Wellington insisted an army marched on its stomach and so it follows athletes must do too which is where The Football Feeder and The Maldives come in.
The fact is I could have done with someone telling me what to eat and when when I was one of Scotland’s promising athletes.
You’ll not be surprised to hear that a Chelsea Bun an hour before a six-mile run gives you a stitch.
No such problem for the English champions Manchester City though and the players of the national team.
And that’s because of one man, personal chef Jonny Marsh, the Football Feeder.
Carbonara chaser
Kevin De Bruyne swears by Raymond Blanc’s former assistant and his spaghetti carbonara.
While Manchester United’s Luke Shaw loves his spag bol… must be all that red tomato puree.
Now your own personal chef won’t guarantee you’ll become an elite footballer but it doesn’t help to try.
Jonny will share his expert nutritional tips with Amilla Maldives resort guests via a series of hands-on masterclasses and bespoke wellness menus.
Gala evenings
Alongside these masterclasses, Jonny will hold two gala dinners and a pop-up breakfast combining mouth-watering flavours and nutritional ingredients, whilst also showcasing Amilla’s Homemade@Amilla concept.
The bespoke wellness menus will champion nourishing, fresh ingredients grown in Amilla’s organic and hydroponic gardens.
And the resort’s ever-expanding selection of homemade produce, from pickles and sourdough to yoghurt, kefir and palm oil-free Nutella.
Now the Maldives are we know atolls south of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean and face challenges of their own.
Both from climate change and creating produce.
And I have seen first hand how they grow their own on islands which you can get around in a couple of hours.
And this approach is to their credit and also has benefits in the athleticism of those who work and live full time on the island.
Playing with the staff
Like the Sri Lankan footballers and cricketers who gave this wannabe the runaround in our games there.
It’s Atoll tale and here’s a reminder.
The gala dinners for the Football Feeder and the Maldives will take place on May 20 and 27.
And the nutritional masterclasses will take place on May 21 and 28. For more information visit amilla.com.
The deal
Inspiring Travel Company offers seven nights at Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences from £3,857pp.
That’s a saving of £2,090 per person.
The price is based on two adults sharing a Treetop Pool Villa.
And that includes a 30% discount on accommodation, complimentary half board, reduced shared seaplane transfers.
And return economy flights from London Heathrow.
Price based on May 18 departure. Minimum seven-night stay applies.
