HUMPHRIES REVEALS LIFESTYLE OVERHAUL BEHIND RETURN TO FORM

LUKE HUMPHRIES has revealed he transformed his lifestyle after admitting he was not as “dedicated” as he needed to be.

Cool Hand says he has spent the last three months training harder, eating healthier and rebuilding his fitness levels in a bid to get back to his very best. 

The world No2 invested in a home gym as part of the overhaul and believes the extra commitment is already paying off. 

Humphries has reaped the rewards after picking up his first Nightly victory in the Premier League at Birmingham last week and winning Players Championship 17 this Monday.

He said: “It was more about dedication than anything else. 

“I’ve invested a lot into a gym at home. I’m working out a lot more and eating healthier.

“I’ve always tried to live healthily, but maybe I wasn’t as dedicated as I needed to be. 

“Over the last three months I’ve really dedicated myself to getting back to where I was four or five years ago, maybe even better than that. So yeah, just being more dedicated.” 

The former world champion also admitted the mental health struggles he has faced during his career ultimately made him more resilient.

Humphries says he now hopes being open about those experiences can help inspire other people. 

He added: “Going through those struggles made me mentally stronger. I’ve said that many times. 

“When you’ve gone through so much in your own mind and managed to overcome it and still win big things, it changes you mentally. 

“I’m not saying I’m happy I went through it, but it definitely made me stronger because of it. 

“All I care about now is being an inspiration to other people — whether that’s players or anyone else. 

“If someone looks at me and thinks, ‘If he can do it, maybe I can too,’ then that’s the most important thing. 

“That’s why I’ve always been open and honest about it. Not to be some superstar, but to help people. 

“Me and James Wade have both tried to make mental health discussions more open in darts, and hopefully one day someone comes up to you and says, ‘You really helped me.’ Then it’s all worthwhile.” 

Humphries returns to action on Thursday against Michael van Gerwen, looking to lock down third place in the Premier League table and avoid facing Luke Littler in the Finals Night semi-finals.

Image by Taylor Lanning.