The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Rebecca Baird gets to know Dundee personal trainer Nicole Harrison, who says bad breakups happen to us all
Q As a PT, nutritionist and now psychology student, you’ve studied movement, eating habits and now the mind. What’s the most important aspect of health, to you?
A I would say your mental health and mind is most important. When you’re physically done in, you can still look after yourself from a mental wellness point of view. But when your mental health is done in, it’s very hard to look after yourself physically. If you’re looking to prioritise, you should prioritise your mental health always.
Q What does body positivity mean to you?
A For me, it means everyone should get respect regardless of their weight or their size. The gym is an obvious one, but there’s also things like high street stores that just don’t cater to people above certain sizes. I think body positivity is about having respect for everyone’s bodies, but having respect for your own as well, and knowing you’re not any less worthy just because these places haven’t made space for you yet.
Q What’s your go-to comfort food?
Mac and cheese!
Q And your go-to easy workout for a bad day? A Probably a nice yoga workout. If you want an actual workout, just 10 squats, 10 push-ups and 10 sit-ups three times will do the job, but I think with yoga, you get more of a challenge than you realise. And if you’re doing a nice video, the time passes a lot more quickly than doing loads of sit-ups.
Q What would you have done if you hadn’t done the job you’re doing now?
A My degree was in history, funnily enough, so I probably would’ve been a history teacher.
Q Where in the world are you happiest?
A On a beach, near a beach. Near the water is where I feel most at peace.
Q Favourite part of Scotland to explore?
A Anywhere up north. I love Aviemore – but really just anywhere I can go a walk and be in the hills.
Q
A Probably staying with my ex for so long. I knew he was not the one, but I was so scared of being alone and unsure of what that would look like, that I took far too long to end things.
Biggest regret?
Q Last book you read?
A Oh, it was a trashy little romance by Kristen Ashley, Law Man.
Q Music you listen the car?
A I’ve been getting into rap which is a bit rogue for me – Qveen Herby, a female rap artist. She’s good.
Q Who inspires you? A My mum and dad. My mum especially, she’s always had two to three jobs at any one time, and they both just get things done.
Q Your house is on fire – what item do you save? A My Nintendo Switch.
Q First thing you’d do if you won £1 million? Give my mum and dad a good couple of hundred grand, blow the rest on a house, maybe?
Q If you could rule for a day, what would be the first thing you would do? I would abolish all student debt and tuition fees.
Q Favourite holiday destination? Disneyland Paris.
Q What makes you happy?
A Reading.
to in
Q What makes you sad? A If I think about the news too much.
Q What is the best advice you have received, and who did it come from?
A Probably from my dad – if you don’t like something, leave. Life’s too short.
Q Do you believe in love at first sight?
No.
Q What do you do to unwind?
A Can of diet juice, a nice mindless TV programme, blanket, candle – sorted.
Q What or who are you proudest of?
A I think it’s myself, I can’t lie. I feel like even though I’ve not been around for very long, I’ve done a lot of stuff – started my own business, got my undergrad, and now I’m doing my masters. I’ve always done my own thing, and I’ve managed to make it work one way or another.
Q What’s the hardest thing – physically or mentally – you’ve ever had to do?
A Get over my very first breakup. That was a ballache! Happens to us all, eh?
A Finally, what advice would you give your younger self?
A Don’t worry about being on the “right” path, just worry about doing stuff that makes you happy.