Averee Dovsek is a contributor for Golfweek, hosting the popular “Fitness with Averee” video series. Also, her podcast, WHY YOU SUCK AT GOLF! is available on multiple streaming platforms.
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