Why Exercise?

PT Lubbs is working to change the narrative of the fitness industry - by putting health and happiness at the centre of everything he does. Removing goals, making exercise a lifestyle, and a sports club-style atmosphere sets ADVHQ gym apart. Listen to this week's episode to find out more.

In this episode, Karlien Gerber tells me about two long distance challenges that she's done during the past two summers. Firstly hiking Kungsleden, the 440km long trail in the north of Sweden. And, the following summer biking and hiking for 60 days in a row around Sweden and Norway. Karlien's amazing attitude is truly inspiring, I hope you enjoy the episode

Keeping up exercising during winter can be tough. In this episode of the podcast Madalina Aldea shares some of her tips about how she stays motivated and explains how exercise helps her sleep, eat and feel so much better. 

In this episode Emma Nielsen tells me about her journey in pole dance, from entering a studio in Copenhagen on a whim, to becoming a pole dance teacher, to competing in both Denmark and UK.For me sport is not about fitness, that's just a lovely little byproduct, for me, it's about the benefits that Emma explains in this episode - friendships, loving your body for it's ability, an outlet for self-expression, and a chance to laugh and have fun!  I hope you enjoy listening to her story.

In the penultimate episode of series 2, I speak to Yvonne Gossner from Learn Swedish Culture AB about undertaking the deeply Swedish challenge of Vasaloppet, a 90km cross country ski race from Mora to Sälen. It is the same route taken by King Gustav Vasa in 1520 when fleeing the Danes and gathering an army to revolt against Danish authorities. Along with it's historical references the race is also one of the four events that make up the Swedish Classic. (https://ensvenskklassiker.se/) Hear all about what motivated Yvonne to do Vasaloppet, the preparation for the event, and what it was really like on the day!

The traditional Irish sport of Gaelic Football is played all over the world, in this episode Katrina Gordon tells me how she was introduced to the sport and was hooked from the first training session despite getting injured! We talk about learning a new sport, playing for the love of playing, overcoming fear of competition and more!

So many people run, and for so many different reasons. In this three part special I speak to three people about why they run and what running does for them.Part One - Maria Mänty tells me about running to recover after loss, how tracking her runs allowed her to work through painful emotions and how running made her appreciate her body.Part Two - Richard Orange does barefoot running to control his ADHD, he tells me about how running enables him to be more productive at work, and be a better husband and father.Part Three - Natalija Hedén started running just 3 years ago and tells me about training for long distance events, the importance of running with others and how running makes her family proud of her.

So many people run, and for so many different reasons. In this three part special I speak to three people about why they run and what running does for them.Part One - Maria Mänty tells me about running to recover after loss, how tracking her runs allowed her to work through painful emotions and how running made her appreciate her body.Part Two - Richard Orange does barefoot running to control his ADHD, he tells me about how running enables him to be more productive at work, and be a better husband and father.Part Three - Natalija Hedén started running just 3 years ago and tells me about training for long distance events, the importance of running with others and how running makes her family proud of her.

So many people run, and for so many different reasons. In this three part special I speak to three people about why they run and what running does for them.Part One - Maria Mänty tells me about running to recover after loss, how tracking her runs allowed her to work through painful emotions and how running made her appreciate her body.Part Two - Richard Orange does barefoot running to control his ADHD, he tells me about how running enables him to be more productive at work, and be a better husband and father.Part Three - Natalija Hedén started running just 3 years ago and tells me about training for long distance events, the importance of running with others and how running makes her family proud of her.

Belonging,  stepping out of your comfort zone, and fulfilling a childhood dream are just some of the themes covered in this episode.  Caroline Müller started to play baseball as a grown up. She tells me about initially being the only female on the team, the challenges of learning new skills and techniques, overcoming negative self talk and how being part of the team anchors her to her adopted home town of Malmö. Through personal stories the Why Exercise? podcast attempts to reveal some of those not so obvious benefits of participating in sport, and hopes to possibly even inspire one or two of you to get involved!

Ever feeling like knocking people over on the bus?? In this episode I speak to Sussi Askler from Malmö's Crime City Rollers. She starts by explaining what Roller Derby is and how it's played. I then hear about her story  - how she got into Roller Derby to start with, about the team and importance of competition.....and she tells me how participating in roller derby keeps her using her body so she doesn't need to knock people over on the bus!This is a lovely interview that's left me searching the garage for my old roller skates!

Maria Vitazka is a mum of two and former elite swimmer. She has participated in triathlons, swimruns and open water swimming.In this episode she tells me about competing as part a collegiate team in USA, being a swim coach, and how swimming effects her life.She also finished off with giving some great tips for how everyone can improve their swimming.

A combination of athletics, acrobatics, endurance, rhythm and grace, the sport of synchronized swimming has evolved greatly over the last 100 years. In this episode, I speak to two high level swimmers, and an adult team that are all quite new to the sport. I hear about the hard work and dedication it takes to reach national level ,and see first hand just how much fun the adult team have during their Monday night training sessions. So, if you'd like to hear just what it is that makes synchronized swimming so attractive and what all the participants get out of it, then listen to #5 - Why Synchronized Swimming?

"Padel is a party!"....in this episode I speak to 4 people about why they play padel, and the impact that it has on their lives - from learning a new sport as an adult to making new friends.The Why Exercise? podcast tells individual's stories of enhanced well-being and improved quality of life through sport and exercise. Whether you're interested in sport or looking for inspiration for ways to enhance your general well-being.....this podcast is for you!

In this episode I speak to Faith Clements, a pilates instructor, who tells me about her personal journey from severe back injury to discovering pilates as a rehabilitation method and then onto becoming an instructor herself. Faith tells me about how pilates is done and about the many benefits -  from building core strength to reducing stress to dealing with those big emotions. 

"Think what you should do....not about what could happen".  Gert Möller was the Swedish record holder for 400m hurdles in the 1970's. He also ran relay's and 800m. In this episode he tells me about discovering his talent, being his own coach and joining the Swedish national team at 19 years old. Today, he's a coach in the south of Sweden and I hear about some of the effects that Track and field has on the children that participate.It's an inspiring and enjoyable listen!

The Why Exercise? Podcast is back with Series 2, and in episode #1 -Why Women's Rugby? you'll hear from different women who play rugby and participated in the Women's Rugby Sevens Swedish Masters tournament in Malmö in August 2020. I discover what motivated them to start playing and the affect rugby has on their lives. This episode truly does inspire and talk about those not so obvious benefits of participating in sport and exercise.

In episode #9 of the Why Exercise? Podcast, I talk to Iain O'Brien about his youth in New Zealand, playing cricket for his province - Wellington and then playing test cricket for New Zealand until 2009.  Known for being the person that bowls into the wind - Iain tells me about the highs and lows of professional cricket and how cricket helped him to fit in.

Helen Milton is passionate about living an active lifestyle, and her passion has lead to her working for Active Dales, first as a sports developer for the local community and later as Walking for Health Co-ordinator.  She tells me about her background in sport and exercise, and then about the work that Active Dales does and the effect it has on the local community.

In this episode, I speak to Mikael Thor, basketball coach at Malbas Basketball Club. We talk about how he got into basketball in his youth, rediscovered the fun and strategic side at university and then as an adult started his own youth team. An inspiring conversation about the life lessons in basketball.

In episode #6 of the Why Exercise? podcast I speak to Anna Hermansson about Stand Up Paddle. She tells me about her first experiences of SUP, the adventures and events she's participated in, and about starting her own SUP business.

On episode #5 of the Why Exercise? podcast, I speak to Sarah Brooks-Wilson about finding yoga 8 years ago and the positive effects it has on her health and her life.

Mervana Jugic-Salkic is a former professional tennis player, who ranked in the top 100 in the world. In this episode of the Why Exercise? podcast, I speak to Mervana about growing up in Bosnia during the war, finding tennis at age 14 and life as professional tennis player, and then onwards to becoming a coach in Malmö, Sweden.

In this episode of the Why Exercise? podcast I visit Eva Jansson Hamberg in her dance studio in Limhamn. We talk about how finding the dance style of Jazz as a child enabled Eva to physically express herself. Our conversation continues on to her professional life as a dancer and a teacher, and discuss how dance creates those happy moments that allows Eva to be the best version of herself.

In this episode of the Why Exercise? podcast, I speak to Keith Parkhouse about his passion for road cycling, about the events he participates in and about why he'll never stop cycling.

In this episode I have a conversation with Alistair Hurst and Lindsay Armstrong about how they got involved with Malmö Rugby Club and ended up as co-coaches of the under 12's team. We discuss what it means to them to be involved and what they think the kids get out of being part of the team.