Interview: Nick Youngquest

I would like to welcome former professional Rugby League player turned full time model, Nick Youngquest to the blog.

Nick retired from Rugby League in 2012 after playing professionally in Australia, France and England. Nick played 37 games in the NRL and 67 games in the English Super League as well as being the top try scorer for PIA Donkeys in the national French competition in 2008.

Today, I’m going to chat with Nick regarding his transition from professional athlete to now using his image as his main work tool and what nutrition/ training protocols he now follows.

Nick, firstly congratulations on being the face of new Sport fragrance by Paco Rabanne called Invictis (Watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bwoHPWU2qw

Q: Rugby League players are sometimes known for not looking after their nutrition habits and getting out on the booze etc. What would be the major change you have made in regards to your nutrition plan?

A: Haha…I looking back now I had of paid more attention to my nutrition when I was playing I would have been able to get so much more out of my body performance wise. The main change for me would be surrounding carbs I guess, not that I look at how many carbs I take in, but when I take them in. I try to consume all my carbs surrounding my training in order to get the most benefit. I also don’t need as much energy as I did when I am playing so I would say I don’t eat quite as much too.

Q: Whilst playing Rugby League you tipped the scales at 96kg you now sit around 6% Body Fat all year round. What is your body weight now and what have you changed in order to maintain that lean look?

A: Yes I was much bigger when I was playing and I am now 87kgs…I guess now as I need to be smaller I make better decisions about what foods I consume, and when I consume it. I have never been a bad eater or anything like that, but making more conscious decisions with my diet is important for me to maintain and manage my weight. I eat fairly well, but I also enjoy a good burger so once a week I make sure I indulge, but that just results in being in the gym early the next morning training harder than I did the day before!

 

Q: Rugby League is a very physically demanding sport, which requires a great deal of preparation. You now prepare your body for photo shoots how does your training differ?

A: Yes things are a little different now! When I was playing it was an all year thing making sure your body is in the best shape possible for high performance, but now its more about keeping in shape in a more aesthetic sense I guess which is a little different! They both require the same dedication and my training reflects that now. My training now is predominantly weights, intervals for cardio (sprints on the treadmill), core and Yoga; these are consistent things in my training routine. I have enjoyed being able to change it up and try different things too.

Q: Gives us an example of a typical training week for you looks like?

A: Typically I train everyday now because I don’t get the bumps and bruises I used to when I was playing so I am able to push myself in that respect a little more. A typical week would involve the following:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday

AM – Weights and Core, PM – Cardio

Tuesday and Thursday

AM – Weights and Core

Saturday – Yoga

Sunday – Cardio

I like to vary what I do and sometimes I will train a little more than that and sometimes a little less, especially when I am travelling for work.

Q: You have trained as an Athlete in Australia, the UK and now living in New York City how would you compare gym facilities in these three countries?

A: The gyms here are pretty good. Facilities wise I guess they really all have similar things but on varying levels. The gym I go to here in NY has everything I need and is a great set up. The funny thing about training here is watching some of the things people do. From people running backwards, sideways and all sorts on the treadmill, to people placing body building pictures in front of the machine they are using for inspiration are some of the things I’ve seen so far in NY, but I guess what ever floats your boat hey!

Nick appreciate your time mate, all the best for the rest of 2013 and the future. Keep training hard.

Cheers,

Dean