Sam Burgess, still riding the high of being the only celebrity recruit to win this year’s SAS Australia, has revealed how the show helped him become a better person and move on from his past controversies.
The NRL star, who was a clear frontrunner from the beginning, managed to overcome a debilitating shoulder injury and pass the finale’s final challenge.
While sprinter Johsn Steffensen and tennis legend Mark Philippoussis also successfully completed the task, it was ultimately only Sam who was chosen by the DS to pass selection and win the competition.
Chatting to Kochie and Nat Barr on Sunrise on Wednesday morning, Sam credited the tough course for helping him turn his life around.
While Johsn Steffensen and Mark Philippoussis also successfully completed the task, it was only Sam who was chosen by the DS to pass selection and win.
(Image: Seven)
“It was more not so really coming clean it was me being open and honest,” he said.
Sam, who went through an acrimonious public divorce from Phoebe Burgess, admitted there have been “a lot of rumours” circulating over the past two years.
He said going on the show was an opportunity for him to “get in front of things”.
“It’s best to be honest and be upfront and it can stop people whispering and telling stories and whatnot,” he said.
Sam, who went through an acrimonious public divorce from Phoebe Burgess, admitted there have been “a lot of rumours” circulating over the past two years.
(Image: Getty)“It also gave me a chance to become a better person, and I hope I have done that, and I take full responsibility for it.
“Also, to teach myself that you can move on and you have to move on to progress in life. Something that was hard to do. And in times of discomfort, you find real clarity. On the show, I found those moments.”
The 32-year-old said despite being deprived of food and sleep, it was a “wonderful experience” and took his hat off to those who serve in the military.
“I think in another life, I could have been military, but I think playing 15 years of professional sport, my body could not stand the demand of being in that world,” he explained.
Sam, who shares daughter Poppy, four, and son Billy, two, with his ex-wife, broke down on SAS as he talked about his past and admitted to having an affair.
“I don’t think I was the greatest husband at times. I embarrassed my wife. I’d had an affair with a girl, a woman in Melbourne. That’s true,” he confessed.
“I was away on tour and regretful that it happened. It would’ve been a tough place for Phoebe to be.”
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