Health

Olympic rower, gold medallist Fintan McCarthy: Relaxing for me is just lying on the couch, scrolling through my phone

Gail Bell asks experts and people in the public eye what keeps them going. This week: Irish national champion lightweight rower and Olympic gold medallist, Fintan McCarthy, from Skibbereen, Co Cork

Fintan McCarthy at a practice session at the National Rowing Centre, Farran, Co Cork. Picture by Dan Linehan
Fintan McCarthy at a practice session at the National Rowing Centre, Farran, Co Cork. Picture by Dan Linehan Fintan McCarthy at a practice session at the National Rowing Centre, Farran, Co Cork. Picture by Dan Linehan
1

Up and at it – what is your morning routine?

I start the day off with a big glass of water and then I'll have breakfast – the type of breakfast will depend on the training session that particular day.

2

What might you eat in a typical working day for...Breakfast?

This changes a lot, depending on my schedule, but breakfast usually consists of porridge or toast. I also have recovery shakes or protein shakes taken at various times during the morning, as well.

Lunch?

It's all about convenience for me. I might make a big Bolognese sauce to have with pasta or else a curry which will last a few days.

Evening meal?

I don't mind eating the same thing for lunch and dinner – maybe that Bolognese sauce or curry again...

3

Is nutrition important to you – do you take health supplements?

Yes, we have to be pretty careful with nutrition, especially being in the lightweight division and having to weigh in before each competition. Health supplements-wise, Kinetica are really good (and not just because they sponsor me). I usually take their zinc, magnesium and omega 3 as well as electrolytes.

4

Ever been on a diet – if so, how did it go?

I do like trying out different things, so I have done a bit of intermittent fasting and low carb diets in the past, especially when it was coming close to a weigh-in. However, I always find that I come back to what works best for me which is a good balance of everything. In the couple of days ahead of a competition, I might cut out all fruit and veg because of all the fibre and that would help us to drop a kilo at least, ahead of the weigh-in.

5

Weekend treat?

I treat myself daily, just to get through... I definitely go for baked goods and I enjoy a good doughnut. I don't really see chocolates and sweets as a treat any more because I take them all the time to 'top-up' or to give me energy when I'm training. At the weekend or when I am having some down time, I love a takeaway – maybe Indian or Chinese food. I am also partial to a good burger and chips.

6

How do you keep physically and mentally fit?

Well, physically, it's just about trying to get through the training plan each day. Mentally, I think having a routine helps a lot, but at the same time it's really important to make time for relaxing or seeing my friends.

7

Best tip for everyday fitness?

Stick to your training plan and reward or bargain with yourself as much as is needed. Also, get back on track as soon as possible when things aren't going right – don't throw the baby out with the bath water, as they say.

8

Were you a fan of schools sports/PE or do you have a memory from those days that you would rather forget?

I didn't start rowing until I was 15 and before that I just didn't have a sport that I really enjoyed. Then, in my last year at school, our PE department was involved in the training for Skibbereen Rowing Club. We had rowing machines in the school for all the club members, so at that point, PE consisted of either hard intervals or a 30-minute row, as hard as you can go. The rest of the class would be looking at us as if we were mad, but for us it meant that we didn't have to train in the evening, so we were happy to do it.

9

Teetotal or tipple?

Oh, a tipple, I would say.

10

Stairs or lift?

Lift.

11

What book are you currently reading?

Greenlights, a memoir by American actor, Matthew McConaughey.

12

Best Netflix?

Well, it's not technically Netflix, but I'm watching The Last of Us at the minute and it's great, so definitely worth a mention. I'm more of a 'series' than a documentary type.

13

Most surprising thing you've learned about yourself over the pandemic?

Probably how much I can get done by myself. Before, I thought I needed people there to help me all the time, but when I had to, I learned how to be more independent when it came to my training. We had a rowing machine in the house, so I didn't miss out as much.

14

Any new skills or hobbies?

No, to be honest, I was still training, so just getting through the day was good enough for me. I downloaded TikTok though and haven't looked back since.

15

How do you relax?

Relaxing for me is when I don't have to do anything training-related. It could be something as simple as just lying on the couch, scrolling through my phone.

16

What are your goals for 2023?

To win the World Championships and qualify for the Olympics.

17

What time do you get to bed and do you think you get enough sleep?

Usually, I'll get to bed around 10.30pm or 11pm, but sometimes I fall into the trap of staying up to watch an extra episode of something – it's surprising how quickly that can take an effect on you if you let it build up over the course of a week. Even if I'm losing 40 minutes a night, I find it tires me out by the end of the week.

18

Biggest gripe or regret?

I don't think I have any... yet.

19

Have your priorities in life or perspectives changed?

Yes, I don't know if it is a result of Covid or a result of what happened during Covid, but I think I realised that I need to enjoy things for what they are instead of trying to get somewhere. I now set out to enjoy the process rather than just focusing on the end goal alone. I know that sounds so clichéd, but it's true.

20

Has coronavirus – or any major life event – changed your attitude towards your own mortality?

No, not coronavirus in particular – I am pretty chilled about that – but my twin brother, Jake, hates the idea of dying and would often talk about it, so I would say that makes me think about it a bit more, for sure.

:: Fintan McCarthy was a guest at Northern Ireland's recent inaugural 'Ireland on the Water' expo held at the Eikon Centre, Lisburn