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When does an athlete’s body decline? Cam Wurf on Tom Brady, Nike and the magic number

Cam Wurf on longevity in the sport of triathlon.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

With over two decades at the top end of professional sport, from his early days in rowing to his current career mixing professional cycling with IRONMAN racing, Cam Wurf is as experienced as it gets when it comes to high performance.

Now 39 years old, the Australian still believes he has more to give, explaining that NFL GOAT Tom Brady amongst others have made him realise that any decline in his physiological prowess is a long way off.

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“I change my mind like I change my underpants”

Giving credit to his team around him, Wurf reveals half the season he is as eager as ever about competing is down to his coach and support team, who remind him that in some cases experience counts for more than youthfulness.

He told the Rich Roll podcast (click the embed below to watch the full episode): “I’ve been very fortunate with the people I’m surrounded with, as they don’t really let me think any other way. They say the reason most guys get to theirs thirties and retire is because they’ve been doing it for thirty years.

“I change my mind like I change my underpants about sports, so I’ve never given myself a chance to become complacent and that’s part of the reason I’m still doing it.”

cameron wurf bike malibu 2022 photo credit tommy zaferes slt
[Photo credit: Tommy Zaferes / SLT]

Wurf says Brady has magic number

Wurf added that another athlete who was big on longevity, NFL quarterback Tom Brady, led the way for him after Nike conducted studies that found the real age where athletic ability naturally began to decline.

“Tom Brady and I were both born on the third of August, obviously he’s older than me but we were both born on the third.

“Since he started all this longevity stuff, that 45 is this number, Nike did this research and physiologically, as long as you look after yourself and you haven’t had any injuries, you shouldn’t really decline until you’re in your mid forties.”

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
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