Welington Sardinha is an age-defying machine built on a testing fitness philosophy that he swallowed eight years ago as if it were a magic potion.
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On Saturday against the Kougars at Gipps Street, the 43-year-old Gunnedah FC defender will again showcase the benefits of that philosophy as he competes with, in many cases, much younger men.
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Sardinha radiates positivity and affability. Gunnedah FC coach Andy Cygan called his assistant coach "Mr Experience"; someone who has "so much energy and time for others".
And, in return, Cygan has "so much time for Welington".
"He's an absolute legend in my eyes," the veteran mentor said.
Sardinha's fitness regime centres on three group training sessions a week with renowned personal trainer Maryanne Perkins, on top of what he does with Gunnedah FC.
His year-round sessions with Perkins started after he suffered an ACL injury.
"And I realised that the reason I was getting injured was because I wasn't truly fit," he said.
"So she really helped me to work on mobility, agility, strength ... that's really allowed me to go back and enjoy playing soccer: not feeling tired and not feeling like I was miles behind the kids."
In short, he felt better at 40 than he did at 30.
