Vikki McKay Personal Trainer
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Vikki has been passionate about the sport of Judo since she was a child. But after being told she would never compete again due to an injury, she took up coaching instead. She tells Sundried about she stays motivated and shares her top tips for success.
Tell us about your journey to fitness? Where did it all start?
Growing up I was always the sporty one and I watched any sport on TV. I played football for my school but after discovering the sport of Judo, I changed my mind. I gained my place on the North West Squad at 12 years old, then made the England Squad aged 14, then the Great Britain team at 16.
Please tell us about sporting events you have taken part in or have coming up.
In 2011, after competing in Judo events all across Europe for many years, I was training at Bath University for a week and damaged my knee. I had an operation but a few months later and I got the same injury again and then again. I was told by the doctor I would never compete in Judo again.
4 years after being told I would never compete again I decided to start coaching so that I could stay close to my sport. Right now I don't have any plans to compete again but I'll never say never.
What are your training goals now?
Right now I am just enjoying lifting again. I will come up with a goal soon, but right now I am just enjoying being able to lift.
What would future you, tell yourself when you were starting out?
Never quit. I know a lot of people say this, but in my case I quit doing a sport that I loved because I couldn't compete at the highest level anymore but now I know I can still train and be close to the sport I have loved my whole life.
Do you follow a specific nutrition plan? If so, what/when do you eat?
My normal diet is very relaxed. I have a flexible diet, if i want chicken and vegetables I will eat it but at the same time if I want pizza I will have that.
What do you do to keep your clients motivated? Do you have any top tips to keep motivated
My clients are motivated by my relaxed outlook on training. I understand that people want to get into good shape but I also understand that the general lifestyle of the UK has become more social so I base all plans around that lifestyle.
Talk us through your training regime.
I currently train 3/4 times a week in the gym as well as doing 2 yoga sessions and 1 2-hour judo session.
How do you keep your fitness knowledge up to date?
Reading, listening and trying new things.
What are your top 3 trainer tips?
- Find an exercise or sport you enjoy. My judo session is the hardest session I do all week but it never feels like hard work because I love it.
- Make sure you rest. A lot people overdo it and over-training is as dangerous as under-training
- Think about your calorie intake on non-training days
If you could only do one workout for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Judo. Judo fitness is like no other session in the world.
What are your training goals?
Right now I don't have any goals.
Favourite fitness quote:
"You can either throw in the towel or use it to wipe the sweat off your face."
