GUEST INTERVIEW Dame Kelly Holmes

Olympic champion, Dame Commander of the British Empire, winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year and former Army PTI – Dame Kelly Holmes talks to the Journal about her life-long love of fitness…

Journal: What or who first inspired you to take up sport?

DKH: “I really loved P.E. and that, along with the encouragement of my teacher, made me think about joining athletics clubs and take running more seriously.

“When I was about 14 though I remember watching the Olympics and thinking – that’s what I want to do. Sebastian Coe was my hero!

“I was also really interested in the Army and wanted join as a PTI which I did when I was 18.

“I guess I’ve always loved being fit, running, working out (even though it’s a chore at times). I love the way it makes me feel – and look!”

Journal: So when did your Olympic dream start to become a reality?

DKH: “While I was in the Army I started competitive running again – first for armed forces tournaments (both at home and abroad – in fact I’m sure I still hold some Army records!) but it was when I won a silver medal at the European championships followed two weeks later by a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1984 that I realised I could actually do it!”

Journal: How important is fitness to you in your life and do you still train?

DKH: “It’s very important. When I was competing, training was a big part of my

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life and when I retired from sport I did take some time off but I actually really enjoy it.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to work as a fitness instructor myself, as well as training with coaches, so I know what works for me. As well as running I play squash and when I go the gym I use the crosstrainer and stepper and do circuits and weights.

“I also find exercising makes me more alert and focused. I do a lot of thinking when I’m running – I plug in my music and away I go. I’m always rushing home after a good training session to jot down ideas in my notebook!”

Journal: Having worked as a PTI what do you think of regulations among fitness professionals?

DKH: “Clearly having a validated system for fitness instructors is a must. I think it’s really important that there is regulation and I think more quality assurance can only be a good thing. It’s vital that people who are investing time and money in training courses know that they are getting a worthwhile qualification at the end of it.

“Working in fitness should be a journey of life-long learning – it’s all about progression, progression, progression. There has to be a high-level of competence within the industry in both skills and attitudes.

“In fact I’ve just started working with a hotel group (Village Hotels) and

one of things I’m doing is meeting the fitness instructors who work in its gyms. During these sessions we’re exploring motivational techniques and people skills – all the things you need as an instructor to back up your technical knowledge.

“Clients can often feel a bit nervous or intimidated and the right attitude and help from a motivated and knowledgeable instructor can make all the difference to them. Retention is clearly a big factor for gyms and health clubs and I think that if the instructors are good then that’s half the battle won!”

Journal: Finally what do you feel has been your greatest achievement?

DKH: “Obviously winning the double Gold in 2004 was unbelievable – it was everything I’d ever imagined. To have a dream at 14 and then to realise it at 34 after all the set backs etc. was amazing.

“But I’m also really proud of the way I never gave up on that dream. At times it would have been easy to walk away but I’m so glad I stuck with it even though it meant making some really tough decisions like leaving the Army.”

Dame Kelly is working with Village Hotels to help shape a new members engagement programme www.perfectfitatvillage.com.

For more information on Kelly’s other projects visit www.doublegold.co.uk.

The REPs Journal 2010;16(March):4