Ben Answers Your Emails

 
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Hi Ben
If you hadn't have become a rugby player what job would you have liked?
Thanks , Stuart

I may have been a policeman, like my brother, or a fireman. I love the country side so maybe I could have worked on the land. I would have worked with my hands as I wasn’t that academic at school. I may have been into building perhaps.

Hey Ben, I'm sure a lot of people ask you this, but what is your work out/eating regimen?!? You have a ridiculous (is that good? Ben) body and I want one for myself ;) I know you play rugby so that adds to your physique, but how do you maintain when you're not playing??
Sean, USA

Over the years I have got into eating habits that come naturally now really. There’s no secret  – you just have to plan ahead and eat the right mix of carbs and protein at the right times to gain maximum energy for the match or training session ahead.

Our training regime at Sale depends on which day we are playing our matches and what other tactics sessions the coaching team have planned. I get to the training ground earlier than most of my team mates because I drive up from Northampton and so miss the traffic by getting there before 8am. I normally start with weights and then join in with whatever is planned for the day.

When I am not playing I am normally doing work around the house and grounds which need loads of work – fencing, patios, painting etc. That is hard work and keeps me fit. If I have long stretches off I may go running or to the gym locally to where I live which gives me a chance to catch up with old friends.

Yes, I was a bit apprehensive. I didn’t know what sort of reception I would get from the fans. It was fine though and I was able to say hello to a lot of old friends. I played a good match, but it did seem strange playing against people I had played with for years.

Hi Ben. I'm felt very happy when I read on INTERNET that you respect gay community, but,
Is the rugby world gay friendly? (I love rugby and rugby players)
Why are you the only one open-minded, tolerant, kind sportsman?
Julian, Spain

I think that rugby is quite accepting of gay men and this was shown when Gareth Thomas decided to come out. Everyone in rugby seems pretty accepting of diversity and just get on with what they are there for, to play rugby. I am sure I am not the only one, there are lots just like me.

Alright Ben,
Been a big fan since 2000,one of the best finishers in the game, any plans to release an auto-biog or maybe a dvd with a compilation of all your best try's? Hope you can get back to your explosive best at Sale & with England mate! Paul

I have been thinking about a biography but not just yet. I am not sure what sort of book it would need to be but we are looking at different possibilities. Not sure if there would be a demand for a video of my tries for a media company to take it forward. Maybe we should ask the question!

Obviously, we have the same last name. I was wondering if you are Jewish. Everyone I have ever met named Cohen is. My ancestors were from Poland and changed their last name when they arrived in New York. They were Kohains which is a distinct group of Jews. Famous Jewish athletes are certainly not that common. We're usually the smart, nerdy guys:) Best wishes, Mike Cohen, Chicargo

Thanks Mike. I am not Jewish myself but my descendents were a few generations ago. Nothing nerdy about me I have to say. I’m a bit more practical. I think I may have a traditional Jewish nose though!

Hi Ben! Are you a boxers or briefs man? Do you have any preference when playing? Tez. UK.

Most of the time I wear trunks. When I was in France I got used to wearing swimming briefs in the summer.  Trunks are the best for playing in and consequently most of mine have holes in!

Dear Ben,
Do you have any suggestions to conteract mid-season lack of motivation for amature rugby clubs?
Matthew – Kings Cross Steelers

Difficult one. Maybe try different training sessions – swimming, game of basket ball, how about some Salsa? No seriously, probably some variety would go down well. It would depend on what pressure you had on you and how your season was going. It’s not just in amateur clubs that this can happen. A good win normally jolts everyone out of it.

Hi Ben,
Do you mind that so many of your fans are gay and how do you feel about that, would you class yourself as a gay icon?
Regards,Antony

It is very flattering to be liked by anyone. I am not sure what a gay icon is really. I certainly don’t see myself as such. I see what people write about me and it is nice to be appreciated. I’m just pretty straight forward with my views and I think people find that refreshing. To me I am just a rugby player  and a Dad and I have to keep my feet on the ground so I certainly wouldn’t label myself as any kind of icon.

Ben
Besides rugby, what other aspirations do you have in life currently?

To be a good dad to my twin daughters.

I wanted to first ask, how do you get to the point of a professional rugger? I mean are you always a big guy with muscles or are there workouts and routines that gets you into the shape and size, what kind of diet does a professional rugby player have?

I play for a primarily gay rugby club in Atlanta, GA called the Atlanta Bucks. I've played on many teams before this club both gay and straight, typically I am used as fly half but we are cross training this season to get guys in different positions,  I wanted to know how I could increase in size, what rugby drills and handling that I can do on my own and what kind of diet I needed to have.

I also was curious if you ever hold trainings or clinics in your off season? Do you ever come to the states to this? etc. Daniel. Atlanta Bucks Rugby

Every player has different needs when it comes to building physic and fitness. My advice would be to go to a professional who can create a plan that suits who you already are and what you want to become. You wouldn’t expect  a prop to have the same diet and fitness regime as a fullback. There is lots you can do to build your physique and rugby players are getting stronger and fitter at earlier ages every year. This all changed in the UK when professional rugby came in during the mid 90s and there was the money around to commission the services of experts in the field of fitness and nutrition.

Currently during off season I tend to spend time at home catching up on jobs around the house but there are some off pitch activities that I sometimes get involved in.

I am very interested in rugby in the US to see how it is developing and maybe there will be a chance to come over when I retire from professional rugby here in the UK

Recently you've become quite a global name and famous not only for your rugby talents but also your looks and you have a product line. How far do you plan on taking the Ben Cohen brand? Rick, USA

We are always looking at opportunities for promoting the brand. I am currently spending most of my time concentrating on my rugby, but my team are looking into things which may be appropriate over the last few years of rugby and into my post rugby career. Although we have some ideas floating around we are still at the research stage as to whether there would be a demand in the long term.

Hey Ben
I am from South Africa, and was just wondering what does it feel like being so popular with the gay people?
Also do you, yourself, really respond to people or do you have assistants etc doing it for you?
Adrian

All of my online work is carried out by my friend and colleague, Jill. I respond to Facebook and am just getting into Twitter. Jill is very open when she updates my online presence and you can normally tell when it’s me as I update on my IPhone and my spelling is not quite as good as hers. We go through interviews and Q and A’s together and Jill updates the site. So, it’s a joint effort really.

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