As many of you know, I suffered a major ankle injury earlier in the year and had surgery and a long and tough rehab process. I was desperate to be ready for the World Championships in Canada in October but it was a race against time.

If I pushed my ankle too hard, I could easily suffer a setback; but I needed to gain fitness back in my body as soon as possible. It was a nightmare of a balance to keep!

Anyway, all had been going well and I had 2 major trials in order to qualify for the World Championships. The first trial was actually a ‘pre-trial’ to the actual official trials (complicated, right?!) and that was at a British Gymnastics Camp 2/3 weeks ago. Competition conditions were mimicked and we had to show what we had. It would give the BG selectors additional information to pick the team.

I really struggled! I had not competed since my ankle injury and I was significantly short of the fitness I needed to get through a whole competition. It was a tough one for me to take and with the official trials only 2 weeks further on; it was a worry to know whether I would be ready enough to qualify for the team. What was certain was that if I repeated what I’d done at the pre-trial then I wouldn’t be going to Canada.

Many of you have heard me talk about mental attitude and to face challenges with heart, spirit and determination; and that’s exactly what I did in this case. I talked it through with the people around me and we didn’t panic. I knew I had another 2 weeks to get more fitness into me ahead of the official trials. I needed to graft and stay focused, and I did exactly that.

The official trials were this last weekend at an event called the London Open. It was simple – you win and you qualify. Bearing in mind this was only my second competition in around 6 months, and the first didn’t go well, this was going to be a big ask.

I was calm and felt really positive. The feeling of competing again is something I thrive on. I just love it! It brings the best out in me. I won’t bore you going through every apparatus but with 2 to go, I was 4^th. With 1 to go, I was 2^nd! Going into the final apparatus I was a point and a half behind James Hall. I had to do the High Bar, which I won my Bronze in at the Olympics; and James had the Pommel Horse, which wasn’t one of his strongest apparatus.

I can’t really describe it but I just love these situations! Crucially I went first and I absolutely nailed my routine on the High Bars! I was buzzing! James completed his routine on the Pommel Horse but I managed to overtake him and win overall! I was so happy!

After this whole journey of coming back from my ankle injury and the race against time, this was a big moment for me. It reaffirms everything that I believe in with regards to my attitude and approach; and gives me huge confidence ahead of the World Championships in 3 weeks.

So now it is all about preparations for the World Championships. I’ll be in camp with the BG team for the whole of these 3 weeks and it requires focus and more graft. I need this time to gain more fitness and work on my routines. My nutrition will be vital during this period and Herbalife will of course play a big part in this. Every day is important to me!

Thank you for all the support from the Herbalife family and I love all the messages I get online.

Train Smart, Keep it Real!