- Played 370 NRL matches and won two premierships
- Represented New South Wales and Australia
- Enjoy an incredibly lucrative career after retirement
When NRL star Adam MacDougall retired in 2011, he left the game as one of the strongest and most productive wingers the game had ever seen. Now he is the richest.
Since developing his own meal supplement, the Man Shake, MacDougall and his wife Belinda have built a nutrition business empire that is now worth $635 million – enough to plunge him into crisis. new list of Australia’s 250 richest people.
It includes individuals such as cryptocurrency gambling magnates, the lesser-known female owners of renowned shoe manufacturer Blundstone and the owner of one of Australia’s largest steel companies.
As a footy player, MacDougall was known for his skills as a centre, winger and fullback.
He spent most of his career with the Newcastle Knights, where he won premierships in 1997 and 2001.
Former NRL star Adam MacDougall and his wife Belinda (pictured) made their fortune through the nutrition company they founded, Cranky Health
MacDougall created the Man Shake so he could stay fit in retirement without having to spend hours in the gym – and it has made him incredibly wealthy
MacDougall was one of the game’s biggest names in his playing days, scoring 370 NRL appearances and winning two premierships, representing his state and country.
MacDougall also played for the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
During an NRL career spanning 370 games, he also represented New South Wales in State of Origin 16 times and Australia 32 times.
His standout years came in 2000 and 2001, culminating in 30 tries in 41 games and a crucial role in the Blues’ 3-0 win over Queensland in 2000.
He contributed to Australia’s victory in the 2000 World Cup final. In 2001, he equaled the club record with four tries in one match for Newcastle against the New Zealand Warriors.
But it was when he retired that MacDougall truly found his calling. He wanted to create a product that would allow him to stay in shape without the grueling hours of training required to play in the NRL.
Thus the Man Shake was born.
MacDougall’s product allowed him to enjoy the finer things in life without worrying about his weight
“When I retired from football, I didn’t want to spend countless hours in the gym, I didn’t want to worry about eating things that were bad for me while running,” he said after the product was released.
“So I needed something that I could eat that was good for me. That’s why I made the Man Shake, I made it for myself.
“I actually have two a day, every day. One for breakfast, a good start to the day, and in the afternoon, when I have that 3 and 4 p.m. slump, I have another, which takes me until dinner.
‘So when I sit at the dinner table, I don’t reach for the bread, pasta and rice.
‘I’m usually full, happy and then I eat sensibly.’
The success of the Man Shake has rocked the MacDougall family and made the former NRL star one of the richest people in Australia
The MacDougall family used some of their vast wealth to buy this $7.375 million mansion from former teammate Paul Harragon
MacDougall prepared for life after footy by studying and gaining economics and business degrees during his playing days. He then founded the nutrition company Cranky Health with his wife Belinda.
MacDougall sold a majority stake in parent company Cranky Health for $400 million to Australian investment giant Pacific Equity Partners, instantly making him possibly the richest rugby league player ever.
In addition to the Man Shake and new products including Man Fuel and Lady Shake, MacDougall has also written books on exercise and nutrition, and also has investment properties and other assets.
One of those property investments includes a mansion on Lake Macquarie that he bought from former Newcastle teammate Paul Harragon in 2022 for $7.375 million.