Former world champion Luke Humphries has disclosed that an extensive reassessment of his personal discipline and professional preparation has prompted a substantial transformation in both his physical conditioning and daily lifestyle regimen.
The current world number two admitted that, despite previously maintaining relatively healthy habits, he had not been operating with the degree of unwavering commitment required to sustain peak-level performance at the summit of elite darts. Determined to rediscover the standards that originally propelled him into the sport’s upper echelon, Humphries embarked upon an intensive programme centred around enhanced fitness, nutritional reform and significantly increased training volumes.
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As part of that comprehensive reconstruction, the former world champion invested heavily in a bespoke home gymnasium, allowing him to cultivate a far more rigorous and methodically structured approach to conditioning. Humphries believes the renewed dedication is already beginning to manifest itself in his performances on the oche.
The 30-year-old enjoyed a particularly encouraging sequence of results over the past fortnight, securing his maiden nightly triumph of the current Premier League Darts campaign in Birmingham before subsequently capturing a Players Championship very recently.
Post-match, Cool Hand reflected upon the alterations he has implemented, Humphries explained: “It was more about dedication than anything else.”
He continued: “I’ve invested a lot into a gym at home. I’m working out a lot more and eating healthier.”
Humphries candidly acknowledged that, although he had long attempted to maintain acceptable lifestyle standards, there had previously been an absence of the relentless application required to maximise his potential at the elite level of professional sport.
“I’ve always tried to live healthily, but maybe I wasn’t as dedicated as I needed to be.”
The former world champion further elaborated upon the depth of his recent commitment, stating: “Over the last three months I’ve really dedicated myself to getting back to where I was four or five years ago, maybe even better than that. So yeah, just being more dedicated.”
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Beyond the physical adjustments, the Berkshire-born star also spoke with notable candour regarding the psychological adversities that have accompanied various stages of his professional career. Rather than allowing those internal struggles to diminish him, he believes the experiences ultimately cultivated a heightened degree of mental fortitude and emotional resilience.
He said: “Going through those struggles made me mentally stronger. I’ve said that many times.”
Humphries added: “When you’ve gone through so much in your own mind and managed to overcome it and still win big things, it changes you mentally.”
While emphasising that he would never willingly choose to endure such difficulties again, the Englishman acknowledged that the experience fundamentally altered his mentality and perspective.
“I’m not saying I’m happy I went through it, but it definitely made me stronger because of it.”
The world number two also reiterated his desire to utilise his own experiences as a source of encouragement and inspiration for others facing comparable challenges, both within darts and beyond the confines of professional sport.
“All I care about now is being an inspiration to other people — whether that’s players or anyone else.”
He continued: “If someone looks at me and thinks, ‘If he can do it, maybe I can too,’ then that’s the most important thing.”
The reigning Premier League champion further explained that his willingness to speak openly regarding mental health had never been motivated by personal acclaim or celebrity status, but rather by a sincere aspiration to assist others who may be silently confronting similar battles.
“That’s why I’ve always been open and honest about it. Not to be some superstar, but to help people.”
The former world champion also highlighted the role both he and fellow professional James Wade have attempted to play in normalising mental health conversations within the sport.
“Me and James Wade have both tried to make mental health discussions more open in darts, and hopefully one day someone comes up to you and says, ‘You really helped me.’ Then it’s all worthwhile.”
Humphries now prepares to defend his Premier League crown at the O2 in a weeks time after securing safe passage to London with a week to spare.
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Images: PDC
