Paul Seymour - Athlete Ambassador

Have you always been into sports?

I've always been active and enjoyed all sports at school but after joining a local swimming club at about 8 years old, although no Michael Phelps, I found a passion for training and being involved in competitive sports. I continued competitive swimming through school/college and university reaching national finals and then started a new journey into triathlons.

How did you first get into triathlon?

Not really knowing anything about triathlons, I agreed to enter a local race with some work colleagues (some post work beers may have lubricated the idea). Struck by an amazing atmosphere, friendly competitors, space age looking bikes (& some less so shopping bike variants) and an acceptance of all ages and abilities, I soon became hooked.

If you are interested in getting into Triathlon, Sundried's kit is suitable for beginners as well as seasoned athletes. We have both men's and women's options available. 

What has been your favourite race to date and why?

After a few years out of triathlon and on the eve of my 40th year, I decided to get back into racing and entered the London Triathlon. Reaching the finish line under the 2hrs 30, was an amazing feeling and accomplishment (at one point I thought about stopping due to stomach cramps). With 13,000 competitors over the weekend and the chance to race around iconic landmarks in London, the buzz was like nothing I'd experienced. I'd always had a nagging feeling that maybe I could have become a better swimmer and achieved more had I been more committed or trained more. So after realising I wasn't too bad at triathlons, qualifying for the GB team became my new focus.

What is your proudest achievement?

Climbing off the sofa, losing 13kgs and achieving my goal of qualifying for the World & European Triathlon Championships and joining team GB. Sadly the pandemic hit and the 2020 races were postponed but thanks to the hard work and support of the BTF team,  I will eventually & proudly wear the GB colours.

Have you ever had any racing disasters?

In my second ever triathlon, one thing I quickly came to learn is no race is perfect. In pursuit of 'marginal gains' I decided instead of a t-shirt, I needed a tight cycling vest. This turned out not to be my brightest moment. Wet and cold after the swim, what ensued in transition can only be described as a calamitous wrestling spectacle as I tried to get said vest on. Fellow competitors streamed out of T1 quicker than shoppers on Black Friday looking for a deal, thankfully the trisuit came along and saved me from further clothing failures.

How do you overcome setbacks?

To finish a race, win a race or compete for your country it doesn't matter, have a goal. As Walt Disney said..."If you can dream it, you can do it". Combine that with determination/commitment/perseverance, setbacks can be accepted and overcome. When injuries come along, which they always do, remember that nothing lasts forever, patience and hard work will see you back doing what you enjoy. Setbacks, like injuries, are also an opportunity to learn and make changes.

What advice do you wish you'd been given when you first started out?

Enjoy your training, remember why you're doing it and how lucky you are to be able to. The buzz of racing, the crowds, the atmosphere, achieving your goal(s) and of course the medal! are all great but training can be hard and lonely at times. Getting out of bed at 5am on a cold winter's morning isn't fun. Indoor training apps like Zwift combined with a turbo trainer are a great way to make training enjoyable and keep you motivated through the cold & wet British winters and are well worth the investment.

What are your goals?

Having achieved my initial goal of making it to team GB, I want to continue the journey and represent my country at world championships in three different distances (Olympic, 70.3 & Full).

Who inspires you?

Chrissie Wellington's 'A Life Without Limits: A World Champion's Journey' is all you need to read!

Why work with Sundried?

You only have to watch 'Seaspiracy' on Netflix to understand the impact we have on the planet and the need to make changes. Joining the ambassador programme at Sundried is a great opportunity to help promote sustainable fashion made from recycled plastics and biodegradable fabrics. I think this quote from Albert Einstein says it all, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Sundried is changing the old way of thinking!

To hear more from our ambassadors and get free tips on workout plans and more, connect with the Sundried Personal Trainers on our app.