Training » Ambassador

Have you always been into sport?

Yes, I love sport. My favourites are: surfing, running, basketball.

How did you first get into surfing?

When I was 11 years old, me and my family went camping in Devon. My dad has been into surfing since we moved down to Cornwall 6 years ago. So he brought his surfboard camping with us and I caught my first wave on it and rode it straight to the sand. After that, I knew that I loved it!

If you're interested in starting your own fitness journey, Sundried's Activewear is suitable for people of all abilities. 

What is your proudest achievement?

I’ve come so far in such a short space of time, so I’m most proud of my progression. I am working really hard on my surfing and my training/fitness and it is really helping me get where I want to be. After such a rubbish year last year with Covid and lockdowns, I’m excited to see what this year holds for me.

Have you ever had any racing disasters?

In Cornwall we have a lot of seals, that are very inquisitive. I was surfing at my local beach and there was quite a few people out the back, the session had gone quite well for me, I was pleased with what I had achieved. I was about to catch my last wave in and suddenly, right in front of me (1 metre ish away) a massive seal popped its head out of the water and starred at me and breathed out through its nose. I was close enough to see its whiskers. At that point I freaked out and paddled towards the beach and caught the next wave in on my stomach. I was scared that the seal would chase me in, but it didn’t. When I got back home I explained what had happened to my mum and she said, “We need to get over this if you want to be a surfer!” So the following week, we went to The Cornish Seal Sanctuary. Whilst we were there, I was able to get comfortable around them and understand that the seals are inquisitive of humans and that’s why they often come close but are scared once they realise what we are. Thank you to The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, I have now over come my fear of seals and don’t want to paddle out as fast as possible whenever I see them.

How do you overcome setbacks?

This is something I struggle with. Whenever I have a setback I always turn to the positive people around me.

What advice do you wish you'd been given when you first started out?

In surfing, things are not going to be easy so its really important to focus on setting yourself goals and making sure you are focused on achieving what you set yourself. Sometime its easy to lose focus as life often takes over, but with some discipline and dedication you will get to where you want to be.

What are your goals?

My goals are to become a professional surfer and travel around the world.

Who inspires you?

The people that inspire me are: Tehillah McGuinness, Bethany Hamilton, Alana Blanchard, Tassy Swallow, Sage Erickson, Leah Thompson and my parents.

Why work with Sundried?

I believe in Sundried’s ethos and its really important to me to do all I can to help look after the planet so that more generations can enjoy it. I am so proud to be working with a brand that offers products made from 100% recycled plastic, another range which is made from 100% recycled coffee grounds and other products which are made from their pioneering biodegradable fabric. I am very passionate about saving our oceans and freeing them from all plastic and waste, so I am happy to be a part of a brand which has the same views as me.

To hear more from our ambassadors and get free tips on workout plans and more, connect with the Sundried Personal Trainers on our app.

When did you start your fitness journey?

Fitness has always been a part of my life. My first memory of running was winning my medal at the village Gala Day when I was 4! 

My favourite win was winning gold at the 4 x 100 m Scottish relay championships at Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh. Our team was incredible and I loved kicking off the bend and getting my team in the lead and watching my team mates accelerate away from all the other teams. 

What do you do for your fitness?

I have a daily yoga and meditation practice that sets me up for the day. Having a regular yoga and meditation practice really helps me to be the best version of myself. It also helps me perform better when I am playing golf. I also love mountain biking and running.

How long have you being doing yoga?

I have been practicing yoga for over twenty years. I am a qualified teacher having spent 3 years training with Yoga Scotland in Hatha Yoga and Meditation. I also gained my Forrest Yoga teaching qualification in Bali, Indonesia and I am an Aerial Yoga teacher too. I teach at events all over the UK and run international retreats. 

If you are interested in getting into Yoga, Sundried's kit is suitable for beginners as well as seasoned athletes. Shop our Gym and Yoga Collection today. 

What’s your proudest achievement?

My proudest achievement is my award winning online health platform, Yoga Warrior Online. This makes yoga, meditation and relaxation accessible to busy working people. It empowers people to look after their own mental and physical wellbeing and the feedback from my subscribers is truly incredible and it is why I do what I do.

What are your goals?

To continue to be the best that I can be in everything I do whether I am teaching yoga or tackling a challenging mountain bike trail. 

How do you overcome setbacks?

I overcome setbacks by taking a step back and reflecting. I take time to breath, learn from the setback and push onwards. We always learn from experience whether that is good or bad. We can always use this to keep striving forward.

Who inspires you?

My dogs Bongo and Archie inspire me. They are lurchers so are very fast. They run to the best of their ability and then they have nothing left! They then spend hours being lazy and snoozing. They are a great reminder to me that we need a balance in life. As much as we all want to train hard, we also need to rest and my dogs are great at that!

Why work with Sundried?

I am delighted to be a Sundried Ambassador because I have finally found a brand that works with athletes and the environment. We need to look after each other and our planet. I love that Sundried is an ethical company and stands by what they say. They are aware of their carbon footprint and also have an eco-range that is made from recycled fabrics. Representing a company that gives back to the community is super important to me too. Their work with Water for Kids and Surfers Against Sewage are two super important initiatives. 

To hear more from our ambassadors and get free tips on workout plans and more, connect with the Sundried Personal Trainers on our app.

Tell us about your journey to fitness? Where did it all start?

My fitness journey started when I was about 16 and I went for a run with my older sister who was into triathlon. I could barely run 10 minutes without having to walk, so I set myself the challenge of running my block in one go, and from then on you couldn’t stop me. It been up and down struggling with an eating disorder as I believed skinnier meant faster, but skinnier just meant more injuries. I purely ran for about 4 years, however now I have started training in duathlon.

If you are interested in getting into running, Sundried's kit is suitable for beginners as well as seasoned athletes. We have both men's and women's options available.

What are your training goals now?

My goals right now are to do some age group qualifiers in duathlon and start doing some races abroad which will be really cool! I just want to see how good I can get! Another goal I have is to break my 5k PB which hopefully with a good balance of bike, run, and strength training that will come in its own time too. 

Tell us one unusual fact we wouldn’t know about you:

I used to be all things horses, I used to compete most weekends and I loved it! 

What advice do you wish you'd been given when you first started out?

Everyone gets injuries, give them the proper time they need to heal, and you will not re-injure yourself 

Do you follow a specific nutrition plan? If so, what/when do you eat?

I am a vegetarian, I eat a healthy balanced diet, and just eat when I’m hungry and make sure I re-fuel properly before, during & after hard training sessions.

What do you do to keep your clients motivated? Do you have any top tips to keep motivated?

To keep people motivated I make sure its always fun, and that they feel they are in control, when motivation is lacking, I ask them what is their reason for starting, what is their why? My top tip would be to think of where you started to where you are now, be it mentally or physically. 

Talk us through your training regime.

It varies a bit but as a general…

• Monday = rest day
• Tuesday = Club training
• Wednesday = Bike & gym 
• Thursday = Run 
• Friday= run & bike 
• Saturday= Hard bike & gym 
• Sunday= Long run

How do you keep your fitness knowledge up to date?

Constantly researching, discussions in my clubs group chat, studying for my Level 3 personal training course also helps!

What are your top 3 trainer tips?

1. Listen to your body
2. Run your easy runs *actually* easy
3. Don’t skip the strength work or stretching 

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Carrots and Hummus <3 

Why work with Sundried?

I love the how you try to be sustainable in clothing where you can, its GREAT quality at a reasonable price unlike many other sporting brands out there. 

Favourite fitness quote:

"The body achieves what the mind believes"

To hear more from our ambassadors and get free tips on workout plans and more, connect with the Sundried Personal Trainers on our app.

Have you always been into sport?

I have been heavily invested in sports since I was a kid. I trained in judo from ages 5 to 12, and started training in Mixed Martial Arts at the age of 15 until this very day. The transition to running/cycling has been gradual but heavily inspired by Covid-19, as I required another outlet due to the closing of gyms.

If you're interested in starting your own fitness journey, Sundried's Activewear is suitable for people of all abilities. 

What is your proudest achievement?

My proudest achievement within sports is winning a professional fight in China against a Chinese fighter. In China, the judges tend to favour their local fighter. I was able to use my earnings from this fight to relocate to Europe, where I currently live.

How do you overcome setbacks?

Setbacks and injuries among all sports require patience and flexibility. Especially when considering injuries; it is important not to settle for the quickest solution like cortisone shots or surgery if it can be avoided through rest. Although it can crush you having to give up an upcoming competition due to injury, short-term solutions usually end up resulting in long-lasting problems.

What advice do you wish you'd been given when you first started out?

Don't worry about the critique of others. Do your best at all times and remember that it is never the people that are better than you that give their critique.

Why work with Sundried?

Sundried is a company that cares about its athletes, and most importantly cares about the environment. As humans, the most important thing is what we leave behind on this Earth. I appreciate a company that considers those same values and applies them to their business practices.

To hear more from our ambassadors and get free tips on workout plans and more, connect with the Sundried Personal Trainers on our app.

How did you first discover your love for yoga?

In 2000, I was diagnosed with M.E. a chronic and debilitating illness. It took many years for me to recover fully. It was an illness that left me house bound and often bed ridden.

In addition to nutritional changes (ones I still adopt to this day) Yoga played a huge part in my recovery. I found a local class and attended when I felt well enough. This weekly class gave me an insight into the importance of mindfulness and movement and what a powerful combination that can be when practised appropriately. As my health improved I became more curious about this ancient practise. I embarked on a 3 year Teacher Training Course with The British Wheel of Yoga. My passion for Yoga was ignited the moment I sat on my mat all those years ago, despite my ill health.

What sets yoga apart from other fitness disciplines?

The word “Yoga” means to unite. During a yoga class and by having a regular practise of Yoga we aim to unite both mind and body. This is achieved through posture work (asana), breathing exercises/awareness (pranayama), meditation (dharana) and relaxation techniques (yoga nidra). Yoga in essence is the ability to quieten the mind by working on all of the above principles. Unlike many other fitness disciplines, when practising Yoga, being competitive with either yourself or others is strongly discouraged.

How has yoga improved your life?

Yoga not only improved my life, I will always credit the practise for giving me my life back. Yoga allowed me to have a life. I learnt the meaning of listening to my body. I discovered tools we can use to quieten the mind. I started to understand how important the act of breathing is for our mental and physical well being. I cannot underestimate how important this practise has been in my life and continues to be. The philosophy of mindfulness that I learnt through this practise underpins everything I do both on and off the mat daily.

How often do you practise yoga?

I have a daily morning practise which includes mobility work, breathing and meditation.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of trying yoga for the first time?

You do not have to be flexible to practise Yoga. You just have to come on to your mat and breathe. Find a teacher you feel comfortable with and choose a practise that makes you feel good. If you don’t enjoy your first class, explore others. Find a teacher who offers you an experience you feel comfortable with. There are many different styles of Yoga. Some offer more breath work. Others will be more physical. Find a class, a style and a level that you enjoy.

If you are interested in getting into Yoga, Sundried's kit is suitable for beginners as well as seasoned athletes. Shop our Gym and Yoga Collection today. 

Tell us something unusual we may not know about you.

I have an identical Twin Sister.

Do you follow a specific diet plan?

Yes. I don’t eat meat. I haven’t done so for over 20 years. I rarely eat fish. I am mainly plant based. I drink milk alternatives such as almond, oat and soya. I do enjoy a homemade cake post long cycle ride or run though, but tend to avoid sugar as much as possible. I also avoid processed food. Preferring to eat seasonally and healthily. I adopted this method of eating in order to support my recovery. For me personally, it works. I don’t advocate this specific dietry plan but I do encourage everyone to find foods that make them feel well. Foods that nourish them. And in that discovery, become more mindful of where the food comes from.

How do you keep your knowledge up to date?

I am a member of the British Wheel of Yoga. They are the UK governing body of Yoga in the UK and who I trained with. They offer fantastic training days, extra modular courses and In Service Training Days. Pre covid I have enjoyed Yoga Retreats in the UK and abroad with well known and respected Teachers in the industry. I hope that these will one day resume. Until then, it’s making the most of on line learning, reading resources and being part of the Yoga community via The British Wheel.

Why work with Sundried?

I am firm believer that how we treat the planet is equally as important as how we treat one another. At Sundried I have found a brand who shares this belief. Not only are their products built to last, they are created ethically and sustainably including a range of active wear made from 100% recycled plastic. I am also supporting a company that wants to give back to the community. This is demonstrated in the support to Water For Kids and Surfers Against Sewage. They are a brand that offers so much more than high quality, great looking clothing. And I am thrilled to be part of the team.

Favourite fitness quote?

Progress not Perfection.

To hear more from our ambassadors and get free tips on workout plans and more, connect with the Sundried Personal Trainers on our app.