We're back in Lockdown Level 4, it's cold and if you're like me - your workout motivation might be at a bit of low at the moment. We thought we'd interview one of our fave personal trainers for a bit of insight, motivation and a dash of fitspiration.

Hi Jayde! Thanks for taking the time for this interview. Please can you introduce yourself and tell our community a bit more about you.

 

Hey, my name is Jayde. I’m a young personal trainer new to the industry with an incredible passion for helping others achieve their goals and pushing beyond their self-limitations. I used to be a competitive surfer as well as I had my own mobile surf school when I was just 16 years old.

 

Why did you become a personal trainer?

 

Honestly, it was never on the cards for me until I stepped into the gym for the first time in 2018 and absolutely fell in love with weight training. I think because I used to be a surf coach, it naturally came to me that I wanted to help others in the gym too. Another big part of becoming a PT, was I wanted to be a role model for younger girls to show you CAN be strong too. Because it is the best feeling in my opinion.

 

A big part of your job is to motivative your clients. What are your top tips to stay motivated especially with all the craziness of Lockdown again?

 

I always say. ‘Motivation is like the ocean tides. It comes and it goes.’ PASSION and DISCIPLINE is what you want to focus on. Finding a movement that you love and that makes you want to show up time and time again, is defiantly the key. Obviously, there are days where you aren’t motivated, but that’s where your discipline comes in. If you want something bad enough, you will get up for it.

 

 

Do you develop your own fitness plans?

 

I do! I have just created a Hypertrophy program (muscle building) which I am 4 weeks into. This program is according to my personal goals. I have an awesome workout guide called STRONGER that I have previously completed and has everything from fit tips, nutrition guides, video demonstrations, over 50 workouts, warmups and cool-downs. I am currently working on another guide that will hopefully be available soon too.

 

On social media – it can seem like it’s all fitness all the time. What do you do to keep a balance in your life?

 

Being a personal trainer with all my hobbies being fitness related (Cross Fit, skating, surfing, boxing, etc.) I do often find it difficult to separate my work life and my social life. But I create a workout split for myself that I follow quite strictly so I don’t end up burning out. I also make sure I make time for friends and family doing not fitness things. Like going for coffee or a braai.

 

What does a typical week of exercise look like for you?

 

My typical workout split looks something like this:

Monday: always leg day.

Tuesday:  CrossFit and, in the evening LISS/yoga/surf.

Wednesday: Push workout (shoulders/triceps/chest) + boxing

Thursday: CrossFit + yoga/mobility/LISS

Friday: Leg day + LISS

Saturday: Pull day (Back + Biceps)

Sunday: FULL REST

 

I know it looks like a lot, but I do want to remind you. To work towards your goals... You don’t need to train this much. These are all my hobbies, so I really don’t see them as workouts!

 

Who or what gives you the most inspiration in your own fitness journey?

 

My stepdad sparked the PT idea, as he is a PT himself. My mom is an absolute powerhouse and trains every morning in the driveway (even in winter!!) But most of all I have connected with some of the most inspirational women on Instagram who literally give my LIFE. I am so blessed to have them in my life (they know who they are).

 

 

What would your picks be for your favourite meals:

 

Breakfast: Winter is always hearty chocolate protein oats. Summer is always protein smoothie bowls!

 

Pre-workouts: Toast or rice cakes with peanut butter, banana, cinnamon and a drizzle of honey!

 

Post-workout: This is usually a big homemade wrap or salad with whatever I can find in the fridge. This is usually the time I fill my bowl with as many different nutrients as possible. Usually chicken, spinach, seeds, peppers, cottage cheese, sweet chilli sauce and roast veg.

 

Dinner: This always changes but my absolute fave would be chicken korma in winter and summer is chicken breast and a salad. Not a boring salad though ;)

 

How important do you feel nutrition is in relationship to exercise?

 

I think nutrition is so UNDERRATED. Eating the right amount, I think is also totally overlooked. Women have this misconception about food. For some reason a lot of people have this ‘less is more’ mentality. But this is so toxic. To perform well in your exercise routine, really comes down to fuelling your body with enough nutrition. This means eating enough protein, carbs and fats.

 

To someone only just starting out on their own fitness journey – what advice would you give them?

 

1. Eating a whole foods-based diet. Don’t think about what you can cut out, but rather what can you include more of? As well as keeping it 80/20. 80% healthy 20% ‘unhealthy”.

 

2. Find a form of exercise you enjoy that will keep you craving more.

 

3. Find like-minded people to keep you accountable and motivated.

 

4. Lastly my favourite tip: Switch your focus to performance-based goals instead of physical goals. Being able to run a 5km, doing 1 pull-up, getting a stronger squat. Getting stronger in whatever type of movement you like doing.

 

 

 

Liked what Jayde had to say? Follow her here on Instagram for daily inspo and get in touch here for personal training.