“I have to get in shape”: Rory McIlroy inspires former PGA TOUR player to shed nearly 45 pounds

Rafael Campos has been inspired by Rory McIlroy, but not in the way many would think. Instead of inspiring him to get better at golf, McIlroy inspired the former PGA Tour player to lose a lot of weight. Campos was unhealthy and unhappy, and McIlroy inspired him to make a big change.

Campos said via Golf Channel:

"I've lost approximately 40-45 pounds in the last five months or so. Came about just because last year was a really bad year, inconsistent year, injuries were really bad the middle of the year. I've battled with this and through this for the last four years and I just had enough, to tell you the truth, I really did.

"I'm just really upset sometimes when I think about it that I waited so long to make this type of change. Five months ago, I set up a great team — everything, nutritionist, chiropractor, trainer, manager. Just put a brand new team together, start from zero and we're doing a great job."

Campos is in excellent shape now, and though he's not an active, competitive member of the PGA Tour, he feels as good as he ever has.

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Rory McIlroy is the reason for Rafael Campos' good health

Rafael Campos knows Rory McIlroy is a big reason that he is where he is now. The former golfer gave McIlroy credit for inspiring him to get healthier and in better shape, something the current World No. 3 had to do:

"I remember Rory [McIlroy], an interview he had. Rory was never fat like me, but he was chubbier and I do remember an interview, I still go back to it, I want to say it was like a good 13 years ago.

"One reporter basically asked him like, 'Hey, how did you get in shape so quick,' or why did he do it. He was like, 'Man, my lower back was really bothering me and if I want to play golf until I'm 60 or something like that, I have to get in shape.'"

Rory McIlroy inspired Rafael Campos

Campos admitted that that interview galvanized him:

"I still remember that kind of triggered me saying like, 'OK, this is one of the top players in the world, and he's doing something about it just because he knows we have to use our body to play and to be able to work.' I think that definitely helped."

Campos hopes his story will inspire others like McIlroy's inspired him:

"I do believe this will be an inspiration. Best example was a couple weeks ago [at the Puerto Rico Open], a lot of people had not seen me in five, six months, and it was really cool to see the dads and the younger kids go up to me and just say, 'Oh, wow, I'm really impressed.'"

Campos is impressed with what Rory McIlroy was able to accomplish, and he hopes people have the same reaction to seeing him after he lost a lot of weight, too.