Natalie Cook

Profession:  Beach Volleyballer

Website: www.teamnat.com.au

Questionnaire

What does your standard training week involve? 

• 4/5 sand sessions (90 -120 minutes each) 
• 2 x gym sessions
• 1 x Pilates session
• 2 x bike plus shoulder and knee strengthening exercises
• 1 x pool recovery
• 3 x ice baths 
• Chiropractor
• Physio
• Massage

Favourite training venue/environment: My own sandpit in Brisbane. www.sandstorm.com.au Beaches are wonderful because you can go in for a swim after, but you have to chase the balls down the beach! My own sandpit has a fence and lights and the nets and lines etc. are already set up to my liking!

Favourite 2XU garment, when you use it and why: 2XU Recovery Tights. I love to feel the compression on my legs during and after training sessions and on long plane flights. Always helps with recovery and they look great too!

Favourite training accessory (ie. heart rate monitor, power meter, pool buoy): My Oakley sunglasses – I couldn't see the ball without them!

Toughest experience in your career & what you learned from it: Injury (I have had shoulder and knee challenges over my 20 year career)… and I learnt you can't always push yourself physically even if your mind wants to. High performance  is a balance between mind power and physical power...and it’s always a balancing act! It also taught me patience - don't jump back into things too early.  Get it right first!

What's the most common training mistake you see on the circuit?  Any suggestions on how to avoid it? OVER TRAINING.  I think the solution is valuing and balancing RECOVERY!

What motivates you to train and race harder? Being the best I can be. Pushing the envelope of my performance and the thrill of winning!

Describe your diet/meal plan in the week leading to a big race: Protein at every meal, good fats, good carbs and try to stay off the sugars!
Eating often throughout the day helps too. 

How do you balance out your training/racing regime with life outside sport? This is a tough one. I run a business, sandstorm and have lots of other business interests.  I need to make sure my training is done first, my business second and MUST make room for ME time too.  I love going to the movies. This is a must to put in the schedule, you can't ignore the ME time.

What type of nutritional supplement do you find most helpful (either for training or competition)? Endura – hydration powder.  Designer Physique protein powders and a product of theirs called immunoboost and a product called Ultra Muscle ease is a winner too!

Best and worst thing about being a professional athlete: BEST  -  Travelling the world meeting amazing people, making lifelong friends, experiencing fabulous cultures and making a living. WORST – the level of mental, emotion and physical intensity needed day in and day out to stay at the top of your game.  It is relentless. And for beach volleyball – having to put sunscreen on every day! YUK!

In five years time, I'll be: Travelling the world building SANDSTORMS everywhere so kids and adults of all ages and skill levels can enjoy our great sport. I will also be a mother.  I love the Olympics, so I hope to stay involved at some level. And I will be enjoying a less intense training regime!