'I don't think going down that dark path is in my DNA': Mick Fanning's strength in face of unfathomable family tragedy
Aged just 43 but the only one of four brothers still alive, Australian surfing legend Mick Fanning has been dealt far more family tragedy than anyone should have to bear.
A day after he was announced as one of eight new members of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, the three-time world champion was asked on Nine's Today how he'd managed to overcome the monumental loss.
"The human body and the human mind is an incredible thing," said Fanning, crossing live from the Mick Fanning Charity Golf Day at Victoria's Yarra Yarra Golf Club.
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"For all the tragedy I've had, I've had so many incredible things happen to me, as well.
"I like the path of celebrating life.
"We're very lucky, I'm extremely lucky in the things that I do.
"I don't think going down that dark path is in my DNA. We've just got to keep going."
Mick Fanning surfing in Oahu, Hawaii in 2015. Getty
Fanning was born in Penrith as the youngest of five kids.
One of his brothers, Sean, died in a car crash on his way home from a party at the age of just 20. Mick, 17 at the time, had been at the same party, but walked home.
Another of his brothers, Pete, died in his sleep due to heart complications. He was 43.
And in April this year, Ed suffered a cut to his foot while working as a surf instructor in Madagascar. He was rushed to hospital but encountered fatal cardiac complications. He was 48.
Fanning grew up competing against his brothers in the surf.
Mick Fanning (right) with his brother Ed, who died in April this year. Instagram
By the time he was on the professional tour, he was squaring off with Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Mark Occhilupo and Shane Dorian.
Fanning was crowned world champion in 2007, 2009 and 2013.
But he may best be remembered for the bravery with which he fought off a shark attack during the 2015 J-Bay Open in South Africa, when he punched the great white in its back as it chased him from behind.
Fanning, who retired from professional surfing in 2018, was on Thursday announced as a new member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame alongside Sally Pearson, Mark Knowles, Mark Skaife, Karen Murphy, Liesl Tesch, Gerry Ryan and Betty Wilson.
Mick Fanning celebrating winning his third world title in 2013. Getty
"I'm extremely honoured," Fanning told Wide World of Sports on Thursday.
"I'm a huge sports nut, and growing up and seeing all the greats over the years and being in that same room is incredible. Someone like Sally Pearson I saw training on the Gold Coast at the same time I was going through my sporting achievements, and I was really inspired by the way she went about her craft. So I'm very, very chuffed.
"It was a big journey and you reflect and as you get older you sort of get a bit more sentimental, and when you think the sporting world's forgotten about you and then you get called back up for an award it's pretty special."
