- I first joined Jersey Spartans when I was six years old because I was encouraged by my primary school sports teacher after having won all my races by quite some way at sports day.
- Running is a great way to practice mindfulness, so when I’m running I really focus on the here and now… my feet striking the floor, how bouncy I feel or just on lifting my hips up. Once I get into my running flow I then allow my mind to wander. Some of my very best ideas have come from running!
- Winning the 200m gold in Aland 2009 was my most memorable medal. I had already won the gold in the 400m, which I knew I could do if I executed it well, but I had entered the 200m as just something to do so when I actually came first in the final I couldn’t quite believe it. I didn’t really class myself as a sprinter so I was delighted to have beaten a quality field of runners.
- I started Born to Run around a year ago after having suffered from a period of depression. I wanted to help support people to fuel their mind and body through running fitness because I knew just how amazing a benefit it can have. I was also getting frustrated with running and cardio getting a bad reputation because people were getting injured because of poor technique.
- Every runner needs a decent pair of trainers. We all have different running styles and finding a pair of trainers that suits you is essential. I have different trainers for doing different types of running sessions and it makes all the difference.
- I do intend to return to track running. I made a pact with my coach that if he allowed me to run a marathon for fun with my brother, then I would do an 800m or a 1,500m race in the season at some point. To be honest I’m glad I did because I’m actually intrigued to see what I can do after having really changed things up in my training and changed my focus.
- I think running is so important for health and wellbeing. I don’t think it is helpful to say to someone who is suffering from depression to just go and do some exercise. But I do think exercising the body and mind is a way of being able to support your mental health, improve your confidence and give yourself that quality ‘me’ time that we all need and deserve.
- The best place I have lived is definitely Jersey. I loved Cardiff when I studied my degree there and enjoyed London but nothing comes close to home. It’s beautiful. I have my amazing friends and family around me and I am being able to pursue a career here that I absolutely love – what more could you want?
- All parents have a big influence on your life, and mine in particular because I care about them a lot and have always wanted to make them proud. I believe that I will do everything in my power to achieve my goal of being able to make a difference and help others.
- The most important thing in life is to do things that you enjoy and are important to you because 1. Life’s too short and 2. You have to put your own oxygen mask on before you can help put on someone else’s!
- The last time that I really belly-laughed was when I was with my best friend Leah and she tried to sing along to the radio…
- If I could re-live one day of my life it would be being able to go to my grandad’s flat to talk to him. He died last year and I would just like to talk to him about what I am doing. He always wanted me to get into psychology and now I’m working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services as an assistant psychologist and he would love to have a chat about it.
- My favourite time of the day is the morning. I get up at around 5 am because I am such a morning person and so much more productive at that time.
- The thing that makes me most angry is when someone refers to autism or ADHD as ‘disorders’, rather than seeing them just as a different way of thinking. If I could create one law it would be that society has to see people as individuals rather than disorders or labels.
- The thing that makes me happiest is being able to help others, make a difference, share my love and passions, run and be with my closest friends and family.
- For more information, visit lifestyle-choice.co.uk/born-to-run.
