I’m 23 from Surrey, England, I work as a personal trainer, CrossFit trainer and Weightlifting coach. Favourite hobby is obvsss CrossFitting with my pals.
2) How many years have you been training?
My first ‘training’ experience started from a young age as a gymnast,
I did Acrobatic gymnastics until the age of 17 - I was never particularly good but I absolutely loved it and it definitely taught me a lot about training attitude and the value of perseverance. I started CrossFit about 4 years ago now as a hobby and have never looked back. Through CrossFit I found my love for Olympic Lifting (even though I HATED it at first… especially snatching)
I did Acrobatic gymnastics until the age of 17 - I was never particularly good but I absolutely loved it and it definitely taught me a lot about training attitude and the value of perseverance. I started CrossFit about 4 years ago now as a hobby and have never looked back. Through CrossFit I found my love for Olympic Lifting (even though I HATED it at first… especially snatching)
3) Whats been the most challenging/hardest part of your journey so far? and how have you overcome them (set backs, rejections, injuries, basically anything difficult that you have had to overcome)
The hardest thing for me was suffering with knee pain for 2 years and feeling as if I was constantly going in circles, unable to make any real progress. The pain got worse again during the prep for the 2017 open and regionals - its then I decided that after regionals was over I’d find a coach to help me for good.
I started working with Zach Greenwald from Strength Ratio and he helped me enormously. I really struggled to let go of control over my program and training, but it was for the best and now my knees are pain free!!
4) What does your typical workout/diet routine look like?
I train 5 days a week + 1 active rest day and then a full rest day on a Sunday. Sundays are strictly for chilling, eating and sleeping!
My training will differ depending what competitions I have coming up. Seeing as I’m still keen to compete in both Weightlifting and CrossFit the focus will sometimes shift but usually be a bit of both. Since I now don’t have a weightlifting comp for a while this has been taken out of my program so I can focus my energy on getting stronger and trying to be a bit fit for the CrossFit open.
My diet is super flexible.
I’ve been trying to gain weight to move up a weight class for a while now so I have to make sure I get enough calories in. I eat heathy foods the majority of the time but won’t deprive myself of a treat if I want one.
5) What new knowledge have you learned over this past year regarding training, lifestyle and nutrition?
One of my coaches favourite sayings is ‘Wait for the cookies’ It basically means put in the work over time, keep consistent, stay injury free and the results will come. It also means don’t just randomly max out every day or get upset that you haven’t hit a PB in the last 24hrs. This has been quite a big thing for me, even though its so obvious I think I - like a lot of people - can be quite impatient and want to see results immediately.. but that's just not the way it works.
6) Whats your favourite cheat/Treat meal?
PIZZZAAAAAA
7) one supplement that you could not live without?
I actually don’t really use supplements, just take Vitamin C & D daily. Not because I don’t think people should, just because I forget to!
8) If you had to start out from scratch with your physique what would you do differently and why?
I would loveee to have big strong legs! But thats just not the way I’m built. I’m happy with the body I’ve got as its a result of the work I’ve done and I’m excited to see how it will continue to change as I get stronger and fitter
9) Who do you look upto in the fitness industry and why?
Although I find a lot of CrossFit games athletes and Weightlifters very inspiring my favourite people to watch and follow are those that I’ve met/ competed against/ trained with.
Theres so many great people/athletes in England alone its so cool to see what everyone is getting up to and the progress they’re making.
10) If you had to give one bit of advice to people starting out what would that be?
Just have fun with it, thats the most important thing. Be grateful that you are in a position that you can exercise and push your body and enjoy the process.
11) What new goals are on the horizon?
My main goal for 2018 is to continue to love both CrossFit and Weightlifting and although I do have competitive goals in both as well none are as important to me as that. Its really easy to get caught up thinking you’re not good enough when you’re pushing yourself to be a competitive athlete and its certainly something I’m guilty off so I think its important to prioritise keeping the love alive!
12) Where can people find you? (website, social media accounts)
Instagram @gracelils
