Jordan Spieth was just 19 years old when he turned pro in 2012. Since then, hes checked off preeeetty much every career accomplishment that a golfer could dream of, winning the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the British Open. (The PGA Championship still famously eludes him.) But as of late, Spieths fortunes have swung in the opposite directionhe finds himself in an unfamiliar position, ranked No. 51 in the world, his worst spot since his rookie campaign.
And yet, chatting with the eternally unflappable Spieth, youd have no idea he was in the midst of perhaps the most difficult stretch of his career. Im healthy and probably stronger than Ive ever felt, he said at the Under Armour headquarters in Baltimore earlier this month, where he was revealing his newest signature golf shoe, the Spieth 4. I feel rested and recovered and ready to go.
Now 26 and in year five of a ten-year contract with Under Armour, a deal that reportedly rivals the one that Nike once made with Tiger Woods, Spieth is no longer the young phenom on tour. Hes cool with that, and off the course, he looks forward to guy-in-his-mid-20s activities like overdoing it on guac with his wife at a local Mexican restaurant.
He filled us in on what his diet and training routine looks like and why he doesnt check his phone when hes practicing. And he breaks down his newfound appreciation for different recovery methods. (Spoiler: Hes got a hyperbaric chamber at home.)
GQ: What time are you up in the morning?
Jordan Spieth: I'm typically up around 7:00. I like to train in the morning. When I'm home in Dallas, I'll train four or five times a week. Its a lot of mobility stuff, like yoga, bands, some plyometrics. In the off-season, thats when youll see me doing more lifting. Im not doing much cardio off the course, since by the end of a day of golf, Ive sometimes walked about ten miles. Plus, I hate the treadmill. Ive learned to love bikes. We've got a Peloton at home. I did an Ally Love ride this morning.
Do you eat once the training is done?
If Im training at 9 or 9:30, then Ill eat before. Otherwise, Ill train and then eat after. Ive learned to love making my own breakfast. I don't cook much, but I do cook that. I'll do eggs with avocado, chicken, and apples, or apples, gouda, and sausage. Sometimes Ill have a sweet potato hash with that. Other mornings, I'll just make shakes.
Whats in the shake?
I really like Vega protein powder, and Ill use the vanilla if Im going sweet with berries. Otherwise, I prefer the taste of the chocolate better. But typically, Ill use that as a base, then add mixed berries, banana, peanut or almond butter, and chia seeds or flax seeds. I just load up anything I find in the kitchen. I'll finish it with spinach or kalesince you cant really taste it and its good for youand add some almond milk, then blend it.
After Im done there, Ill head to the course. On a typical day, Ill start with anywhere between two and four hours of practice time. Then I'll actually play. It's a 9-to-5 essentially, like anywhere else, and I stay away from my phone while Im at work. I really try to approach it like that, but the flip side is that I enjoy it a lot more than I would if I were sitting at a desk. Its kind of a dream come true for me.
Whats for lunch?
Normally, Ill just lean into whatever is near wherever Im playing. If Im moving around between places, I'll go grab a sandwich from Jersey Mike's or Pot Belly. I'm not super specific on lunch, so it could be one of those sandwiches or a bowl of sorts, like a steak taco bowl. Im actually usually looking ahead to dinner.
And whats for dinner?
Some days well eat in, others well go out. A lot of the time, if were out, Ill order two meals. It's way more expensive, but it's just what I need after a long day of activity. We love Mexican food, and there are those nights where Ill have a ton of guacamole before the meal even arrives. Its funny, I eat close to as many calories as Michael Phelps, but I don't put on a pound. It's a good problem to have. It won't always stay with me, I know. It can honestly be a little tough, since I need to keep on eating a ton, and do it often.
It seems like you're not really worrying about your macros or anything like that.
I know that some golfers are really paying attention to nutrition now, hoping to find an edge or advantage. Theres a certain pressure to find that edge. Nobody likes the feeling that they arent doing something that they should be doing. So it's changed a bit.
I went through a whole process and did a bunch of testing. I found out which types of foods my body doesnt process super well, and what I should eliminate altogether. When I really got dialed in with my nutrition, I found myself losing weight, and I didnt want that. I went back to a little more of a relaxed approach. If I want to get a burger tonight, Ill get a burger tonight. Im 26. Its fine. I've never been somebody that's just like, Lets take the wheels off. But I will say that Im trying to train smarter, and Im finding a better balance.
Is there anything on the no-go list?
Shrimp and tuna are the two things my body doesnt love. Ill do sushi sometimes, but I wouldnt order something like sushi-grade sesame-crusted tuna for a meal. It tastes good, but I know I wont sleep as well if I eat something like that before a tournament round.
Are you into any of these hyped-up recovery methods?
I've tapped into the infrared sauna. I've also done cryotherapy quite a bit, and it's all right, but I actually feel more benefits from an ice bath. I have a hyperbaric chamber at home. It probably would've been better if I just rented it somewhere instead of actually buying one. But it's been really good to use, especially before international travel. I feel like I sleep better than I did before. Other than that, I spend time with a physiotherapist and get worked on once every two or three days. And when Im on the road, Im seeing someone to address whatever pops up almost every single day.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Real-Life Diet is a series in which GQ talks to athletes, celebrities, and everyone in between about their diets and exercise routines: what's worked, what hasn't, and where they're still improving. Keep in mind, what works for them might not necessarily be healthy for you.
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Originally Appeared on GQ
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The Real-Life Diet of Jordan Spieth, Pro Golfs Biggest Guacamole Fan - Yahoo Lifestyle
