Rebecca Adlingtons intense workout regimen as she confirms pregnancy
European Championships: Rebecca Adlington explains backstroke
Rebecca Adlington is a multiple gold medal winner in the Olympic Games, but – as she revealed to Express.co.uk – maintaining peak condition isn’t without its sacrifices.
The 34-year-old retired from pro sport after the 2012 Olympics, but during the height of her success, she was working out constantly six days a week.
“There is an immense amount of pressure and there’s an immense amount of expectation [in professional sport],” she explained.
“I was working out eight or nine hours a day, six days a week, pushing my body to the limit.”
Her efforts paid off, as she ended up breaking a world record for her performance in the 800-metre final at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
READ NOW: NCIS veteran star looks unrecognisable after incredible weight loss[TRANSFORMATION]
Another element that helped Rebecca perform at her peak was remaining calm and collected.
The star explained that she has “never” suffered “performance anxiety” in her career, despite being up against swimmers with equally fearsome prowess in the water.
In fact, it wasn’t until much later, in 2019, that she suffered panic attacks – and they were never triggered by anything in her professional life.
Rebecca has been open about her struggles in the hope that she can help others experiencing the same situation, and is passionate about “removing the stigma from mental illness”.
Don’t miss…
Hairy Bikers share update after Dave Myers stepped back from set due to cancer[LATEST]
Strictly’s Annabel Croft on ‘worrying’ input from daughter ahead of show debut[LATEST]
Phillip Schofield takes action to secure wealth after saying TV career is ‘over'[LATEST]
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Interestingly, she says she would find it more “nerve-wracking” to be a sports presenter than a competitor, exclaiming: “I’m not trying to be the next Clare Balding!”
Talking about her appearance on shows such as A Question of Sport, she explained: “I’m not a presenter or hosting a show – that would be a lot, lot more nerve-wracking.
“My role is just being myself and talking about swimming.”
Despite rumours of her becoming a pro pundit, she clarified: “I’m certainly not trying to be the next Clare Balding or anything else, it’s definitely not my area of expertise.”
These days, Rebecca is being kept occupied by her own swimming school business, Becky Adlington’s Swim Stars, which can teach kids the skills they need to potentially follow in her footsteps.
Thousands of youngsters have been gaining competence in the pool via her initiative.
The star is also busily raising her two children – toddler son Albie, whom she shares with Andy Parsons, and eight-year-old daughter Summer from her previous marriage to fellow swimmer Harry Needs.
On Friday, she confirmed that she is expecting her third child one year after suffering a devastating miscarriage.
Source: Read Full Article