I would say that as soon as I was walking, I was running. I was that girl at school who always had an activity on every day after lessons – from running and athletics to ballet – but swimming was my main sport. I was swimming at a high level, so I was swimming twice a day, every day. That was my childhood, and people say I missed out on a lot, especially between the ages of 16 to 18 because I never went out drinking with my friends at the weekend. I was just swimming all the time, but I loved it.
Both my parents were in the police force and really into fitness. They’ve done marathons their whole lives and they’re always up in the mountains, so I guess I’ve followed in their footsteps, although we do joke that my sister [Molly-Mae Hague of Love Island fame] was swapped at birth! I always knew I wanted a fitnessrelated career, so I did think about joining the police, but it was my parents who suggested that I should consider something else.
I joined the army in 2017 at the age of 22 with the intent of being on the frontline. I wanted to be front and centre, doing what the guys did, because it’s the most active role. Sadly, the infantry wasn’t open to women at the time, so I did the next best thing, which was being on the frontline as a medic. I didn’t have any kind of medical background, so studying for the Medical Corps was tough. I didn’t love it if I’m honest, but being able to exercise every day was a good fit for me.
Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av Women's Fitness UK.
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Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av Women's Fitness UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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'Balance in Body & Mind is Important to the Life I Lead Now' - Paralympic champion swimmer Ellie Simmonds OBE talks about finding balance after retirement, learning to say no' and why she firmly believes that sport is for all
If you thought Ellie Simmonds would be swapping life in the fast lane for a slower pace when she announced her retirement from competitive swimming three years ago, you’d be mistaken. Because, according to the 29-year-old multiple world record breaker – who captured the hearts of the British public back in 2008 after winning her first Paralympic gold at the tender age of 13 – she’s not ready to slow down yet. In fact, she’s just getting started.
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