Advocate Q&A: Dr Jenna Macciochi

YOU'RE A BUSY MUM WITH A LOT TO FIT IN, TALK US THROUGH A TYPICAL WEEK AND HOW YOU FIT YOUR TRAINING IN...

I guess it's a case of making time for the things you know you need.  If I don't make time to move then I notice it in my mood and how my body feels.  Since time is limited I schedule 1 session a week in with a coach.  We focus primarily on strength and conditioning as this is where I benefit most from coaching inputs and it gives me the opportunity to lift heavy with confidence. Outside of this weekly training, my motor is generally to move more, move more often and move in lots of different ways.  Just as we need diversity and abundance in our diet, we also need diversity and abundance when it comes to movement.  Between the school run, cycling to work, occasional yoga and pilates sessions, home workouts and seafront runs in Brighton, playing with my kids, country walks on the South Downs, I generally try to move when I can. 

WHAT DOES YOUR ROUTINE LOOK LIKE BEFORE A TYPICAL MOVEMENT OR TRAINING  SESSION?

Any formal training session I do is quite precious since my time is limited between kids and work so I generally try to schedule them for a time when I know I will be well-slept and well-recovered from previous sessions and other activities or events that week so I can get the most from the session.  I also try to train when I feel mentally prepared because I have realised through experience that so much of our performance physically is down to mindset and psychology.  Fuelling for the work required is also a useful tool. This might mean tactically adjusting dietary carbohydrates to avoid low glycogen. Before getting stuck into a session, I always mobilise.  This might be a quick work through a few movements or some rolling.

HOW DO YOU RECOVER FROM SESSIONS TO ENABLE YOU TO GO AGAIN?

I do try to space out training sessions, fuel for the work required and maintain a well balanced diet so I am as best prepared as I can.  I love sauna (so much that I built one in my garden) which helps a lot.  I generally include some rolling into my warm-up and daily mobility which, subjectively, feels like it really helps too. 

WHERE DO YOU TYPICALLY DO YOUR WARM UP/ MOBILITY/ RECOVERY SESSIONS?

Mobility has become a daily occurrence since I broke my shoulder 3 years ago.  I have been lucky to never have had a serious injury up until this point.  It really made me value mobility and normative movement.  As we went into the first lockdown I committed to a short daily mobility practice at home, usually upon waking in the morning.  I haven't stopped since.  Its the single most important thing that has improved my ability to do the things I love and push my performance in the gym.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT MOVEWELL?

I of course love that the products are functional and aesthetic but also the range of products which support so many aspects of movement. But it really makes a difference to use products that have the environment and sustainability at the core of every aspect, this is so hard to come by with gym equipment.

THANK YOU. WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND MORE ABOUT YOU?