Beginner’s Luck… 50 Years On

Reflections on Post-COVID Athletic Trends

Since the first rollout of the mRNA vaccines, I have increasingly been wondering about what I am seeing—both in my clinic and in the world of sport. At first, I said little, out of respect for others. But as time passes, the patterns are becoming too clear to ignore.

At the recent UCI Masters Mountain Bike World Championships, I won my category by a massive margin—3 minutes 26 seconds over just 49 minutes of racing. In a field of this calibre, that’s an eternity.

You can read my race report here:https://www.garymoller.com/post/a-world-championship-win

This is not an isolated event. Over the past few years—post-COVID, post-vaccine rollouts—I’ve noticed my winning margins becoming larger. I’ve also observed another trend: smaller fields in the older age categories. There are fewer people lining up to race, and some of the strong competitors from years past are no longer there.

Pre-COVID UCI Masters racing

Post COVID

I’ve been pondering why this is happening. Dr Philip McMillan's recent presentation sheds light on what I’ve been seeing, both on the race course and in my clinic.

Please take the time to watch and listen carefully to his talk:https://www.youtube.com/live/Fxr7y_QF6is

A Wave of Fatigue, Inflammation and Degeneration

In my clinic, I’m seeing a surge of clients struggling with fatigue, chronic inflammation, and now—several years post-vaccination—a sharp rise in degenerative issues affecting tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and joints. These are people who were once active and fit. Many are in their 50s, 60s, and 70s—the very demographic that used to dominate Masters sport.

We are only just beginning to understand the full biological impact of COVID-19 infection and, more importantly, the mRNA vaccines—which introduce genetic instructions for spike protein production directly into our cells.

For an in-depth look at the role of mitochondria in this story, I encourage you to read:https://www.garymoller.com/post/mitochondria-101-the-powerhouses-of-life

Why Tendon and Cartilage Injuries are Now Emerging

It is well understood that different tissues in the body have different levels of cellular metabolism and mitochondrial density.

• Tissues like the heart, liver, kidneys, testes, ovaries, skeletal muscle, and central nervous system are highly metabolic and rich in mitochondria. Harm to these tissues tends to appear early following spike protein exposure—within weeks or months.

• In contrast, tissues such as cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bone are much less metabolically active—particularly as we age. Their cellular turnover is slow, and their ability to clear spike protein, resolve inflammation, and regenerate is limited.

This means that injuries or degeneration in these tissues may not surface until years later—often when a person starts training harder again or returns to sport. Worse, once damaged, healing can be terribly slow and complicated.

In the clinic, I am now seeing a surge in such cases. This aligns perfectly with what Dr McMillan discusses—and what I am observing on the race course.

You may also want to read this related article:https://www.garymoller.com/post/getting-a-covid-booster-makes-you-tired

Still giving the youngsters a good run for their money!

A Worrying Observation from Another Sport

This anonymous quote from an observant friend and seasoned watersports athlete sums it up well:

"I have never known so many swimmers and surfers having or had surgery. Like their bodies breaking down. Never ever seen this much before."

The patterns are not limited to mountain biking. They are appearing across many sports and physical activities.

Mountain Bike Racing Exposes These Problems Early

Mountain bike (MTB) racing is an incredibly intense and physically demanding sport. It pushes athletes to their limits with high forces, rapid accelerations and decelerations, and constant impacts—especially on rough and technical courses.

It is also a sport with high rates of injury, particularly to joints, tendons, and ligaments. Any increase in fragility and any decrease in healing capacity—even slight—can be disastrous.

For this reason, any systemic harm to a person’s physiology will often be most obvious and measurable in the fields that populate this kind of sport. This is where the cracks show first. And I am seeing those cracks more and more.

By my estimation, the COVID mRNA vaccines reduce an athlete’s peak performance by around 12 percent. This kind of decline may seem small, but to an athlete who may train for an entire year to gain an extra 1 percent in performance, this is an utter disaster.

Why My Margins Are Growing

Am I winning because I’m some kind of superman? No. I believe my margins are increasing because others have declined.

I’ve been extremely cautious about what goes into my body. I’ve stayed true to my principles:

• No mRNA vaccines

• Natural, nutrient-dense diet

• Rigorous mitochondrial support

• Careful detoxification

• Respect for circadian rhythms, sunlight, sleep, and movement

I am resilient.

.

In short: Freeranger health principles.

You can read more here about why I founded the Freerangers movement:https://www.garymoller.com/post/why-we-started-the-freerangers-movement

It is possible that this has insulated me from some of the long-term impacts we are now seeing in much of the athletic population.

A Time for Honest Conversation

I do not write this to boast. I write it because I believe we need to start having frank discussions about what is happening to the health of our athletes—and our wider population.

Too many are still unwilling to connect the dots. The media is silent. Authorities continue to turn a blind eye. But in the clinic, in the field, and on the race course, the reality is there for anyone willing to see.

This is not just about performance decline or injuries. It is also about premature deaths and unexplained mortality trends. You can read my thoughts on this broader issue here:https://www.garymoller.com/post/did-they-die-of-natural-causes-and-on-time-or-are-we-witnessing-democide

Finally, this situation also touches on something deeper: the integrity of our DNA and mitochondrial function—our very Godscript. You can read more about that here:https://www.garymoller.com/post/dna-your-godscript

Please watch Dr McMillan’s video. Listen to the stories he is reporting. Compare them with what you are seeing in your own circles.

Then let’s talk—openly and honestly—about how we can help those affected, and how we can protect the next generation.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are my own, based on clinical observation and personal experience. This is not medical advice. If you are concerned about your health, please consult a trusted health professional.