Up and at it – what is your morning routine?
I read a book a while ago called Miracle Morning which talks about the benefits of early starts so, on the back of this book (which I highly recommend), I now get up at least an hour before I usually would – at around 5am. I meditate, do my affirmations and visualise how I want things to go that day. I then stretch, and, if I have time, I go to my local crossfit gym in Bangor
What might you eat in a typical working day for...Breakfast?
I have my usual porridge and a lot of water.
Lunch?
I aim for a salad or something with a bit of carbs in, if I've had a gym workout that morning.
Evening meal?
I am currently following a great cookbook, Cook Once, Eat All Week, that cuts down on food waste, saves you money and time and has really tasty meals. Look it up.
Is nutrition important to you?
Yes, it is important. I try very hard to eat the right things at the right time, such as carbs after gym sessions, and I try to balance the right amount of fats, carbs and proteins throughout the day.
Best meal ever?
I would say it was when I took my wife to the Ritz for pre-theatre food in London – small portions but the food just kept coming. It is somewhere you go once, but I felt a bit out of my comfort zone. Too posh for me.
Do you have a guilty pleasure?
I love cheeses. I used to work in a place in London which served Camembert baked, with all sorts of breads and pickles. Amazing. I do try to recreate it from time to time.
Have you ever been on a diet?
If so, how did it go? I've never followed a diet plan, as such. I just try to keep tabs on my intake and make sure it's good, healthy food.
Do you take health supplements?
Yes, I have protein, creatine, multi-vits, B12, Omega 3 and turmeric-root smoothies that I've started making myself. I've also started taking a vitamin called Ashwagandha which helps with focus and stress – apparently.
How do you relax?
Play with my family – my daughter, Isla, keeps me and my wife Michelle well entertained in the evening. I also find going to the gym weirdly relaxing.
Teetotal or tipple?
I would take a tipple from time-to-time, though, nowadays, I find a hangover on the way before I've even finished my first pint.
Stairs or lift?
Stairs, for sure. Anything that can burn a few more calories.
Do you have a daily exercise regime?
I go to crossfit MCI in Bangor and the great thing about crossfit is that the coaches have already planned out your fitness regime. You just have to turn up to the classes which cover a wide range of skills, from gymnastics to weightlifting to high cardio sessions. I'm now in my third year but still very much a beginner.
Best tip for everyday fitness?
If you are starting out, don't immediately go out on the roads or start pounding the pavement. A 30-minute walk at a steady pace is much more beneficial. If you go to the gym, a good walk on the treadmill uphill burns more calories than if you did the same running flat – and it saves the knees.
On a scale of one to 10, how fit do you think you are and how fit would you like to be?
I would be around a five or a six. I've been sick recently and it's set me back a bit. Before Christmas I would have been a seven but I will get back to that soon and then push onwards towards an eight…
Have you tried, or would you try, alternative therapy?
I'm not really interested in alternative therapy.
Were school sports happy times or do you have a memory you would rather forget?
I loved sports day because it meant there was no school work but, once, my teacher nominated me for a long distance 1,500m run (in my absence!) and threatened to bring in a girl's uniform for me to wear if I forgot my sport's kit that day. I didn't bring it and my teacher tossed a bag containing a girl's sports kit towards me… Anyway, long story short, I took the bullet. I think I looked actually quite good in a mini skirt.
Did you ever have a health epiphany which made you change your lifestyle?
Not really, I've always been involved in sports to a certain degree.
Best health/lifestyle advice you were ever given and would pass on to others?
If I were to give any advice, it would be: Don't starve yourself, just cut out all the rubbish and scale back on the amount of the food you put on your plate and you will see a difference. Also, if you find there is a time in the day you get peckish – it happens to me at around 4pm – then, have a healthy snack ready to eat an hour before to suppress the hunger.
Who inspires you or who would you try to emulate in terms of fitness/attitude to life?
I don't really try to emulate anyone. I look at my daughter and think, ‘How can I be the best daddy, the best influencer for her to look up to?' I don't look up to anyone – I look down at that wee person beside me.
What time do you normally get to bed and do you get enough sleep?
Recently, due to the Miracle Morning book, I've been going to bed between 9pm and 10pm, so I'm getting a good eight hours, hopefully.
Would you say you have a healthy attitude towards your own mortality?
I think so, yes. Enjoy the ‘now', stay healthy, be happy and make fun memories.
