NBA star by day, startup investor by night, meet Matthew Dellavedova, colloquially known as "Delly." He's the point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Australian Boomers, an early investor in Cure, and a major source of exercise and fitness inspiration. We chatted with him to find out how he trains, and what he does to take care of his health on and off the court.
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NN: What's your morning wake-up time?
MD: I had some time off for the off-season, but now that training is in full swing, I wake up at 5:30am every morning.
NN: To snooze or not to snooze?
MD: No snoozing. I get up straight away before I can even think about it. I don't even have a chance to register how early it is, because I'm already up. Normally I snooze, but I've been at this training schedule for four weeks straight now.
NN: What's your typical training breakfast?
MD: I'll grab a couple bars, a Cure, and a cold brew. I do love my coffee, but I try to limit it, as I start to feel tired when I'm over-caffeinated. It's counter intuitive, but it's how my body reacts.
NN: What's after breakfast?
MD: Then it's off to the gym. I do weights from 6 to 7:30am, basketball from 7:30 to 9am, and last, but not least, stretch from 9 to 9:30am. That stretch is key.
NN: Why's that?
MD: I do a stretching routine with my summer trainer, Paul McCoy, who's also a former Saint Mary’s classmate of mine. It's a partner stretch, and it leaves me feeling really energized. We do deep breathing exercises into the stretches, and it's great. I posted a video of the stretch routine on my Instagram. It's one of my favorite parts of my day.
NN: What's another favorite part of your day?
MD: Right after I finish my workout — when I'm walking outside and it's sunny and I've just finished an intense workout, I feel really productive and like I've already accomplished so much at 9:30am.
NN: Do you have a least favorite part of your day?
MD: The afternoon slump for sure. I get up so early that it actually hits me before the afternoon, like around 11:30am, or sometimes right after lunch. That's when I have my second Cure. I have to replace electrolytes after sweating at the gym, especially since I'm a heavy sweater. But I also try to listen to my body and sometimes you just have to have a nap. Nothing productive is going to happen when you're that tired. It's important to know when you have to slow down. If my body really needs rest, I'll take an hour-long nap.
NN: The nappers out there will be relieved to hear that. What does your lunch look like?
MD: Since it's still morning when I'm ready for lunch, I'll often do brunch instead. I love scrambled eggs and avocado on toast with olive oil and Himalayan salt. I need more salt, since I'm a heavy sweater.
NN: Is that why you love Cure?
MD: Yep, I can't drink just water, because it doesn't give me enough. I need to have something extra in there. But I'm also conscious about what I put in my body, so I don't like sugary sports drinks.
NN: What else do you like to eat after a workout?
MD: I'm on a bit of a sushi kick. I feel better when I eat more fish, so I'm trying to do that.
NN: What do you do in the afternoon?
MD: I relax for a bit and hang out with my wife. I go in to [San Francisco] and sit in on VC pitches. It's interesting for me to learn about different topics and what people are up to in tech. I'll have something to step into when I'm finished playing, not that I'm planning on finishing anytime soon. I'm getting an early start. If I don't have investor meetings, I'll play nine holes of golf or go for a bike ride around the neighborhood
NN: How about at night?
MD: My evening routine is pretty low key. I watch playoff games with friends and my wife's family, who are local. I go to bed really early.
NN: How early are we talking?
MD: 9:30pm.
NN: Wow. And what about dinner?
MD: A typical dinner is chicken and veggies or chicken tacos. I also love the bison burger lettuce wraps from The Counter. It has a fried egg, pineapple, grilled onions, kale, spinach, and avocado.
NN: Sounds delicious! Any evening rituals?
MD: I get my clothes out for the next day. When I'm up that early, I like to have my clothes ready, so I can just grab them and go. I also pack my backpack and leave it by the door with my shoes.
NN: Last question, what's your favorite Cure flavor?
MD: I rotate them around, but right now it's Main Squeeze.
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Keep up with Delly:
Instagram: @matthewdelly
Twitter: @matthewdelly
Facebook: @MatthewDellavedovaOfficial
Youtube: @matthewdelly
