Johnny Sexton once admitted to developing a mild obsession with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots quarterback's incredible longevity. Aged 41, Brady won his sixth Super Bowl this year.
Brady's durability is partially down to a strict, mainly plant-based diet. Sexton says he has not adopted anything as extreme as Brady but has made modifications as he gets older.
"I'd take some vitamins and supplements, a lot of the older lads on the team do," said MACE ambassador Sexton.
Things that might help with your muscle tissue as you get older, like collagen, which you get in chicken broth. There's been some good studies on that.
But over the last few years, I've learnt a lot about my own body and what it needs and met some really good people that have helped me to find ways to train and keep me fit.
There was a period, three years ago, when I was really struggling with injuries and I couldn't seem to get a run of games. I learnt a lot about my body through that period and I think those setbacks will actually stand to me now for however many years I have left in rugby.
In Japan [for the Rugby World Cup] we'll have our own diet anyway but when we're there it would be rude not to eat sushi and it's a good option for training too so I'm sure we'll have plenty of it.
In between Ireland training camps ahead of the World Cup, Sexton will spend time on holiday in Portugal with his family.
"Luca is five later this month, Amy is three and Sophie is ten months," said Sexton.
"They teach them pretty well about healthy eating in school so it's often Luca telling me that vegetables are healthy and all those things and asking me why I don't eat all my vegetables.
"Obviously, I try and play a role in that - encourage them to eat healthily and get the out of the house and exercise - but we're very lucky with the schools they go to. They're taught very well about nutrition.
"I think there's always a place to have your treats or cheat meals after games. Probably the hardest part for me is when you've finished dinner and the kids have left-overs of whatever they've been eating. The hardest thing, to be honest, is not to finish it off for them!"
Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Johnny Sexton is a MACE brand ambassador, Ireland’s longest serving convenience brand.
