I'm the Insight and Innovation Manager so I have day-to-day management responsibility of the research projects that we commission. I also keep abreast of data and evidence being produced by other organisations and use the insights to create solutions to get more women and girls active.
What has your career involved so far?
I started my career as a research graduate at the Office for National Statistics in 1999. I took an internal promotion and began working with labour market statistics. Strangely enough it didn’t enthrall me, so I retrained as an aerobics instructor and personal trainer, with the intention of giving it all up. But while trawling the newspapers for PT jobs in 2004, I saw the ad that looked right up my street - Evidence Co-ordinator for the WSFF - combining my interest in research with my love of fitness and sport. It was fate.
If you could change 1 thing to have a positive impact on women and girls' activity levels, what would it be?
I would change the culture where many girls are socialised from an early age to feel that by being sporty they cannot be feminine and that sport is what boys do. Even parents who put children into boxes – pink for girls and blue for boys! And ensure women and girls are more confident to do whatever they want to do. Ok – that is more than 1 thing … oops!
How does being active make you feel?
The endorphins you get after a big workout are amazing. Even for a couple of hours afterwards. Exercise is a great way to use up some of my physical energy and release tension and stress. Plus with events like the marathon, I feel like I’ve personally achieved something too which keeps me motivated. Knowing how good I feel at the end of a workout keeps me motivated through even the tough longer sessions. I know I’m not alone with this, but the thing that sometimes stops me is a nasty hangover.
Favourite sport or physical activity.
My two greatest passions are running and aerobics - nothing beats the high of a hard workout. I also enjoy the challenge of marathons (I’ve got my 4th one coming up!). Helps to balance out my love of crisps and white wine.
Most memorable sporting moment.
I remember crying when I watched Jonathan Edwards CBE, break the world record for the triple jump at the 1995 World Championships. I was also really proud of the improvements I made between my 1st and 2nd marathon.
Who do you admire and why?
Paula Radcliffe. She is so dedicated and disciplined and knows what she wants and strives to get there.
