ANTHONY JOSHUA is one of the least demanding athletes, from my perspective as a nutritionist. I think you have to have good relationships with your athletes, know what makes them tick if you are going to influence their diet and training. There is an optimum fighting weight as a heavyweight, but Josh doesn’t have to worry about making weight. He likes to eat healthy, wholesome, natural foods. Anything new I suggest his first question is always, ‘What would Muhammad Ali do?’ That makes me laugh. We have interactions on a weekly basis – each week we’ll perhaps go for a bit of dinner together, chill, but there’s not a written report each week, saying ‘Eat this many grammes of x, y and z.’ We speak frequently though the week too but Josh is not that needy. It’s more principles with Josh, maybe six years ago he needed that level of information, but he’s a mature athlete now, he knows what he’s doing. As he tapers down his training for the big fight with Dillian Whyte this weekend, some of those principles – or lessons – are outlined over the next few pages.
Next: Lesson 1 of 4 – Managing your diet around your schedule
Mark Ellison RSEN
Performance Nutritionist
@ElliNutrition
