Catchup With Coach M - Edition 33 - Q & A

Welcome to this week's edition of my blog!

This week has been a bit quieter on my end, both for some much-needed recovery and because we had a long weekend here in South Africa. It's been a great chance to take a step back, recharge, and reflect. I’ve received some thoughtful questions from readers, and I wanted to take the time to address a few of them in today’s post. Many of these questions tend to fall into two categories: first, people are curious about me—my background, experiences, and journey—and second, they want to know more about my coaching philosophy and style. Before we dive into this week's edition and the Q & A lets get the formalities out the way. Race Reports – I Owe You Guys a Few!

I know I owe you all a few race reports, and I’ve actually got them all ready to go – they’re just sitting here, waiting to be published. But here’s the thing: I’ve come to realize that race reports are a pretty emotional experience for me to write. I tend to dive really deep into the details, and before I know it, they’re way longer than I intended. It’s not unusual for me to get a bit too carried away in the storytelling process.

The reason these reports haven’t been published yet is mainly because they need to be cut down a bit, and I can be a bit overcritical of myself. I want to make sure they’re the right balance of personal reflection and valuable insight, and sometimes that takes a little extra time.

So, thank you for your patience – I promise they’re coming soon! I’m excited to share these with you, and I appreciate your understanding as I give them the final touches. Stay tuned!

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TRAINING THIS WEEK!

This week has been slower for me, focusing on recovery and balancing out after another race and before the next. While rest is crucial, there’s definitely a downside to it. If you’ve tapered before or rested after a race, you know what I mean—suddenly every ache and pain you didn’t notice before makes an appearance. It can feel like you’re not making progress, and it’s mentally challenging, especially when you're used to being in a steady training routine.

But here’s the thing: these feelings are temporary. Rest is an essential part of the recovery process, and although it may feel frustrating now, it’s setting you up for long-term success. Once your body has fully recovered, you’ll come back stronger. Trust the process, take it easy, and remember that recovery is just as important as hard training. SO What did I do As Recovery? I still moved every day, A promise I made myself. Swopped around some days and took the intensity down on the other.

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2025 HARD CHALLENGE! After refocusing, things definitely improved. Perfect? Not by a long shot, but there were noticeable improvements. For example, the "no sugar except once a week" rule I set for January was upheld, which felt like a big win. February’s weekly learning was also a highlight—it’s something I truly enjoy and plan to continue.

This week, I’ve also been putting more emphasis on eating better quality food, and it’s definitely been a step in the right direction. The intention has been set for this week, and I’m feeling good about the progress.

With just one week left in March, it’s time to finish strong! Looking ahead to April, there’s a new challenge on the horizon, and it’s going to bring a fresh level of difficulty. Let’s take on this new "hard" and make it a month of growth and improvement!

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COACH Q & A Choosing two questions today was a hard one. BUT I decided to choose the two that would answer the most of your questions. Where did Activeliving4all Start? Read My Story. and My Profile - This is a compact version of a very long tale. Why are you so passionate about Nutrition and Movement and why in that order?

Nutrition and movement became an integral part of my life at a very young age. Growing up as a dancer, I quickly realized the importance of fuelling my body to maintain the energy and endurance required for training and performances. But it wasn’t always easy. Early on, I had to navigate some dietary challenges, specifically learning how to manage my lactose and gluten intolerances. These sensitivities made it crucial for me to understand what worked for my body and how to make adjustments without compromising my performance or well-being.

However, my journey with nutrition took an even deeper turn when I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. This diagnosis forced me to pay even closer attention to what I was eating and how it affected my body. It wasn’t just about what I wanted to eat anymore—it became about learning how to truly fuel my body for optimal health and performance, all while managing a chronic condition.

It was through this experience that I really began to grasp the significance of listening to my body. I had to become attuned to its signals, to understand when something wasn’t working, and to adjust accordingly. Fuelling my body wasn’t just about keeping my energy levels up; it became about respecting its needs—whether that meant choosing the right foods, taking the right supplements, or giving myself permission to rest when necessary.

Over time, I learned the importance of finding balance. It wasn’t about perfection, but rather about being consistent and respectful of my body’s needs. Nutrition is not one-size-fits-all, and what works for one person may not work for another. It’s all about discovering what feels right for you and being willing to adapt.

Today, I continue to apply these lessons to my life and my training and my clients. Nutrition is not just about fuelling for performance—it's about taking care of myself from the inside out. Both with nutrition and movement. And every day, I’m still learning how to do it better, whether it’s tweaking my diet, finding new ways to manage my intolerances, or simply respecting the signals my body sends. Nutrition is a lifelong journey, and it’s one I’m grateful to be on.

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Thank you for joining me in this edition of my Coach Catch Up! I truly appreciate each and every one of you. Wishing you all a great week ahead!