Zoe Williams - Q&A

Tell us about yourself and how you became a gladiator?

• I am 29 years old and work as a qualified doctor in Newcastle upon Tyne hospitals. I left home to study medicine at Newcastle University in 2001.
• Additionally to my medical career I feature as Amazon in the Sky One “Prime Time” TV-show Gladiators, and I am also the Gladiator that will be featured in Sky’s Green Campaign throughout 2009 – the picture above is currently being used in Sky marketing.
• I grew up in the North West of England, in Lancashire and suffered severe asthma, but luckily my family are sporty, both my older brother and cousin have played professional level football and my dad has been a successful cricket player and coach (he was the junior coach for England and Lancashire’s James Anderson) and this interest in sport and exercise helped me overcome severe asthma as a child.
• Whilst at university I got into Rugby and have represented Newcastle University, Northumberland County and more recently played in the National Premiership for Team Northumbria women’s rugby club.
• I am extremely passionate about fitness and aim to inspire others to be fit, healthy and active. I am currently delivering school workshops aimed at teenage girls to teach them the importance of diet, fitness and sport with the aim to increase participation rates in PE. I also deliver fitness bootcamps in my local area in the evenings.
• My ambition for the future is to continue to inspire people to be fit, active and healthy. I hope to work in a field in which I can combine my medical knowledge, athletic/fitness background and the media.

It was whilst completing my second year as a qualified doctor, working in Newcastle hospitals, that I was asked to become a Gladiator. I had attended a contender audition, and was initially spotted by the fitness team who were impressed by my performance on the fitness tests. I met some members of the production team, and after a screen test was asked to attend the Gladiator audition. Two weeks later I was asked to pack my bags and get to London to start filming.

What does your weekly training programme consist of?

My training varies depending on how much time I have and what I’m training for. During rugby season, training sessions and games would be the mainstay of my programme, perhaps with additional gym sessions if preparing to film a series of Gladiators. If training non-specifically to stay in shape and keep fit, then my programme could include anything from sessions in the gym, to running, to a game of basketball. I have recently taken up Bodypump classes at my gym, which are great for toning up. My favourite way to exercise is outdoors and with friends and I like to vary training as much as possible to keep it fun and challenging.

How much food do you consume on an average day?

Quite a lot for a girl (or so I’m told!), but I do keep saturated fat, processed and high GI carbohydrates to a minimum. I love to have porridge for breakfast (a Gladiator favourite) and eat quite a lot of Sushi.

I believe that regulating blood sugar and insulin levels throughout the day is extremely important for body composition, performance, and concentration/energy levels. I try to ensure this by eat 5 meals/snacks a day and for convenience will often carry a Promax diet bar or a banana with me when on the go.

As part of my environmental change, as Sky’s Green gladiator, I am having one vegetarian day each week. Maximuscle products help me to get my protein requirements on these days if they’re training days.

How do Maximuscle products help you during your training and whilst you compete?

I use Promax diet shakes and bars along with Thermobol capsules. These products allow me to maintain muscle whilst remaining lean. Creatamax 300 is a great creatine product, which I use when preparing for rugby or Gladiators. It allows me to work harder and for longer when training and ensures that I am as fast and powerful as possible, without adding additional calories to my daily intake.

I also use Protrient and Immune Support as there is no room in my life for illness, Maxi-EFA and CLA-1000 to ensure optimal fat burning, and Ache-free and Recovermax to prevent my training being limited by muscle fatigue and aching joints.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Being selected to be a Gladiator is a dream come true for me. My fitness regime and diet ensure that I remain fit and healthy and it is important to emphasise that sports supplements should be used as a supplement and not a substitute to sensible diet and training. However, appearing weekly on TV is the best motivation to stay in good physical shape and Maximuscle products certainly give a helping hand.

Who are your heroes?

The Gladiators of course!

What do you enjoy doing on your days off?

On my days off I like to hang out with my friends. This often actually involves doing something quite physical. One of my friends has recently got me to try out surfing, which is great fun, although at times unbearably cold in the North sea.

I recently went to help out a friend on her Allotment, which was loads of fun and I’m looking forward to all the treats growing so that we can eat them.

What is your favorite Maximuscle product and why?

My favourite Maximuscle product is Promax diet, it ensures I maintain muscle whilst keeping my body fat to a minimum. Having the choice of a shake or a bar makes it convenient for any situation and I always carry a bar in my handbag for a healthy snack if hunger strikes.

What are your future goals?

1. To continue to work as a doctor, but combine this with a career in media. I would love to make a documentary series, which would give people an insight into the variations in medicine across the world. Then perhaps settle down as This Morning’s resident Dr Zoe Williams!
2. To continue to deliver the vital messages regarding the importance of healthy diet, exercise and caring for our environment, especially to children. It would be amazing if my Schoolgirls workshops were to be successful enough to go nationwide.
3. To set up fitness bootcamps, where attendees will benefit from nutritional and injury rehab input in addition to a fitness-training regime.
4. To compete on Strictly Come Dancing!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to build a physique like yours?

Improving your physique is something that will take time, if you want the results to be sustainable. Diet and exercise are the only way to achieve a lean, toned physique, and supplements can help to get those results faster. My advice if aiming to get fit, tone up, burn fat would be to not worry too much about the specifics in the beginning, but just get out there and be active in a way which you enjoy. The more fun you have, the more likely you will be to stick at it.

Regarding diet, make gradual changes, which are sustainable, rather that fad diets which will only give temporary results. Maximuscle products are a great way to give your self a helping hand. Substituting your usual afternoon sugary snack with a Promax Diet bar, or a Promax Diet shake on the go, when your too busy to prepare a proper breakfast, are good examples.