Anja Madhvani is a writer and drinks industry worker with a passion for adventure.
Anja studied classical piano performance at The University Of Huddersfield, and has gone on to perform as a violinist and singer with a number of post-rock bands, most notably Her Name Is Calla.
She has spent 13 years in the beer industry, managing venues, hosting brewery tours and tastings, and working in sales and communications. She also works with Club Soda, a mindful drinking movement who aim to create a world where nobody feels out of place if they aren’t drinking.
In 2018 Anja completed her first ultra, the Marathon Des Sables, with undiagnosed Pulmonary Tuberculosis. She is now back to running and also enjoying the challenge of pole dancing.
She is currently studying to become a personal trainer, and hopes to channel her unique experiences into helping others to shift their mindset and find joy in movement.
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Show notes
Who is Anja
What she does
What Anja was like a child
Growing up in North Yorkshire
Being involved in dancing
Making excuses to get out of PE
Finding a love for beer
Exercise and fitness in her 20s
Deciding to make a change in her life
Getting back into fitness and her first steps
Needing a really big challenge
Signing up for the Marathon des Sables and getting back into running
Having 16 months to train
Where did she start
Her first run down by the canal
Going solo but meeting other people online through the FB group
Her method for training
Making changes to her lifestyle and getting into a better routine
Being cagey with sharing her running challenge
Working with a personal trainer
Focusing on the small tangible goals and celebrating the wins
Building up her confidence via weight training
How strength training impacted on her running
Just wanting to finish the race
Cagey or protective ?
Being supported by friends and family
Fears and concerns before the race
Being a worrier or a planner?
What if I fail? What does that say about me?
Running the Marathon des Sables in April 2018
Feeling under the weather at Christmas 2017
The determination and grit to push on through the pain
Being motivated by self loathing
Enjoying the race
Feeling disappointed on the finish line
Wanting to go back and do the race in full health
What happened after the race when back in the UK
Tuberculosis (TB)…. what is it
Being in isolation for 11 days
Getting back her health and fitness
Taking 20 mins to walk 100 m
Having panic attacks when training
Going to therapy and working on her mindset
Training for the London Marathon in 2022
Final words of advice
Social Media
Instagram: @anjaism
Twitter: @anja_madhvani
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