Why Nathan Cleary hopes sea moss will help him stay on the field this season after shoulder surgery

Penrith Panthers star halfback Nathan Cleary is back in training just five weeks after shoulder surgery and he is implementing an unconventional recovery strategy.

The 27-year-old, who has battled a series of shoulder injuries in recent years, hopes his strict diet – including sea moss – will aid his recovery and keep him on the field for the 2025 NRL season.

Cleary’s recovery is ahead of schedule, with the playmaker already taking part in light training and looking to ramp up his efforts after Christmas.

“The recovery will take about three to four months, so so far it’s been good,” he said.

I’m slowly checking off the boxes, and after Christmas it will increase again,” Cleary said.

“I’m a little ahead of schedule, which is cool.”

Cleary has had a series of shoulder injuries in recent seasons that have kept him off the park

The Panthers playmaker underwent surgery this offseason to hopefully correct the joint before 2025

As part of his recovery, Cleary has turned to the carnivore diet, which he says provides better gut health, mental clarity and recovery time.

The routine includes four steaks a day, scrambled eggs cooked in beef fat, bone broth and daily servings of sea moss.

He starts his mornings with water infused with Celtic sea salt and sea moss.

“The carnivore thing is not full-time. I use it here and there as a little cleanser and then add fruit and sweet potato back in,” Cleary said.

Cleary also revealed that this diet helped him address hamstring issues that plagued his 2024 season, limiting him to just 13 games.

“When I was going through the hammy issues last year, I wanted to have a clean slate and take a step back and look at everything I was doing,” he said.

“If there was anything I could do to help me in any way, I would do it.”

The Panthers are aiming for an unprecedented fifth consecutive NRL premiership in 2025, and Cleary’s partnership with new recruit Blaize Talagi will be crucial.

Cleary is on a temporary carnivore diet to speed up his recovery and be ready for the upcoming season

Part of the diet includes drinking sea moss daily as part of his breakfast

Cleary also eats four steaks a day to tone his body and lose fat

Talagi, a 19-year-old half, has joined Penrith from Parramatta and is in contention to replace Jarome Luai, who left for Wests Tigers.

Cleary and Talagi are recovering from shoulder operations, but have started building a good collaboration in the preparation.

“He’s a shy young boy, but he’s really willing to learn,” Cleary said.

‘I want to get to know him as a person first and help him where I can on the training field.’

Talagi, who had surgery a week after Cleary, will compete with Jack Cole for the number six jersey.

“There’s still a long way to go before the first round arrives, and there are other guys throwing their hands up for number six,” Cleary said.

‘It’s really healthy competition.’

Despite his strict diet, Cleary admits he manages to maintain balance.

“I have periods where I’m quite disciplined, but after a match I get a little treat here and there to keep a healthy balance,” he said.