Party or Not to Party? - That is the question of an Olympic Athlete
My name is Toby Garbett, Great Britain athlete and vying for a place in the GB rowing team for the Bejing Olympics. What makes my story different from other Olympic athletes is that after a day’s training I go into Personal training and Pilates Instructor mode and put what I have learnt in the last 12 years to help other people achieve their health and fitness goals. My clients range from children to business men, athletes to housewives and women who have just had a baby. It does not matter what age or level your fitness is as long as you are mentally prepared to work.
The Olympic selection process is very lengthy and we spend most a lot of time, looking over our shoulders as one slight injury or bad performance means you could lose your place. I know how cruel this can be only too well with many injury setbacks in my career, i have had to dig deep within myself to bounce back. We undergo testing on the rowing machine, in pairs and fours this all year in final trials and selection in april. We then row in three World Cups around Europe through the summer which gives us a chance to test ourselves against those we may be competing against at the Olympics. However things can change right up until the last minute so there is no room to let your foot off the accelerator pedal.