Reaching a professional level in a sport is something that most people can only dream of - but for Guy Walker, he was able to do it in two different sports.
Playing domestic cricket in Australia for Victoria, and then signing an AFL contract with the Melbourne Demons, Walker had so much talent and could have made a huge splash in either game.
Unfortunately, his career was cut short at the age of 24 due to a debilitating shoulder injury.
“Never had a problem with my shoulder before. I played my first Big Bash game against the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba, and felt something go in my shoulder throwing," he told Sporting News
"I ended a year later having a major shoulder reconstruction, rehab for a whole year. Unfortunately, the first surgery didn’t work properly and I was out for a second season in a row. It was a really tough time, and the start to my shoulder problems.
"I took a step back and was realistic – I was a right-handed fast bowler, and unfortunately I had so many shoulder surgeries I couldn’t throw properly any more. I had to sacrifice and put down that loss of cricket, which was really difficult for me.
“I sort of made the decision to transfer from cricket to AFL. I was training with Melbourne for the first six months. The last session before Christmas, I went into a tackling drill and got tackled by one of the littlest blokes on Melbourne’s list and felt my shoulder kind of die.
"I walked into the neurologist’s office – I could see in her face it wasn’t good. I could see in her face and the first thing she said to me was you’ve got 40 per-cent of a shoulder for the rest of your life, and you’ve to retire from cricket and AFL immediately."
From there, Walker was left with plenty of questions about where his future would lie.
He now spends some of his time in the player development space, looking to give back and teach some valuable lessons.
Walker also remains active by going to the gym and surfing - as much as his shoulder will let him.
“Despite my injuries, I’ve still been able to remain active and get back into the surf and back into the gym," he said.
"I was a professional athlete in two different sports, and the next day I’m a regular person that doesn’t play sport anymore. That was one of the things I struggled with, and I’m still trying to get through today.
“I’ve been able to adapt and live life with 40 per-cent of a shoulder. I wanted to start to get physical again. One of the things for me was to power my day with a bit of a routine.
"I’d get up each morning at 6 o’clock and go to the gym. It would help my day and start my day off – even though I can’t do a hell of a lot, I do some yoga and follow that up with a walk in the pool.
"I was in a bit of a rut – that morning routine powered me to be active again. Mentally it helps me a lot too."
