7 minute read
The Aimee Fuller Interview
Aimee Fuller A NEW CHAPTER
Interview by amie Henderson
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Two-time Olympian Aimee Fuller announced back in January that she was retiring from professional snowboarding, but I’d honestly imagined that she had another Olympics in her. Aged just 29 and with the Beijing Winter Games one year away, is she calling an end to her competitive career too soon?
“I’ve had an amazing run at snowboarding. I never expected to compete at the X Games, to represent Team GB twice at the Olympics. These things were never on the map for me and it’s amazing where following your dream and trusting your gut can take you. But, I don’t want one thing to define me. And there’s so much more to snowboarding than a list of results in your bio.”
Snowboarding isn’t one of those sports where athletes train relentlessly and focus entirely on results. Perhaps it’s for this reason that Aimee finds it easier than I’d imagined to move away from life as a professional athlete. The best bits will still be there, whether there’s a competition or not. “Snowboarding is about being in the mountains, connecting with special people, of passion and getting creative,” she explains. “I’m bringing it back to the roots and the reasons why I actually started snowboarding in the first place. That really excites me.”
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Aimee announced her retirement via Instagram and I wondered how she felt once the news was out there in the world? “Honestly, relief. I’ve been overwhelmed by the gratitude from those thanking me for inspiring them to start snowboarding. I’m super grateful for the support from my sponsors too.” But before we draw a line under Aimee’s professional snowboarding career (because that’s what we’re here to do), I want to know what the highlights were. “The early days in Morzine, staying at Star Ski Chalets and throwing backflips with Stef Nurding and Gilly Seagrave in the baby park,” is her first highlight. “Riding with the Roxy crew out in Japan,” comes a close second. “Having an X Games in Europe in 2013 was really special. My family came out to Tignes to support me and I have some amazing memories.” She also became the first female snowboarder to land a double backflip in competition during the comp. “Qualifying for my second Olympics and getting to share the pre-Games training adventures with my Mum in Colorado is something I’ll never forget.”
But what’s next? Aimee’s excitement, energy and all-round positivity suggest that she’s got a new plan brewing… this isn’t the end. It’s the beginning. “It’s fun to set new goals, explore other passions,” and I couldn’t agree more. After the Sochi Games in 2014, Aimee became a regular on our TV screens, hosting features for BBC Ski Sunday, Red Bull TV and for the Olympic Channel, for whom she ran her very first marathon… in North Korea. “I love the variety of broadcasting and I’m excited to do more of this,” she explains.
“It was raw, it was real, and I don’t regret one minute of sharing my excitement,” Aimee explains when I ask her about THAT BBC commentary box moment with Ed Leigh and Tim Warwood at the Sochi Games in 2014. The UK’s Guardian newspaper described the trio as ‘an exhausted sobbing mess… and it was brilliant’, having watched Jenny Jones become Great Britain’s first ever Olympic medalist on snow. “Let’s be honest, if your best mate won a medal at the Olympics, are you going to rein in your excitement?” Erm, no actually. “People loved it, it was a day in history for Jenny and for British snowboarding.” And then the penny drops… is this where Aimee caught the bug for Breakfast | Brunch | Salads | Wraps | Dinnersbroadcasting? >>
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“For sure it was,” she replies. “I felt super comfortable in that environment, I tuned out the audience and focused on what was happening. I love the adrenaline rush of live television. It’s almost like competing - anything can happen!”
It’s March when Aimee and I speak and the UK is in its third (and hopefully final) lockdown, which is clearly fuelling her plan. The Monday Mile is Aimee’s new podcast for digital magazine Invision and she’s working hard on the launch. “I’ll host a different guest over a socially-distanced one mile walk to discuss their motivation hacks and tips. The objective is to help you start your week strong!” The guest line-up is certainly strong; imagine Aimee combined with the likes of radio presenter and journalist Vic Hope, former Royal Marine and adventurer Jason Carl Fox and footballer Wayne Bridge to name just a few. “I can’t wait to dive into this and keep the positive vibes alive!”.
Anyone who follows Aimee on social media will know that she’s also a qualified yoga teacher. I wonder if that’s been helpful during the chaos and uncertainty of the last 12 months? “Time and time again I’m grateful for the practise of yoga - it’s both transportable and scalable, time-wise,” she explains. “Over an 11-year career my body has weathered some impact. Yoga makes me feel good both physically and mentally - it’s a game changer!” Before the pandemic kicked off, Aimee co-hosted yoga and snowboarding retreats with Our Retreat, providers of luxury yoga and wellness breaks. “Hopefully we can bring one to Morzine next winter!”. And then there’s cycling. “MyCycle is a campaign I’m fronting to encourage people to cycle 100, 200, 300 miles or more over a 30 day period - it’s a great way to keep you motivated through the darker, colder lockdown months and it’s all in aid of the British Heart Foundation.”
There's no doubt the services of Aimee Fuller will be called upon for future commentary projects, especially as we get closer to another Olympic year. That must mean keeping a close eye on new winter sports talent coming through the ranks? “It certainly does, and right now I’m watching Mia Brooks.” As our regular readers will know, 13 year old Mia is no stranger to the pages of this magazine, she even wrote a lockdown diary for us. “She is ace and has her head screwed on, it’s going to be fun to watch her progress. I took a few laps with her in LAAX this year and she’s got great board control, plus a really solid family around her, which is key at such a young age.” “It’s all about time on snow, and for sure she’s doing her time!” Aimee adds.
OK, one final question about life as a professional snowboarder, I promise. What was the best bit? “When your sport is also your job. It’s amazing to turn a passion into a profession and to literally live your dream. I did that, and I’m forever grateful to Roxy for being with me from day one. They showed me what was possible, they saw my potential and they let me evolve into the snowboarder I am today.” “Travelling the world, Australia, New Zealand every year for 11 years, it’s just been crazy. Sport has an amazing way of breaking down societal barriers; it doesn’t matter where you are from, you’re instantly welcomed and this gives you a different sense of confidence, which I am grateful for.” And what about life right now? “Exploring other sports. As an athlete I could never do long distance running, but running the London Marathon with my mum was one for the bucket list. Plus I get to take a few more days off the gym, enjoy the odd slice of pizza - the balance is good now!”
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