Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed that his dedication to fitness has been a crucial tool in coping with the tragic death of his wife, Rebecca, in 2015. Speaking to Men's Health magazine, the 38-year-old explained that the gym provides a mental release similar to what he experienced on the football pitch.
Ferdinand said that exercise enables him to clear his mind, a vital escape from the stresses of life. 'Without the gym, I don’t know where I would’ve had that release time – that time just to think about nothing,' he said. 'The gym really played a part in that, and that’s why I’ve clung onto it.'
The former England international has become a mental health campaigner since his wife’s death, featuring in the BBC documentary 'Being Mum and Dad'. He hopes to break down the stigma around men discussing their emotions, calling it a 'taboo' that needs to be addressed.
Ferdinand also hinted at a potential future career in fitness and nutrition, aiming to create a programme that is accessible and fits into people’s lifestyles, rather than being solely for elite athletes. 'It isn’t a chore,' he said. 'It isn’t about watching a gram of protein here or a gram of fat there.'
The full interview appears in the August 2017 issue of Men's Health magazine.
