Caelan Doris: Quality of life determines your health — so look after yourself

"I cry a lot more now than when I was younger. Probably within the last month. Just letting off a bit of steam."

Fri, 30 Aug, 2024 - 02:00

Rebecca Daly

Irish rugby player Caelan Doris is just back from a bumper trip stateside when we speak.

He was in Los Angeles to visit his brother before heading to Mexico, squeezing in a two-night stopover in New York on the way back.

The break comes at the end of a long season, which saw him captain Ireland for the first time in February for their game against Italy in the Six Nations. He also received a three-year IRFU 'central contract”, extending his time at Leinster until July 2027.

Doris recently launched an ambassadorship with Ohk Energy as part of his work with Childline, to help raise funds for the children's charity.

The partnership will see €50 from every Ohk Energy sale of solar PV systems and air-to-water heat pumps donated to Childline until September 6.

Do you have a morning routine?

On training days, I get up, have a cold shower, do a bit of mindfulness, and then have a coffee or breakfast. Nothing too hectic.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

Once I’m not hungry, I’ll stop eating—especially when it comes to things like jellies. I get a bit carried away, so I try to say, ‘Okay, I’m not hungry anymore.’

What are your guiltiest pleasures?

Any sort of jellies - I absolutely love them. You know those low-calorie pots of jelly? Sometimes, they’re a decent replacement because if I get going on Haribos or Sour Snakes, I’m done.

What keeps you awake at night?

I’m a pretty good sleeper. My girlfriend [Faye Richardson] gets annoyed that within five minutes of sitting on any flight, I am gone.

How do you relax?

Just chilling out with friends, grabbing a coffee, going for a stroll, watching something on Netflix or reading.

What’s your dream meal?

Three courses? I’ll go buffalo chicken wings, a fillet stake with a few nice sides – probably some mashed potato, bit of broccoli – and then sticky toffee pudding to finish with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Who are your sporting heroes?

Within rugby: Jamie Heaslip, Brian O’Driscoll. Outside rugby: I used to love footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani [Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha]. [Roger] Federer as well - I didn’t really like tennis, but I always thought he was pretty cool.

When was the last time you cried?

I cry a lot more now than when I was younger. Probably within the last month. Just letting off a bit of steam.

Caelan Doris poses for a portrait after a Ireland rugby media conference at the Sport Ireland Campus Conference Centre in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

What is the best health advice you've ever been given?

Nothing specific. Your quality of life is largely determined by your health, so look after yourself and your body.

What traits do you least like in others?

I don’t like it when people are tight with money.

What traits do you least like about yourself?

I have a tendency to overthink things.

Do you pray?

No. Not in a formal way, anyway.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Gandhi, Usain Bolt, and Beyonce.

What quote inspires you most and why?

I like stoicism. This one is from Marcus Aurelius: 'The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.' I think it’s a pretty good motto to live by, taking positives from any situation.

Where is your favourite place in the world?

Either Croatia or LA. Since my brother lives in LA, I’ve probably been there close to 10 times over the last few years. I love the energy, the people, and how everyone’s so different and cool, just doing their own thing, and there’s very little judgment.

What’s something nobody knows about you?

I travelled to India several times when I was very young with my parents, who went to meditation ashrams and retreats.

Hopes for the rest of 2024

I want to stay injury-free, perform well, have success as a team, and be happy.

Ohk Energy is a new group brand combining the key strengths of leading renewable energy providers NRG Panel and JFW Renewables, to establish one of the largest and most trusted renewable energy groups in Ireland.

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