Athlete Interview: Steve Naughton talks to Primal Performance
Name: Steve Naughton
Date of Birth: 30 January 1989
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 89 kg
Position: Fullback, Wing
Junior Clubs: Yass Magpies
Previous Clubs: Canberra Raiders
Can you tell us a bit about your background as an athlete?
I’ve been playing Rugby League since 6 years old. I played in the Canberra Raiders junior representative teams U13, U15, U18, U20 before I moved to the Sydney Roosters in 2010. I played NSW Country Schoolboys U15, South Coast Schoolboys U18. Outside of Rugby League, I played touch football for Southern NSW U14, U16, U18 then NSW CCC and NSW All Schools U15, U18 and I played for Australia U18.
How did you go in athletics as a kid?
I went to NSW CCC U14 and U16 in the 400m and to NSW All Schools U14 and U16 in cross-country running.
What were you told about nutrition as a young athlete?
I had a limited education about nutrition as a young athlete. My understanding was that your diet needed a lot of carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables, and some meats along with good hydration. My diet was the result of being a type 1 diabetic rather than an athlete. I was eating a lot of bread and cereals as well up until my recent move to a grain-free diet.
What impact has it had on your health, recovery, and or performance switching to a “Primal diet”?
As a result of switching to a primal diet, I have enjoyed improved health and well-being. I’m using 40% less insulin to manage my diabetes. I am happier with life in general. My teeth are of better quality and my skin has a more natural look. In terms of muscle recovery from training, I’ve had no injuries in the 4 months on the diet and have had substantially less muscle soreness daily while doing the intense training involved in an NRL preseason.
My performance has also improved because of my improved nutrition. Strength wise I’m lifting up to 20kg heavier than previously on some exercises. I’m carrying less body fat and finding it easier to maintain the bodyweight I need for Rugby League.
Most people can get pretty good results if they’re 80% strict on the Primal diet as long as they maintain 100% gluten-free and low grain consumption. How strict are you on the no grains / low sugar side / no processed foods? Do you feel any effects when you break away from the usual plan?
I break away from my diet when I experience low blood sugar levels from my diabetes. When this happens I usually drink apple juice and eat muesli bars to help my sugar levels return to normal. This has been constant through the diet so when it happens I don’t feel any different. On days like Christmas when I’ve eaten processed foods, I feel like I have less energy than normal it even has a bit of a hangover effect for a few days without getting on the beers.
Are you using any supplements at the moment?
I take glutamine and probiotics to help support my immune system and gut function plus BCAA’s to help me deal with hard training and keep my muscle mass on. I also take a multivitamin, fish oil, and glucosamine tablets along with green powders (Spirulina/chlorella/grass, etc.)
By now most of our readers know that getting 8-10 hours of sleep in complete darkness is key to both health and recovery. How are you going with the “Sleep in a Cave” concept? What’s your normal sleeping routine?
I sleep between 10.30 pm and 8 am most days. If I don’t stick to this routine I struggle the next day in whatever I’m undertaking.
What effect has the Primal way of life had on your body composition?
I have found my body to be a lot leaner with better muscle definition at about the same weight I was at before I made the primal lifestyle change.
Often cleaning up the diet can allow better nerve function and therefore help you break plateaus in performance. How are you comparing in terms of strength and power since you’ve gone Primal?
Strength performance has improved in all areas. Up to 20kg stronger in some lifts.
What are your favorite exercises or training sessions?
I enjoy team sessions on the field, anything involving ‘game-sense’ activities associated with Rugby League.
What are the most difficult aspects for you about living the Primal lifestyle?
The challenges with the primal diet are sticking to it at night when you’re tired after a long day and maintaining discipline. Also restraining from temptations of following the diets and lifestyle of friends is tough. Sticking to the sleep pattern 100% is also a challenge.
What’s are the best and worst things about being a professional athlete?
The best thing is you’re doing what you love! (Editor’s note: that’s really what Primal Performance is about – helping people do the things they love in life!)
What motivates you to stay Primal in a world full of deep-fried, sugar-coated non-foods?
The motivation to stay primal is pretty simple. I look, feel, and perform better, that’s enough to help me stay primal. My goal for 2011 is to make my NRL debut. I know that staying fit and healthy is a big part of getting there.
What advice do you have for people out there thinking about trying to make a change either to lean down, add some lean muscle, or just get their health back on track?
My advice would be to commit fully to the diet for a period of time and then judge for themselves what works for them and what doesn’t.
Great tip! Thanks for your time, Steve. We’ll be watching out for you in 2011!
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