1) Who is Nicola Jane Hobbs? (where are you from, what do you do, a bit about yourself (hobbies, etc)
I’m an Olympic weightlifting yogi from Brighton (UK). I have a Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology and specialise in the role of sport and exercise in post-traumatic growth (the way we can grow stronger from adversity rather than remain devastated by it).I am also a Nutritionist and Intuitive Eating Counsellor and have authored books on yoga, psychology, spirituality and personal growth including Yoga Gym, Thrive Through Yoga, and Fear-Free Food. I love handstands, hummus, and beach walks.
2) How many years have you been training?
I have been practicing yoga for just over eight years and Olympic weightlifting on and off for about six years (I lifted competitively for three years).
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 most challenging part of my lifting has always been juggling training sessions with my other commitments. I decided to give up competing a couple of years ago so I could put more energy into other areas of my life – relationships, work, travelling, yoga…
4) What does your typical workout/diet routine look like?
After spending years following meal plans and training programmes, I now eat and train more intuitively and have done for the past couple of years. It gives me a lot more freedom to listen to my body and be guided by what is most important on that day (lifting heavy, stretching, isometric work, rest…). This usually looks like a 20-30 minute strength-based yoga practice with handstands and arm balances 3-4 times a week, Olympic lifting 2-3 times a week, a stretch session a couple of times a week and I stay as active as I can throughout the day by limiting my car use. Diet-wise I am pretty relaxed. I follow a plant based diet, eat when I’m hungry, stop when I’m full, and never unnecessarily restrict food groups.
5) What new knowledge have you learned over this past year regarding training, lifestyle and nutrition?
I have learnt a lot about the psychology of eating and also about traditional approaches to health like Ayurveda. Both of these areas have a lot to offer to compliment scientific Western approaches that are used in fitness and nutrition.
6) Whats your favourite cheat/Treat meal?
I don’t really have cheat meals as I don’t follow a particular diet so have nothing to cheat on!
7) Whats one supplement that you could not live without?
Supplements aren’t a massive part of my diet but I sometimes have a couple of scoops of vegan protein after a workout (I think Reflex Nutrition’s tastes the best).
8) If you had to start your Journey from scratch with your health & physique what would you do differently and why?
I would only eat and train in ways that I enjoyed rather than ways I thought I ‘should’ eat and train because that’s what everyone else was doing. I am stronger, my yoga practice is more advanced and I am happier in my body now I eat and train in a way that works for me.
9) Who do you look upto in the fitness industry and why?
I actually see fitness as something encompassing more than just physical fitness but also mental, emotional and spiritual fitness too. At the moment, my focus has shifted away from the physical side to focus more on the spiritual side so am I am learning a lot from Buddhism and the work of Pema Chodron and philosophers like Alan Watts.
10) If you had to give one bit of advice to people starting out what would that be?
Find something you enjoy and do that.
11) What new goals do you have on the horizon?
I have just finished writing my third book so there will probably be a fourth one coming soon!
12) Where can people find you? (website, social media accounts?
My website is www.nicolajanehobbs.com and all my social media accounts are @nicolajanehobbs
