Back to Health and Fitness Tue 24 May
We caught up with 24 year old, female American Football Player, and CEO of @AdVirtusUK – @HerRoyalThighness
Tell us a bit more about the women’s fitness sessions…
“Ad Virtus UK provide weekly fitness classes for women in London who want to transform their body and health in the most supportive and fun environment out there for them. There is a strong focus on creating a “good-vibes only” environment, where women feel comfortable to workout and supported by each other in the class. The official launch took place on Tuesday 16th February 2016 which was officially sponsored by Vita Coco and 8 other leading health brands.”
Why are you doing them? Plans with the sessions?
“I’ve been to my fair share of fitness classes and found that something was missing. I recall going to a hot yoga class in Clapham and being told to sit at the back with the newbies “just in case” I got something wrong and confused the class if I was too near the front…needless to say I didn’t go back. Playing a sport has taught me a lot about what brings people together and encourages us to push through challenges and it’s that energy that is missing from conventional fitness classes. Ad Virtus means “to empower” in Latin and it’s exactly what I plan to achieve through these classes, to empower women from all backgrounds and stages of their fitness journey together under one roof and to get fit in a fun environment.”
American football – tell us why? How did you get involved in the sport?
“My partner, who plays for the London Warriors’ Men’s team (3 time National Champions) encouraged me to attend a development day hosted by BAFA (British American Football Association) in the summer of 2014. This development day was for women who were interested in trying out American Football and also brought together women who currently play. I got my first taste of the sport and interestingly enough was quite indifferent about it, it was overwhelming for me as a newbie (I knew absolutely nothing about the sport). Later that year, a woman I met at the development day text me to say that the London Warriors were setting up a women’s team and she thought it would be great if I came along. I was so nervous but after a few weeks of convincing myself, I plucked up the courage to go down for a session and I’ve never looked back. I’ve been with the team for just over a year now, we’ve competed across the country, we won our most recent National Tournament and will enter our next tournament in a few weeks time.
I play “Running Back” which is a position that involves a lot of running, and trucking into opponents (and taking a few hits from time to time), but there’s nothing I enjoy more than this sport right now. American Football brings together the most diverse collection of people, my team is just over 20 strong in numbers and we all contrast in height, size and race. It has taught me a lot about myself, how to be more patient with reaching my own personal goals, how to be a leader, support other people better and how to deal well with constructive criticism. Last year I was scouted to attend the Women’s Great Britain team trials, unfortunately I incurred a leg injury a few weeks before so was unable to go for it but it’s something I’d be interested in going for again this year. Whenever I tell people I play American Football I get the most hilarious responses but I think it’s good to be different. If not American Football, I would advise all women to take up a sport, it’s a great hobby to have, you get super fit and will meet some amazing people along the way.”
Tell us about your Future plans…
“To make Ad Virtus UK national is the dream. There are a lot of myths about women not supporting each other that I’m determined to dispel so I will be doing some exciting things with my fellow fitness Queens soon – you’ll see a lot more of me online :)”
Socials:
Ad Virtus UK : Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Her Royal Thighness: Instagram | Twitter | facebook
