Life

20 Questions: Parkour 'Ninja Master' Paul Allen - 'The kids I teach inspire and motivate me every single day'

Gail Bell asks experts and people in the public eye what keeps them going. This week: Belfast-based Jump NI parkour school founder and Ninja Warrior UK finalist Paul Allen

Gail Bell

Gail Bell

Gail is a features writer with the Irish News specialising in the arts.

Parkour coach and fitness professional Paul Allen in action
Parkour coach and fitness professional Paul Allen in action Parkour coach and fitness professional Paul Allen in action

1 Up and at it – what is your morning routine?

I DON’T have a standard nine-to-five job, so I’m never too rushed to get up. I will get up no later than 8am and then have a cup of tea while checking through my emails. I don’t normally eat anything until I have been to the gym or climbing at BoulderWorld.

2 What might you eat in a typical working day for...

Breakfast? I don’t eat breakfast and haven’t done so for approximately six months. I find that I get much more out of my training if I avoid eating beforehand.

Lunch? I’ll normally have coconut yoghurt mixed with protein powder, topped with pineapple, blueberries and a handful of mixed nuts. If I have time to spare, I’ll prepare chicken and vegetables with either potatoes or chips. Sometimes, I’ll have soda bread and eggs as a treat.

Evening meal? Chicken is always on the menu, either in a wrap or in a curry, along with potatoes and vegetables.

3 Is nutrition important to you?

Yes, as my job is incredibly active – I teach parkour and calisthenics and I also train daily – it’s vital that I have a stable nutrition plan in order to aid fast recovery. I usually eat lean, white meat with some variation of carbs like pasta, potatoes or rice.

4 Best meal ever?

That’s a hard question to answer, but I’d have to say it is my aunt’s Christmas dinner. I could eat that every day and never get sick of it.

5 Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Cream buns are my guilty pleasure.

6 Have you ever been on a diet? If so, how did it go?

I think the term 'diet' often makes people immediately feel like they’re restricted from eating certain foods and that usually results in them failing because they crave the foods they’re supposed to be avoiding.

I try to keep everything within moderation – I eat healthily most of the time, but always allow myself treats when I feel like them. It is hard to turn down chocolate and crisps every day of the week.

7 Do you take health supplements?

Other than a scoop of protein with my yoghurt, not really. My diet is varied and I feel like I get enough vitamins and nutrients from my food intake alone.

8 How do you relax?

I feel truly relaxed when I’m keeping active. I’m not one for lazing about or sitting still, but If I am having some down-time, I enjoy watching an animal or David Attenborough documentary on TV.

9 Teetotal or tipple?

I don’t drink during the week, but I would enjoy a whiskey or two to relax at the weekend – or maybe a few beers, if I’m going camping.

10 Stairs or lift?

Stairs.

11 Do you have a daily exercise regime?

My exercise regime will vary depending on work, but I normally climb three times per week and also include a mixture of body weight conditioning exercises such as handstands, push-ups, pull-ups – that sort of thing.

I train regularly in between teaching parkour and calisthenics.

12 Best tip for everyday fitness?

Make sure you enjoy it. You’ll only begrudge taking time out from your day to exercise if you don’t actually enjoy the physical activity you’re doing. Find a type of exercise that works for you, then you’ll want to fit it into your schedule on a regular basis.

13 On a scale of one to 10, how fit do you think you are and how fit would you like to be?

Due to the type of physical activity I do daily, I would say that I’m relatively fit – I'm maybe around an 8 on that scale.

14 Have you tried, or would you try, alternative therapy?

I haven’t tried any alternative therapy before, but I’m open to trying it. I’ve heard it can be great for both your mind and your body.

15 Were school sports happy times or do you have a memory you would rather forget?

I have always loved any type of sport, so school sports were an enjoyable time for me. It was actually during these lessons at school that I discovered I had a passion to coach.

16 Did you ever have a health epiphany which made you change your lifestyle? No, I don’t think so. I feel fortunate that it’s always been in me to want to lead a healthy lifestyle.

17 Best health/lifestyle advice you were ever given and would pass on to others?

The advice that has always stuck with me is ‘motion is lotion’. I truly believe the more you move, the better and stronger your body will become. It’s only when you stop exercising regularly that you start to feel lethargic, stiff or experience aches and pains.

18 Who inspires you or who would you try to emulate in terms of fitness / attitude to life?

I have never really looked up to anyone, but the kids I teach inspire and motivate me every single day. Watching them break down mental challenges and overcome fears as their confidence grows is epic. Their enthusiasm drives me to continually push myself.

19 What time do you normally get to bed and do you get enough sleep?

I am usually in bed and asleep by 11pm – midnight at the latest. Fortunately, I sleep well and never feel sleep-deprived.

20 Would you say you have a healthy attitude towards your own mortality?

Yes, I think so. I know it’s inevitable that one day my time is going to be up – and I’m OK with that. Until that day arrives, I intend to have plenty of fun, meet interesting people and experience as much as I can of what the world has to offer. I try not to worry too much about anything and do my best to live in the moment.

:: Visit JumpNI.com. Paul recently helped to launch We Are Vertigo's new dedicated 'Ninja School', book online at Wearevertigo.com