A SUMMER OF SPORT

Emma Reid On The Olympic Lifestyle

With the end of July approaching, we’re gearing up for another summer of sport with the arrival of the 33rd Olympic Games. And as Team GB pack their bags for Paris, we’re keen to get to know some of the newer faces taking to the arena.

One athlete making their debut this year is 29-year-old Emma Reid. Despite only becoming a full-time judoka in 2021, Emma has quickly taken the sports world by storm – recently bagging a bronze medal at this year’s World Judo Championships and gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

But Emma’s full attention is now on the Olympics. ‘There are other competitions out there, but I’ve never represented Team GB before,’ she tells C&TH, ahead of the Games. ‘When representing Great Britain, you feel like you’re fighting just for judo, whereas with Team GB I feel like there’s a real emphasis on being a team. I’m excited to get to the games and see all the other athletes in their element as well.’

Ahead of her Olympic debit, we caught up with Emma to talk training routines, nutrition and her family ties to judo.

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Ask The Experts: Lauren Berlingeri & Katie Kaps

Lauren Berlingeri and Katie Kaps, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of HigherDOSE, answer all of our questions surrounding sports recovery and wellness technology…

What does rest and recovery mean in sport?

Recovery means allowing the muscles to tear and rebuild, reducing inflammation and improving performance adjacent health markers like sleep, mood and stress. It’s important to recover between efforts in order to prevent injury and maximize peak performance while playing sports or exercising.

How do athletes usually begin a period of recovery?

Usually athletes begin with cooling down, stretching, hydrating, intaking nutrition, resting, getting a massage and focusing on improving biomarkers.

Long-term recovery will look slightly different. While most recovery plans are tailored individually, most athletes recommend contrast therapy, lymphatic massage, compression garments, deep stretching and physical therapy for recovery routines.

How is technology improving sports recovery?

Even if you’re not a pro athlete, you can recover like one at home with the help of wellness tech. This is beneficial for anyone on a vitality journey, but especially if you enjoy working out and physical fitness.

How can we optimise our recovery strategy?

Consistency is key. So having portable products allows for commitment to your plan. Though not an obvious marker, you can improve your overall health by incorporating a sauna blanket into your routine to double your dose of detox and muscle growth. A sauna blanket further supports detoxification, eliminating free radicals from the system, that can impact overall performance and recovery.

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