My journalism career has spanned three world cups - not to mention covering numerous other top flight football and rugby matches.
But one line just blows my mind and sees my respect for these athletes simply explode.
That line is “nobody ever takes to the field feeling 100 per cent fit - the closest you will ever get is 90 per cent.”
These are professional athletes - their jobs are to train for a number of hours each and every day for the sport they love.
So imagine trying to do that - trying to do your actual job - when your body just will not respond the way you would like it to.
I have said before I have been incredibly lucky with my brain injury in many ways - at no point whatsoever have I ever experienced any physical pain.
However, I spend a lot of time reading online accounts of a variety of different experiences of respective brain injuries - all more unique then the next.
One thing which is common with them is pain - many people are in constant pain because of their brain injury.
Even though I hate my brain injury for turning my world upside down, I must thank it.
It fuels me, it provides me with the burning desire deep inside of me which spurs me on every time I slap my feet against the tarmac or treadmill - because of what it represents.
Therefore, with this in mind and seeing as I am writing this on Super Bowl Sunday - which Americans deem “the greatest show on turf” - I must pull out all of the dramatic stops by announcing I am running the 2018 London Marathon this April.
I have always wanted to run it, but if I’m honest, I’ve never had a cause close enough to my heart.
I have always tried to look at my brain injury in a positive way - thanks to my incredible wife - therefore, the cause found me: Headway - the National Brain Injury Charity.
They have helped me so much - both here in Dorset and in Gloucestershire.
I may not have the life back from before my brain injury, and I may never get it back, but the more important thing is I have a life back.
I am still here.
With this in mind, I want to repay the amazing help and support I have received from Headway by raising money for them AND hopefully inspiring someone else to do something amazing.
As stated before, I have not been alone on my brain injury journey, and yet again I will not be alone in tackling this latest task because I am being accompanied by one of my best friends called Dave.
I cannot put into words what his support and every other person who have helped us means to me.
If you can, you can donate here, or help by sharing the link
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/WillPerringwood
Listen to the podcast here
https://www.spreaker.com/user/lifeafterbraininjury
Find me on twitter @willwood2
https://twitter.com/willwood2
Find out more about Headway
https://www.headway.org.uk