september-2011

EVENTS /// PROFILES /// FOOD /// PLACES /// STYLE /// SPORTS
FIT TO GO
LEAN MEAN
FITNESS
MACHINE
As one of Jetstar Gold Coast
Titans’ fastest players, winger
David Mead is also one of the
fi ttest. Since bursting on to the
rugby league scene as a 19-yearold
for his native Papua New
Guinea at the 2008 World Cup,
Mead has become a strike weapon
for the Titans. We asked him how
he stays fi t and healthy in such a
tough sport.
YOU’RE STUDYING PERSONAL
TRAINING. IS THAT A CAREER PATH
FOR LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL?
I’m doing it more to help me with
my football. When I fi rst started my
professional career I didn’t really
know what to eat, but since I’ve
got my diet right I’ve been able to
cope with the pre-season training
a lot better.
ANY DIET TIPS YOU’VE PICKED UP?
What hurts most is eating carbs
when you’re not exercising. If you
get lots of good fats and protein in,
you’re fi ne. If I’m going to sneak
024
a chocolate bar in, I’ll do it after a
work-out when my metabolism is
still high.
YOU GUYS TRAVEL BY AIR A LOT,
HOW DO YOU STAY FRESH DURING
AND AFTER A FLIGHT?
On longer fl ights, I’ll get up a few
times to have a walk around and
have a bit of a stretch to stop my
hips and lower back stiffening up.
I get a good breakfast in before we
go to the airport and I’ll also drink
plenty of water to stay hydrated.
HOW DO YOU STAY SHARP WHEN
YOU’RE HANGING AROUND HOTELS
WAITING FOR A MATCH?
The day before a game we often
have a training session in the
afternoon, and then go back to the
hotel, stretch up a bit in the room
and after dinner we get a massage
and watch a movie, to stay relaxed.
AWAY FROM FOOTBALL, HOW DO
YOU KEEP FIT?
I love playing touch football with my
mates or just mucking around in the
swimming pool. Just fun stuff.
Titans player,
David Mead
COOLANGATTA GOLD
GOLD COAST, 25 SEPTEMBER
Some of the fi ttest athletes on the planet will battle
it out for the pinnacle of Australian surf life-saving,
the Coolangatta Gold. The gruelling endurance race
is one of the sport’s most iconic events and features
more than AU$60,000 in prize money. The main event’s
46km circuit stretches from Kurrawa to Coolangatta and
back, and features a ski paddle, swim, board paddle
and three run legs. Female competitors slug it out over
a shorter 30km track. Spectators can view the action
at any beach on the southern half of the Gold Coast,
but for the best vantage point, head to Broadbeach’s
Kurrawa Beach. See sls.com.au/coolangattagold
WORDS: BILL PALMER