If you asked me to sum up my general thoughts on training, I would say that sessions should be SMARTER* and possibly more importantly, FUN! If training is not at least enjoyable (as well as challenging, intense, rewarding, etc.), then you will probably not want to continue, even if you could get results, as these are sometimes delayed.
One of my key concepts involves : “Intensity” – because this process, coupled with “Focus”, practically guarantees “Quality”. Although “Intensity” is fundamental to most of my training, it is often confused with words like “Beasting” and“Insanity”, which can neglect the importance of rest and recovery.
Although this is perfectly fine for some, such buzzwords lead many people down a dangerous path. Without the correct health and fitness foundation to protect your immunity, this could lead to glandular fever, chronic fatigue syndrome, or even M.E..
I know how much this can ruin sporting careers and even lives because I was just such an “animal” competitive swimmer when I first went to University. I thrived on the multiple daily beastings until 6 weeks into my degree, when I came down with M.E..That was it….game over(such was my training ferocity that I swam through glandular fever, thinking my poorer times were due to me not training hard enough!).
Luckily for me, I was recommended to a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, who cured me and sent me back to Leeds. A few years after graduating, I went back and practised TCM with my doctor and helped to cure many other people, who also suffered from such debilitating syndromes, as well as many other illnesses. This, coupled with my education in physiology, provided me with an insight into overtraining, plus the importance of quality, rest, and recovery, that may well be unique.
Education, fitness and coaching qualifications
As a child I always wanted to play and be involved in sport, so all GCSE’s, A Levels, and subsequent subjects were chosen to best support this.