Anna has a very impressive resume by anyone's standards. Skiing with her sports-enthusiast family at the age of four Anna took up skiing professionally after she finished school. Within a few years she was on the world tour circuit competing across the globe. Anna landed on her first world cup podium in Sierra Nevada Spain in 2013 and qualified for the 2014 Sochi, Russia Winter Olympic Games ranked 7th in the world. You'll also see Anna on our screens as a TV Sports Presenter for The Crowd Goes Wild and now a contestant on Dancing with the Stars. We managed to catch Anna for a chat.
You love a challenge Anna - how does Dancing with the Stars compare to your Sochi winter Olympics 2014 prep – any similarities?
It’s true, I love a good challenge! DWTS is a massive one! It’s been such a fun journey so far and I so excited for what’s to come, fingers crossed we can wow enough people and get some votes so I can keep on dancing. Surprisingly the competition and performance side of it brings up very similar feels to when I was competing in skiing. I use the same tactics I learnt from my past competition experience which I suppose gives me a little bit of an advantage. I like to have a lot of relaxed downtime, stay warm and to keep moving. I love competing, I know it’s not for everyone but it gives me a goal to strive for and a purpose for all the hard work we are putting in.
Tell us a bit about the process of taking up a sport that is completely new to you - does it take you out of your comfort zone?
100% ballroom dancing is very out of my comfort zone, but then again dancing in my lounge with 70s tunes in my pj’s is totally in my comfort zone, so I just have to combined the two and make it work. I helps that I really love to dance, so even when things it tough and frustrating I still enjoy it.
When you’re not training or in front of the camera what would we find you doing on the weekend?
You’ll find me outside in the elements doing sport, I love going for longboard skate missions by myself to clear my head, or out to Woodhill with my partner for a mountain bike session. If the surf is fun I like to get out to the west coast or up north for a surf mission with friends.
You’d be a role model to many - what advice do you give to kids wanting to follow in your footsteps either by way of sport or presenting?
Simple. Just GO for it… if you can dream it you can do it. I know its super cliché but we all need to remember you only get ONE life, so don’t wait for things to happen or for things to change, if you want it go and get it. Just be prepared to work really hard for it. People are a lot stronger than they realise they just don’t often put themselves to the test. I think Richard Branson’s quote of “If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you’re not sure if you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later” Is pretty much how I live my life. Including Dancing with the Stars.
What does self-care mean to you?
I am learning a lot more about how to self-love, coming from a high performance mode you can be really hard on yourself which can often lead to depression and anxiety. I am learning to be a lot kinder on myself and to give myself a break when I need it. Also making sure I get enough alone time in a day to re-charge is really important.
What does your skin care regime look like and what are the products you just can’t be without?
Well since I spend so much time outside I love using COOLA Mineral Sport SPF30 for my skates and bike missions. The COOLA Mineral Sport SPF 50 Tinted Stick is perfect for surf sessions as it doesn’t rub off in the water. But in winter when I am not getting much sun I like to use the Organic Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum.
Photo Credit - @honeyzestcreative
