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Tell us about Equilibrium and how it all came about?
We are brothers, business partners and best friends, individually experts, but together we’re unmatched. Raised by a superhuman mum who continues to compete and teach after 30 years at the top of her game and dads with world championship titles in kickboxing and martial arts under their belts, we were formed in an environment where excellence and technique are instinctive.

With competitive sport in our veins, we both forged early careers in semi professional football, only to see our dreams end prematurely due to injury.

Driven by a need to understand our own bodies’ failings, we embarked upon a mission to master the theory behind the implementation of different training techniques and their functional and structural effect on the human body.

After founding equilibrium in 2015 the business has gone from strength to strength. the results speak for themselves – professional athletes, musicians and mothers flock to our west london studio for a taste of our fusion of passion, discipline and technique.

2017 will see us build on our solid reputation in boutique personal training and embark upon the next phase of equilibrium’s growth. a new class concept, set to launch in early 2018, will disrupt the current group fitness market in london and establish our brand as a sustainable leader amongst the boutique fitness elite.

You guys love using the TRX in your PT sessions and group classes. What do you love most about using that piece of equipment?
TRX, for us, is the greatest training tool on the planet.  It can turn a unfit person at any age in to terminator in a very short space of time and safely.  It is suspension training.  Because a part of your body is always attached to the TRX (suspended) you core has be active the whole time making it completely functional.  You wan work each part of your body in several different effective ways in a very short space of time making machine weights obsolete.

Committing to a fitness routine of any kind takes huge doses of motivation… do you have any top tips to keep pushing when you’re going through a dry patch?
Firstly, and this is key, find something you enjoy because if you don’t it will destroy your commitment week one.  Make the process as easy for you as possible.  So travelling to the gym or class, you have to make it simple so the effort can be contained to gym and not having to get there.  Then, find your level.  You can’t go into a class that’s elite fitness if you’re a beginner.  You’ll get demotivated and never go back because of the massive DOMS keeping you in your chair!

Finally.  Go with a friend.  Make it social as well as wellbeing.

Exercise-induced nausea. Why do we get it and how can you prevent it?!
Ah this old chestnut. There are many theories as to why we get it.  Over-hydration, Stress, lactic acid build up but in my opinion it’s simple.  When you push your exercise levels to their limit your body prioritises the energy it needs to transport blood around the body and move it’s muscles.  So, it doesn’t need to waste energy on digesting food and water making it counter productive to keep it in the body.  You then vomit and boom, you’re back in the game.

Prevention. Don’t fill your stomach prior to exercise and don’t push yourself so hard that the room starts spinning and you puke!  You can be fit and not need to be sick.

Why should women drop the fear of weight training? Can we address the whole “bulking” notion?
This question is so common it’s scary. Let’s go scientific first. Women do not have enough testosterone or growth hormone in their physiological make up to put on massive amounts of muscle.  In short, women cannot really bulk up.  Weight training, for a woman, only creates quality lean muscle. The muscles are more shapely and defined. They do not become big.

It is possible for a women to bulk up if that’s her goal.  You would have to train heavy hypertrophy that’s around 60-70% of your one rep max for between 8-10 reps with only 45s-60s rest in between for 4 sets.  Then you’d have to hit each body part around four to five different ways in one session.  Added to that you’d have to consume an extra 700 calories a day.  You see, it’s actually harder for women to bulk up than avoid it.

Is there an optimum time to workout during the day or is it just personal preference?
Total personal preference in my opinion.  Ignore the advice on optimum fat burning time slots just get in the god dam gym and get moving people.  The important thing is that you DO train.

Finally, let’s talk nutrition. What’s your idea of a balanced diet and what changes do people need to make to their eating habits if they want to start training regularly?
I’ll give you my ideal day:

Breakfast: Scrambled or poached eggs with avocado, spinach and a sneaky bit of bacon. If I’m starving I’ll add rye bread.  Coffee and water

Mid morning: Handful of nuts and seeds, maybe an apple and some water

Lunch: Sweet potato, lean meat like turkey, chicken or fish with a large salad or veg

Mid afternoon: Some more nuts and seeds to tide you over

Then I’ll usually train

Dinner: Lean meat like turkey, chicken or fish with a large helping of broccoli, cauliflower, Kale spinach and beetroot

If you’re starting to train regularly then reduce your sugars, processed foods / refined carbohydrates.  Stick to low glycemic index carbs like sweet potato and brown rice and lay off the booze. We’re about Total Balance at Equilibrium so even though you’re making a conscious healthy change make sure you’re a little bit bad on the weekend. Enjoy yourself!

The post Brothers In Business – Equilibrium…Where Fitness Goals Become Reality appeared first on Hip & Healthy.

With a background in TV presenting and production, you’ve been in front of and behind the camera, how has this experience helped you get into vlogging?
I started my TV career at MTV where I worked my way up in a really small, but amazingly talented team. They taught me how to shoot, edit, write scripts and interviews. I was very much thrown in at the deep end, but that was the best way for me to learn. The producing came before the presenting and that really helped me understand the bigger picture – one team, one dream! Vlogging is a whole different ball game, as the only person who signs off your  work, is you! But there’s no doubt, my TV experience has helped hugely.

What do you love most about your job?
The variety it gives me. I found adjusting to being self-employed difficult at first, but now I love the process of building my own little brand. Each day is different and I get the opportunity to work with so many talented people – whether that’s in TV, food, fashion or fitness like with Hip And Healthy!

Your journey into being a vegan was inspired mainly by your love of animals – how have you and your health been affected by your transition to veganism?
Well firstly, I am now obsessed with cows. I just stand and stare at them and try to stroke them. It’s creepy. In terms of health, I now have an abundance of energy and rarely get that cloudy-head feeling. Also, I don’t really seem to get colds anymore which is pretty great!

What are your favourite healthy eating spots in London?
I’ve done extensive acai bowl research in the capital and I’m convinced that CPress takes the top spot, with their green acai bowl. Picky Wops win in the pizza category. I implore you to try their Vegan Victory with extra mushrooms on the spirulina base – you won’t be disappointed. And finally, Farmacy for their truffle tagliatelle and ice cream sundae – food of the Gods.

Socialising in summertime means non-stop barbecues – how do you handle these meat minefields?
Haha! Well as may be clear by now, I’m very openly vegan! So if it’s a soiree with friends, they’re super supportive and always have the hummus ready to go. If it’s with people I don’t know, I’ll eat something before I arrive and go to town on the corn on the cob.

How have your kitchen cupboard essentials changed from being a meat eater to being vegan?
This is a great question. To me, food is all about texture and seasoning. So I use tofu, tempeh and mushrooms for texture and love seasoning them with smoky flavours like cumin, tamari and smoked paprika. I have a great BLT recipe where I used coconut flakes instead of bacon! I use liquid smoke for that BBQ taste, so that’s definitely a new addition to the cupboard. Other than that, I always have a load of plant milk stashed away, lots of high quality greens powder and a b12 complex to keep me in check.

Your favourite way to break a sweat is yoga – how did you get into it and what type of class do you look for (power/yin/jivamukti) and why?
I actually have my good friend Maddy Shaw to thank for my yoga obsession. She took me to my first ever class – Julie Montagu’s infamous Sunday night Hot Vinyasa Flow at Triyoga and I was instantly hooked. I’ve since learnt to appreciate a much slower practice. Matt Penman is incredible for alignment and any Jivamukti class at Sangye in Kensal Rise is a truly soulful experience!

As an anxiety sufferer, do you practice any daily rituals which help you to keep calm and how did you keep cool when interviewing none other than the handsome Ryan Reynolds?
I try to meditate every morning for 20 minutes. And when I find myself in that Instagram vortex, I’ll put my phone on airplane mode and schedule in a 24 hour digital detox.

Ohhhhh Ryan, what a babe. Taking some long, deep breaths always helps before a big interview! In for 6 out for 10

If you could go anywhere on holiday where would you go and what did you do?
I have a real yearning to explore more of Greece. I love hiking, so lots of coastal walks, swimming in their stupidly blue sea and eating all of the watermelon, baba ganoush and stuffed vine leaves. *refreshes skyscanner*

You can see more from Venetia on her website, youtube channel and Instagram.

The post Q&A With Venetia Falconer appeared first on Hip & Healthy.

WHEN AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME VEGAN?
It was around May 2015 after Beyoncé had announced she had tried a 21 day vegan challenge and had launched a delivery service. So I was inspired to try the same 3 week challenge for a laugh and as something to talk about on my radio show. Then during that trial period I watched a few films on factory farming, spoke to some hardcore vegans ( namely JME) and never looked back!

YOU’RE LAUNCHING YOUR VEGAN APP VIAPPI SOON – WHY SHOULD PEOPLE DOWNLOAD IT?
It provides a way to ensure you get to eat vegan no matter where you are or what your budget is. One half is a vegetarian and vegan restaurant finder and the other is a huge vegan recipe area if you’d rather make it yourself.

It’s also free to download!

WHEN DID FITNESS BECOME AN IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR LIFE?
My whole life I’ve enjoyed sport and being active but after hitting 30 I really started looking at the way in which I was training and eating way more seriously as I couldn’t ever seem to change my body shape up until then. I went through a phase of using body building websites and going hard on the protein intake. And I noticed I was able to burn fat and build lean muscle. But after a Breast lump that I had removed in 2014 and an operation to remove Fibroids the following year, I started to seriously consider the hormones I was taking in to my body via non organic meat and dairy. Oestrogen was a concern for me. Which is why when the vegan challenge came along 6 months after my last operation it all started to make sense. I also realised that I was able to still get lots of protein into my diet without animal products but with plant based sources such as quinoa, pulses, nuts and spinach to name a few.

WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE GYM/CLASS IN LONDON?
I love doing cardio at Psycle which is an awesome spin studio – and I train in Covent Garden every other day with my personal trainer @McKenziSagerFitness

WHAT THREE THINGS WOULD WE FIND IN YOUR GYM BAG?
Yoga pants / leggings – faves being Lulu lemon and Elle Sport, My Nike trainers, and a good sports bra. Some of the high street brands like H&M and New Look are doing really good ones at the moment in their sport collection. Oh and some headphones so I can listen to my audio tapes when McKenzi my PT puts me on the stepper at the end of my session!

WE IMAGINE WITH YOUR JOB, YOU OFTEN HAVE LATE NIGHTS AND PARTIES, HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN BALANCE IN YOUR LIFE? HOW DO YOU SCHEDULE THE TIME TO FIT IN WORK OUTS?
I don’t have as many late nights as you might think. If it’s a work / press function they often run from around 6-9pm and I’m only ever out mid week beyond 12 if I’m DJing. I just try to make sure I drink plenty of water and limit my alcohol to special occasions or with close friends.

Also when not filming I schedule my meetings to happen after 1pm so I can devote my AM to working out.I do morning cardio and then PT at 12 most days.

HAS YOUR LIFESTYLE CHANGED MUCH SINCE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME IN LA? IS THE CLICHE OF IT BEING SUPER HEALTH CONSCIOUS TRUE?
Yes in LA people are super health conscious, especially in West Hollywood where I live. It’s very Gay and Gorgeous. I love it.

The way my lifestyle changes there is that I tend to have earlier nights as the nightlife all shuts down at 2am so there’s less opportunity to get into anything too crazy. Also gym classes are full to the brim at 6am. And the beautiful surroundings lend themselves to hiking.

YOU TRAVEL BETWEEN LONDON AND LA – DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY WHEN TRAVELLING?
Water water and more water. Staying hydrated on a plane is a complete game changer. Also try and get your 8 hours sleep a day even if you’re struggling with jet lag

WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE VEGAN RESTAURANT IN LONDON AND LA?
LA : Gracias Madre – it’s a Mexican vegan in West Hollywood

London : too many to choose from but my current favourite is a Vegetarian/ Vegan and one of the oldest in town, The Gate. There’s 3 and I like the one in Hammersmith best.

WHAT’S YOUR GO TO VEGAN SNACK?
Falafels or mashed avacado on rice crackers with a sprinkle of pink Himalayan salt

WE READ YOU DIDN’T DRINK FOR OVER 6 MONTHS – WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE TRYING TO GIVE UP ALCOHOL?
I stopped from July to xmas 2016 and now only drink on occasions which was a dramatic reduction for me.

My advice is get through the habit phase and hang on in there. After a week or 2 you will likely still crave a drink but after that if you can hold off you’ll start feeling / see dramatic benefits to your sleep, headspace , body shape and general happiness levels. And then it might just be worth you carrying on abstaining or even giving up!

FINALLY, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEWER-VEGANS?
Do you research and once you find a handful of things that you love and can eat habitually, your daily routine will become easy and then you can get creative after that. For me my staples are sweet potatoes, black beans, brown or wild rice, vegan cheese, almond milk, spinach, blueberries, dairy free yoghurt and porridge to name a few.

Get Sarah’s Vegan app when it launches here! viappi.co.uk

@viappiapp

Instagram/Twitter: @DJSarahJane

Image: Joseph Sinclair

Interview taken by Georgia Devon-Spick

The post Vegan Chats & A Vegan App – Q&A With TV Presenter, Sarah Jane Crawford appeared first on Hip & Healthy.

Kicking things off today, is a little Q&A!

Can you tell us a little bit on how Naturally Sassy began?
I launched Naturally Sassy in April 2014 after years believing that “healthy eating” was living off a diet packed full of low calorie, low fat foods. As a ballerina, food for me was there to look a certain way, and how it made me feel never crossed my mind. After a few years in a food confused bubble I knew something needed to change, so I got in the kitchen and started cooking for myself. I found a passion for cooking and a love for food I didn’t know I had. I started contributing to different publications and working as the Food Editor at Hip & Healthy (!) – before starting an online space of my own and writing a cookbook dedicated to inspiring women to love the skin they’re in through great-tasting food and butt-lifting movement.

How has being a ballerina influenced your eating habits?
Greatly! It was the inspiration behind it all. I was constantly striving for a ‘perfect’ aesthetic, and made terrible diet choices because of it. Eating in an intuitive, balanced, healthy way changed everything – my performance in the studio and in my everyday life. I saw such a switch in the way I felt, almost immediately and this influenced my entire approach to food. I still love my chocolate, and have a huge sweet tooth – but now practice a lot more control having little and often, and making my own dairy free recipe for those moments.

What are the main benefits you have seen since becoming plant-based?
Since switching my mindset and diet from a ‘meat and two veg’ approach to eating a plant dominant diet, I feel many benefits – my energy levels and skin being two of the most obvious. I used to suffer from terrible eczema, which cleared almost immediately when I stopped eating dairy.

You’ve recently created an amazing workout called Ballet Blast… What was your main inspiration for starting this?
During 10 years of professional dance training, being taught by and working alongside some of the best athletes in the world, I developed a workout program that kept me strong and supple, and at peak fitness. I was severely injured during my last year dancing, spending more time in rehabilitation than on stage. The physio rehabilitation program I was doing didn’t give what I wanted, and my fitness level dropped dramatically. It was then that I started to unknowingly fuse classical ballet work with strength and cardio work in an attempt to create a program for myself. I started working through these routines on a daily basis, teaching my friends and co-workers; It was a hit. Ballet Blast was truly born after hanging up my pointe shoes to work on Naturally Sassy full time, and has been growing ever since.

What is Ballet Blast and who is it for?
Ballet Blast is a fast, ballet inspired cardio workout that fuses high intensity interval training with classical dance principles. Unlike many fitness classes that feel like you’re clenching and shortening the muscles to feel the effect, this method is all about working at length and visualising your extremities to create long lines and work all the muscles throughout the body.

This method is by no means exclusive to dancers; it’s about getting the most out of your fitness class, whatever your experience level, and about coaxing your body into new and challenging positions that will create beautiful long, lean muscles. If you want to work on your balance, flexibility, stability, strength and stamina this class is for you.

How do you suggest to refuel after a tough Ballet Blast class?
Post Ballet Blast it’s all about balance. Making sure you have a good combination of carbohydrates, protein and fats. A protein shake after an intense workout just won’t cut it, so make sure if you’re having a blend to include something like oats and nut butter to balance it out. I have a couple of incredible protein smoothies on my blog – the caramel protein smoothie being my favourite. I tend to eat something within half an hour of finishing a workout while my metabolism is still firing – whilst sipping away on a 1L bottle of water. I’m a stickler for hydrating, and drill it in to my Ballet Blast clients like a crazy lady – but it is incredibly important.

What benefits are people likely to see/feel after regular Ballet Blast attendance?
The advantage of incorporating ballet movements into your exercise routine is that you are naturally lengthening your body and as a result improving your posture. Over time, consistent sessions also drastically improve flexibility, co-ordination and stability. The high-intensity element ensures you are working on your stamina. There’s many different elements that come into play which make for an exciting workout and a challenge for your body – all the moves help to build long, lean muscles and the effect is noticeable with consistent practice.

What other training do you combine with your Ballet Blast to get your incredible bod?
I still go to ballet class every so often, as it’s important to me I don’t loose all that I gained during my training. For daily fitness I do HIIT and TRX workouts, I incorporate weight training twice a week and am a huge fan of Hot Yoga for a little mid-week de stress. A friend and I have recently set ourselves the challenge of doing a crazy different workout each week – so boxing, rock climbing, ariel yoga etc – it’s proving to be a lot of fun, and good to step out of my comfort zone.

Do you find there are any mental benefits to regular exercising?
Absolutely, there really is nothing like it. If I’m not in the best place mentally, the gym is the last place I want to go, but ironically, it’s always the place I need to be. I leave so refreshed with such a sense of purpose and clarity. I workout because of how it makes me feel, for me that is what movement is truly about.

When you’re lacking in motivation (hey it happens to us all!), how do you dig deep and still eat well or head out for a workout?
I always think back to a trip I took dancing in Cuba, exercising in such intense heat felt impossible at times. The Physio there told us a phrase that I’ve held on to – “don’t think, just do”. I apply this quite often in my approach heading out for a workout. If your alarm goes off at 6am, it’s the mental chatter that keeps you in bed. I’ve slowly learnt to switch that off, going into pilot mode and just DOING. Once I’m up and out the door I can listen in again on how I’m feeling.

When it comes to staying motivated to eat well, I just remind myself how great those foods make me feel, normally having a quiet moment and a reminder get’s me back on track.

How have your eating habits combined with your Ballet Blast given you body confidence?
The combination of good food and a consistent exercise practice with my Ballet Blast has benefited not only my physical form but my mental form too. I’m so much more confident and proud of my body – and that’s because I can see how far it’s come and how strong it is becoming.

What are your plans for the future with Ballet Blast?
I’m continuing to run my classes in London, and grow my Plie and Picnic events I hold once a month.

Do you have any long term goals or exciting plans in the pipeworks?
To get everyone doing Ballet Blast! Having it accessible online and in different gyms around the UK. I’ve got some big plans, so watch this space!

If you haven’t already, check our Saskia’s beautiful blog here!

Shop Sassy’s Activewear Edit here!

The post Naturally Sassy Guest Edit – Q&A appeared first on Hip & Healthy.

When did fitness become such an important part of your life?
I’ve always been active from a young age as I used to do a lot horse riding, but it’s only the past couple of years that I’ve really committed to fitness. I train three to four times a week and it’s my go-to escape – it’s important to me that my mind and body are the best they can be and fitness does that.

Why is sportswear such an important part of your wardrobe?
Aside from it being ridiculously comfy?! I think sportwear now, especially the new Reebok SS17 collection, isn’t just for the gym, it’s so fashionable that you can go to work in sportswear and then rock up to the gym and do an intense workout. I’ve never been into super tight clothes so sportswear suits my style.

What is your favourite type of training and why?
I like to feel like I’ve exercised my whole body so I love a HIIT workout. Some days I do like to focus more on specific areas so I do exercises targeted to helping achieve a peachier bum!

How does it feel to be a Brand Ambassador for a major Sportswear brand, Reebok?
Amazing! Two years ago, I’d never have thought I’d be doing it, but I’m obsessed with fitness and Reebok as a brand are totally focused on fitness, so it feels like a really natural partnership. Also I love everything from their studio range, it’s designed to make you look and feel fab both for a workout and just hanging out in during the day!

How does the Reebok City Series suit your lifestyle?
I like to look stylish on my way to the gym, especially if it’s via the King’s Road! The City Series is easy to wear and comfy for working out, but it’s a great look for my everyday lifestyle too, even if it’s just walking Scrumble!

What motivates you to meet your goals?
Exercise gives me such a positive feeling! Even when it’s cold and I want to stay in bed and skip a workout, that feeling I get after I’ve smashed a great workout gets me up every time.

What are your 3 top tips regarding healthy eating?

• Eat little and often
• Breakfast is key! Never skip it!
• A varied healthy diet – you don’t want to get bored!

With lots of people looking up to you, how do you promote healthy living?
Everybody’s fitness journey is different and it’s important to find an exercise regime and healthy diet to suit your lifestyle, but as I often have people asking about my workout plan I’ve created a series of online workouts with Reebok so that people who’d like to can train along with me.

You’re on your way to the gym but you’re hungry! What’s your go-to pre-workout snack?
A banana, every time, it’s full of fibre and keeps me going through a tough workout with my trainer, and partner in crime, Tyrone.

What beauty products can we find in your gym bag?

• Powder, ideal to blot those loose sweat beads
• Waterproof mascara – no one wants panda eyes
• Vaseline – it just makes everything better!
• And dry shampoo!

What restaurant would you recommend in Chelsea for a healthy meal?
The Good Life Eatery is the dream, or the Ivy is fab for a healthy brunch.

Do you have any new health and fitness goals for 2017?
Just to continue being happy and healthy!

How has your mindset changed towards fitness now that you’re pregnant?
I don’t think my mindset has changed, being healthy and strong is still so important, even more so for pregnancy and childbirth. I have an amazing trainer who is qualified in training during pregnancy, my workouts have become less intense but definitely not less frequent.

Becoming a mother is such an exciting experience! What are you looking forward to most?
Everything! I’m just excited to meet this little part of me who I can love, watch grow, and spoil rotten!

Binky Felstead stars in the new Reebok Women’s Spring/Summer 2017 campaign. The new collection is available to buy now from www.reebok.co.uk and at Reebok FitHub stores

The post Binky Felstead – Fitspiration appeared first on Hip & Healthy.

If you enjoyed Steffy’s Yoga Flow For Digestion Video, you’re going to be intrigued to hear her 10 Rules For Life!

The post Steffy White’s 10 Rules For Life appeared first on Hip & Healthy.

You have an insane body. What’s your favourite way to work out?
My favourite way to workout is with a partner, so a friend or predominantly my boyfriend. The way I workout has changed drastically over the past year. It used to consist of struggling to get to the gym, then forcing myself to run 5k and then braving the machines in the mens section of the gym. This would happen twice or three times a week at best. Now I tend to do some form of exercise every day. Me and my boyfriend are very active, so we get Boris bikes to have a laugh whenever we can, I like the challenge of the road and also testing my knowledge of London. My feet can barely reach the peddles which is pretty humorous. We just returned from a stint travelling together for a month so we were teaching ourselves how to do backflips on the beach which ended up being a pretty good workout. Then I would run at him and see how many times he could spin me around gripping my wrists. This developed muscles that neither of us knew we even had. I’m all about moving and stretching as much as I can throughout the day. As you may have seen I use him as a human climbing frame. Whilst away we wanted to be outdoors so it would consist of beach sprints, wrestling with waves and a few short but simple routines to prevent muscle loss. In the Maldives we would cycle the length of the island! Now that i’m back home I will split my time between the gym and home workouts. Because I am incredibly busy at the moment with filming and other work I like to take advantage of a good home workout routine. I use my bedroom floor and do ab exercises using my my protein ab roller and also knee tucks with the exercise ball. There are tonnes of simple yet effective exercises that you can do with the exercise ball including crunches. They are good because they work the full body whilst trying to keep balance and not flop on the floor like a mess. A lot of people ask me how I get my abs. I literally just make sure they are engaged all the time, I suppose this is easier once you already have them. But I like flutter kicks, leg raises and arms raised partial sit ups! Me and the bf do them together super fast until we writhe around in pain laughing.

Do you have any rules that you live by when it comes to your health and fitness?
Whilst it is important to push yourself so that you gain results, you must do the things that you enjoy otherwise the whole thing becomes such a chore. I’m not going to lie I focus on the things that i’m good at. You can’t be good at everything, so I do the things that give me quickest results and that aren’t too stressful. Which is why it’s important to experiment. I don’t really run anymore because I’m impatient and it would cause me a tremendous amount of pain and shin splints because I have such flat feet. So I quit. Recently I learnt how to deadlift and whilst my poor mother has clearly spied a photo of me doing it on instagram and insists that it will give me a bad back, I love it! Also don’t take yourself too seriously, I like to walk around the gym laughing a lot at myself, because I often make mistakes! And ask questions! Basically if you interact with people it makes it more fun and you can meet some cool people.

What was your hardest bad habit to kick?
Erm. I haven’t really kicked anything per se. I suppose i’m really fortunate because i’ve reached a point where I can eat whatever I want and it won’t make a drastic difference because my body has become so much more efficient. Maybe what I actually want has changed though. It has been a gradual transition. I no longer eat bread at a restaurant, I don’t order pizzas hungover! The biggest difference has been cutting down MASSIVELY on alcohol. I don’t really go on ragers anymore. I have changed my attitude and don’t punish my poor body like I used to. I think that’s growing up, but the hangover curry’s, dominos, and excess has ended!!! Actually learning about food and being curious helps because they you teach yourself to only eat things that have some nutritional benefit. The thing I still crave a lot is chocolate!

Take us through your day on a plate…
I don’t have any form of routine, every day is different. So for the sake of this question I will tell you what I ate one day last week on holiday and then what I plan to eat today back in England. Not yesterday because I was jet lagged and completely out of kilter and had about 5 chocolate bars which is NOT allowed!

Holiday

Breakfast:

3 egg Vegetable omelette with jalapeños, 4 small rashers of back bacon, baked beans (I love baked beans), 3 glasses of watermelon juice, 2 large sri lankan passion fruits, a heap of pineapple, 1 black coffee, small amount of porridge (When I have access to a  buffet I will basically try a bit of everything)

Lunch:

Tuna Steak, Sparkling Water, Mediterranean vegetables

Snack:

2 coconuts

Dinner:

Me and my boyfriend normally get 2 starters and then 3 main meals to share between use. So I would have prawns or raw fish to start with and then we would share roast chicken, Bolognese and a steak – all with lots of vegetables. He would eat the lions share.

Home

Breakfast:

3 boiled eggs, large portion smoked salmon

Lunch:

Edamame Pasta with homemade tomato and onion ragu or homemade pesto – I haven’t made my mind up yet

Dinner:

I’m going out for dinner to an asian infusion restaurant so I will eat a tonne of different things ranging from sushi, sashimi, rice noodle soup, maybe some pork belly! I love anything very rich tasting so I douce food in soy sauce.

It must be super difficult to keep your body fueled when you’re busy filming and training! What are your favourite pre and post work-out supplements to ensure you are powered up and ready to go?
I’m very lucky that I’m sponsored by Myprotein because I have access to A TONNE of different snack products and i’m slowly making my way through the menu to see what I like the best. I’m excited to try their new organic raw bars. But some of my existing favourites are the protein brownie and the skinny cookie! Also when i’m at home and need a snack I mix the chocolate brownie flavoured whey protein with plain yoghurt and it is heavenly.

How do you balance your social life with your health goals? Do you ever find that they conflict?
I have changed my priorities. Since being with Ryan I don’t really go out and party anymore. We will go to the occasional event, or a charity party and I still go to my good friends birthdays, but I don’t do nightclubs. I will only go out out if i’m seeing an artist that I love. Luckily me and Ryan are on the same page, we both like rap and grime. I still see my best friends but they all work mega hard too, I think we’re at the stage in our lives where we want to start saving for our futures, buying houses, marriage, kids that sort of thing. We cook each other dinner at our respective houses and leave by 11pm. Am I a massive loser?

What or who inspired you to live the healthy life?
I was honestly waiting for it to happen. I always knew I wanted it and that I needed to make some big changes, but sadly I just couldn’t do it on my own. When I was at school I was incredibly sporty and healthy! I suppose I became unhealthy when I went to University and there was just temptation everywhere. Other people I’ve dated have enjoyed the finer things in life, haha, excess in food, drink, partying. But Ryan is the polar opposite. He throws up after 3 drinks and I have to look after him!!!! LOL.

What three things would we find in your gym bag?
Myprotein lifting gloves…A shaker with BCAAs in…Occasionally my camera to do videos

Home Cook or Take Out?
I used to get WAY too much take out, but now I always cook. I did Leith’s cookery course, so I’m pretty much a trained chef haha! In my house there are always tonnes of people drifting in and out so it’s very social. Me, Sam, Tiff and Ryan will cook breakfast together on weekends and put on a massive spread!!

Tell us one thing that would surprise us about you and your training…
I can do 10 chin ups straight up. I have incredible upper body strength.

What goal would you have liked to achieve in five years time?
To be honest my life always throws crazy things at me each year, so I have NO idea what to predict. Last year I thought i’d be living in New York right now. Over the next year or so myself and Ryan aim to start a successful fitness youtube channel and continue to do funny videos. Also we want to open a cross fit style gym with a buzzing cafe next to it! We spent the Christmas brainstorming.

Follow Louise on Instagram here!

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How did your yoga journey begin?
My mother used to practice yoga so she would be my first port of inspiration. I used to go through her books and (attempt) to replicate the postures.

What initially inspired you to become a yoga teacher?
When I started to practice frequently yoga soon became so much more than another form of exercise. The escapism and overall feelings of grounding and acceptance brought on by a deep practice were so strong I wanted to share this with others.

Where is your favourite location/place to practise yoga?
As much as I try to keep up with self-practice I am a big fan of going to classes. I’m still learning daily and Amme Poulton is a teacher who I respect and adore her approach to teaching! Monday’s at Equinox you’ll find me on the mat.

How do you inspire others to start practising yoga?
Gentle encouragement goes a long way. Also, dispelling the myths that you have to be flexible/ a dancer/ a woman helps too. Yoga really is for everyone and I try to be an un-intimidating as possible.

How has becoming a Nutritional Therapist impacted your health and wellbeing?
It’s helped me have a far more balanced approach to food. Eating is one of the most sociable things we can do and how we go about nourishing ourselves is something that should be valued and invested in. I am far more concerned with the journey of what I now eat and prioritise eating locally, seasonally and where possible organically to.

Making healthy meals and snacks can be very time consuming, what do you recommend to busy women that have limited time to prepare food?
Keep things simple. It may seem idealistic to make your own almond milk, but for many this is too time consuming and just won’t happen. There are great brands out there who are doing the hard work for us so I would recommend utilising them. There are certain things which can be done very quickly, and preparing a healthy meal often is best done using 5 or less ingredients. Another option is to allocate an afternoon to preparing food for the week in advance.

How do you advise people to deal with unhealthy cravings, what is the secret?
Habits are learned and equally un-learned. I start with explaining the benefits of removing/ replacing the “unhealthy” craving and give realistic alternatives. A balanced diet is just that, balanced, so entire deprivation often results in binging. Knowing you can have a slice of birthday cake without ruining your diet plan often is empowering. More often than not, the act of reducing consumption of “unhealthy foods” and increasing the consumption of natural, real food, changes peoples taste. Eating well undeniably feels good and this in itself becomes the motivation that helps clients steer clear of their “craved” foods.

Craving often indicate an imbalance, for example craving chocolate can be associated with low levels of magnesium (dark chocolate contains high levels of magnesium). By restoring minerals/ vitamins that may be lacking can go a long way in combating cravings too.

What is your favourite juice/smoothie?
I prefer smoothies to juice due to the higher fibre content which helps balance blood sugar levels. Coconut water, spinach, cucumber, lime, mint and spirulina is my go-to smoothie.

What 3 ingredients do you use most for cooking?

1. Odourless coconut oil: Nobody can tell you are using coconut oil, personally I like the taste but it can divide the crowds.

2. Turmeric root: tea/ soups / curries / smoothies – endless uses and the anti-inflammatory hype is there for a reason.

3. Fresh chilli: I adore spicy food and equally appreciate the high levels of Vit C, Vit A, B6 and metabolism boosting properties found in chillies.

Find Kathryn on instagram here!

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If you had to summarise yourself in one sentence (or two), how would you do it?
I’d say I’m a loyal person with a desire to learn about new things. I’m quite curious and chatty and I love the little things!

What’s been the biggest life lesson you’ve had?
Always trust your gut.

How did you get into vlogging?
My boyfriend Aslan was the one who really encouraged me to get into vlogging. Of course as a blogger I regularly watched YouTubers, but for a long time I was too scared to start making my own. I remember the first time I sat down in front of a camera I just froze! It was hard to get used to, but once I got past that initial hurdle and published my first video I decided I didn’t have anything to lose.

What’s been your biggest career highlight (‘pinch me’ moment) so far?
It sounds cliche but I think everyday is a ‘pinch me’ moment for me. I’m so grateful to be able to do what I love everyday and call it my job so I try to make a conscious effort to make sure that I never take that for granted. But if I had to choose one moment, I would probably say that the launch of my book, Bloom is my biggest ‘pinch me’ moment in my career so far. Ever since I can remember it’s always been a dream of mine to write a book, so the fact that there is a physical object out there with all my words and pictures in it just absolutely BLOWS MY MIND.

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing right now, what would be your dream job?
I think if I wasn’t doing what I’m doing right now I would probably be doing something in interior design, saying that I have my own taste in design so I don’t think I would be very good at listening to a client’s preferences, so I’m not entirely sure which route I would take. To be honest I couldn’t imagine doing anything other than what I do right now, I just love my job so much and I’m eternally grateful to be able to say that.

What is that one item in your wardrobe that you cannot seem to throw away?
My friends and family will know that I’m a self-confessed hoarder, so there were a couple of items in my wardrobe that sprung to mind when I read this question. I keep telling myself that if I’ve had something for a year and haven’t worn it, then chances are I never will and I should probably throw it away…but that’s not an easy thing to do for someone like me. Lots of things in my wardrobe have sentimental value, so there’s probably no chance that I’ll ever be getting rid of those. Something I probably should get rid of is my favourite comfy sweater. Unless it’s in the wash, I put this baby on every.single.evening. It’s loose fitting, super soft and without a doubt the comfiest thing I own, I’ll probably still be wearing this when I’m 80 years old.

Your favourite city in the world is London – what are you top 5 must dos?
I’ve lived in London for almost 7 years now, so I like to think of myself as somewhat of a local. Having been born and raised in snowy Canada, I never would have imagined that somewhere else on the globe could feel as homely to me as London does. Despite my self proclaimed Londoner status, I still stop and stare in awe whenever I see Big Ben. Sometimes the best place to be a tourist is your own town, that way you really force yourself to notice things that you might never have noticed before. If you’re stopping by London on a visit one weekend, I would for sure recommend that you go and see all the famous landmarks, there’s something about mingling with all the other tourists from around the globe that make you appreciate just how beautiful this city really is.

Make sure you stop by Notting Hill on a Saturday to check out the Portabello market for some super cute vintage finds. Head to Liberty of London for a spot of shopping and a well deserved afternoon tea pit stop, stop by the Barbican Conservatory for some much needed escapism, then finish off your day with a trip to Bone Daddies in Soho for the most delicious ramen that will ever pass your lips.

What are the next travel destinations on your bucket list and why?
I don’t really have a bucket list, but I do like to keep a list of places that I’m really keen to visit and explore. Aslan and I have been interested in hiking for a while now, so we’re hoping to plan a visit to somewhere in the UK that we’ve never been before, maybe somewhere in Scotland or Cornwall, who knows? Although I’ve lived in London for 7 years now, I’m still yet to explore the length and breadth of the UK and I know that there are so many beautiful places to see and things to do, so that’s something I’m really keen to explore in the coming year. We’re also going to Japan in the Spring!

What does your beauty routine consist of?
My viewers will know that I’m not one of those people who likes to spend hours in front of the mirror in the mornings, ain’t nobody got time for that! I’m all about simple, easy, stress-free makeup and I always feel like the best version of myself when I have a minimal face, so I try to choose products that don’t mask my skin or cover up my imperfections, but instead accentuate the bits about myself that I like the most. I hate using heavy, full coverage foundations, so I usually start my base by using my favourite Garnier BB cream, it’s super lightweight and easy to apply and just helps to even out my skin tone. If it’s a weekend I’ll just add a dusting of blush to my cheeks, curl my lashes and brush through my brows, then I’ll finish with a dab of highlighter to the tops of my cheekbones and the top of my nose for a subtle glow.

How do you deal with the negative side of being a public figure?
I’ve always believed that the best way to deal with negative energy is to simply ignore it. When someone says something or writes something with the sole intention of hurting your feelings, the worst thing you can do is to acknowledge it. Negative people will always feed off of your reaction, so I try to just let it slide and move on with my day.

What is your favourite recipe to cook at the moment?
It’s a known fact that I’m not the best at cooking, it’s just something that has never come naturally and never will. It’s no secret that this trait has most definitely been passed down to me by my Mom, who is equally as bad as I am at throwing together a good meal. If there’s one thing I can do well though, it’s make banana bread. I don’t know why out of all the recipes in the world, banana bread is the one that I’ve got down to a tee, but if there was any recipe I am glad to be able to finesse, it’s this one. Aslan and I can’t get enough of this stuff, it’s just SO.DAMN.GOOD. We often find ourselves racing each other to the oven to get the first slice of that warm, cakey goodness. I’m not saying I’m going to drop everything and give up my career to enter myself into the Great British Bake Off, but my recipe is pretty much the definition of delicious!

Get your copy of Bloom, Navigating Life And Style here!

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