5 minute read
WHO DARES WINS
Lauren (far left) is among celebrities taking part in Channel 4’s SAS Who Dares Wins Stand Up to Cancer.
Now she’s done the treble – signing up to get down and dirty with eleven fellow celebrities in a Stand Up to Cancer version of Channel 4’s toughest reality TV show SAS Who Dares Wins. Contestants are put through gruelling challenges in what’s described as the ultimate test of their physical and psychological resilience. None of these are easy options. The public glare and social media scrutiny add risk. But Lauren seems to emerge unscathed. She’s relaxed talking to MC magazine about life, success and proving that disability (she was born missing her forearm) is no barrier to fulfilling a dream. This ‘bring it on’ attitude goes back to childhood. When she realised she wouldn’t fulfil her dream of becoming a champion swimmer Lauren changed course to the triathlon. “I always thought I’d be a swimmer, but as time went on I knew I wasn’t going to achieve what I wanted. It was a really tough decision but I was always an all rounder, so I was disappointed but ready to switch to the triathlon.” Her dedication to her sport meant leaving home at 14 to attend a boarding school. “It was hard for my family. I missed them, but I was so focused on my goal I didn’t have time to stop and think.” Lauren’s main pressure was combining sport and study. But she went on to gain a degree in Psychology as well as a Masters in Business, and become seven times European and three times World champion, as well as winning a Paralympic Silver medal. It’s safe to say Lauren Steadman is ready to take on all comers. Not content with being a Paralympic medal winning triathlete, the 27 year old became the nation’s darling when she took to the dance floor in BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. 4
She’s still incredibly philosophical about success. “I enjoy being at the top of my game but you have to recognise that it’s not the be all and end all. I’ve had friends with illnesses, and although I love what I do there are so many things out there. It’s about being adaptable and flexible”.
She was that and more in 2018 when she swapped Lycra for sequins in BBC television’s Strictly Come Dancing with professional partner AJ Pritchard.
The pair reached the semi finals, but Lauren says the real success came in proving that a disability is no barrier to achieving what you want.
“I knew I wasn’t being kept in because I was the best dancer. But we were both motivated by the number of messages from people, many with missing limbs, who said we’d inspired them to follow their own dreams.”
In Who Dares Wins for Stand Up to Cancer Lauren competes against celebrities such as Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton and reality TV star Joey Essex. Leader Ant Middleton and his instructor are renowned for their complete disregard for celebrity status.
Switching mind set from sporting hero to celebrity and back must be confusing and demanding? Lauren has it sussed. “I don’t burn the candle at both ends. I do four training sessions a day, but then I give my muscles a chance to rest and recover. I relax at weekends and I love my bed and my sleep!
She’s an exponent of good sleep – her new role as a health ambassador for the Danish furniture store JYSK includes blogging about such things.
It’s commercial of course, but you sense it’s a genuine association. She loves the company ethos for its workforce and its wider community (JYSK is also a member of the Zero Suicide Alliance of organisations who support training for everyone to talk to someone who may be having suicidal thoughts).
It’s taught her more about the importance of sleep – experts say we can last longer without food or water than sleep.
”I’ve definitely realised the difference having a mattress and pillows that work for you. I don’t sleep as well in my other bed (she has a home in the Canary Islands) – it’s nowhere near as comfortable!
Her zest for life is infectious but she has good advice, especially for times like now.
“Life isn’t always about challenging everyone else. It’s little things, like going out on a bike in glorious sunshine that matter. It’s not always about the outcomes, you have to enjoy the journey.”
Her zest for life is infectious.
HOW CAN I SLEEP BETTER?
Hetal Mehta consultant neuropsychiatrist at Mersey Care’s brain injury service answers this and other common sleep queries.
HOW LONG SHOULD I SLEEP AND WHAT TIME SHOULD I GO TO BED? There’s no right or wrong. We can’t change our body clocks they’re governed by genetics. Some of us are early birds, some night owls and about half of us are in between. Some need more sleep than others. A routine and good sleep hygiene is important.
WHERE IS YOUR BODY CLOCK? A small part of our brain is known to control our ‘circadian rhythm’, regulating our sleep-wake cycle; however, every cell has an internal body clock. That’s why lack of sleep or disrupted sleep patterns over a long time can cause health issues.
HOW CAN I SLEEP BETTER? Stay away from television and computer screens before you sleep. The ‘blue’ light suppresses the sleep hormone melatonin. You feel groggy next morning and tired in the day. It takes a while to restore your natural sleep cycle.
WHAT ABOUT A SIESTA? 20 to 30 minutes after lunch is a really good way of recharging. Any longer or later could interfere with your sleep pattern.
HOW DO I SLEEP WHEN I’M STRESSED? You need to deal with the issues causing the stress. I know because I struggle to switch off from work!
GOING TO THE LOO DISTURBS MY SLEEP! It’s quite normal as long as you are able to fall asleep straight away after going to the loo.
WHEN SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT MY SLEEP OR LACK OF IT? If you rarely or never have a full night’s sleep you can build up a sleep debt. It’s easy to normalise abnormal sleep but it can affect your health long term. See your GP and ask to be referred to a sleep clinic.
