Bethany is an L3 personal trainer from London and someone who has supported Innermost from the very beginning. We don't forget things like that. We just had to sit down with her, ask her a bunch of questions and share her story. Take it away Bethany.
“Keeping fit has always been a therapy for me. It gives me time to think, time to challenge myself, and time to grow. A healthy lifestyle has helped me quit bad habits and improve my skin (I used to suffer from eczema), and fitness has given me a positive mental attitude that’s helped in the work place, my relationships with others and the one I have with myself. It’s given me the courage to chase my dreams, love my body and celebrate my uniqueness. My workouts usually consist of weights and cardio. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told friends that lifting a dumbbell won’t cause you to bulk up. It's made me mored toned and leaner, while helping me feel stronger and more confident. Alongside exercise, nutrition is really important. I eat a clean but flexible diet as it’s important to treat yourself once in a while! My fitness philosophy is not to compare yourself to others or strive for a perfection that doesn’t exist. Instead, I focus on challenging myself and making progress towards goals."
Favourite Innermost products, and why?
The Strong Protein blended in a shake post-workout as the ultimate recovery aid or a serving mixed in my morning oats to help set me up for the day ahead. The Energy Booster to maximise my performance during my workout.
What's your hustle?
I work as a photographer and graphic designer and am undergoing a course to become a certified Personal Trainer. Both vocations allow me to express myself in different ways and together help bring out the very best in me.
What do you do to maintain a healthy lifestyle?
I ensure that I look after my mental health as well as my physical health by taking time to meditate in any way I can. Our minds ultimately have control over our bodies. If we are strong in mind, we can overcome any adversity, break boundaries and push ourselves to achieve greatness.
What does #liveinnermost mean to you?
Live your life with love, courage and integrity.
Usual breakfast?
A generous bowl of oats made with almond milk, drizzled with almond butter and topped with sunflower seeds and fresh berries.
Biggest health vice?
I love almond butter. I put it on anything I can. Spread on Rivita with sliced apple is the best. But most of the time just a jar and a spoon with suffice.
Your last workout?
Superset Sunday; my final leg session of the week. The was a high volume low weight session that included hip thrusts and deadlifts, goblet squats and kettlebell swings, cable kick backs and box jumps, curtsey lunges and a whole lot of duck walking. Stairs are not recommended after this one!
What’s on your bucket list?
I would love to visit Burma (Myanmar), the Country in which my father was born and discover more about my family heritage. I absolutely have to master a muscle up and a handstand.
Favourite inspirational quote/words?
"The truth is that there is no actual stress or anxiety in the world; it's your thoughts that create these false beliefs. You can't package stress, touch it, or see it. There are only people engaged in stressful thinking.” - Wayne Dyer.
I like to remind myself of this when it all gets a bit much. The limitations we impose upon ourselves are purely constructs of our minds. The situation is never as bad as it seems. We can unlock our true potential if we train our minds to believe in the positive and relinquish control of the negative.
See Bethany rocking it on Instagram in one of our favourite feeds to keep up to speed with (@bethany.duckworth).
