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From Warrington to Africa in pursuit of the world’s best rapids | Bren Orton

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Tell us a little about Bren Orton – your journey hasn’t been straight forward or easy has it?!

I like to kayak off waterfalls and edit videos!  I started kayaking when I was 9 years old, fell in love with the sport and ran away to Uganda to follow my dreams aged 16. The White Nile over there had some of the best rapids in the world on it, it was always a dream of mine to go and when a dam project was announced I knew I had to find a way to go. I worked on the building site and sold some childhood possessions to get the money for the flight and then upped and went. It was incredible and I would say the trip that put me on the path that I am on now, it gave me an insight into everything that kayaking can be. This sport that challenges you on so many levels, provides access to some of the nicest people on the planet and takes a kid from Warrington to Africa in pursuit of the best rapids. Two months after my trip the Dam was completed and we lost those rapids forever.

How did you ‘find’ kayaking?

A school trip. We went out of the city and into the countryside. I had tried a lot of the typical sports at that point but hadn’t really found anything that fitted me. I got into a kayak for the first time and it just made sense.

What is it that you love about it?

Problem solving and the mastering of my fears. I often describe a rapid or waterfall as a jigsaw, it’s almost complete you just need to slot that last piece into place for it to all make sense and the last piece is you and your kayak.

The fear thing I find fascinating, I was once scared to capsize on a lake and now I’m comfortable kayaking off waterfalls, it’s been interesting to look back and try and understand how that change happened. I don’t think there was a pivotal moment, just lots and lots of baby steps and small improvements over time.

Left:  Photo by Adrian Mattern

 

Where in the world have you / do you kayak?

All over the shop, one of the coolest parts to this sport are the places it will take you. I have been to Pakistan, India, America, Austria, Norway, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Uganda, Zambia and Japan.

Which are top countries for kayaking in athlete terms?  Any reasons why?

Depends what you are looking for, different types of rocks and climates create different types of rivers. Volcanic rock produces the biggest and cleanest waterfalls and so we will spend  a lot of time around the Pacific North west in America, Chile, and Mexico for waterfall trips. Norway is a bit of a freak, it just has rivers falling off the backside of it’s mountains everywhere. I think that place would be my number one pick and even the UK has some really good whitewater unfortunately it just takes a lot of rain to bring the rivers in.

Tell us about your highest ever kayak descent?  World 2nd drop?

Broke as a joke, I spent the last money in my bank account for the plane ticket. When I was there the waterfall was on the low side of good, meaning there would be less aeriated water at the bottom and the hit would be way bigger. To get to it you have to walk through the banana fields in cartel country and abseil down into the gorge. I had never abseiled before that trip and it was wild dropping down out of the jungle into that canyon. I had some issues with the rope but made it down to this tiny ledge before the waterfall. Looking over the edge it looked like the end of the world, I couldn’t see the bottom. The entry was the crux point, make it past that and it would be smooth sailing. I came down, greased the entry and could just enjoy the free fall. The first conscious thought I had was “OMG I am still falling”. At 128ft it was over 30ft bigger than anything else I had ridden.

Is there much commercial exposure/involvement in kayaking?

Yes but rarely is it good for the sport. News and media companies just don’t seem to want to understand it, they write us off as crazy. My mate Dane Jackson just completed one of the ‘sickest’ waterfall descents ever and the news article read “Kayaker survives huge waterfall”. Asides from those huge breakthrough moments in the sport, very little gets picked up on.

Which countries offer the best kayaking conditions?

I like countries with snow packs, gives you more predictable water levels rarther than waiting for rain, Norway is my favourite place to kayak.

What’s next for Bren Orton?

Same old same, go kayaking, edit videos and continue to work on being the smartest, strongest, kindest person I can be along with improving my kayaking and editing skills. I had a big crash 18 months ago and while I don’t want to be one of those people that turns every negative into a positive, I do think that taking some time out to think about what I want to do with the sport was a good thing.  I’m entering the beginning of my prime kayaking years now and I am stoked on the direction I am taking with the sport.

Above: Photo by Dane Jackson

What’s the future of kayaking as a sport?  Any predictions?

Currently there is a big move towards down river freestyle, which you can imagine as the equivalent of slopestyle on a mountain bike. It’s a blend of different aspects from the sport and requires a huge skill base and comfort level.  I am really excited that this side of it is gathering momentum. Big waterfalls will always be a big part of it, but I think people are numb to seeing the same ones being ridden time after time and I hope people will start exploring and seeking out more first descent waterfalls.

I should also say that the amount of talented up and comers is brilliant right now and I am stoked to see where all these kids take the sport too.

This article was written in partnership with Castore, the premium performance sportswear brand that exists to make athletes better.  Visit www.castore.com and use discount code CASTOREAMB20-ST1C for 20% off. #betterneverstops

 

Want to hear more about Bren’s incredible story or work with him in some capacity? Please contact mark@athletemedia.co.uk or call 07052 304340.

Scottish curling champ rejoins NHS coronavirus frontline | Vicky Wright

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Two time Scottish champion Vicky Wright should have been returning home from the World Championships in Canada today, but instead she will be heading onto the NHS front-line preparing to play her part in the global battle against the Coronavirus.

The 26-year-old took time out of her career as a general surgical ward nurse, based at Forth Valley Larbert Hospital last year in a bid to chase her Olympic dream and, two years out from Beijing, she was part of the team representing Scotland that was among the favourites for the world title.

Wright and teammates Eve Muirhead, Lauren Gray, Jen Dodds and Sophie Brown had travelled to Prince George, on the west coast of Canada, earlier this month.

British Curling …Team Muirhead… (pictured from left, Vicky Wright, Jennifer Dodds, Lauren Gray and Eve Muirhead).  Picture by Graeme Hart.

However, when one of the consequences of the pandemic was the cancellation of the Women’s World Championships on the eve of the event she immediately realigned her priorities.

“When we flew into Prince George after a few days training in Vancouver we were starting to become aware that the worldwide situation was changing and a few doubts and uncertainty about whether our champs would go ahead started to creep in,” Wright recounted, ahead of her return to duty on night shift tonight.

“We started seeing other big Canadian sporting events being cancelled and it became more evident then that our champs probably wouldn’t go ahead. We were out for lunch when we got the email and we went straight back to the hotel and it started to hit home, the combination of the disappointment, but also awareness that public health had to be the priority.

“It was a weird situation and a bit of an emotional rollercoaster and we were absolutely gutted.  But we could see how everything was quickly changing and we knew there were other much bigger priorities than sporting events which are now on the back burner.

“They have to take second place to what is happening just now and when I went into work last week at the hospital it really sank in. There was no world champs and the bigger picture was that helping out at home was more important just now.”

Even when she made the decision to work full-time on her curling, Wright had maintained her commitment to nursing by working part-time as and when she was available and she expressed gratitude to both her employers for the flexibility they showed in allowing her to dovetail her twin careers.

“Being a nurse has always given me a good perspective on life and kept my focus on what is important,” she said.

“In my nursing career over the years I always felt it was a privilege to be with someone and look after them when they were unwell and vulnerable and it has always made me appreciate the life I have, being able to work as a nurse which is a job that I love and also compete in curling which is a sport that I love.

“I have always been very lucky that both my work and the British Curling programme both appreciated how important both facets were to me.

“My nursing was full time and I juggled my curling around that, but in July 2019 my curling went full time. Both the NHS and British Curling enabled me to do one shift a week throughout this season. It was something I really enjoyed and I didn’t want to lose my skills and it was good to have something else other than just curling, it really kept me grounded.”

Frustrating as the end to their season was, Wright and, having won her first major international medal after playing in the European Championships final, she and her Team Muirhead colleagues will be able to draw on what was a fine season as and when the opportunity arrives to return to their sport.

“This season was great for us and we found our feet from the start and we really settled into our positions within the team and we were all committed to the same goals and wanted the same outcomes,” said Wright. 

“The week at the Europeans was great, it showed that we were back and gave us a lot of confidence for the second half of the season. We started this year with a win at Perth and then followed that up with another win at the Continental Cup (helping Team Europe beat Team Canada on their own ice). It is a team event but every individual within that group has to play well and we knew we had all played our part and it was another great confidence boost.

“We felt we were going well and in the right direction and our coach Kristian Lindström joined us in the January and was a really welcome addition and has had to hit the ground running. As an ex-player at the top level we felt he could bring us that extra 1% we were looking for and we knew he would bring a lot to the table for the World Champs and would have learned a lot from him during that period.

“However now it is time to make a difference in a different way and I will now play my part in a much bigger team.”

Formidable as the challenge facing the NHS, Wright is as committed as she has ever been to what lies ahead.

“Once I was home I contacted my supervisor and said I was back and could be available to do whatever I could to help. For now I am picking up an extra 2-4 shifts per week for the foreseeable,” she explained.

“There is an amazing team spirit on my ward and as public transport is not an option now we are all helping each other out with lifts and childcare etc. so there is a really great team spirit and positive approach from everyone and we are taking this all in our stride and we will all pull together. We are fully informed and prepared so we are ready and it is nice to know that my curling team mates are so proud of me and want to help me as well in any way they can.”

However, she is also determined to stay fighting fit for her sport as and when this crisis recedes and normal life can be resumed, while she is drawing huge encouragement from the support she is receiving from her curling colleagues.

British Curling…Team Muirhead…Pictured Vicky Wright
Picture by Graeme Hart.

“They know it is my time to go back to work, but they also know I am still training as an athlete, like them,” she said.

“I am very fortunate that I am getting all the support I can get from the British Curling programme and (strength and conditioning coach) Harry Booker has developed a programme for me around my shifts so I have a routine. 

“I find it incredibly important to have a plan and a routine for the week so I can incorporate my training goals around my work. Everyone can benefit from setting themselves a plan of action just now and targets for the next few weeks that they can achieve.

“I love my job and I love my curling so having that balance and flexibility really is the best case scenario for me. It is why I do it and why I need it and I am just so grateful that both parties see the benefits.”

Part of a family of emergency service workers, Wright also expressed her thanks to those who are recognising the need to back their efforts.

“Tesco opening for NHS workers in the morning is a huge help and it meant I could do all my shopping this morning in one big shop, so I have my meal plan for the week ahead when I will be busy working and I am very lucky that my partner Greg (Olympian and British Curling performance coach Greg Drummond) does all the cooking, which helps immensely.

“My parents feel the same way as me. My mum works in the NHS and my dad is a fireman, so like me they like to do their part. It is what we are all about and I am really glad I can go and do my bit.”

Photographs credited to: Graeme Hart, Perthshire Picture Agency.

“You Play For One Another & Put Your Bodies On The Line.”| Marlie Packer

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She talked to us about her love of rugby, her stellar career to date, her rugby heroes and her ambition to play in the 2021 NZ Rugby World Cup – this interview is from 2021 – Marlie is now in the RWC Final vs New Zealand on Saturday 12th November!

How did you get in to playing rugby?

When I was 5 or 6 a friend’s parent took me from school.  My mum thought I was going to watch a rugby game so dressed me in  jeans and a red frilly top and I came back covered in mud – I’ve loved it ever since!  My weekends were always full of sport.  Football on a Saturday morning and rugby on a Sunday morning.  As a single mum my mum did an amazing job with me and my brother getting us to all our practice sessions. The only memory from when I was younger of me maybe having to give up rugby was when football was on a Sunday which was the same day as rugby but obviously I chose rugby and 71 Caps in for England I’m pleased I did!

What’s the best part about playing rugby?

There’s loads of amazing things about playing rugby.  For me it’s the people you meet, the friends you make and the fact that you play for one another and put your bodies on the line whether that’s for your country or for your club.  I’m lucky enough to play for my country so when we come back to league games a lot of the girls I play against are very good friends of mine off the pitch, and we go all out against each but then afterwards we have a drink together whether that’s a beer or a cup of tea. 

And the hardest?

Juggling home life balanced with the training load for me.  Once again I’m lucky as I am one of the 28 players with a full-time contract with England Rugby but that has only been for the last two years!  Before that I was a plumber.  So for the players I play alongside at Saracens they have to balance work life with training and playing.  Which means long hours. 

What do you think of the media coverage of women’s rugby?

It’s getting better – obviously for me as a player if I keep becoming better and the teams around me become better then the games will become better and people will want to watch them more.  I think if you take it back to the last World Cup final in 2017 it was on ITV 1 at 7pm on Saturday night – that’s prime time Ant & Dec time which was incredible.  We need to see more of this sort of scheduling on free-to-air TV.

What more can be done to bring sponsors into women’s rugby?

At the moment England are taking the Red Roses on the road to play their international games around the country which I feel is getting more people to come and watch and getting bums on seats and, importantly, sponsors want to see that!  And it’s great to get to an audience that might not come to London to watch women’s rugby.

What ambitions have you got left in the game?

I want to go to the 2021 World Cup over in New Zealand, not only as a part of the squad, but as one of England’s best open side flanker players.

How important is the mental side of rugby?

For me it’s massive – playing rugby is something that mentally has been amazing for me but then at same time I’ve also struggled with depression from the pressures of the off-field side of rugby and life.

What are you planning to do when you retire from rugby?

I would like to get into coaching.  I’m currently a level 2 coach and after the World Cup I’m looking to become a level 3 coach.   Also, I’d like to go back to plumbing.  I worked for a company before where I worked on emergency breakdowns and I enjoyed that kind of work as it was helping people and getting to meet new people.

Which player do you admire most?

Sarah Hunter – she is the epitome of a Red Rose & truly someone I look up to and aspire to be like – but also the amazing thing is I get to call her a good friend as well.

Who are your rugby heroes (male and female)?

Jonny Wilkinson for that 2003 World Cup kick and for me as a coach it would be Giselle Mather.  She was my coach with England Under 20s and just made me believe in myself on and off the field.

What one piece of advice would you share with today’s young rugby players who want to play for their country?

Keep working hard and enjoying it and make sure you do those little 1-2 %  things even if you don’t feel like doing it at the time because down the long run it all adds up!

“You need to believe in what you know you are capable of.” | Harry Hughes

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Why the javelin?

It is such a great event to watch, and it is so historic too. But most of all, because it was the event I was best at!  I tried my hand at a few different sports, but javelin was the one I fell in love with from a very young age. There is no real backstory to me choosing it either, I simply watched some javelin throwers at my local track and said that I wanted to give it a go at 9 years old!

What 3 attributes have helped you become the UK’s number 1 javelin thrower?

Motivation – I am an extremely motivated individual, and I rarely need to be pushed or guided, so that definitely helps when it comes to sacrificing and training.

Training Smart – More of an attribute to my training programme, but being smart and actually only pushing your body when you need to, and equally being smart on changing the training around to suit how you feel on certain occasions. That extra rep sometimes doesn’t always help.

Confidence – I have seen it so many times when people get to an event and they crumble because they don’t believe in themselves! I do lack confidence in specific situations, which I am working on, but when you are out on the field competing, you really do have to believe in what you are capable of achieving.

Who is your javelin hero and why?

My coach – Mark Roberson. An incredibly humble guy, who is not only my coach, but also one of my closest friends. He was a brilliant thrower in his day and continues to be an amazing athlete to this day, and he can still beat me on a few lifts in the gym too!

Does javelin & field sports generally get the credit it deserves in athletics?

I think some field sports are getting better credit now – look at the pole vault. It is doing really well, and people love watching it. It’s great to see some of the field events getting better credit such as the Shot Putt, but when you compare it to the credit that some of the track events get, it is still a long way off. I think the coverage of field events in the UK at the moment is lacking significantly, and I don’t see where the influence for younger athletes to take up the sport or continue onwards is coming from because it certainly isn’t coming from TV coverage.

What’s your mission for 2020?

My mission is to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. It’s always been a dream, and I would like to finally make that a reality. It’s quite nerving that the year is finally here, but you do have to stick your neck out and say, you know what, I’m going to qualify. Again, you need to believe in what you know you are capable of!  I am also aiming to make the final at the European Championships too!

What’s your wider mission for your athletics career?

My wider mission is to compete at 3 Olympic games, multiple major championships, and get a medal at either a major championships or Olympics.

Who’s your sporting hero and why?

Steve Backley. He really achieved an amazing amount and did it in such a modest way too. He became a household name from throwing a javelin, and the distances he could consistently throw were so impressive, let alone that you could almost always bet on Steve to win a medal at a major championship or Olympics, and that’s what makes a truly great athlete.

Professional sport is intense.  What do you do to relax/get away from it all?

There’s a few things I do to relax. Anything regarding the countryside such as fishing, metal detecting (would you believe it), or even just walking, is great for relaxing, but equally spending time with friends and family is also a great way to relax, a night with good friends, or a weekend away with my girlfriend.

Tell us about setting up your own business, Dangler?

Dangler is a business that my 2 brothers and I set up back in 2018. We aim to bring a marketplace app for buying and selling fishing tackle to the UK, and then take it Global. We managed to raise £500K seed funding in 2019, and we will be launching this spring. It’s an incredibly exciting venture, and I’m very fortunate to work for myself alongside my brothers. Check out the website www.dangler.co.uk to understand more about it. It’s been an amazing learning experience, and I can’t wait to see where we can take it.

Who would your ideal commercial partner be and why?

That’s a difficult one. I absolutely love so many different things. I’m a big fan of good clothing, so one of my favourite clothing brands would be ideal, but I love cars, and to have a commercial partnership with a car manufacturer has to be one of the goals…Land Rover… Hint Hint. In all honesty, there isn’t a single company I would work for over another, I think it comes down to their interest in me as an individual, an ideal partner is one who comes along the journey with me and buys into my story.

Rounding The Isle of White On 700 Plastic Milk Cartons | Conrad Manning

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Who is Conrad Manning?

Conrad Manning is a young engineer and sailor who is using his engineering knowledge and sailing experience to inspire the next generation of engineers through water-related projects, workshops and talks.

Why is sustainability important to you?

It’s important for a few reasons:

– It forces the engineers, scientists and designers to reach for new heights to make things better and more efficient, which is great to inspire the next generation

– Becoming more sustainable can only be a good thing, prolonging our time on the planet (and the animals), or with all the negative press at the moment, giving us hope of a future

– By being more sustainable I think it means we’re less focussed on the bottom line, greed and selfishness and more about collaboration and longevity

Should more athletes be doing to highlight causes beyond their sport?  If yes, why?

That’s not an easy answer as who gets to decide what causes are the ‘right’ ones to get behind? Athletes (particularly those in the public eye) will have influence so can sway opinion on topics so I think they should do as much as possible for their sport and the sport’s current challenges then look beyond their sport.

Has it affected your sporting career?

Sustainability has definitely affected sailing as many builders and participants are looking for greener alternatives. I think though with the greener credentials of sailing, the career side of designing yachts has been less affected.

What’s your challenge about?  Is it just you?

The challenge of paddling around the IoW is about combining personal challenge to raise money for Sport Relief with promoting how with a bit of engineering you can turn rubbish into something exciting with help from others. I’m also proud that everything has been sourced within 13miles from my home (and mostly within walking distance of a train station).   It’ll just be me paddling but there are lots of people alongside me who are helping make this a reality, from driving the build to planning and execution support and all those who have donated the cartons.

How have you prepared? 

Preparation has consisted of finding support for areas I’m not an expert in. Whether that is board shaping, construction methods, fitness, nutrition (fuelling), organising a challenge like this, and of course publicising the project

Tell me about the paddle board design

The paddleboard is designed along the lines of touring and open water long distance boards they use between islands in Hawaii. She’ll have a wooden skeleton and skinned with plastic panels that have been created from plastic milk cartons that were destined for the bin. All in all there will be over 700 bottles that will be granulated then reformed, the challenge is how to join them and we’re keeping that a secret.

What do you want to achieve with the challenge?

There are a few goals from this challenge:

– To get around the Isle of Wight successfully (ie without the board or me breaking!)

– To document the building process to show how to go from waste to exciting product and therefore create a paddleboard that can then be taken to schools and events to highlight STEM/STEAM to the next generation

– To raise money for Sports Relief to support the work they do

– Keep the conversation going around sustainability and turning the tide on plastic

Are there are any other GB athletes who champion sustainability you admire?

There are more and more athletes championing sustainability which combined with the public doing more is all admirable! I would say though Dee Caffari stands out alongside Kiko Matthews and Hannah Mills (not being biased of course as they’re all from watersports).

What does the future hold for Conrad Manning?

The future holds more exciting projects (the next one will definitely have sails), more promotion of STEM/STEAM (through other projects like a double-decker bus designed specifically for running activities for primary and secondary school students), and continuing working on great projects at the day job.

If you want to support Conrad’s paddleboard mission please contact conrad@conradmanningracing.com.  The Just Giving page is: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/plastic-paddle

“Table tennis is not the obvious sport for a guy with no hands and one leg!” | Martin Perry

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1.  Why table tennis?
Table tennis was not my first sport of choice. It was actually far from it. I grew up playing football with my three older brothers. In high school I played for the basketball team and rugby team, all able-bodied. I came across table tennis at a Scottish Disability Sport summer camp. It was there that I met Terry McLernon MBE and his athletes from Drumchapel Table Tennis Club. From the first time I hit a ball (barely on the table) I was having fun and I’ve not stopped having fun playing table tennis since. After witnessing Paralympics GB win two bronze team medals in London 2012, I knew I wanted to really pursue table tennis as a career. It’s not the obvious sport of choice for a guy with no hands and one leg, but I have fun everyday and flinging myself around the court actually makes me feel less disabled than probably anything else.
2.  What’s your mission for 2020?
My mission for 2020 first and foremost is to qualify for the Paralympics in Tokyo. Outside of that my mission the status quo is the same as every other year, growth and development. Table tennis is a sport that is always changing and no two points are the same so you always have something to work on.
3.  Who is your table tennis hero?
I have two table tennis heroes. One from the past and one present. From the past it’s Jan-Ove Waldner from Sweden. You watch him play and he makes the game look so easy, he has so much feeling and can move the ball wherever he wants and just oozes sophistication. In the modern game for me my hero is Zhang Jike from China. He won everything, had so much power and played with his heart on his sleeve, which is how I try to play. With lots of emotion and passion for the game.
4.  Does table tennis get the credit & exposure it deserves?
I don’t think table tennis gets the credit and exposure it deserves until it’s time for the Olympics or Paralympics. Occasionally you get the odd competition shown on tv, but if you don’t know where to look you’re not going to find table tennis to watch. I think it’s such a fast paced entertaining sport and people would love to watch it more.
5.  Is there enough funding for table tennis?  What’s your own experience been like?
I think table tennis gets okay funding but only at the very highest of levels. I have been somewhat fortunate to have some level of funding from the very beginning. I know from experience that it’s very difficult to make a living from the sport at a Paralympic level without private sponsors and investment.
6.  Who would your ideal commercial partner be and why?
For me an ideal commercial partner would be a brand that represents the same values I share;
Honesty
Loyalty
Kindness
Hard work
Sustainability (eco friendly)
Family first
I feel like partnering with a brand that shares these values would be ideal as we could have a shared interest and passion.
7.  What’s your wider mission for your table tennis career?
My wider mission in table tennis is to inspire others. Yes of course I will do everything in my power to try and achieve my goal of becoming Paralympic Champion. However I think the best way that I can repay the sport for giving me a great life and memories to cherish is by becoming an ambassador for my sport and trying to spread table tennis as far and as wide as possible so that more people play and can have the same fun and enjoyment as I have.
8.  Who’s your overall sporting hero and why?
My sporting hero has to be Kobe Bryant. His famously dubbed “Mamba Mentality” is such a phenomenal way to approach sport. To be the best version of yourself. I share that same hard work ethic, “what can I do today to make myself better” it’s a question I often ask myself. Kobe was also a family man. His family was always on his mind and it’s something that I can relate to, living in England when my wife and family are back home in Scotland. It can be tough at times but I know I’ve got the love and support to keep me going. If I had to pick someone closer to home it would be Lewis Hamilton, he turns up and performs week in week out in one of the hardest sports mentally and physically in my opinion. To be able to have such laser like focus and reflexes at such a high speed for 50+ laps on a wet track where you can’t see two feet in front of you is just amazing. Lewis is another big family man, his brother and dad are often seen in the paddock and I really like that.
9.  Professional sport is intense and full of highs and lows.  What do you do to relax/get away from it all?
The highs and lows of sport can be very demanding and draining at times both mentally and physically. I like to unwind by watching a movie with my wife when we get some time together.  We’re both a bit nerdy too and often play things like top trumps or articulate or some form of trivial pursuit, usually the Harry Potter version. We’ll quiz each other on random Harry Potter stuff all the time but I always end up losing. I also love theme parks. I think it’s great to be hurtling through the air at who knows what speed and just being completely out of control as you’re flung around a corner flying upside down. The thrill of being at a theme park I think for me comes just about as close to being in a big competition, your hearts racing and your pumping adrenaline through your body and your always chasing that next high. Which is hopefully winning.
10.  What are your plans after retirement?
After my table tennis career is finished I would like to be a professional speaker wether that be an after dinner speaker, motivational/inspirational, presenter, commentator etc. I think it all somewhat encompasses the same bracket of being a speaker. I feel that I have a story which, especially if I can fulfil my own dreams, can really help motivate and inspire people. I think it’s great helping others and sport often gives you that platform to do so.

If you want to hear more about Martin’s incredible story and work with him to support his sporting ambitions please contact mark@athletemedia.co.uk or call 07952 304340 for more information.

“I want to be the most successful female shot putter Great Britain has ever seen.” | Amelia Strickler

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Why the shot put?

I started throwing when I was about 10 years old. I signed up for the team and on the first day the coach made us all try out every event and I was better than everyone at the shot put. So I kept at it and was winning all the competitions. Winning is always fun! 

What’s your mission for 2020?

The Olympics of course. Last Olympic year I was so injured and it was heart breaking to not be able to try for Rio especially because I was close to the standard. So, that is the big goal but I also have a lot of other smaller goals like being British Champion again. 

Who’s your shot put / field sport hero and why?

I’d say Valerie Adams. She’s probably the best ever and at one point didn’t lose a single competition for over a year! Her personal best of 21.24m is the best throw by any woman for a long time. When I started throwing I always wanted to be like her. 

Does the shot put & field sports generally get the credit it deserves in athletics?

No the field events really don’t get the attention or credit like the running does. It honestly hurts and I wish there was a way to change it. They’re even cutting some field events from the Diamond League which is the main circuit for athletes. Maybe by throwing far I can help get the interest of the U.K. in to the event. 

Is there enough funding for athletes? 

Not for field events. There’s a lot of funding for track events and relay athletes and it’s upsetting knowing that you’re ranked higher in the world than some people that are on funding simply because they are potential for a relay. But for the field athletes there’s no relay it’s just our event. 

What’s your own experience been like?

I personally have not been on funding. But I’m hopeful once I go to the Olympics that will change. 

Who would your ideal commercial partner be and why?

I have been wearing Adidas for a long time since I was at Miami University (Ohio). I really like that they have started using more plus-size models because not every athlete fits a skinny figure. I also really like that they are making clothing and shoes from recycled materials because being environmentally friendly is important to me. That being said I am open to working with any company that is focused on fitness and health because ‘health is wealth’ in my opinion. 

What’s you wider mission for your athletics career?

I want to be the most successful female shot putter Great Britain has ever seen. Also to inform people and young girls that bigger athletes are beautiful too, and worthy of being featured in ads and campaigns. I think as a society we think only the slender athletes are real athletes and this is not the case. Girls should feel like they can choose a sport they truly love and not a sport that is seen as “beautiful”. 

Who’s your sporting hero and why?

I’d have to say Serena Williams. She’s one of those athletes that has that intense focus and drive and is so good. She also speaks up on important issues about women in sport. It’s something that’s really important to me as a female athlete and I really admire her for all she does on and off the court. 

Professional sport is intense and full of highs and lows.  

What do you do to relax/get away from it all?

I really love films and music. I get really into films and it’s nice to just not think about throwing 24/7. One of my favourite films is Hot Fuzz. I also love painting my nails before every competition which is a great way to relax. 

What’s the best and worst part of being a professional athlete?

Worst part is being away from my family. I’m really close to my mother but don’t see her as much as I want to because I’m constantly training and competing. The best is being able to travel and experience so many amazing stadiums all over the world. There’s something so special about walking into a packed stadium with fans cheering loud and competing in that atmosphere. 

“If you are going to change, change everything.” | Steve Parker

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Over a year of training (learning how to run again), and 230km through the game conservancies of Kenya, self-supported across 5 days with constant heat, altitude & hills gives you a lot of space to think and plenty of obstacles to tackle!

The training, lifestyle journey and personal admin and food management in a cold, dark tent for a week, and not to mention the solitude of hours and hours running on my own, has taught me much about myself. I am better, stronger & healthier for the experience.

I am crystal clear on where I merely survived and where I thrived. Importantly, the commitment it takes to prepare properly for such an event impacts significantly on your home and work environments, and those environments directly affect your progress in training and ultimately the race. To some extent, “home” and “work” have always been interwoven into daily life, as it is for so many. That’s why “work life balance” is so broadly debated yet so fundamentally personal. What is interesting is when you add something new into the relationship that immediately requires you to transform established routines. In my case the beauty of timing meant that I changed many key elements; planned family and career move back to the UK after three amazing years abroad and all the opportunities and challenges that clearly brings, building new relationships and renewing old partnerships, and of course a 230km ultramarathon when I had not run more than 10km for 20 years! If you are going to change, change everything.

1.     Purpose

At the start have a clear goal or ambition. If that goal can have a purpose, a “why”, then the journey will be more rewarding and you are more likely to be successful and deliver. Be honest but ambitious, but ensure you plan for what needs to happen each day to reach that goal. The physical and emotional challenge was a strong “Why”, but running to make a difference for a charity that is close to home gives you genuine purpose.

2.     Work hard

This is not a public performance; it is often personal and lonely so to gain the greatest mental or physical reward ensure it is always about how you behave when no one is looking. Only you will know. Only you will care.

3.     Listen and learn

On your journey always listen, learn and apply. Everyday there are many sources of insight from people who want to help and advise, from people who have experienced similar things. Their advice should be welcomed, filtered and then applied. It will make you better. Because this is a journey, things will go wrong, and there will bad days amongst the good. It is obvious but true that how you respond to the setbacks is critical. It’s why you plan, why you work hard to get better, why you listen to those around you. These behaviours prepare you better and give you confidence to adapt and respond.

4.     You are a product of your environment

Surround yourself with the right team, physically or remotely. People who add value. People who share your values. People who you trust and that trust you. In sport and business trust is the foundation of sustainable success and personal well-being.

5.     The importance of family

Always remember that family and friends are the platform on which any success will be built. They provide balance, give you space and provide honest council. They are also critical in allowing you to completely disconnect from the project when needed. Finally they are a constant motivator as so much of what you do is for them and the pride they have in you is the only motivation you need.

I ran to support CRY_UK (Cardiac Risk in the Young). Find out more about this tragic condition and this amazing charity by clicking here.

From Super Saturday to the Scotland 500 | Kat Copeland MBE

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How did you get into rowing? 

I was very ‘unsporty’ and overweight when I was younger. I remember coming second last in my year group at cross country and only being able to do 1 1/2 sit ups in fitness testing when I started secondary school. When I was 14, one of my friends wanted to try rowing but didn’t want to go on her own as she didn’t know anyone there. She asked me and I said no. She then asked and asked again- the sixth time I said ‘yes, but only for one session!’. I went to that one session and fell in love with the sport- I loved being outside and on the river- it felt like pure escapism and my first coach made it really fun for us.

Did you have a sporting hero/heroine growing up?

I have a few- my dad used to play a lot of rugby and loves going to the gym. His work ethic and consistency of training really inspires me. I look up to Fran Houghton, another GB rower, as I really value her insight and experience, and am inspired by how generous she is in sharing that with the people that she trains with in order to make the whole team better. I also feel really lucky having trained with the rowers that I have- every day they would inspire me to work hard and be a better teammate. I could always look around in the gym and use someone for inspiration to either push myself harder, row technically better, or communicate and act better to get more out of whatever crew I was in at the time.

What was the biggest challenge you faced with the sport?

Probably two- one was in 2010 when I’d left college to row full-time, but a year on I had struggled to make weight and had probably put in some of my worst performances that I’d ever done at national trials. It was two years out from 2012 and I had lost all my confidence and direction. The year that followed, I implemented changes in my programme and team and turned into a completely different athlete. I realised the importance of finding love and enjoyment of the sport in the day to day, and surrounded myself with people who made training fun and bolstered my confidence. The second was after a disappointing performance in Rio, I’d decided to carry on and returned back to the team to try and better what we’d done. Pretty shortly after starting back, I’d just picked myself up and was feeling really good, when I suffered several stress fractures in my ribs, then was diagnosed with overtraining, then my pairs partner suddenly retired. These were really hard blows to deal with one after the other when I had just started to feel like I’d just picked myself back up. I spoke to Fran and remember her saying that everyone takes a different path to the top- I feel like this was another pivotal moment for me and developed again as an athlete and a person. I learned to accept the reality of my situation and just re-route my training and mindset to make sure I still got to where I wanted to get to.

What attributes helped you reach the top of rowing?

The ability to get the best out of the people around me, being conscientious and committed to my goal in all areas of my life (e.g. recovery, nutrition, day-to-day training) and the ability to work my guts out- even when I didn’t want to.

How does it feel to look back on 2012 and realise your Olympic win started ‘Super Saturday?!

Even years on, it still feels quite surreal and almost like it wasn’t me that won. I feel very lucky that my Olympic experience coincided with a home games and I got to wear the GB vest alongside such amazing athletes. That really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Was 2012 your best memory in rowing?

Yes and no…! Yes, it was one of the best, obviously. The feeling when we crossed the line was indescribable, and I remember hugging Sophie and just having those few private, special moments before it all went crazy appreciating everything we’d gone through together to achieve that result. For me though, I equally loved the quieter moments in sport that no-one really sees- mornings when I’d pull up to Tees rowing club (my home club in the north-east) or Varese rowing club, Italy, where we’d go on camp a lot- two of my favourite places in the world- and the water would be flat and slightly misty, the sun would be rising, and it would just be me in my single, out on the water and it was completely quiet- those were equally some of my favourite memories.

How does British rowing look as the team heads to Tokyo?

We have a lot of new, young talent this Olympiad and a really inspirational, exciting new set-up in leadership so I can’t wait to cheer my friends on and watch them race. I think it will probably be more nerve-wracking watching than competing!

Are you still involved in sport since retiring?

Yes, I love the sport and feel strongly about all the things rowing, and sport in general, can teach people about themselves and life. I coach part-time and also act as a mentor to younger athletes in the sport. I like the combination of staying involved but also branching out and seeing what the wider world looks like outside of rowing in my other roles!

What’s the best thing you’ve done since retiring?

That’s a hard one! Being able to explore different interests and parts of my personality outside of being in elite sport has been really transformational for me and a massive learning curve. Some of my favourite things have been cycling the Scotland 500 with my dad (so beautiful but one of the most savage things I’ve done with the weather in the highlands!); training up to teach yoga and starting my own yoga business- and in less than a year working with companies like Halifax and Purplebricks; graduating from University and learning to ski (badly!). It’s also just really nice having more time to spend with people now and having the energy to put into relationships with people that I really care about.

What next for Kat Copeland MBE?

I’m still figuring it out! In 2020 though my plan at the minute is to continue working, but also spend some time doing things just because I enjoy them- I’m going to travel more- at the minute I am going to South Africa, South America and Canada, and also another cycling challenge around Portugal with my dad in March…. and probably the biggest thing for me personally is that I’m getting married in September!

What it’s like to be a clean athlete in the world’s biggest doping scandal | John Jackson OLY

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Why bobsleigh?

I’ve always loved speed and adrenaline sports, and got the opportunity through the Royal Marines and Royal Navy to have a go at the sport as there is a military competition every year. I only wanted to tick it off the bucket list at first, but ended up being involved in the sport for 14 years.

What were the attributes that helped you excel at bobsleigh?

Obviously I was lucky that physically my body type suited the requirements of the sport, the short burst sprints, strength and power involved to push a bobsleigh. I had been a Royal Marine for nine years when I first got involved in the sport. This gave me the mental resilience and aptitude to develop the skills required in the sport.

Do you think bobsleigh gets the credit & coverage it deserves in winter sports?

Snow sports get slightly more coverage, but Ice sports as a whole don’t get the coverage they should. This makes it difficult to attract sponsors for teams for UK-based athletes or teams.

How is the current GB men’s bobsleigh team performing?

The GB have recently put in some good results on the world stage. If they had a world class start, they would podium on a regular basis.

What was your finest achievement in the sport?

There are a few milestones within my sliding career. Taking the sport from being unfunded to a UK Sport funded world class team. Winning a World Cup Silver medal, a European Championships Silver medal, but the the Olympic Bronze medal has to be top of the pile.

What impact has receiving the Winter OLY medal 5 years later had on you mentally?

I retired from the sport in the middle of 2016 and a week later the news came out about the state sponsored doping. I have had my mental health issues since retiring and the medal coming so long after my retirement, meant I could never walk away from the sport as this was always hanging over us. I was close to depression and spoke to a doctor and my old team psychologist to help me with the issues I was going through.
I would say I am mentally strong and have the ability to apply myself to anything I want too, but everyone can have a wobble at some point and it is ok to do so. It is recognising the issue and talking about it that is the hardest part.

How did it feel to finally get the medal you craved around your neck back in November?

It was a special evening, but I’m not sure if I had built it up to be something it wasn’t or this is the reality of receiving your medal nearly six years late. It is now working out how to capitalise on it, if there is an opportunity to do so.

 

What more can be done to stop the drug cheats affecting sport?

More work has to be done to stop the culture, both at a national level and sporting level. In some nations it is more acceptable to use PEDs and also some sports have a long history of drug use.   My personal opinion is they should bring back the life time ban. That might deter people from taking it in the first place.

Professional sport is intense.  What did you do to relax/get away from it all when competing?

Professional sport at the top is difficult, it is more than a sport, it is a lifestyle. You live it, breath it, sleep it. When on season you travel from hotel to hotel week on week, there is not much time for down time, after bobsleigh training, physical training, driver coaching, physio treatment, it is then about recovery for the following day. FIFA and movies were the main source of entertainment when there was down time.

What are you doing now and what does the future hold for John Jackson?

I am still currently serving within the Royal Marines and have served over 22 years. Currently I am settling in to life as an Olympic Medalist and working out how it all works. I would like to tell my story of the journey through Olympic failure, career threatening injury to Olympic success and beyond retirement, whilst being a clean athlete in the worlds biggest doping scandal.

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