I live on the edge of Bath. It’s really lovely, but its very loveliness freaks me out a bit. It’s peaceful, a great antidote to the craziness of being on tour, but sometimes I feel as though I’ve retired.
If you’re retired, it’s a blessing. You know, if you want to keep working and doing what you want to do, it’s not a blessing as all – it’s a curse.
My grandfather is a retired Marine, and I’ve always had a great deal of respect for anyone who serves our country.
My predictable stable routine completely changed once I retired. I went from a regimented and vigorous daily training program to a routine where every day was different.
I won’t name them, but we have family friends who are professional footballers, so I grew up around these types. I was around when they retired, and I know how difficult that transition is.
On a personal note, I think it won’t be until after I’ve retired that I’m fully aware of what I’ve done or what I’ve gone on to achieve in my career.
When I retired first time around, injury had beaten me, and I hated that. Now I realise I’m no longer good enough. And I can handle that. It’s fine that I’m not good enough.
Paris is mostly retired people – I love it, and it’s a beautiful city, but it’s quite slow.
When Jack Swagger copies my Ankle Lock and Randy Orton does my Angle Slam, it’s disrespectful. I didn’t come up with the Ankle Lock; Ken Shamrock came up with the Ankle Lock, but I waited until he retired to do the Ankle Lock.
Collin Jackson was a little before my time and he was a really good athlete. I’ve raced with him, but he’s now retired. He’s a really good role model and someone that I’ve learnt a lot from.
Michael Vaughan gave me his old thigh pad when he retired. It was in my kitbag for a long time.
I obviously had my family to keep me amused and I took up golf when I retired from athletics.
Actors can’t retire. If actors retired, there would be nobody left to play old, wrinkly people. You have to keep going, darling – don’t you?
