Gary O'Toole, former Olympic swimmer
Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?
As healthy as I can but not as healthy as I would like. I could start work as early as 6am, finishing up at 9pm, so there are long days.
How often do you exercise?
When I start work early, it’s hard to get a swim in. UCD has just opened a 50m pool which is a godsend. I’ve jumped in with their alumni squad and almost killed myself trying to keep up.
I have twin daughters who are just learning to swim so I find myself going to the pool and instead of swimming myself, standing in the water and giving them encouragement.
Do you get your five a day?
Yes I do. I bring a packed lunch when I’m working and that always has fruit. My biggest challenge is to get enough water. You can end up being dehydrated in theatre. Because the surgery I do can be quite physical, you have to remind yourself to take enough fluids. The five a day is more or less taken care of by my wife who looks after nutritional intake.
Do you worry?
I don’t worry about my own health. Do I worry about bills and everything else? Of course I do. I find swimming an excellent antidote to any stress. You have to concentrate on what you’re doing for that hour and it doesn’t afford you the opportunity to mull over things.
What do you do to relax?
Swimming. And I like to eat out. We’ve always tried to preserve Friday nights for myself and my wife. I used to be an avid cinemagoer but now getting a babysitter to go to the movies and not talk doesn’t seem a great idea.
What’s your unhealthiest habit?
I have a very sweet tooth. My family know if there is chocolate lying around they’d better eat it or I’ll hoover it up.
Gary O’Toole is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at UPMC Beacon Centre for Orthopaedics and St Vincent’s Univeristy Hospital
In conversation with Joanne Hunt
