Mayer followed his friends into athletics and found joy in the mix of disciplines that decathlon offers. He appreciated competing against others at the start but valued the self-competition as events progressed. Currently, he is affiliated with Montpellier Athletic Mediterranee Metropole in France.

Personal Life and Interests

Mayer lives with his partner Delphine Jariel, who has represented France in sailing. They reside in Montpellier. Mayer's hobbies include photography, video editing, astronomy, following the Boston Celtics, and reading comics. His heroes include Swedish high jumper Stefan Holm, US long jumper Mike Powell, and French decathlete Romain Barras.

Injuries and Challenges

Mayer has faced several injuries throughout his career. He missed the 2019 World Championships due to hamstring, Achilles tendon, and knee injuries. In February 2019, he sustained a back injury during pole vault practice. A heel injury kept him out of the 2016 World Indoor Championships, and a hamstring injury prevented him from competing at the 2015 World Championships.

Philosophy and Achievements

Mayer describes himself as an eternal self-critic, believing that one must learn quickly in decathlon since mastering everything is impossible. His dedication has earned him several accolades. In 2019, he received the Grand Prize of the Academy of Sport in France. He was named the 2018 European Athlete of the Year at the Golden Tracks award ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland. In 2016, he was honoured as Knight of the National Order of Merit by the French government.

Initiatives and Publications

In 2018, Mayer initiated the Mayer Experience camp in St-Jean-de-Monts, France. This adapted decathlon camp aimed to make the discipline more accessible. The first camp saw 200 attendees, and a second edition was held in Cannes in 2019. In 2020, Mayer published his autobiography titled 'Mes 10 commandements' [My 10 commandments].

Future Ambitions

Looking ahead, Mayer aims to compete at future Olympic Games. His dedication to athletics continues to inspire many aspiring athletes worldwide.