RUGBY league prop forward Mick Slicker is following a family tradition.
His older brother is a professional player and his father used to be a professional coach at Halifax.
So, since the age of seven, that's all he's wanted to do.
At 25, he's played for Huddersfield Giants for four years.
Mick says: "I was a joiner by trade before I became a professional rugby player.
"I live in Oldham, so travel to the Galpharm Stadium every day, to arrive around 9am or 10am, when we start our training.
He added: "We get split into groups, some in the gym and some at Leeds Road Playing Fields.
"We do a lot of power weights and usually work upper body one day and lower the next.
"Then we swap with the other group and do skills training.
"In the afternoons we play rugby games and do conditioning. It's constant training really, so we are at our fittest for the next game," said Mick.
"We watch about three videos a week of opposing teams. Then we are given a game sheet, which is read through to practise and exploit their weaknesses.
"A light lunch is usually all that's needed and we get special diet advice if needed."
"I've just come back from injury, which put me out for four weeks.
"We have our own physio and doctor for injuries. This involves training separately to the other players," added Mick.
"Our day can end any time between 2 or 3pm, except on match days. A lot of players relax with golf or fishing. I tend to spend a lot of time with my family, which includes two adorable little girls.
"Quite a lot of our spare time is spent organising events to raise money for the team. We also visit schools and hospitals to give advice and encourage kids.
"We have a punters club at the moment, where every player has £20 a month taken out of their wages. We bet half of it - not on rugby though. It's usually the horses.
"The other half gets put away for a players' fund. It's used for a few days away, as team bonding.
"I love playing with a bunch of guys who happen to be best mates, being part of a team and winning games.
"The lads have a good crack, too. "
Some funny moments?
"I think it would be unprintable!"
Mick says: "Our season usually starts in March and finishes in October, when you get to the play-offs, if all goes to plan.
"Then we get six weeks off at the end of the season before it's back to pre-season training.
"This is the hardest part of the year. It's endless swimming, running, bikes and treadmill training. You're knackered by the end of the day.
"We play a game Friday nights and Sundays. Being a Catholic, I attend mass before a Sunday game.
"Before a game we clean our boots and sit and talk tactics, then usually have a massage," he added.
"I don't think rugby league is marketed right nationally. We need to pull more people in. It's not like a job; it's a passion."
"In the evenings I like to keep busy. I sometimes watch a bit of TV, but am usually in bed early as I need sleep before next day's training.
"I've played for Ireland and I'd love to play for Great Britain one day," he ended.
