Nicky Edwards, a physio specialised in female health and running, shares her journey into physiotherapy and marathon running. She initially chose sports science as a way to continue playing hockey in university but later discovered physiotherapy through a sports injury module. Nicky has since become passionate about female-specific training and the importance of exercise for women's health. She emphasises the need for women to stay active throughout different stages of life, despite challenges such as hormonal changes, childcare responsibilities, and caring for elderly relatives.

Nicky also provides tips for getting started with exercise, including walking, strength training, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) while cautioning against fasting before exercise for women. The conversation covers topics such as the importance of fueling the body before exercise, the impact of disordered eating on women over 40, the role of mindset in physical health, and the release of Nicky Edwards' book 'The Female Runner's Advantage' which focuses on female-specific training and running.

Takeaways

• Nicky Edwards chose physiotherapy after discovering it through a sports injury module during her sports science studies.
• She is passionate about female-specific training and the importance of exercise for women's health.
• Women face challenges in staying active throughout different life stages, including hormonal changes, childcare responsibilities, and caring for elderly relatives.
• Starting with walking, incorporating strength training, and considering high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can be beneficial for women's fitness.
• It is important for women to avoid fasting before exercise to manage cortisol levels. Fueling the body before exercise, even with a small amount of food, can improve performance and reduce inflammation.
• Disordered eating is not limited to extreme cases like anorexia and bulimia, but can also include irregular eating patterns and calorie restriction, which can have negative effects on the body.
• Mindset plays a crucial role in physical health and can impact one's ability to overcome challenges and achieve goals.
• Nicky Edwards' book 'The Female Runner's Advantage' provides valuable information on female-specific training and running, taking into account the impact of hormones and age.
• The book is relevant not only for runners, but for any active female and coaches working with female athletes.

Sound Bites

• "I didn't know that physiotherapists worked with musculoskeletal injuries, neurological problems, respiratory problems, pediatrics, nothing. I knew nothing."
• "I never wanted to ever run a marathon. I actually worked at the London Marathon as a physiotherapist, as a volunteer previously. And I watched everybody running by and I'm going, you're an idiot, you're an idiot, you're an idiot."
• "How can I do this really, really efficiently in the least time possible, but still absolutely smash out a cracking time."
• "If you can wake up and literally have a couple of bites of banana, just something to break that fast, but also to provide you with some readily available glucose to fuel that exercise, you're going to perform really well."
• "Disordered eating covers a very wide spectrum. It can be just, you know, not eating sort of regularly and things like that. So it isn't just the extremes where, you know, you're going to get the medical."
• "Food is fuel. We can have really nutritious food. We can have the treats that we enjoy. It's all fuel."

About the Guest
Nicky Edwards is a physiotherapist with nearly 20 years of experience and a dedicated runner. She’s also a mother of two and an avid hockey player. Her passion for running has led her to complete the London Marathon five times, as well as the New York and Berlin marathons. Remarkably, in 2024, Nicky ran the London Marathon just nine weeks after lung surgery. She has also been part of the medical team at the event, gaining a unique perspective on marathons from both a participant and professional standpoint.

Nicky’s favorite running companion is Cheyne, her loyal German Shorthaired Pointer. Having started running later in life, she understands the challenges that many women face when beginning their running journey. Nicky is committed to helping women over 40 run faster, stronger, and stay injury-free by training in harmony with their physiology. She encourages women to train smarter, not harder, while balancing the demands of their busy lives.

As an experienced public speaker, Nicky has presented at major events like the National Running Show and the London Marathon Running Show, where she shares her expertise on injury prevention, marathon training, women’s health, and mindset. She also volunteers for Children with Cancer UK, supporting marathon runners each year.

Links
https://www.nickyedwards.com/
https://www.instagram.com/nickyedwardsphysio
Buy her book now!: https://amzn.to/3ASFxs5

About Philippa Bagley
I’m a Professional Speaker and Therapist with a diverse background that includes military service, corporate work and teaching.Like many people, I grew tired of corporate life and retrained in a range of therapies.
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