MICK’S FIGHTING FIT FOR RETURN
FORMER world champion Mick Fanning has revealed his next business venture, opening a yoga and pilatesbased fitness studio in Byron Bay.
The Gold Coast surfer is the face of new fitness concept FS8, from the team behind F45, which combines yoga, pilates and tone and will launch across eight studios nationally this month.
Fanning, who sold off his successful Balter Brewing venture in 2019, also bought into the business by purchasing the upcoming Byron Bay franchise.
“I’m always looking at businesses … and Byron is one of those places where I think it’ll do really well,” said Fanning, adding that he started yoga two decades ago to help manage his scoliosis.
“Yoga, pilates and tone is something I’ve used throughout my career. It was something that really helped with obviously strengthening the core but also lengthening muscles while strengthening them.” He is currently training up to five days a week as he prepares to return to competitive surfing, having accepted a wildcard at this month’s World Surf League leg in Narrabeen.
While he was content walking away from the sport in 2018, he said opportunities last year to return as a wildcard gave him a goal during his recovery from knee surgery.
“When I left I didn’t have a huge burning desire, I sort of lost that fire, actually,” Fanning said. “I just wanted to throw my hat into the ring one more time. Who knows, it might spark something, but I’m happy being at home and I’m happy just hanging with the family.”