Olympic diver Leon Taylor on thinking better, moving better and ultimately feeling better during challenging times
2020 has become the year we will never forget, a challenging time causing all of us with no choice but to accept change and uncertainty. Throughout multiple lockdowns, our virtual worlds have been the source of normality, from Zoom quizzes to online workouts keeping us connected in the era of social distancing. As humans, we are creatures of habit, hardwired for physical connection; so how do we adapt in such tough circumstances to survive?
Since retiring from competitive diving, Olympic medallist Leon Taylor has become a massive advocate of physical and mental wellness. However, since sustaining multiple injuries during his successful diving career, Leon knows a thing or two about suffering from physical pain and the mental implication that can have on one’s mental health.
Using his personal experience as his driving force, he’s now helping people all over the world during the pandemic, to improve their health, happiness and performance through his online offerings, an online zoom class Mindset and movement.
As an athlete, Taylor had access to many top practitioners in the world of sports psychology, learning about mindset and techniques that set him up for success such as visualisation, breathing exercises and meditation. Taylor has brought together his two passions – movement, and mindset coaching – to create a shared experience aimed at improving people’s physical and mental health. Taylor combines the mental tools he learnt during his career with a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout that aims to get you out ofnyour head and into your body.
“I want to support people in thinking better, moving better and ultimately feeling better, so my Mindset and Movement Masterclass entails a combination of things. We explore a mindset coaching tool that I used as an athlete, which helps people manage stress, anxiety and uncertainty. We then go into the movement part, with a mobilisation warmup and some high-intensity work, which is tailored to everyone’s level. I then add in a lovely cool down and guided relaxation. So, it’s the full package for people and they end up leaving refreshed, re-energised, and ready to take on whatever else their day has to throw at them.”
After a fruitful career as a Silver medallist Olympian, Leon’s injuries resulted in four shoulder surgeries and a worn disc in his lower back. So how does he manage any old physical pain that may manifest which could in turn impact his mental health?
“It’s all about reducing inflammation. These days I focus all of my energy on recovery, getting good quality sleep, regular yoga practice and high-quality supplementation.
I’m a big fan of Truth Naturals especially the 1000mg CBD oil for sleep and recovery. I’ve tried many supplements in the past and felt no benefit at all. You can feel the difference with a high-quality supplement, I’ve been recommending this to my clients who are struggling to rest and sleep well right now”
Amongst supplements to keep himself in top shape, Leon is a believer in quality over quantity and has fine-tuned his diet over the years to include good quality plant-based ingredients, and as an athlete and yoga teacher, movement is his medicine.
“I move every day. This could be walking my dog out for a stroll with my son Ziggy in his pushchair, a yoga practice, a high-intensity interval training class, cycling, swimming in the sea or lifting weights at the gym when they’re open! I also have a daily meditation practice and use the app Headspace as well as having my own coach…. I think all coaches should have a coach!”
So what can we take from this? Mindset is everything and if we can get out of our own way and channel our challenges through mental and physical techniques then we can tackle anything. Our mind and bodies are connected and in times of mental challenge, using a winning combination of mental and physical exercises, alongside a nutritional diet supported with good quality supplements then we’re on the right track to optimum physical and mental health.
About Truth Naturals
Truth Naturals are elevating plant-based nutritional supplements. Combining scientific credibility, innovative green manufacturing, and 100% plant-based ingredients to deliverthe most important supplements like never before. All Truth products are completely water-soluble for maximum bioavailability and taste great.
The brainchild of two life-long friends who have each overcome cancer, the Truth company mission is to give people access to the high-quality, safe supplements used by its co-founders, based on scientific evidence and complete transparency; no gimmicks, just the honest truth.
Find out more about the Truth Naturals and its products at www.truthnaturals.co.uk
Media Contact Details
Michael Bond, Truth Naturals
Purley, United Kingdom
07940316666
michael@truthnaturals.co.uk