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We are delighted to announce that Amy Williams is our Fitspiration of the month this April.  Amy amazingly won a Gold medal at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics for the Skeleton and a Silver at the World Championships in 2009 – she’s a true inspiration! Since retiring from her beloved sport in 2012 she has been an ambassador for sport, encouraging children to become more active and healthy. Her recent involvement in British Military Fitness has allowed her to keep in incredible shape whilst looking after her health. We asked her about her Olympic career, the ins and outs of what it’s like to be a female sports-star in a predominantly male industry and how she stays healthy beyond exercise.

Had you always had an interest in keeping fit growing up?
Yes we were a very outdoor active family as I grew up, we had no TV, so as kids we were always in the garden and fields behind the house playing, then family holidays were always walking and youth hostels.

What is your first memory of Skeleton?
I entered into the world push championships in Holland in the summer of 2002, a competition just to see who has the fastest sprint/push, I won it so the performance director of skeleton at the time said I should have a go on the real ice track. I had my first run down in October 2002.

What was going through your mind in Vancouver before your final run to an Olympic gold medal?
That I didn’t want to let myself down & not win! There was a lot of pressure as we knew someone had to bring home a medal to keep the funding for the sport. But then I remember telling myself to smile, to take a deep breath and to enjoy the last run.

Can you describe your 2010 Olympic experience in three words?
Help no! Er…. A dream, feeling proud, a relief the hard work paid off!

Can you describe your typical day when you were training for the Olympics?
It all depended when you have your ice track session. So typical day would be

Up at 7am, breakfast 7:30, leave for the track at 8am, walk the track 8:30-9:30am ice training session at 10am, watch all other athletes on corners.

Back to hotel 14:00 for lunch.

Then sled work preparation & maintenance time.

15:30 gym weights session in local gym

18:30 dinner

19:30 video session with coach watching lines & corners.

21:30/22:00 bed!

You have recently found a passion for British Military Fitness. What attracted you to getting involved?
It was something different than the training I was used to. It was nice to meet new people & have a mix of ages & ability. I liked not having to think about what you had to do as an instructor teaches you.

What do you love most about BMF?
You can train out in the open doors not in a gym where I have spent my whole life!

How does your nutrition now compare to when you were competing?
I’m not as strict anymore. I was very hard on myself and never ate/drank anything that was bad for my body. Now I will eat a slice of cake so long as I exercise!

Do you have a favourite mantra or quote?
“Nothing is impossible”

You have to invite a sports personality to dinner, who would you invite and why?
I have a lot of friends who are top athletes , from rugby players to modern pentathlon to bobsleigh athletes, so maybe I’d invite them all around and cook a huge lasagne and mixed salad!

Do you have any weaknesses?
I do have a very sweet tooth now!

Where’s the best place you’ve ever been and why?
The Maldives, Baros. I took my sister there and it was the most peaceful place, with sea and sun!

How do you wind down in the evening?
Sit on my sofa & watch a film.

Amy Williams 2

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