For many men, staring down the barrel of middle age is an unpleasant task that requires a great deal of self-reflection.
But it seems Michael Clarke is doing everything he can to avoid the monotony of midlife existence ahead of his 40th birthday next year.
In recent months, the ex-cricketer has ended his marriage, updated his look and started a hot new friendship with Bondi’s trendiest fashion designer.
Is Michael Clarke going through manopause? How the retired Australian cricket captain has transformed his entire life since ending his marriage to Kyly last year. Pictured sporting a platinum blond hairstyle with an undercut on March 16
The transformation began last September, when Michael quietly split from his wife, Kyly, after seven years of marriage.
The high school sweethearts publicly announced their break-up in February, but vowed to remain ‘amicable’ for the sake of their four-year-old daughter, Kelsey Lee.
The separation came as a shock to many fans who regarded the Clarkes as the golden couple of Australian cricket.
Split: Michael and Kyly quietly parted ways in September but didn’t announce their separation until February. They share custody of four-year-old Kelsey Lee (pictured)
Post-divorce body: At about the same time, a newly-single Michael began updating fans on his fitness regimen by posting saucy workout selfies to Instagram
That’s dedication! Michael, who has turned his garage into a personal gym (right), documented his workout session on Thursday with a smouldering Instagram post (left)
New year, new me: Over the past few months, the batsman has been sculpting his body by lifting weights, playing basketball and going for walks along the Bondi Beach promenade
At about the same time, a newly-single Michael began updating fans on his fitness regimen by posting saucy workout selfies to Instagram.
Over the past few months, the batsman has been sculpting his body by lifting weights, playing basketball and going for walks along the Bondi Beach promenade.
The single father has also been focusing on his hot friendship with P.E Nation founder Pip Edwards.
Hot friendship: The single father has also been focusing on his hot friendship with P.E Nation founder Pip Edwards (left). Pictured together on December 2
Rumour mill: The pair are understood to have dated for several months after Michael and Kyly’s split, but have never publicly acknowledged they were a couple. Pictured: Pip Edwards
The pair are understood to have dated for several months after Michael and Kyly’s split, but have never publicly acknowledged they were a couple.
Things are said to have ended swiftly in early April when Michael decided he couldn’t handle the publicity that came with their romance.
On April 27, the retired sportsman was spotted spending time with Pip on her 40th birthday at her Bondi Beach apartment.
Hot wheels: On April 27, the retired sportsman was spotted spending time with Pip on her 40th birthday at her Bondi Beach apartment. When they noticed the paparazzi, Michael made a speedy getaway on his slick motorcycle
They were seen emerging from Pip’s home early in the morning as they went for a juice run.
But when they noticed the paparazzi, Michael made a swift exit on his motorcycle.
The resulting photo of his getaway perhaps summed up his midlife crisis better than any other.
Is that you, Justin Bieber? Michael recently transformed his look by shaving the sides of his hair into a youthful undercut. Pictured on Thursday
Meanwhile, Michael recently transformed his look by bleaching his hair platinum blond. He has also shaved the sides in a dramatic undercut.
This look has been sported by the likes of Justin Bieber, Adam Levine and Zac Efron.
Michael has also been transforming his look at the tattoo parlour, having debuted a trendy new hand inking in June 2019 – three months before splitting from his wife.
The tattoo depicts the number 11 in bold, black lettering and is believed to represent Michael’s stellar 11-year cricket career.
Tatt’s new! Michael has also been transforming his look at the tattoo parlour, having debuted a trendy new hand inking in June 2019 (pictured), three months before splitting from his wife
An ode to his formative years! The tattoo depicts the number 11 in bold, black lettering and is believed to represent Michael’s stellar 11-year cricket career