The Shape I’m In: Jamie Heaslip

SCROLL down through Jamie Heaslip’s Twitter page and you’ll see a shot of his man brunch: double eggs, sunny side up over a mountain of diced beetroot and roast swede. 

It’s accompanied by a plate filled with a wedge of bread the size of a small canoe, topped with scrambled egg and steamed spinach. Just the kind of a fuel the Irish international rugby player needs to keep him in peak condition.

Great weekend #brunch in @BEARdublin #bear #manfood pic.twitter.com/EwwhWFpSwi

— jamie heaslip (@jamieheaslip) September 14, 2014

The shot is taken in the restaurant Bear, one of his business ventures. But as much as he loves being around good food, he is happy to let the professionals get on with things in the kitchen.

“I like cooking but I see how hard the chefs work in Bear and other restaurants and I’ve a lot of respect for them because I definitely couldn’t do it,” he says.

There is also a new bar in Ballsbridge, The Bridge 1859, in the offing. It’s a joint venture with fellow Leinster and Ireland rugby players Rob and Dave Kearney and Sean O’Brien. He did medical engineering in college and has just finished a masters in management. So is he planning a future in business?

“Yes. I don’t know what exactly but even with sports I want to be on the business side. I wouldn’t have an interest in coaching or anything like that. But I’ve a few more years left. I hope to keep playing for as long as I can.”

Aged 30, he lives in Dublin and is in a relationship but wants “to keep his private life private”.

* Jamie Heaslip is brand ambassador for the new MaxiNutrition online shop; http://www.maxishop.com

What shape are you in?

After a nine-week pre-season, I’m probably in the best shape I’ve been in so far. A lot of our training would be altitude-based fitness where we would do high-intensity interval training in an altitude tent. The tent had us at about 11,000 to 12,000ft with oxygen levels at about 13%. It was pretty intense, pretty tough but it would be all over in 10 to 15 minutes. We were also in the gym lifting weights five days a week, each session would last anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes. And we had our normal skills training pitch sessions up to four times a week pre-season.

Do you have any health concerns?

No. I’ve been lucky, both my parents are still alive and kicking and seem to have good genes. I just try to eat right and hope it will have a good effect when I get to their age. On the pitch I’ve been relatively lucky. I’ve had one injury in my professional career, which is now in its ninth season. I’ve been blessed in that regard.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I avoid sugar and a lot of carbohydrates which get turned into sugar anyway. My meals are protein heavy, veg heavy, with little or no carbohydrates. The only exception is the 36 to 24-hour window coming into a game where you would carb load — sweet potato, quinoa, slow-release foods — or drink fruits smoothies.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Mainly pizza after a game. Otherwise, it’s a nice whiskey. I do like a nice Johnny Walker Blue Label.

What would keep you awake at night?

I tend not to be able to sleep after a game because I give my body a lot of caffeine — chewing gum, drinks and gel — before a game and it stays in the system for a while afterwards. And if I’ve had a bad game you’re replaying it in your head all the time. Otherwise, I sleep like a baby.

How do you relax?

I switch off from rugby when I get home and look at possible business ventures — the restaurant and pub are two of them. I’m also involved in a company called Kitman Lab. I’m always looking at different opportunities to exploit the unique position I find myself in.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Basketball player LeBron James, [talent manager] Damien O’Donohoe and comedian Billy Connolly.

What’s your favourite smell?

Lavender.

What would you change about your appearance?

Nothing. I am what I am.

When did you last cry?

It’s been so long I can’t remember.

What trait do you least like in others?

I don’t like disloyalty and I don’t like liars.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

I can be envious of other people’s gadgets.

Do you pray?

My dad goes to Lough Derg every year and is a minister of the eucharist, so he does all the praying for me.

What would cheer up your day?

My dog JD giving me a lick when I come in the door He’s a British bulldog.