Twelve years ago, Marc Pugh was on the precipice of football's upper echelons.
The nifty winger was consistently delivering on the South Coast for an up-and-coming Bournemouth team who were pushing for a dream promotion to the Premier League alongside their young manager, Eddie Howe.
But the former footballer was far less adept in the kitchen than he was on the pitch, admitting to a major sin for a man aged 26.
'I couldn't boil an egg,' Pugh told Planet Football, with that embarrassing reality a turning point for the ex-Cherries star.
'When we (Cherries) got promoted to the Championship, I tried looking at ways to improve my performance. I did a nutrition course, and I learned an awful lot.
'It showed me foods that fuel you, foods that help recovery, superfoods, that kind of thing.
'I started cooking and I absolutely loved it. I've developed a real passion for it.
'I read endless books and listen to podcasts. I'm mad into the nutrition and fitness side of things. I consider myself a bit of a health freak now.'
Pugh, who has now rebranded himself as The Foodie Footballer, boasts an Instagram following of over 68,000 and shows off healthy recipes, mostly cooked by using an airfryer.
From roast chicken to sweet potatoes, the 38-year-old's simple recipes have proved a smash hit, and he travels to football clubs all over the UK where he hosts workshops promoting how to live a healthy lifestyle.
He told Daily Mail Sport: 'I wanted to gain that edge so did a 18 module diploma on nutrition. I learnt how to fuel the body properly and became obsessed
'At 32 whilst at QPR, I set up my instagram ‘thefoodiefootballer’ simply because I wanted to encourage others to become healthier. People seemed to enjoy the content and it just went from there really.
'I was grateful to have something else to focus on away from football, this also made it easier when I came to decide whether to continue with football or chase my new passion.'
Modern day football has seen the indulgences of years gone by make way for top-of-the-range sports science and nutrition, with the lucrative riches on offer providing stars ample motivation to ensure they remain in top shape.
And the gruelling calendar, which this past year has seen some players compete all year round, means fuelling your body with the right foods is paramount for good recovery.
'It's becoming more and more important now. A lot more athletes are taking it seriously, whereas back in the day you could get away with eating the wrong things,' Pugh added.
'But, as you see in the Premier League especially, these days it [the game] is so intense, so quick. And there are that many games – you’ve got to recover properly.'
So, what food do you need to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle? Pugh reveals his daily routine below.
A DAY IN THE LIFE: MARC PUGH
7AM: Daily Morning Drinks. This consists of a double espresso, beetroot juice and fresh lemon with himalayan salt water, finishing with a banana.
8.30AM - 10AM: Padel.
10.30AM: Pre-match meal. Ahead of a charity football match in the afternoon, Pugh prepared with a bowl of pasta alongside yoghurt with fruit and peanut butter.
1PM: Charity football match. 7-1 win for Clitheroe Vets.
4PM: Daughters' first netball match of the season. 42-8 win for young Pugh.
5.30PM: Hotpot dinner. A treat to celebrate a day full of activities. Wagyu, lamb, rib eye, pork, potatoes, mushrooms and udon noodles on the menu.
7.30PM: Mario Kart with the kids.
8PM: Fruit bowl. Big bowl of yoghurt with fruit, peanut butter, honey, mixed nuts and seeds two hours before bed. Plus a few squares of 85% organic dark chocolate.
8.30PM: Darts. Helps relax and slow down before bed.
9.30PM: Bedtime. Thirty minutes to decompress by either reading a book or fill the diary for tomorrow. Phone is plugged in to charge in a separate room.
10PM-10.30PM: Lights out and sleep.
