Akinfenwa, who recently signed up for Gareth Ainsworth’s side in Monday’s FA Cup fourth-round defeat to Tottenham, is father to boys Ajani, 11, Jai, 10, five-year-old Jaylan, and daughters Kamira, 13, and eight-year-old Kaliyah.
He said: ‘I was on the watt bike this week questioning everything and thinking “this is killing me” but everyone has a purpose in life.
‘Mine is pushing through the pain barrier because I am inspired by a fear of not being able to care for and feed my children.
‘If I won the lottery, I would maybe be sitting on the beach somewhere! But I have to persevere with what I’m doing.
‘There’s a perception that once you have played professional football for a number of years then you are financially sound – but actually, you’re not.
‘A small percentage earn big money and when they hit 35 they don’t have to work again whereas for players in the lower leagues it’s basically contracted to contract.
‘I have to strap up my knee for every game and there are times when I wake up the following day after playing and think “I’m going to retire”.
‘I did want to play until I’m 40, which would mean continuing for one more season, but how I feel at the end of this campaign will determine my decision.’
Akinfenwa has yet to score in 20 appearances for the Chairboys this season – his first at Championship level.
He says he is unlikely to pursue an opening in football management when he retires with his media career already flourishing.
Akinfenwa and Laura Woods have big-name guests on their weekly Sky Sports Super 6 Podcast and he also works as a football pundit for Sky.
Akinfenwa, a devout Christian, added: ‘I enjoy my media work and I’ve got a few other things in the pipeline with Netflix and Amazon, so I pinch myself every day.
‘I don’t think management is for me but I like the mentoring side of the game because I think it’s something that is often overlooked.
‘The gaffer keeps telling me he thinks there are things I can give back to the game.
