At 52 years of age, Derek Boyer is proof that it's never too late to reinvent yourself.
The former strongman is eyeing off his next major challenge after being accepted to undertake a Bachelor of Business Law as a pathway into a Bachelor of Laws at Bond University on the Gold Coast.
It's been 35 years since he last completed an assignment, but he believes his career competing against the world's strongest men has equipped him with the discipline and attention to detail needed to succeed.
"I've just come to a time in my life where I thought I needed a change," Mr Boyer said.
"Over the last 30 years I've gone hard core with physical pursuits, and you can't do it forever at a certain level.
"Law, just through circumstances over the last couple of years, has really created a passion within me.
"For the next four years, I'll be becoming a student again."
Mr Boyer remembers sitting in the classroom's of Albury's St Patrick's Primary School and Xavier High School, both in the NSW-Victoria border regions where he grew up, after his family migrated to Australia from Fiji.
He began studying visual arts at Charles Sturt University's Albury campus, before fate saw his career head in another direction.
A chance meeting with an Australian powerlifting coach changed everything for Mr Boyer.
"I identified that I had a gift and an opportunity and I grabbed it," Mr Boyer said.
"I left university that weekend in pursuit of this new challenge.
"About six months after that I had broken Australian records and was on my way to my first world championship.
"My journey with strength progressed from that point and I thought that one day I would return to complete my course.
"That was 35 years ago and I am now returning to my studies, but it's not the arts."
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On top of holding the title of Australia's strongest man for 15 years, Mr Boyer also featured in movie and television roles.
He also recalls being part of border fundraisers with the help of Nikki Grae and Craig Dent, as well as working in the security industry.
"I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to grow up in Albury-Wodonga," he said.
"I have fond memories of looking out the windows at Xavier and wondering what I would do when I left school.
"At that stage, if someone had told me I'd have an undefeated career for 15 years in the country's strongest man competition and go to world strong man championships, do TV and movie work, I would have laughed.
"My main message is that if you're willing to dream and have an open heart to opportunities, I think anything is possible."
