Alice Lives was on the cusp of the wellness boom as a PT, fitness ambassador and social media phenomenon. Much like the industry, Alice has evolved and her approach to vigorous fitness has changed. Finding balance in her training, Alice tells us how she finds joy in fitness and how she uses social media to spread her zeal for exercise. Specializing in strength training, Alice honed her skills as a trainer helping others feel stronger, her passion is contagious and being a total powerhouse, it’s no wonder she’s continued to maintain such a community strong followers more than ten years. Find out how she feeds, prioritizes recovery and finds motivation, Alice shares all her tips and tricks on why she moves!
Why are you moving?
Movement is something that makes me feel my best. It clears my mind, helps me relieve stress, focuses me on fueling my body, makes me feel strong, and it’s something I really enjoy doing.
What are some of your earliest memories of physical activity as a child?
I’ve been dancing for as long as I’ve been walking, and it was a big part of my life growing up. Originally dreamed of being a professional dancer, but ended up pursuing musical theater instead. I was never a sporty kid, though, so dancing was my way of moving my body.
What inspired you to pursue a career in fitness?
I love how fitness makes people feel. Exercise can turn your life around. It can literally change you as a person, and give you so much strength and empowerment. I love being a part of that journey, especially for women. It’s the best job in the world for me.
What type of fitness do you regularly incorporate into your routine?
Strength training, boxing and walking. These are my favorite ways to move my body right now.
How do you use nutrition as a tool to improve your performance?
Green chef it’s my secret weapon to help me feel my best. For me, exercise and nutrition go hand in hand. If I don’t feed my body and give it what it needs, then I don’t feel energized for my workouts. Feeding my body so that I have sustained energy throughout the day is as important to me as my morning workout. Having my fridge stocked with a variety of delicious dinners from Green Chef allows me to feel my hunger pangs and know that I can easily make something nutritious.
What is your post workout meal?
My post workout meal is always a Green chef “quick” lunch. This tasty dish of plant-fed Portobello Mushrooms Stuffed with Harissa Nuts takes 25 minutes to whip up and contains almost 16g of protein. I like to explore the variety of dishes that Green Chef offers while challenging me to try new things and break away from any recipe recipe.
How has your approach to fitness evolved since you entered the industry?
My approach has changed so much. When I first started in the fitness industry, I was laser focused on being as lean as possible. I felt like my abs were my advertisement and I really felt the pressure to maintain this physique to prove that I was good at what I did. What I quickly realized, however, was that being thin was not necessarily conducive to being healthy, and I had to go back to the drawing board to really learn and understand what “healthy” really meant. This meant facing my relationship with food, with my body and with exercise, and now I can thankfully say that I have found such a happy place where I feel that I have a good balance with all these things.
How do you prioritize recovery and listen to your body’s signals?
After every workout, feeding your body to get the food it needs is the most important. Making sure my post-workout meal has enough protein and carbs to fuel my body and sustain my weight training can be time-consuming. That’s why I love Green Chef – their meals are created by Registered Nutritionists and the recipe cards show the macros for each meal so I’m always informed about what I’m eating. It’s a big help when I come back late at night and know my fridge is stocked with goodness.
I look at my week ahead and choose a selection of recipes that support my workout routine. For example, if I know I have an intense weight session on Thursday, I make sure to choose a recipe with a “high protein” tag for that day.
What motivates you to exercise?
The “feel good” factor. Nothing beats that post-workout feeling and that sense of accomplishment. I’m also very motivated by strength goals, or skill goals like getting 10 pull-ups in a row, or improving a boxing combination. I love the journey of learning new things all the time and that really motivates me.
How do you reshape the conversation on social media about fitness to focus less on body image?
I think there are a few things I do that I think help this:
• I do not use my body to sell my services. I’m a great coach, with years of experience, so I don’t need to use my body to sell this. I think we massively underestimate how much genetics, etc., play a role in how someone looks, and so it’s disingenuous to sell training programs or products outside of a person’s physique.
• I am so careful with language. How we talk about our bodies, especially in the fitness space, is so important in forming a positive relationship with exercise. This means I am very conscious of the language I use online and in my coaching.
• My content is all about education. I want to empower women to feel stronger in themselves and get the most out of their training, and that has nothing to do with how they look. Education gives them the knowledge they need to go on their own fitness journey and so I focus my energies there.
What’s your favorite exercise class in London right now?
Out of my app Give me strengthi am loved JAB Boxing Club. I go twice a week and am totally obsessed. The vibes are excellent, and I’ve never been in a class where a coach mentioned diet culture narratives. It’s all about feeling strong and powerful and I love it.
What are the fitness essentials that help you stay on track?
Met Cons they are the best lifting shoes I have ever tried. I love my Hooray ring for a more holistic approach to exercise and recovery. I use LMNT hydration sachets when I had a particularly sweaty session. But beyond that, there is little that I use or need to feel my best except consistent training and especially nutritious food.
If you’re in a rut with your fitness regimen, what’s your one tip to pull it out?
Start small. Don’t put pressure on yourself to come back right away. Start with a short walk, something that gets you moving and increases your heart rate without the pressure of “needing” to do a certain amount. And be kind to yourself. Few of us have an unlimited amount of motivation. We all go through waves of feeling super motivated, and not, and that’s okay. Relax, and let it work for you. And, make sure that whatever you do is something you enjoy!
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words of Isabelle Shury