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Team Nagi Coaching Newsletter – January 2021

Hi Guys,

One month down, that’s an important milestone on our current journey.

Each time you receive this newsletter it means we are closer to where we want to be. It’s important to celebrate these small wins right now and getting through January is a big one ticked off, especially after the post Christmas slump. You’ve done great to get this far so just keep hanging in there.

The hot topics of conversation with my athletes each week seems to revolve around:

1: What TV they are watching
2: What they are cooking
3: What takeaways are hot & delicious right now

Of course we spice it up with a little bit of training talk too.

Who’d have thought we would be living in a day and age where Michelin starred chefs would be creating delicious takeaway meals that could be delivered to your door. I’m sure they didn’t. Extraordinary times, seeing extraordinary creativity from this industry that has been so badly affected. But like the Artisans they are they are finding a way and I can’t help but admire them for ‘taking the takeaway’ to a whole new level.

That’s why I wanted to give a big shout out to a local business owner that has been keeping me fed these past few weeks during lockdown. Food is so important to us all right now whether we are cooking it, eating it or having it delivered to doors. It brings us together, makes us feel good and preparing it helps to pass the time. I’ve often said there is no greater relaxation therapy for me than spending a few hours sourcing and cooking great food. That’s what I call a day for the soul.

So to have delicious meal delivered to my door every Thursday from Wendy’s Kitchen is such a treat. Wendy is one of my swimmers, she is also a Professional Chef based in West London. She is also former restaurant owner that has to dramatically adapt her business to what’s currently going on the world. She came up with the really fun concept of announcing a new menu (via instragram at wendykitchendelivers) from a new culinary location around the world every Monday. We’ve been to Bali, Morocco, Italy, the Middle East, Thailand and many more places so far. The food has been incredible. So if you want the night off slaving over the pots and pans I can give no higher recommendation. Her Tahini brownie’s quite literally made me go weak at the knees.

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I also wanted to share with you one of the best podcasts I’ve listened to for a very long time. The reason I think it’s important to share this is because I know there a lot of people out there who are struggling right now. These times are testing even the most positive people among us and you know what after listening to this podcast you’ll realise it’s ok to not be ok. You’ll hear this mentioned a lot during the podcast with two of the greatest swimmers of all time – Michael Phelps & Grant Hackett. To get one of these guys on a podcast is a bonus never mind two of them together. What was so extraordinary about this 2 hour podcast (and it’s worth listening to every second if it) is listening to two male ‘A type’ personalities talking so openly about mental health issues, relationships, their friendship and much much more. It’s testament to what they’ve been through that they can be so candid and talk so openly about their struggles. In fact it’s nothing short of refreshing to hear two men talk so freely about their feelings and emotions. The big egos are gone and what remains is two very rounded human beings who have learned to deal with life’s up and downs in a far healthier way. They also give plenty of great advice about how to deal with the current situation we are in right now. I was a huge fan of both of these guys before listening to this podcast I’m an even bigger fan now. Hope you enjoy.

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I also wanted to give a big shout out to all of my coached athletes who have all nailed such a terrific month of training. The bounce back from Christmas has been immense and you should feel very proud your efforts. If there is one thing we have learned about these lockdowns is that having a structured training plan is the guiding light that will help see you all through. Routine and structure is so important right now to avoid any ‘Groundhog Day’ feelings. Each day presents a new session and a new challenge that helps keep the mind present and in the moment. The fact that so many of you are now finding the time to do significant amounts Yoga, Pilates, S&C and mobility each week has been terrific to see. This has either been one to one, online or self-directed and without doubt you are all feeling the benefit of it. It is very much needed with the loss of swimming and I’ve been so pleased to see you taking this time to explore these new areas. These little routines you are discovering for yourselves are worth their weight in gold so keep at it, you’ve done a brilliant job so far.

So that’s it for now, we’ve got the worst month out of the way so let’s move on with gusto. The next time you hear from me that will be 2 months ticked off and I’m sure there will be more light at the end of the tunnel to speak of. Keep yourselves busy and stay as active as possible for now. Take one-day at time and try not to look too far head and be sure to make the most of each day, because time after all…will always be precious.

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The Other Side of Fear 

When I finished watching this brilliant 1 hour film…I just sat back and thought WOW, this guy really is something else (along with his partner!). Mark was one of the world’s best big wave surfers until a bad accident took his life in a very different direction. This is his life affirming story of his incredible journey back from the brink. At a time when people are facing greater challenges than ever before his story will inspire anyone who are facing their own battles in life.

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The Three Kings

This is so much more than a football documentary. This is another master class in film documentary making that charts the life of 3 of the greatest football managers the world has ever seen. All 3 were Scottish, all 3 of them were born within 30 miles of each other in Lanarkshire. These were the men that created the great football teams you see today – Liverpool, Manchester United and Celtic. Over a quarter of the world’s population collectively supports these 3 teams which is an extraordinary statistic in itself. This film pays homage to the men that laid the foundations for how successful these teams are today. It’s also an amazing insight into the social history of England and Scotland from the 1950’s to the 1990’s. A must watch for all sporting fans.

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Another terrifically insightful podcast I listened to was with Dr Ara Suppiah on the Greg Bennett Show. Dr. Suppiah is a certified ER physician, trained cardiac surgeon, Sports Medicine physician, Functional medicine, and Chinesemedicine physician. He works with some of the world’s greatest professional athletes.

What I loved about this podcast was his holistic approach to medicine and the fact he has studied so widely in other forms of medicine too. He realised pretty quickly the limitations of conventional medicine when treating athletes and decided to pursue the answers he was looking for in other forms of medicine. He then brings all of this in depth knowledge together when working with some of the best athletes in the world.

One little tip he gave was that before bed each night he drank something ‘golden milk’. I’d never head of this before but it’s simply a blend of spices that contain mainly turmeric, ground ginger and black peppercorns. You drink it with milk or an alternative (I use coconut milk with a teaspoon of high grade manuka honey). You can make it yourself or order from anyone of hundreds of products online, this is the one I went for – turmeric golden milk latte mix.

I can honestly say after a 6 weeks of using it I’ve never slept better. As a light sleeper I’ve been sleeping deeper and longer than ever before, sometimes in the region of 9-10 hours per night, which is unheard of for me. Along with improving sleep the benefits of taking turmeric have been known for hundreds of years these include:

  • improved immunity
  • soothe a sore throat and cough naturally
  • treat indigestion
  • reduce inflammation in the body
  • detoxify the liver
  • blood purification
  • prevent chronic disease
  • contains potent antioxidants

It’s been a double thumbs up from me.

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Athlete Q & A

 Name: Tony Jarvis

Age: 44

Star sign: Taurus

Years in triathlon: Around 7

Occupation:  Marketing Consultancy

In another life you would have been a..?  Geography Teacher

Who is your athletic alter ego? Rafael Nadal.

Favourite training session:

Brick sessions for that jelly leg race feeling.

Least favourite training session:

Extended Big Gear Intervals.

Favourite training track (music!):

Sub Focus tends to hit the spot

Favourite book:

Agent Zig Zag, Ben Macintyre – genuinely unbelievable true story about a double agent in WWII.

Last book you read: 

Greenlights: Musings and life wisdom from Matthew McConaughey. Get the audio book as he narrates it brilliantly!

The Art of Resilience: 

Ross Edgely. Hell of an achievement and a brilliant approach from a humble guy.

Favourite training venue/location: 

Difficult to beat the Scottish Highlands for generating some grit. Have never trained anywhere warm but would love to. Recommendations welcome?

Favourite race experience: 

A puncture 10k into a 20k sprint on the pancake flat Eton Dorney course in 2014 showed me not to take it all too seriously. Think I managed to find the one sharp object on the entire track!

Top 10 finish at Brighton 2 years back after a cracking battle was a moment!

Top 3 race bucket list:

Bermuda World Sprint Tri Champs for sure.

Favourite mantra: 

If you have a point to make, don’t just tell everyone, show everyone. (Think Elvis nailed it with ‘a little less conversation….’)

If you could choose 3 famous people to come to dinner with you who would they be & why? 

Anyone will do at the moment! However, Da Vinci / Mandela / Micky Flanagan.

Training hours per week:

About seven and a half at the moment.

What are your training & race goals for 2021? 

To avoid injury, and burst into the 45-50 age group category sprint tri scene with some intent!

 Instagram posts of the month

The team were on form this month going hard at it on instagram…my word those cold water swimming ladies are brave!

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Team Nagi out & about

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‘The Scientist & The Cat lover’ all smiles getting their weekly cycling fix. Could be a good name for a book or film…

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Just another day and another ride in the dreamy mountains of Barcelona…sighhhh

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The question is…would you trust your non-hairdresser partner with a pair of clippers?!

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Fair play, I think he likes it. Move over Vidal Sassoon this girl has talent. 7b0ca86a-0c3f-46df-b74d-0a035e881d4b

Nothing, I said nothing will stop this badass!