Why Nathan Cleary is hoping sea moss will help keep on the field this season after shoulder surgery

Penrith Panthers star halfback Nathan Cleary is back at training just five weeks after undergoing shoulder surgery, and he’s implementing an unconventional recovery strategy.

The 27-year-old, who has faced a series of shoulder injuries in recent years, is hoping 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 participating in light training and looking to ramp up his efforts after Christmas.

‘It’s pretty much a three or four-month recovery, so it’s been good so far,’ he said.

I’m slowly ticking the boxes, and then it’ll start ramping up after Christmas,’ Cleary said. 

‘I’m a little bit ahead of schedule, which is cool.’

As part of his recovery, Cleary has turned to the carnivore diet, which he credits for improved gut health, mental clarity, and recovery time.

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

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

‘The carnivore stuff isn’t full-time. I use it here and there as a bit of a cleanse and then add fruit and sweet potato back in after that,’ 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 troubles last year, I wanted to have a clean slate and take a step back to look at everything I was doing,’ he said.

‘If there was anything I could do to help me in any way, then I’d 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.

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

Cleary and Talagi are recovering from shoulder surgeries but have begun building chemistry during pre-season.

‘He’s a shy young kid, but he’s really willing to learn,’ Cleary said.

‘I just 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, is competing with Jack Cole for the number six jersey.

‘There’s a long way to go before round one comes around, and there are other guys who are putting their hands up for the number six position,’ Cleary said.

‘It’s really healthy competition.’

Despite his strict diet, Cleary admits to maintaining balance.

‘I go through periods where I’m quite disciplined, but after a game, I’ll have a little treat here and there to keep a healthy balance,’ he said.