Scott Dureau’s Paleo experience in 2011

No caption required

I first spoke to Scott Dureau in September 2010 not long after we’d both joined the Catalans Dragons for the 2011 Super League season. It was a new opportunity for both of us. For me I was rediscovering my love for all things power and health while for Scott it was a chance to cement his place at half-back in the premier competition in the northern hemisphere. When I explained my plan to him and Ben Farrar they had their doubts. No pasta or cereal, butter, meat fat and branched chain amino acids.

In this interview Scott talks through his Paleo experience and the effect it had on his season in 2011 and life in general.

Beaver and Scotty doing the Dragons proud

From 2006 I’d had a good run of success and improvements from year to year. In 2006 I was a key player in our campaign that ended in the grand-final. In 2007 I was voted player of the year in reserve grade and we finished 4th under current Catalans Dragons coach Trent Robinson. In 2008 I played 20 first grade games and the future looked bright. But then in 2009 I played 15 games and in 2010 I played 11 games which then lead to my move from the Knights for the 2011 season.

Over the 2009 & 2010 season I was seeing that the same lifestyle that had led me to success in the junior grades wasn’t working for me in the NRL. I’d had some injuries, I’d had trouble gaining size and strength and I guess I was willing to do whatever I needed to for success in Super League. Also you (Keegan) seemed pretty convinced about the Paleo thing and it made sense so I gave it a go. (For more about my experience see A case study of 1 – Keegan Living the Paleo Solution)

The moustache was also a highlight of Dureau's 2011 performance

Simple things like having more energy and being able to back up hard training sessions with more quality training is probably the most obvious thing. I also find that I sleep better, I get to sleep more easily rather than tossing and turning.

I also notice that 2 days after the game I’m more ready to train than I used to be and than most other guys which was never a strong point for me. I don’t get as sore which is great. My appetite has improved where I used to really struggle to eat in the morning and could often get through till lunch-time without feeling hungry now I have no trouble eating an omelette or something like that. This made it easier for me to hold my playing weight in 2011 and probably helped my recovery too. I don’t get indigestion or burp as much anymore either which is probably a sign that I’m getting more out of my food rather than it just sitting in my guts.

That's Scott at the back on our Paleo boot camp

I’ve got better endurance and I feel like I’m one of the team leaders in endurance where I’ve usually been middle of the pack in the past. I can repeat high quality efforts and I think I did a better job of finishing games with good second half performances.

I broke all my strength records last year and I’ve broken about 6 again this pre-season so something is working there between the training program, my application and the Paleo thing. I don’t know what percentage comes from which but I don’t care as long as I’m getting stronger!

I scored a few run-away long distance tries last year and got a few supports for tries that I’ve never really scored in the past. I’m pretty sure my speed over short and longer distances has improved.

I also feel less anxiety before and after games. I think that’s mostly because of the confidence I have from those around me and because I know I can perform but seeing as though lots of people see improvements in mood and general outlook on life on the Paleo diet I guess it could be a factor.

I think the hardest thing is just to be organised. You need to shop regularly for quality fresh meat and vegetables. You have to cook because take-away and packaged foods are rarely any good. Sometimes when I’m starving and I’m not organised I’ll break away from the plan but it’s almost always just because I wasn’t organised. I don’t really miss stuff like toast and cereal that used to be staples for me.

Slowly there are more players jumping on board at the dragons this year. As you’ve noticed Beaver has been getting some good results with his first go at it. I think indirectly me lifting some good weights in the gym last pre-season despite being a little guy had a good effect on the guys. My girlfriend Libby is on a similar plan by a different name which is also working. My brother has had some health issues and I think cleaning up his diet has helped him get back on track their too. Mum and dad are happy that I’m doing well but I don’t think they’re ready for the paleo change.