A leading personal trainer with 10 years of experience, Lawrence takes a disconcerting amount of pleasure from making people feel close to death. We sat down with him to find out what makes him tick aside from pushing people beyond the limits of what they thought humanly possible.
“I was an international rugby player for Wales to University level before I ruptured my ACL. During my year of recovery, I worked with some of the top practitioners around who showed me how through intelligence and hard work, I could turn a physical weakness into a strength. I decided to return to studying once I graduated from my degree to obtain my personal training qualifications and I’ve never looked back. My training philosophies have certainly evolved over the years. I started out in my early twenties training primarily for sports performance. Then my mid to late twenties saw me focus on aesthetics just as so many young men do. But nowadays, in my early thirties, my priorities are different. I train primarily for cognitive function and mental clarity. I want to feel more energy and more present as a part of everyday life. My aim is to improve and use my fitness to enhance other aspects of my life. To see the world at its best I think you have to be fit so train to live!”
Favourite Innermost products, and why?
The Fit Protein because I'm a huge fan of combining superfoods with my protein so this is perfect. Add some nut butter and cacao for absolute perfection. The Recover Capsules to balance my energy levels, hormonal activity and encourage muscle development.
What's your hustle?
My whole thing for 2017 is that I think everyone needs a coach and one day everyone will have one... but it will all be online. So I'm currently on a mission to bridge the gap between random fitness advice on social media and full on traditional personal training. I see online coaching opening up the possibility for experienced coaches to be able to reach more people and mentor/guide them along their fitness journey. Think of it as having your PT in your pocket wherever you go for a fraction of the cost!
What do you do to maintain a healthy lifestyle?
I live by a set of simple rules focused on giving me freedom to enjoy a balanced healthy lifestyle. I always say "train to live", not "live to train". So I (mostly) avoid the naughty things in life on weekdays but do whatever makes me happy on weekends - you gotta make time for a beer with your mates, it's important.
What does #liveinnermost mean to you?
Stepping back from the hype and understanding what it is you truly want to do and how. We live in an age where we are bombarded by so many myths that we can easily get sidetracked if we let ourselves. It means being resilient in the face of all this and remaining clear on who you really are. There is immense freedom with that.
What’s your favourite thing about the city you live in?
The people make the city. I've been lucky enough to work with some amazing people in this town. If you work hard for it then London will respond with opportunities!
What was your last workout?
This was a shoulder stability session. I have a dodgy left shoulder due to an old rugby injury so I've gotta take care of business in that area.
What’s on your bucket list?
I really want to get into paragliding. Spending a week at a time in the mountains gliding around and staying the night in cabins at stunning isolated spots sounds amazing. One day!
Current fitness goals?
I'm learning the ropes of some gymnastic moves at the moment. Not easy for an ex rugby player. Doesn't come naturally but I'm trying!
Book currently on your bedside table?
I'm currently reading two books on my Kindle - Deep Work by Cal Newport and Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday. Both great books for any freelancer to get stuck into.
Where do you see yourself in three years? Be bold!
Happily raising my kids between life in London and Hampshire. Pretty much what I'm doing now. The simple things are bliss when you get the right balance in life.
Want some more of Lawrence? Check him out on Instagram (@fafitsake) and his very own blog (www.fafitsake.com).
