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Liz Nicholls chats to fitness star & dad Joe Wicks, AKA The Body Coach, who stars at Kew on 6th July
Remember how he helped to keep spirits up during lockdown with regular workouts? In his own words “what could I possibly achieve in my life that could be more impactful than that”. In this interview Joe Wicks also talks about how it’s never too late to get fit, fatherhood and food.
Hey Joe! As a late convert to exercise (40s!), is it ever too late to start?! “It’s never too late! I’ve heard from people in their 60s, 70s & 80s who have started doing my seniors’ workouts on YouTube and really enjoy it. I always say exercise isn’t just about physical benefits, it’s also about how much it energises you. If you’ve never exercised before, start small – even if it’s a 10-minute walk every day. Find something you love and build from that.”
Q. Did you enjoy school? “I had loads of energy and found it hard to sit still. PE was the best lesson for me, probably where my love for movement started.”
Lockdown
Q. You kept spirits up during lockdown, thank you! Did you expect it to be so popular?! “It’s hard to believe it was five years ago since that first workout! Honestly, I never expected it to blow up like that. On that first day, I remember seeing the numbers climbing – 300,000 live streams… then nearly a million! My heart was pounding. It hit me then that this was the biggest audience I’d ever spoken to in one moment. It made me feel I was doing something meaningful. It will always be that moment of my career I look back on with great memories – what could I possibly achieve in my life that could be more impactful than that?”
Food
Q. What are your first food memories? “We didn’t have a lot of money so I remember a lot of meal deals, frozen pies, crispy pancakes, potato waffles and a lot of Sunny Delight! Now we love trying different foods as a family, getting the kids involved in cooking to make it fun.”
Q. What’s your favourite foodie treat? “I love a proper banging burger! And there’s nothing like marmalade on toast as a snack before bed, I definitely have a sweet tooth!”
Q. You grew up in Surrey & live in the county now, don’t you? “Yes, I love where we live. I love being close to nature, having parks and gardens like Kew nearby. It feels like home.”
Q. What are the most surprising & rewarding elements of fatherhood? “I find it so rewarding watching them grow, learn, and develop their own little personalities. I have four kids now and they are all so different from one another. It’s the best job in the world.”
Mental Health
Q. Do you have great body confidence every day? “I think everyone has days where they don’t feel their best, and it’s no different for me. But I always come back to reminding myself how good exercise makes me feel – physically and mentally.”
Q. How do you take good care of your mental health? “Moving my body, sleeping well, and eating good, healthy home-cooked food. I also have times in the day where I’ll limit my screentime and be really present with the kids and focus on being together as a family. That’s important to me.”
Q. What advice would you have for any youngsters out there who are struggling or feeling a bit lost? “For me, exercise has always been like therapy. So I’d encourage people to try and move their body – even if it’s just getting outside for some fresh air and a walk. A bit of movement can really boost your mood. But I also think it’s so important to talk to someone, anyone, who will listen to you. A friend, a parent, a teacher, someone you trust.”
Q. If you had a magic wand, what would you wish for? “To get everybody moving in a way that they enjoy and really experiencing what movement can do for their body and mind. It’s not just about the physical changes. I want everyone to really feel those after-effects of exercise: the energy and mood boost, and the feeling of accomplishment. This is why I’m so excited to be bring the Joe Wicks Festival back to Kew Gardens this summer – I want to get the whole nation feeling fitter, healthier, and happier in a really fun way.”
Festival at Kew
Joe Wicks is hosting the ultimate wellbeing Festival this summer at Kew Gardens. Read more.
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