The great footballer who was told he could die on the field shares his secrets to losing weight after losing 15 kg

Former Brisbane captain Tom Rockliff has spoken about the incredible weight loss effort that saw him lose almost 15kg after being told he could die from health shock.

Rockliff, 34, played 208 AFL games but retired in 2021 after a horrendous run of injuries and a health emergency.

He was restricted to a wheelchair during the season after surgery on both knees following a bad landing in a marking contest.

Just a week later, Rockliff was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis after reporting pain in his calf and doctors later found multiple blood clots in his lungs.

Doctors told him he risked dying on the field if he continued to play, so Rockliff ended his football career and sought a new line of work as a commercial finance broker after spending some time as a commentator.

After Rockliff hung up his football boots, he noticed he was gaining weight and, earlier this year, decided to do something about it.

“At the beginning of 2024, I decided to make a change in my physical and mental health,” she posted on X along with photos of her dramatic weight loss.

“I looked in the mirror and I was disappointed in myself. I decided to make some changes.’

Rockliff went on to explain that he started exercising a lot more, drinking less alcohol, and watching his diet.

“I was eating too much and not burning it off,” he wrote.

He weighed 103.2kg at the beginning of the year and has now dropped to 89.9kg.

Rockliff answered questions from his followers in the comments section, including posting the workout routine he does six times a week.

The former soccer star has also announced that he will a push-up challenge to raise awareness about mental health in Australia.

You will do 3,249 push-ups in 24 days, as 3,249 is the number of people who committed suicide in Australia in 2022.

If you need help, please contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.