Cian Healy, Leinster and Ireland rugby player
Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?
Yes. I’d be into healthy eating and vitamins and things like that. Don’t get me wrong, I like a bit of junk food, but with the sport you do have to put a cap on it. I have to be in good shape for my job, so I can’t eat too much of it.
How often do you exercise?
It’s pre-season now, so it’s five days a week with weekends to recuperate. Today, it was speed training and weights. Pre-season is completely different to when the games are going on – we’re pushed pretty hard to prepare well enough to be able to play.
The training is so vigorous and energy consuming that, in your own time, you’re asked to relax to be ready to go again for the next day. Rest is a big part of recovery and sleep aids muscle growth. I don’t know all the science of it, but I’m just told to do it.
Do you get your five a day?
I try. I’d have my juices and I take Berocca. A nutritionist gives us a couple of smoothie and food recipes which, if you’re a dab hand, you can try out, or you can do your own bit of experimenting with a blender and fruit.
Do you worry?
No, not at all. If there’s anything wrong with a friend or family, that would be the only thing that would cause me worry. For everything else, I’m pretty laid back.
What do you do to relax?
I do a bit of painting. Recently, I’ve started doing portraits – not exact portraits but changing them a little bit, making them look different but still recognisable. One of my buddies is in a band and I listen to them quite a bit. I do a bit of DJ-ing too. I’d be into dance and house music.
What’s your unhealthiest habit?
Probably junk food. Domino’s pizza is my vice. I’m blessed with a high enough metabolism, so the lads give me a bit of stick because I can do it and they can’t. Pepperoni, chicken and sweetcorn, that’s me.
In conversation with
JOANNE HUNT