—

Today it is our privilege to bring you an interview with Olympic Gold Medallist, Amy Williams. We discuss Amy’s fitness journey from starting as a beginner at Skeleton to competing at the highest level of the sport, her personal stand-out moments from her career, plus much more…

—

Can you tell us about your journey from starting at as a beginner at Skeleton to competing at the highest level of the sport?

I was always a very sporty kid trying everything at school and then concentrating on athletics in my teenage years. I trained 3 to 4 times a week in athletics through to about 16-17 years old, when I then found the skeleton start track at the University of Bath.

I joined in a session and discovered I was pretty quick at the push, and then went out to join the world push Championships this was the summer of 2002. Having come second overall, I was invited to join a military ice camp in October 2002 in Lillihammer, Norway and there I had my first few runs on the ice learning the sport of skeleton.

I got a place on the Great Britain team and worked my way up through the different competition levels until I was on the World Cup circuit competing at world championships and then ultimately the Olympic games in 2010.

What are your personal stand-out moments from your career as an athlete so far?

For me the world championships in 2009 in Lake Placid was a really important race for me. I got a silver medal there, but it taught me vital lessons about racing over the two days the same format as the Olympics, also how to perform when I didn’t physically or mentally feel in the best shape. 

Then of course winning the Olympic gold medal in Vancouver 2010 – all the years building up to that moment. Having missed out on the Turin Winter Olympics in 2006 every decision of every day was made in order to make sure my feet were on the start line and that I would be the best possible athlete on those two days of racing in Vancouver.

Can you tell us about your career after retiring from Skeleton? How have you balanced working on multiple different projects?

Life is one crazy juggling act !! From being a full-time mum of two highly energetic boys, running my own personal training business from my gym at home, writing in my first book “Talent to triumph” which was published in Oct 2021, and juggling other media opportunities, motivational talks and presenting now on the winter Olympics in Beijing with Eurosport.

I’m very lucky to have an incredibly supportive husband and parents that live super close who can help out looking after our boys.

What advice would you give to someone who is demotivated or doesn’t know where to start with getting into sport and fitness?

Start small and don’t expect too much of yourself straight away. Write down goals of what you want to achieve and a timescale.

You need to make small little habits that stick that you can do daily and weekly. 

Find a friend who you can train with so you can support one another and push each other along the way when you have the days that are tough.

What advice would you give to someone who is trying to take their passion and turn it into a successful business/ career?

Look at your skill set and see what you know you’re good at doing. Your passion and energy will shine through so be confident in your abilities.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice from other people.

What are your goals and plans for the future?

Currently working with Eurosport and discovery plus for the footage of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Every four years it’s a great opportunity to highlight all of the winter sports so I’m excited to be part of this footage. 

Then I’ll be back to my wonderful personal training clients that I love training every week. Keeping them energised fit and healthy is motivating for me as well. 

I can’t wait to be able to get back out (covid depending!) and do motivational talks and go into schools with my book. I’ve written it to help inspire the new generation of athletes giving them all of my top tips and lessons that I learn as a high performing athlete. Along with stories and quotes from other top athletes.

Instagram: @amyjoywilliams
Website: http://www.amywilliamspt.com

Interviewer: @tudge_ (Instagram)