Live Webchat with Jessica Ennis-Hill: Thursday 13 March, 11.00AM - 12.00PM

[KateHMumsnet]

We're excited to announce that the immensely talented Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill will be joining us at MNHQ!

In one of the most iconic moments of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Jessica made history by winning heptathlon gold for Great Britain. A member of the City of Sheffield Athletic Club, she is the current World and European heptathlon champion and world indoor pentathlon champion, and has recently announced she is pregnant with her first child, a very exciting addition to the team!

Post a question for Jessica in advance below, or join us on the 13th between 11.00AM and 12.00PM.

Thanks
MNHQ

[Bagtrainlady]

Wow! Thank you for answering my question(s) My 8 year old also loves 'our' autographed copy of your biography!

[newgirl]

Thank you Jess! I think the theme of your answers (and about my q about my 11 year old) is finding what you enjoy - which is a fab message!

[Stripytop]

Hi Jess, I'm a Pruhealth/Vitality participant too. I don't have a question (as they've been asked already), but just wanted to mention your book as we were given signed copies of it as part of our prize. It has become my 9 yr old dd's prized possession and is so inspiring to her. She's a budding swimmer and is drawing comparisons between the early challenges and sacrifices you faced, and those that are currently on her horison. She is getting so much support and motivation from reading your story. Thankyou

[JessicaEnnis-Hill]

Thank you so much Mumsnet, it's been a lot of fun chatting with you this morning and thank you all for your support and congratulations. I'm sure I'll be using Mumsnet quite a bit in the forthcoming months. And good luck to all the PruHealth Vitality Experience participants - keep motivated!

[JessicaEnnis-Hill]

@TwoLeftSocks

I'm wondering (as well as how to post properly) what you think of sports provision in school, especially sports other than football (which dominates at my son's school, yet is of little interest to many).

Hi TwoLeftSocks, it's difficult to generalise as the sports offering vary a lot across the country. I was very lucky at school to try lots of different sports. My advice to parents with kids at schools where the sports offering may be a bit limited is to look for after school/weekend/holiday sports groups and clubs to get involved with. Variety is really important, best of luck with your search.

[ZingSweetMango]

Thanks for reply.

I guess looking back you must be pretty amazed in a way, thinking "did I really do that?"

I hope pregnancy and birth goes well - all the best for the future!

(btw I like your furry slippers in the advert, they make me smile! )

[JessicaEnnis-Hill]

@Justers

Hi Jessica
My son is only 7 years but is showing some talent in tennis (he firmly believes he'll be the next Andy Murray!). Did you feel under pressure to perform when you were growing up and what advice would you give to parents of aspiring sports stars of the future?
Thanks

Hi Justers, I didn't really feel a lot of pressure to preform when I was growing up because I really enjoyed it. My coach and family didn't pressure me they just supported me so it never really became a chore. Lots of encouragement and support is best, especially at a young age, so they continue to enjoy what they're doing and see where it takes them.

[JessicaEnnis-Hill]

@Bagtrainlady

I have been one of the lucky Pruhealth Vitality testers which has been really helping to motivate me around my general health & fitness. My question for you is when things get hard & training is a struggle what do you find best motivates you? Any inspirational/motivational advice for a slowly getting fitter 40-somethings?

Apologies for being greedy with the questions

Hi Bagtrainlady, glad to hear that you're finding the Vitality Experience motivational. I would say it's about finding something that you enjoy and setting yourself achievable goals. Also finding someone that you can train with always makes it a bit easier and fun.

[AmyMumsnet]

Hi Jess,

I was lucky enough to see you win gold at the Olympics so it's lovely to have you at MNHQ.

We just had a question for you which was being asked over on Twitter - are you a supporter of the No More Page 3 campaign?

[JessicaEnnis-Hill]

@ZingSweetMango

Congrats on baby news and all the best!

You were awesome on the day and my kids were jumping with joy (as for all wins) - how you kept focused under so much pressure and expectations I'll never know!

Who is your role model?

Hi ZingSweetMango, thank you. I'm not quite sure how I did either! I've always looked up to Denise Lewis and Carolina Kluft who was also an incredible heptathlete. And they're both really lovely people.

[fullerlonger]

Thank you so much for replying. Very wise advice x

[JessicaEnnis-Hill]

@Galaxymum

Hi Jess! We all think you are such an inspiration in our house, and my DD loves you.

When/how did you know that athletics was your passion? And how did you you set off to make athletics your goal?

Congratulations on your pregnancy - wishing you all the very best and it is lovely to see you continuing to inspire! xxx

Hi Galaxymum, thank you so much. I started athletics when I was 9/10 and I truly enjoyed it. As I got older I started to train a bit more and realised I had a talent for it and from then on no other sport interested me. I just wanted to be the best I could be in athletics. And with the support of my family and coach I was able to achieve my dreams.

[MrsVamos]

Hello Jess !

Thank you so much for replying, you have made my daughters day !

Wishing you all the love and happiness in the world, and every success for the future, in all that you do.

xxxxx

[JessicaEnnis-Hill]

@gleegeek

Hi Jessica.
How would you make sure girls aren't put off sport?
My dd (10) goes to a large junior school with a PE specialist teacher. At infants school dd was very keen on sport but has become disenfranchised since going to junior school as it is a very small number of girls who are chosen to represent the school. They take great pride in winning every competition but the result is that the 'sporty girls' get better and better at the expense of the majority.
Dd swims, climbs, does ballet, rides her bike outside school and is generally fairly well coordinated and fit. But she describes herself as rubbish at sport because she isn't ever picked to compete.... I fear that she will give up when she goes to secondary and do no sport (like her mother! )
I would like emphasis put on the importance of sport for health, and opportunity to compete with your own personal best.

Sorry longer than I intended!

Hi gleegeek, it's really important that you continue to encourage her to stay active. It's not always about winning, but more about really enjoying what you're doing. It could be something that you do together to keep up the interest and momentum, such as dance or bike riding and share that enthusiasm.

[JessicaEnnis-Hill]

@fullerlonger

Hi Jessica, I have four very sporty daughters, you are one of their heroines. Two of them are now at regional level in their sport and doing well. What advice would you give them when they seem to be going backwards or they have a 'blip' in training? I'd love to be able to say "Remember, Jessica Ennis said...."! It would help to keep them motivated! Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Hi fullerlonger, I would say to remember that you learn so much from the sessions that don't go so well as well as disappointing performances. It's about taking on board what happened and using it to your advantage in future so that you can progress. I've had lots of 'blips' in my training and it's how you bounce back from them that make stronger/better athlete. Keep going!

[JessicaEnnis-Hill]

@Blondieminx

Yay! We love Jess in our house too, she's such a great role model , lovely to have her on for a webchat!

I hope pregnancy is treating you well

What was your favourite comfort food as a child?

Hi Blondieminx, if I had to choose a favourite food as a child the first thing that comes to mind is my mums homemade lasagne. I've now stolen her recipe so I can make it at home!

[JessicaEnnis-Hill]

@IamInvisible

Hello Jessica. Congratulations on your pregnancy.

We love you in this house, especially DS2(17) who was a sprinting county champion at primary school. Unfortunately he had to give up athletics because of a knee injury. He is poorly at the moment, and it would make his year if you could wish him better.

Hi IamInvisible, thank you. Sending loads of positive vibes and hoping your son is feeling better soon. Hopefully he finds another activity or sport in the meantime that he can enjoy just as much while healing.

[JessicaEnnis-Hill]

@Willemdefoeismine

Hi Jennifer

I, along with nine other Mumsnetters, have been lucky enough to undertake the PruHealth Vitality Challenge over the past two months. For me it has been empowering and has, at a significant time of my life, made me face up to the importance of staying fit, active and pursuing an all-round more healthy lifestyle. I hope that the foundations laid down will keep me on the right path for the future.

I wonder, in your role as an Ambassador for PruHealth Vitality, what your message to Mumsnetters, in general, would be in terms of living a more healthy lifestyle?

Many thanks

Hi Willemdefoeismine, thank you for your question. I'm glad to hear that you're finding the Vitality Experience so empowering, I've found that since becoming a Vitality Ambassador my mum and my sister have really embraced the values and ideals of the programme. It's about taking the simple steps to be more active and eating healthier that can make the most impact on your lifestyle. Which results in feeling better about yourself and having a lot more energy. It's all about moderation and making long-term, gradual lifestyle changes rather than drastic and unsustainable goals.

[JessicaEnnis-Hill]

@slowlygettingthere

Welcome Jessica and congrats on the impending arrival

I have rather given up on sport as an adult - though loved it at school
I now have twin DDs and want to make sure that they get the bug
Any advice?
thanks

Hi slowlygettingthere, and thank you. I would get them to try as many different sports/activities as possible. Make sure it's all good fun, and this way they can choose what they enjoy the most. There's a big difference between running cross country and dance and I've always found that it's easier to dedicate yourself to training if you're also enjoying it. Good luck!

[JessicaEnnis-Hill]

@MrsVamos

Oh my goodness !

We adore Jess too, especially my 9 year old DD who would LOVE it if Jess would say "hello" !

Jess.

Many, many congrats on your very exciting news ! How are you finding pregnancy ?
How much have you had to change your regime to 'fit in' yor pregnancy ? Is it easier or harder than you imagined ?

and

Hi MrsVamos, please say hello to your lovely daughter. I'm finding pregnancy good so far. I have had to change my training regime a lot, I'm obviously not doing any of my disciplines at the moment (hurdling, javelin, etc.), everything is at a lower intensity but I'm still trying to keep as fit and healthy as possible. So that I continue to have a healthy pregnancy. Training is definitely not as hard as it was, but it's a different kind of training which is all new to me.

[nevergoogle]

Please don't rush to get your lovely flat stomach back.

If you could compete at Rio with a flabby overhanging belly, you know the rest of us would feel a bit better

[JessicaEnnis-Hill]

@newgirl

We love Jess too!!! Congrats on all your sporting successes - you are a wonderful role model.

Question - my 11 year old has always done school athletics/cross country but on starting at secondary school now says she 'hates running', possibly because she is not in the teams. What can I do?

Hi newgirl, thank you very much! I think you just need to support her and assure her that she's moved into a new age group so it's going to take time for her to make teams, but I'm sure she will. Don't put too much pressure on her, I'm sure she'll rediscover her love for running.

[JessicaEnnis-Hill]

@Sunshineonsea

Hi Jessica!

We think you are amazing in the sunshine house, a real role model that appeals to the old and the young alike.

I would like to ask how do you envisage life post-baby exercise-wise?
Do you have any plans in place so far?

Hi Sunshineonsea, I have a rough plan in place. Obviously I'm aware that life is going to be very different once my baby is here. So I don't want to put too much pressure on myself and have hard plans in place just yet. However I do want to get back into full training as soon as I can, but it will be in a very gradual and sensible way.