Morgan Mitchell is an Australian sprinter specialising in the 400 metres. She competed in the 4 × 400 metres relay event at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing and represented Australia in the Women’s 400m and Women’s 4x400m Relay at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Her personal best in the event is 51.25 seconds set in Birmingham in 2016.
She started athletics in 2000, inspired by the success of compatriot Cathy Freeman at the Sydney Olympics, but stopped at the age of 12 to concentrate on netball. She represented Australia on junior level before returning to athletics in 2012. Her 2016 Rio Olympics were her debut.
On our 18th Anniversary, we have with us Olympian Morgan Mitchell sharing with Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness her fantastic athletics journey.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You started athletics in 2000, but stopped at the age of 14 to concentrate on netball, where you represented Australia on junior level before returning to athletics in 2012 and have performed tremendously well ever since. Walk us through your spectacular journey and tell us how it all began?
Ms. Morgan Mitchell:
Well, I began athletics at the age of 5. Back in the day, everyone was doing it and Mum just wanted to see us enjoying life and burning energy. I was kind of a chubby kid and blame that as the real reason (haha), but I loved it nonetheless. Once I started High School, I did lose interest in the sport and was enjoying my time playing netball. I wanted to make State and National teams with my sister. We were super competitive and I just wanted to be on her level. Plus I also discovered boys, partying and other fun stuff (haha)! So athletics took a back seat.
Once Rio De Janeiro was announced as the host city for the Olympics back in 2012, something in me clicked. I was like “Hey, I really want to do that.” Purely because it meant to party over there. My view changed and I became serious, don’t worry. So I went back to my coach at 17 years old and said “Let’s start training for the 2016 Olympics”. I was overweight and unfit. He just laughed and said that I better start jogging. After three weeks of training, I qualified for nationals by 0.01 of a second, went over there and won! Then I was told I qualified for World Juniors (held in Barcelona), representing Australia in the 400 and 4x400m relay. I literally couldn’t believe it. I guess from there the ball got rolling. I gave up Netball almost immediately even though I had also been notified of making the Under 19 Australian Squad. But come on, who wouldn’t want to go to Spain as a stepping stone towards an Olympic Dream.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What inspired you to take up this sport?
Ms. Morgan Mitchell:
Other than being a chubby kid just wanting to get fit and have fun, I loved the feeling of running and seeing how far I could run and how fast I could get there. It was also cool being able to make friends and relate to people that just wanted that same feeling.
Full Interview on Next Page!
All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2017 Women Fitness
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to a day in the life of an athlete, preparing for the World Championships.
Ms. Morgan Mitchell:
I wake up around 7, grab some breakfast. Walk my boyfriend’s puppy. Get ready for a track session starting at 10:30 am. Hit the recovery centre after track (ice bath and stretching) then get lunch and prepare for gym in the afternoon. Once gym is done, I will usually go for a recovery walk or will play some basketball for something different. That’s usually me most days, but if I am not in the gym or on the track, I will be in the pool or boxing. We like to change things up and keep it interesting.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine that you may like to share?
Ms. Morgan Mitchell:
There is a lot of running obviously and the gym work is short sharp and powerful. One track work session I absolutely love, yet loathe at the same time, is the diminishing 200’s. You know you’re in shape when you can rock them. We do 6x200m efforts just below top speed. Our recovery starts at 5 minutes, then decreases by a minute each time so by the fifth one, you only have one minute for recovery. Before the Olympics last year, that was one of our final hard sessions. It was my best session yet but I was so full of lactic I had no idea where I was, I couldn’t see, I couldn’t think straight. Nothing. It was so funny looking back, but I guess that’s the price you have to pay.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Morgan Mitchell:
Yeah, being a professional athlete is all about the little things that drive you towards your goal. I’m a vegan, and have been for about 3 years now for ethical reasons. I have a dietician who is amazing. I set out my goals and she plans accordingly. I love eating healthy so it comes easy to me, but I also don’t mind a treat every now and then. The closer I get to competition, the more strict I am. You have to be, because you don’t want to look back and base a poor run off of what you ate. You get used to it, it’s a part of the job.
Video
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Training for professional sports requires you to be out in the extreme weather. How are you able to take care of your skin and hair?
Ms. Morgan Mitchell:
My skin suffers when I travel. It’s so annoying. My boyfriend got me an Aesop voucher and I went to town on them and got them to set me up with a 5 step skin care range to use religiously when I’m overseas. It works really well. I’m also a firm believer in drinking water. I try to get in over 5 litres a day. It covers all health benefits in regards to hydration, skin, weight, etc. With my hair, I just make sure I find time to do a deep condition once a week and will always get a trim before leaving home so at least it starts off in the right place. I only just discovered make-up this year and bought my first ever foundation and all that other stuff (don’t judge ha)! But for me, because I am always working up a sweat, I always go make-up free. I have never really worn it ever during races/training except maybe once or twice this year and I don’t even really know how to put it on anyway… Baby steps.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influence and motivator in your success in the field of your career?
Ms. Morgan Mitchell:
My greatest motivator is my Mum… and myself. Mum because she totally understands me. We have both been through a lot but no matter what she has never given up on me. I guess I find myself as my own motivator because I am in an individual sport. At the end of the day it’s just me out there. If I can’t motivate myself then that’s worrying!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Having participated in multiple events like World Championships and Olympic Games, tell us about one of the most memorable experience that you may have had at these Games.
Ms. Morgan Mitchell:
The after party… No, I’m totally kidding! For me, it was the atmosphere. Especially the 2015 World Champs in Beijing, China. It was like the Boxing Day Test Match (Cricket) and the AFL Grand Final had come together. Crazy loud stuff! Running in front of so many people is just an incredible feeling. I love it.
Video
https://youtube.com/watch?v=AbK70vvTKjA
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding sprinter athletes who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in this field?
Ms. Morgan Mitchell:
Oh, it is hard to give advice at 22. I feel like I’m still learning the ropes myself. I think patience is a big one. I won’t really peak until I’m around 25-28. So I just go into every day looking at the bigger picture, still trying to run fast but knowing that there is so much more to come. I also try to remind athletes to relax and be themselves. Have some personality because you’re going to be in the sport for a long time and you don’t want to lose yourself and what you represent.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How did you feel before and after debuting at the 2016 Rio Olympics?
Ms. Morgan Mitchell:
I felt amazing, I was in the shape of my life and ready to go. In my semi-final, obviously things didn’t go to plan. I got way too excited and ditched my race plan and everything fell apart in a split second. It sucked, but I knew I had to pick myself up and run a cracking split in the relay and make the final with the girls. We did that, and it temporarily made me feel better. I at least know now what to do and what not to do. I’m just trying to learn from every race – good, bad or otherwise. Post Olympics, I was still a little mad at myself but I couldn’t have asked for a better season. I mean, it was a dream I had ever since I was 5 and I ticked that box! It is just a crazy feeling, I will be an Olympian for the rest of my life.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about your preparations for the future Games and Championships.
Ms. Morgan Mitchell:
My prep is going well. At the moment I’m just trying to get as much race experience against the best as I possibly can and to learn to be away from home and hopping on planes every 4th/5th day. Each season is a new one. I come back more mature so we try to increase the training load gradually. Again, we have to be patient otherwise injuries occur. It’s a slow but fun process.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Ms. Morgan Mitchell:
One is, thanks for having me. I think what you’re doing to promote fitness and celebrating women in sport is great and to keep driving it forward. To the audience reading this, keep doing you and working towards what you want. Your end goal will be worth it.
To know latest about Morgan Mitchell check out on her social networks:
Women Fitness Team thanks Morgan Mitchell for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her.
Video
All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2017 Women Fitness