FASHION
YOUR 2018 ACTIVEWEAR INSPIRATION
By Lakeisha Goedluck, 15 January 2018
Joseph
Who are you and what do you do?
I'm Joseph and I do parkour.
Where are you from?
Born and raised in Brighton, UK.
What made you get into parkour?
I was 9 or 10 years old – I had been doing martial arts for a couple of years prior and, to be honest, I just really wanted to be a ninja…
Finish this sentence: I do parkour because…
It has created many of the most meaningful memories I have.
What tips do you have for people struggling to get motivated?
It’s cool to have goals and aspirations but don’t get so focused on the external reward that you forget to enjoy the process.
What’s your favourite thing in your kit bag?
Probably my water bottle – as long as I’ve got water to drink, I can keep pushing myself to do new things.
What are you wearing?
ASICS trainers.
@joseph.hendo
Faye
Who are you and what do you do?
I'm Faye Fillingham. I’m a climber and train in mixed martial arts. I also run a group called The Amazons that encourages women to get involved in extreme sports and adventure travel.
Where are you from?
Brighton.
What made you get into climbing?
I hiked from Mexico to Canada a few years ago and realised that I had a big fear of heights. I found that actively facing my fear helped me deal with it, so I started climbing to ensure that I was facing my fear on a daily basis!
Finish this sentence: I climb because…
I want to have fun like I did when I was a kid.
What tips do you have for people struggling to get motivated?
Set goals and monitor your progression. Also, make sure you always recognise how much you've already achieved and never compare yourself to others!
What’s your favourite thing in your kit bag?
My sports bra. They’re so comfy and wearing one means that you're always prepared for an adventure!
What are you wearing?
@fayefillingham
Gogo/Gregory
@gogolupin
Lisa
My name is Lisa Zimouche, I'm 18 years old and I play freestyle football.
Where are you from?
I’m from Paris, but with Algerian heritage.
What made you get into freestyle football?
I used to play football and I come from an artistic family. When I first discovered freestylers, I knew it was the perfect mix for me between sport and art.
Finish this sentence: I do freestyle football because…
There’s no limit, no rules. Any playground works for freestyle football and it allows me to travel the world.
What tips do you have for people struggling to get motivated?
I have two main tips: one, surround yourself with inspirational people, and, two, get the good music going!
What’s your favourite thing in your kit bag?
My ball, without a doubt.
What are you wearing?
PUMA sports bra, PUMA shorts, PUMA socks and PUMA football boots.
@lisafreestyle
Koen
I’m Koen Prince-Fraser. I work as a model and producer, but I also co-run Last Pick Athletics Club. We work with the younger generation to target and improve their physical and mental health by producing relatable content and organising various activities, such as fun runs.
Where are you from?
I grew up in south London but recently moved to east London — if you’re talking background, though, I’m half Australian and half Guyanese.
What made you get into sports?
To be honest, it was because I started to get bullied.
How does it make you feel?
It makes me feel a sense of accomplishment. Having woken up, gone for a run, trained and started my morning before most people have gotten out of bed gives me the greatest satisfaction. Proactivity is everything to me.
What tips do you have for people struggling to get into sport?
Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who want to change themselves for the better.
What are you wearing?
Nike long-sleeved top, Nike T-shirt, Nike shorts and Nike trainers.
@koen_pf
Jessica
Jessica Skye. I'm a DJ and the founder of Fat Buddha Yoga.
Where are you from?
Born near Brighton and raised in Oxfordshire.
What made you get into sports?
The pure joy of it! It keeps you fit, it makes you go outdoors, inspires you to keep getting better, shows you how to break boundaries, how to be disciplined and it builds friendships and communities.
Finish this sentence: I do yoga because…
I'm a happier and healthier person for it.
What tips do you have for people struggling to get motivated?
Find a class or activity you can bear and take your friends with you.
What’s your favourite thing in your kit bag?
My beauty products! After a sweat, I can't wait to shower and replenish my hair and skin.
What are you wearing?
Nike sports bra and Nike leggings.
@iamjessicaskye
Shakirudeen/BONETICS
Who are you and what do you do?
I am Shakirudeen Alade – AKA Bonetics – and I dance, act and model.
Where are you from?
I'm from Romford, Essex.
What made you get into dancing?
I was inspired by the dance style flexing, also called bone breaking, which originates from New York. Yoga also has a huge influence on my style, as it makes me think of different ways I can create impossible shapes with my body.
How does it make you feel?
It makes me feel really confident and good about myself knowing that I'm doing something positive — that’s the main reason why I do it.
Finish this sentence: I dance because…
It’s fun! It keeps my body fit and flexible, and also captivates and inspires other people.
What tips do you have for people struggling to get motivated?
Make a list of all your goals and take your time to achieve them step by step. And don't let any negative energy bring you down.
What is your favourite thing in your kit bag?
My tracksuit. It's comfortable to just chill in and also really good to wear for training.
What are you wearing?
Nike leggings and Nike trainers.
@boneticsart
Mama Cāx
I’m Mama Cāx – a blogger, model and body positive/disability advocate.
Where are you from?
Born in New York and raised in Haiti.
When did you start doing your sport?
I started doing yoga about eight years ago.
What made you get into it?
After my amputation, I struggled with chronic back pain. I was looking for a workout that was easy on my knee and yoga was the perfect solution.
Finish this sentence: I do yoga because…
I want to stay fit and flexible.
What tips do you have for people struggling to get motivated?
I think workouts can get boring, so pick something you find fun and have a workout schedule.
What’s your favourite thing in your kit bag?
My high-waisted workout pants.
What are you wearing?
adidas sports bra, adidas jacket and adidas leggings.
@mamacaxx
Abbie and Ntiarna
Who are you and what do you do?
A: My name is Abbie Knight and I work in semi-permanent and special effects makeup.
N:My name is Ntiarna Xavier Knight and I am a director, writer, model and aspiring actress.
Where are you from?
A: A little country village in Kent called Offham.
What made you get into weightlifting?
A: I saw other women on various social media sites changing their bodies through weightlifting and I thought, I can do that.
N: I got into it after I had to attend regular physiotherapy due to having surgery on both knees.
Finish this sentence: I do weightlifting because…
A: It makes me feel powerful and that I can achieve anything.
N: It helps me maintain my focus and agility.
What tips do you have for people struggling to get motivated?
A: The way I did it was try it for one month and give it your all. Once you start seeing results, both mentally and physically, it becomes addictive.
N: Don’t miss out workouts. Even if you exercise for 10 minutes, it will inspire you to go for longer the next day.
What’s your favourite thing in your kit bag?
A: My wireless headphones – I would be lost without them.
N: Same, my headphones. Get a great playlist going and nothing can stop you.
What are you wearing?
Both: Ivy Park sports bras.
@abbieknightxo
@ntiarna_knight
Lovisa
My name is Lovisa and, besides modelling, I work for a music and art label in Sweden called Trans94.
Where are you from?
Stockholm, Sweden – I’m half-Thai, half-Swedish.
What made you get into boxing?
My dad used to box when he was young and worked at a boxing club when I was a kid.
Finish this sentence: I do boxing because…
It helps me grow as a person. You have to train your mind a lot – it’s like a form of meditation.
What tips do you have for people struggling to get motivated?
Start exercising in a safe space and at your own tempo.
What’s your favourite thing in your kit bag?
Definitely my water bottle.
What are you wearing?
PUMA sports bra, PUMA one-shoulder sports bra and PUMA leggings.
@lo.visa
Pictures: ASOS
Kiddy
Who are you and what do you do?
I am Kiddy Smile – a musician, LGBTQA+ activist and a dance lover. I sing, produce and dance, all while being fabulous.
Where are you from?
I’m from Paris, but I grew up in the projects of the suburbs.
When did you start doing your sport?
I started to dance when I was 14 years old – I had a bet with my friend who said I couldn’t do it!
How does it make you feel?
It sounds super cheesy but when I dance, I feel free. Dancing allows me to tell my story.
Finish this sentence: I dance because…
I look so good doing it!
What tips do you have for people struggling to get motivated?
Go out there and do you! Do what makes you happy but also listen to your body. Whatever you choose to do, do it for you and you only.
What’s your favourite thing in your kit bag?
My gym towel, for sure.
What are you wearing?
Canterbury T-shirt and Canterbury shorts.
@kiddysmile
Pictures: ASOS
Food & Lycra
Who are you and what do you do?
R: We are Rachel, Kim and Laura. Collectively we run Food & Lycra, a food, fitness and travel platform aimed at encouraging people to live a balanced lifestyle: eating well, staying fit and having fun whilst doing it with their mates.
Where are you from?
R: I’m from north London.
K: I’m from east London.
L: I’m originally from Paris, then lived in London for 10 years before settling in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
When did you start getting into sports?
R: About five years ago when we started Food & Lycra. I was never interested in it before. Now I see it as a social activity and can’t imagine life without it.
L: When I was 20. It all started when I used to work as a receptionist in a gym.
K: I've always trained on and off, but I could never really stick to anything until Food & Lycra.
How does it make you feel?
R: It makes me feel strong at times, weak at others. But overall it makes me feel happy I can spend time getting healthier and fitter, whilst still hanging out with my best mates.
K: With our busy and hectic lives, it's easy to let our bodies take a back seat and just exist for our day jobs. Training means one-on-one time with my body, checking in and making it stronger.
What tips do you have for people struggling to get motivated?
R: Get your friends to train with you. You succeed and struggle together, and it's more enjoyable that way. Trust me, I know!
K: Do something you love with your mates. As long as you're moving, you're doing more than you did yesterday. Don't overthink it and have fun.
What’s your favourite thing in your kit bag?
R: Fresh underwear, because the struggle is so real when you forget it after a session.
L: And deodorant!
K: Knickers and deodorant are major. And also fresh socks.
@foodandlycra
