HARRY GIBSON - BRITISH HOCKEY PLAYER
Harry Gibson is an English field hockey player, who plays as a fearless goalkeeper for Surbiton and the England and Great Britain National teams. Harry made his debut at the 2015 Hockey World League Final and has won a number of medals including gold at the 2017 Azlan Shah Cup with GB and both European and Commonwealth bronze medals with England.
We sat down with Harry to discuss all things hockey, nutrition, future goals and why he chose to join the Maximuscle Team.
- When did you first get into sport/fitness?
I’ve been in to sport as early as I can remember – swimming & playing cricket when I was 4, just anything and everything. I’ve always been active and got really into the gym when I was 13/14 and thought I wanted to be Arnie. I then found hockey and hockey stuck!
- Why Hockey?
It’s a brilliant sport, it’s quick, it’s physical, it’s brutal and its super fun to play!
- What’s the proudest moment in your career?
I’ve been in to sport as early as I can remember – swimming & playing cricket when I was 4, just anything and everything. I’ve always been active and got really into the gym when I was 13/14 and thought I wanted to be Arnie. I then found hockey and hockey stuck!
- Why Hockey?
It’s a brilliant sport, it’s quick, it’s physical, it’s brutal and its super fun to play!
- What’s the proudest moment in your career?
The proudest moment was winning the Sultan Azlan
Shah tournament in Malaysia. We beat Australia in the final and that was my
first proper tournament for GB where I played every game, that was a really
proud moment. I’m also super proud to be sat here now with a chance to
represent GB at the Olympics having worked so hard over the 10 years and stuck
at it.
- Who or what inspires you?
Dedication to the cause!
Who… Has to be Mat Fraser, just his pure unadulterated dedication to his craft and single mindedness I find really inspirational. Hearing him talk about no distractions and taking complete accountability for his own training and turning up every day and selling his soul to his craft I find incredibly inspirational.
- What’s the one thing in your training regime that you can’t live without?
Heavy compound lifts – squat, deadlift, bench, shoulder press. If you’re hitting good numbers of those in the gym it translates directly to the pitch for me. Especially as a goalkeeper, its very much a power output position!
- What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned when it comes to training?
Consistency is key, anything you want to get better at, you have to turn up and work at it every day and the compound effect of that over time is how you get results.
- What are your key goals when it comes to nutrition?
Recovery and making sure I can perform on game day! So from a recovery point of view making sure I am tracking my protein intake and tracking my daily calories based on what I am doing that day in order to recover and maximise my training. Game day is making sure I am fuelled properly, so carbs, electrolytes, caffeine & hydration so when I step on the pitch I am good to go.
- What’s your favourite Maximuscle product (if you had to choose one)? And why?
The bars are amazing, convenient and taste really good, so they’d be my favourite! But… if I could only have one then it has to be Maximuscle Cyclone just because you get all your protein, it tastes really good but also includes creatine and glutamine, which the main reason people fail to take supplements like this is because they forget, so it being all in one shake makes it so convenient.
- Who or what inspires you?
Dedication to the cause!
Who… Has to be Mat Fraser, just his pure unadulterated dedication to his craft and single mindedness I find really inspirational. Hearing him talk about no distractions and taking complete accountability for his own training and turning up every day and selling his soul to his craft I find incredibly inspirational.
- What’s the one thing in your training regime that you can’t live without?
Heavy compound lifts – squat, deadlift, bench, shoulder press. If you’re hitting good numbers of those in the gym it translates directly to the pitch for me. Especially as a goalkeeper, its very much a power output position!
- What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned when it comes to training?
Consistency is key, anything you want to get better at, you have to turn up and work at it every day and the compound effect of that over time is how you get results.
- What are your key goals when it comes to nutrition?
Recovery and making sure I can perform on game day! So from a recovery point of view making sure I am tracking my protein intake and tracking my daily calories based on what I am doing that day in order to recover and maximise my training. Game day is making sure I am fuelled properly, so carbs, electrolytes, caffeine & hydration so when I step on the pitch I am good to go.
- What’s your favourite Maximuscle product (if you had to choose one)? And why?
The bars are amazing, convenient and taste really good, so they’d be my favourite! But… if I could only have one then it has to be Maximuscle Cyclone just because you get all your protein, it tastes really good but also includes creatine and glutamine, which the main reason people fail to take supplements like this is because they forget, so it being all in one shake makes it so convenient.
- Why Maximuscle?
Growing up Maximuscle was always the brand that had the highest quality, the most trust and everything that you need. They’ve also had some incredible high profile athletes which supported the reason that they’re a brand you can trust with high quality products.
- Do you have any pre or post match/comp rituals?
I have a few rituals around preparation and have I done everything I can do, you will usually see me with lists of stuff which I have to tick off. I’m always cleaning my hotel room the day before we compete. But its just making sure all my ducks are in a row and everything is done so I can just roll out on the day and go and play. Other than that I have my game day playlist and I always make sure I play football at least once on a game day.
- What advice would you give to anyone starting out in sport/fitness?
Find the thing you enjoy first! Finding the thing you enjoy will mean you will show up consistently, and consistency is key in getting results in anything.
- What are your goals for the future?
Medalling at the Olympics
-Tell us a fun fact about you?
I used to have bright red hair that came down to below shoulder length! That was when I was in a couple of bands thinking I was going to be a Rockstar, before I got in to sport. And the other one… David Beckham nearly ran me over once!
