RACHEL SAXON
From dance to HYROX. From training without purpose to discovering what you're capable of.
Having started my fitness journey with track and athletics at school, then going on to study ballet and contemporary dance through to university, where I was properly introduced to the gym for the first time, I eventually became more familiar with strength training after leaving uni.
MY FITNESS JOURNEY
I've realised that fitness, for me, has always been about what your body is capable of and how you can improve at anything if you have a clear goal to work towards.
A few years ago, I had stopped dancing, wasn't running or training for anything in particular, and found myself training more for aesthetics than anything else. I soon got very, very bored of it. My motivation dipped, I felt like my training didn't have a purpose, and I wasn't using my body and skills to the potential I knew I could.
That's when a colleague told me about HYROX, a sport that brought together all the elements of training I loved: running, functional movement, strength and endurance. Most importantly, it didn't matter what level I was currently at to start training for it and competing in it.
Training with a purpose, for enjoyment and fulfilment, while continuously bettering yourself.
THE ROME EXPERIENCE
Last year, I was fortunate enough to be selected to represent Nike and race in the women's relay in Rome, where we managed to podium.
At first, when asked, I doubted whether I was good enough, fast enough, or as fit and experienced as my teammates. But that is the great thing about fitness and these environments: they push you out of your comfort zone and challenge you to grow.
To me, that is ultimately what it's all about. Training with a purpose, for enjoyment and fulfilment, while continuously bettering yourself.
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WHY I LOVE COACHING
That's what I love most about coaching: being able to give someone the opportunity, support and education to realise their own potential and experience what they are truly capable of, regardless of age, training background or current ability.
Training should build confidence, discipline, mental resilience and a genuine appreciation for our bodies. I also think that training for performance improves how we prioritise recovery and proper fuelling.
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FOOD, FUELLING AND PERFORMANCE
Anyone who knows me also knows how much I love food! But training for performance has made me appreciate food even more, as it reinforces that there really are no 'good' or 'bad' foods. It's so important to understand what your body needs to be properly fuelled, get the best out of your training and achieve your goals.
And often, the physical changes people initially set out to achieve come naturally as a result of consistent training, correct fuelling and enjoying the process along the way, which is just a bonus!