By Allegra Dominguez, Year 12

As star striker and co-captain of the U18 Girls football team, Kristine shares with us her affinity for J. Cole, Pizza and experience as a Lion on and off the field.

What inspired you to play football?

“My dad encouraged me to start playing in Nomads at four years old. I didn’t like it much at first – I’d lie down and play with the flowers during training. But as I got older, I found that being on the football pitch was where I was the happiest and where I felt I belonged the most. Oh, and, Kyla Gibson forced me to play. [Laughs]”

What is it like having your dad as the coach?

“There’s definitely way more pressure. It’s very nerve wracking when your parents come and watch a game – having your dad as the coach just makes it so much worse. [Laughs] But at the end of the day, my dad’s my biggest fan and I think the fact that he pushes me so hard really helps me play my best.”

Do you have any pregame rituals?

“There are 3 songs I always listen to before games: Tookie Knows by Schoolboy Q, Simba by J. Cole and Remember The Name by Fort Minor. I feel like I’ll have a bad game if I don’t! I also touch the field right before every game, you know, feel the earth and stuff.”

What are the essentials in your football bag?

“I always bring around advil, coffee, tampons, laces, pro wrap, and my lucky sweater.”

FUN FACTS:

• She can name all 44 presidents of the United States (in order)
• Her favorite football team is US women’s national football team and favorite player is Tobin Heath
• Her grandfather played for the Liverpool first team
• She lives for Pizza
• Her favorite male football player is George Best
• 12 is her lucky number and her jersey number since Year 2
• She is an avid J. Cole fan
• Her dream job is playing for the Orland Pride alongside Alex Morgan
• She takes HL art
• She has been a starter on the ISAC team since year 9

Written by: Kevin Kuo, Year 12

Immortalised in Drake’s latest hit “0 to 100”, Chef Curry has lit up the courts of the NBA with yet another All Star season. But we aren’t here to talk about Curry’s remarkable box stats; we are here to look at the SC1, Curry’s first shoe with Under Armour.

The latest shoe Under Armour is releasing is nothing short of amazing. It features the latest UA technology, including the charged midsole, the new mesh upper, and of course, Curry’s fresh new logo. A lot of people are comparing it to the UA Clutch Fit Drive, but the two shoes have a few noticeable differences. For one thing, this new model is much more breathable and flexible thanks to the mesh material, which is further topped with padding to maintain the support of the shoe. The Charge Foam midsole is also said to be softer than the original Micro-G Foam, and also longer lasting than previous midsoles have been. However, the traction of the Clutch Fit Drive is pretty much identical to the SC1, which is already extremely effective on multiple surfaces. But still, priced at $120 (around Php 5400), the SC1 is very affordable and is significantly cheaper than the UA Clutch Fit Drive.

The shoe is set to drop a week before the All Star Weekend with plenty of colour ways still being released.  Stephen Curry’s other lines of personal apparel, including shirts, shorts and socks, are on its way to stores as well.

Written by:

Alexandra Tan, Year 12

With exams always looming and workloads escalating, many of us set aside out healthy lifestyles in exchange for late nights and stress snacking. However, there are many studies that reveal the benefits of balanced diets, sufficient sleep and regular exercise to enhance concentration and memory. So instead of aimlessly procrastinating, go for a quick run or workout! These teachers offer great tips on how they manage live healthily despite a jam-packed schedule. For extra motivation, keep in mind that vacation is always just around the corner, and we have little time to prep our beach bodies!

Mr. Barker

Newbie Mr. Barker is not your ordinary English teacher. Running is one of his biggest passions, and can be spotted jogging around the Fort almost everyday. Mr. Barker can beat just about anyone in BSM at the bleep test (with the exception of Mr. Wooldridge), and his running achievements and experiences around the world are nothing short of impressive.

Mr. Barker: I have been running from the age of 5. I started running cross country races in my village of Linton in South Cambridgeshire. There was a lovely, strong running community in the village and there were many organised runs. Every summer, the running club would travel to London for the Hyde Park Fun Run which broke people into age groups and then they would compete over courses around the park. It was fab! My best finish was 13^th out of about 1500 entrants in the boys under 13 race.

My family loves running and in our village we were the best family in the March Hare Fun Run about 5 years in a row. Having a local running community helped me become interested and competitive in running. However, when I moved away from Linton at the age of 12, I stopped running competitively, until I entered the Moscow 10km run about 5 years ago. I managed 38 minutes for 10km which is good for me but way off the winners who were about 31 minutes. Since then I just try to improve my own times, especially on Wednesday mornings at Running Club. I run barefoot which is a lovely feeling, dew on feet, and changes my running style completely. Oh, and I do compete against Mr Wooldridge whenever there is a bleep test, but he is fitter than me.

Q: How has moving to the Philippines affected your fitness?

                                   

A: My fitness has improved here. I do not go out partying anymore. I am almost 40, so that kind of lifestyle just does not work for me. I suffer what I contend are the world’s worst hangovers if I imbibe. My diet has improved and although I possibly run a little less than in Moscow or Bogota, I feel healthier overall.

Q: What’s your fitness routine?                     

                                                           

A: I train 6 days a week. 2 of those are resistance workouts with weights and things. The other four are a mixture of swimming, running and cycling. I try to keep it mixed as it maintains interest to an extent (I don’t think anyone would identify running, cycling or swimming as particularly entertaining sports) and varies the way my body works. I am swimming more now than I ever have. It is a great way to improve cardiovascular fitness even if you are a good runner already.

Q: Any nutrition tips?                              

                                                                       

A: Eat what you want as long as you exercise. Fast food is evil. Not so much because it is bad for you, just the way it has impacted food production and the environment. Don’t drink beer.

Q: Any advice to people wanting to get fit?

Just do it! Not terribly constructive, I know, but if you don’t make the decision to do something then you never will.

Madame Barrett

“Madame Barrett has more gains than I do” –Anonymous senior school boy

Aside from her bubbly personality and impeccable fashion sense, Madame Barrett is known for her physique and active lifestyle. She’s involved in just about every action ASA in the school, and credits her health and fitness to her youth and roots in France.

Madame Barrett: I started dance and basketball at the age of 6. In France, ASAs are not organised in school and are done in sport centres on Wednesday afternoons. As I lived in a little village, it was a great way to be active and meet people. I guess, it gave my mum some free time too! Et voila! I never stopped training since. Training became part of my daily routine, just like brushing my teeth. It still is. I never ask myself the question “Do I want to go training?”, “Do I feel like it?” Otherwise, I would never go! It is just part of my timetable. I squeeze it in!

Although it was just in a village, the club had really high standards and the coaches were all professionals. We were involved in regional and national competitions for basketball and we had training 3-5 times a week.  When I moved to senior school, I enrolled a Sport School programme for 2 years. Instead of having music, DT and art, I had training in 1 or 2 sports at higher level. It is called “Sport Etudes.” This is when I started taking swimming more seriously. Training was part of your school timetable and was not negotiable as it was assessed. It was part of the curriculum in a way.

Attendance, discipline and results were assessed alongside attitude and motivation. Strong ethos were enhanced and there was no room for complaints or tiredness. This I guess modelled the way I am today: motivated and energetic. Discipline, commitment and organisation were the key words as academic results had to match your sports results, or you were out!

Q: What’s your current fitness routine?

A: It is very disciplined: 1 day yoga, 1 day cardio (running and biking) 1 day swimming and repeat same routine again. My day off is now filled in with an extra yoga lesson. Having a family is motivating. Sport is not an “instead of” but an “as well as.” It has helped me to be more organised. The less time you have, the less time you waste. Because I want to be with my family as much as possible, I squeeze training in when it does not affect family time. Not always easy but with good organisation and energy I can manage.

Q: Any nutrition tips?

A: Eat well, balanced and not in huge quantities. Plenty of fruit, yoghurt, a very small amount of red meat, lots of green tea and hot lemons, chocolate and allow yourself the odd craving (not to be frustrated and because you can!) All in moderation.

Q: Favorite workout song/playlist/artist?

A: All! I like techno, house, strong beats, good DJs mix, anything that makes me move.

Q: What’s your best advice for people wanting to start a healthy lifestyle?

A: Start now! “It is not what you do, it is how you do it.” (10 good push ups are better than 50 bad ones!) and above all, as one of my coaches used to say: “You may not like your body but it is yours forever, so respect it. Learn to live with it happily and enjoy!” Listen to your body! Rest when you need and learn your limits (I should learn that one!). Find the sports or the activity that is good for you! It has not got to be at competition level, walking your dog is an exercise! Keep it going, be committed to it and never give up!

Written by:

Alexandra Tan, Year 12

Written by:

Alexandra Tan, Year 12

With so many positive responses from teachers and students about last week’s ‘Health and Fitness’ article, this is the second installation featuring more of your favourite teachers, and their advice on achieving healthy and active lifestyles.

Mr. Keens

PE teacher by day, athlete by night- Mr. Keens epitomizes a healthy and active lifestyle. Being physically fit is a prerequisite for a PE teacher, but to Mr. Keens, this position means more than just teaching sport and this is clearly reflected through his passion for health and fitness.

Mr. Keens: Being a PE teacher allows me to encourage and inspire youngsters to lead a healthy lifestyle incorporating exercise and a healthy diet. While I understand not everyone enjoys exercising, I think more should be done to highlight the psychological benefits of short exercise sessions per day. Exercise not only increases the release of endorphins (feel good chemical in the brain), but it is also widely regarded as a great tool to prevent depression and decrease levels of stress.

Exercise doesn’t mean you need to go to the gym and buy all the needless accessories and matching outfits. Keep it simple. Exercise can be anything that works up a sweat: walking, cycling, swimming. Try to incorporate this into your everyday life, be creative if time constraints are tight. Try walking or cycling to work, walking and talking to a colleague rather than email (we are all guilty of taking the 'easier' option) and try making the effort to go to that fitness class with your friend. In a world of ever increasing pressures taking the time out to invest in your health is a last priority for some and I feel that this issue needs addressing.

Q: What role has your love for football played in your lifestyle?

A: Football is a fantastic game and I have been involved in since I was about 7 years old. I have followed Sheffield United from a young age and hope to see them reach the FA Cup Final, fingers crossed we can beat Hull City in the semi-final!

I currently play in the UFL for Nomads FC, the oldest team in Manila. Nomads try to strike a balance between being a social and serious football club and currently compete in the 2nd tier of Philippine club football.

I currently train twice per week with the squad and we have a game each Sunday. I supplement this with my own training such as yoga and running, aiming for 2 rest days per week to allow for some rest and recovery. Football training sessions generally last 2 hours and includes possession work, fitness work, small sided games and lots of work on the 'shape' and tactics of the team's play.

I would recommend football to anyone looking for a sport to take up. It doesn’t get much better than 5 a side football match; it's fun, social, challenging and competitive all at the same time.

At Nomads alone we have over 10 different nationalities in the squad from different continents, all brought together by sport. Friendships made through sport are sometimes the best and longest lasting!




Q: Any nutrition tips?

A: It is vital for young people to exercise regularly and eat healthily. The physical health benefits are well published: reduced risk of Type II diabetes, decreased risk of heart attack, decreased risk of stroke etc. I worked on weight management camps in the UK for a number of years I have a strong knowledge of nutrition and here are some of my own nutrition tips:

1. Look at eating healthily as a lifestyle change and not a 'diet.' It needs to be sustainable so one step at a time, not at once - it won't and can't last!

2. Learn how to read and understand food labels so you know what you are eating- amazingly simple and sometime truly shocking, especially in drinks!

3. Don't eat when you're bored, you're probably not hungry so go out and do something instead.

4. Try to eat 'real' food and avoid replacement drinks/ bars that claim to have the same benefits.

5. Eat plenty of vegetables, you’re mum was right; they are good for you!

6. Drink plenty of water; this is an underrated but crucial part of a healthy diet.




Q: What’s your favourite workout music?

A: Anything with a beat when I'm running. Jay-Z is always a good shout, a bit of old school rock and David Guetta too.

Q: What’s the best advice you can offer to the BSM community about healthy living?

A: Find a sport or exercise you enjoy and do it regularly. Combine this with a healthier diet and you will suddenly find yourself following a healthier lifestyle. You will look, and, more importantly, feel great!

Ms. Taylor

Ms. Taylor is one of the most active teachers in BSM, having initiated the Running Club. Though this was initially aimed for IB students, the club has grown and attracted many students throughout the entire senior school.

Ms. Taylor: I started the before school ASA as a way to help IB students with their action section of CAS. By giving them something to do in the mornings, they can have after school to focus on creativity and service projects. I see running as the easiest and cheapest way to stay fit. My aim for the club was to have members participate in a 5 and 10km run.

Q: How has married life affected your fitness?

A: Getting married and the run up to the wedding did make me run more, but I don’t think being married changed my fitness. However, it is BSM and moving to the Philippines that has affected my fitness for the better. I live in a condo with a gym; the weather here never stops me from running or cycling outside, unlike England where I was known as a ‘fair weather cyclist’ who would only ride to work from March-October.

Q: What's your fitness routine?

A: I try to train with a trainer twice a week and we have a routine that involves resistance training. Then I run 3km at running club on Wednesday mornings. I try to do two more cardio sessions a week, either 10-12 km on a cross trainer or a 3-5km run outdoors. I enjoy being part of Mr. Hunt and Mr. Tibbits’ International Award. You get a workout by trekking for hours and get to see some more of the country.

Q: Any nutrition tips?

A: Don’t diet, eat everything in moderation and enjoy food. It is the energy your body needs to grow, repair and work.

Q: Favorite workout song/playlist/artist?

A: Roni Size, Mika, Mark Ronson, Phoenix, Blondie, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Florence and the Machine, The Kills, Maximo Park- anything as long as the tempo is quick. I’ve got some of my songs on my Nike+GPS app and there is even an app called Pace DJ, which I want to try out.

Q: What’s your best advice for the BSM community wanting to get fit?

A: Start. Workout by yourself and with others, their motivation helps. Set yourself a manageable goal. Mine was to run a 10km, which I did with Mr. Moore, Mr. Kennedy and some Year 12 science students last year. Since then I haven’t done another 10km run, so perhaps I need to.

Written by:

Alexandra Tan, Year 12

Written by:

Alexandra Tan, Year 12

There’s a new craze that’s hit BSM, and it’s all about health and fitness. Many people pursue healthy lifestyles for their own personal reasons, whether for sports performance, general health or preparing their bodies for the summer heat. However, these days, the definition of ‘healthy living’ is definitely affected by the latest trends. From crazy diets to extreme workouts, people are willing to do anything to achieve their fitness goals. But we should remember that it’s all about moderation and feeling good about ourselves inside, not just aesthetically. With the mounting workload as we head onto the final term of the school year, many find it difficult to find time for the gym, eat healthily and get enough sleep every night. But these fit and healthy BSM teachers say otherwise, and offer great advice on how they maintain their healthy lifestyles year-round.

Mr. Storey

Not many people knew about Mr Storey’s athletic side, until he showcased his quality swimming abilities by dominating the school’s termly swim meets. Now, Mr Storey serves as an inspiration for the young swimmers of BSM and everyone’s dying to know about his athlete past.

Mr. Storey: I started swimming for a club when I was 7 or 8; I was competing in swimming galas up until I was 16. My school swimming team was very successful and was the second fastest school team in the UK. The biggest bit of advice I could give any young swimmer is: yes training can be hard and sometimes boring but swimming is great for your fitness and until you stop training you don’t realize how good it is for you and how much you will miss it. I used to train 8 times a week and once I dropped my training down to 3-4 times a week it was extremely hard to go back and get to the same fitness level.

I started playing water polo when I was 12. I played club, county and regional level, which led to me training with the Great Britain team until I was 18. I played water polo all through university reaching the semi finals 3 times. Time management was a skill I had to learn fast. Swimming 7-8 times a week and playing water polo 3 times a week- including galas and polo games, my time was precious but my school work never suffered.

Q: Congratulations on your recent wedding! How has married life affected your fitness?

A: The wedding was a big motivation to get fit and [Mrs. Storey and I] both want to keep that going now we are married; I haven’t been this weight since I was at university. The time we spend exercising hasn’t changed too much since the wedding. We are starting a new boot camp next week at the army cross fit club, can’t wait.

Q: What’s your current fitness routine?

A: I exercise as often as I can. I like routine so joining cross fit will be great, as I can schedule classes.

Q: Any nutrition tips?

A: Eating small meals but more regularly is better than a few big meals

Q: What’s your favorite workout?

A: Any that makes my muscles and body hurt- no pain no gain.

Q: Any advice to people wanting to get fit?

A: When you find something you are good at, train hard and always push yourself more, you may regret it in the future. I know I regret not training as hard as I should have every swimming section.

Ms. Fisher

We’re all thinking the same thing: how did Ms. Fisher do it? Her physical transformation over the past years has garnered many compliments. From IB coordinator, English teacher to Drama teacher, director and most recently, radio actress, Ms. Fisher offers her advice on healthy living, despite a busy schedule.

Before

After

Ms. Fisher: It’s not easy but I’m at my best when I’m doing everything. I find that when I’m eating healthy, exercising and sleeping 8-9 hours a night, I work so much more efficiently at school and need to do so much less work in the evenings. (I don’t count TGI as work because that is my great love.) [My fitness routine] starts in the morning. If I cycle to school then that will ensure I change into gym clothes to cycle home, which means I will definitely exercise. I’ve been good these last couple of weeks so I exercise 5 times a week: 2 runs and 3 gym classes (either Body Pump or Body Combat). I need to vary it because I get bored easily.

Q: What jump-started your change of lifestyle?

A: I decided it was time when I was on holiday in Brazil in 2012 - lots of beautiful bodies to inspire you there. My sister-in-law in the States was looking stunning and strong quite soon after her second baby and she claimed it was down to a programme called Earn That Body, which I found out you could do anywhere in the world. It’s owned and run by a woman in Austin, Texas, called Kim Strassman-Eagle. She teaches you how to eat healthily and exercise effectively without starving yourself or overtraining. She taught me so much. I did two of her 8-week programmes and then felt confident to pursue it on my own. I have slacked off a bit but am back into my health and fitness now and loving it. Hoping to lose another 15 pounds before the prom so that I make my date (Ms King!) proud and don’t have to cringe at photos afterwards.

Q: Any nutrition tips?

A: 2-3 green veggies a day. Eat whole wheat pasta, bread, brown rice etc. 40% carbs; 30% fat; 30% protein in a calorie controlled diet is what I learnt on ‘Earn That Body’. Can be tracked on a great website called ‘Lose it’. Best nutrition tip: Limit sugar to under 70g a day. This means watching fruit very carefully. No fruit juice and stick to apples, bananas, berries. Most other fruits are really high in sugar.

Q: What is your favourite workout song/playlist/artist?

A: I have a running playlist which involves a fair bit of Bastille, the last Killers album, Arcade Fire, Passion Pit, Vampire Weekend, Imagine Dragons and Of Monsters and Men. But there are two songs that can drag me out of any dump when I’m running: Cold Play’s Viva La Vida and Imagine Dragon’s Top of the World, which was my ‘little’ brother’s wedding dance so it always reminds me of that special day when they actually got married on top of the world on Table Mountain. I’m always looking for new running music and love getting tips from savvy students so don’t be shy!

Q: What’s the best advice you can give from your successful journey?

A: It’s about making the right decision every single day. Decide how many days off a week you need (2/3) and then commit to those. Make a weekly schedule so that when it is your day off, you can enjoy it rather than wondering if you should go to the gym. I know that I feel better, sleep better, think better and treat people better when I exercise. I also know how easy it is to fall into a trap of not exercising.

For more information about the health and fitness of other BSM teachers, such as Mr. Keens and Ms. Taylor, visit winstonroars.blogspot.com next week.

Written by:

Alexandra Tan, Year 12