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VALA READS: Shoe Dog

VALA READS: Shoe Dog

I was recommended Shoe Dog by my boyfriend, as he kept telling me how much he was enjoying it. Once I picked it up, I expected it to be just another memoir but was quickly hooked by Phil Knight's remarkable journey of building Nike from a fledgling start-up to a global empire.With a dream of improving the running world with his trainers and an unshakeable determination to make it a reality, Shoe Dog chronicles Knight overcoming countless setbacks throughout the process of realising his vision. He imparts decades of wisdom throughout the book, which is punctuated with glimmers of victory...

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One step closer to getting VALA in your hands!

One step closer to getting VALA in your hands!

Next week marks the beginning of production for VALA and I can't decide if I'm terrified, excited or relieved! What I DO know is that I can't wait to get our gels out there and in the hands of athletes very soon. It’s been a long standing vision of mine to create an alternative energy gel made from natural ingredients and we’ve finally achieved it. Given the response from our testers and new followers, it turns out that a lot of you have also been waiting this type of gel to become readily available in the U.K.⁣⁣It's taken nearly three...

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Why you should try nature bathing

Why you should try nature bathing

Getting outside in the fresh air can do wonders for our mental health as well as our physical health. Time spent in nature is said to reduce blood pressure, improve concentration and benefit our immune system.Rest days are an ideal opportunity to try Shinrin-yoku aka ‘Forest bathing’, which was developed in Japan during the 1980s. The aim of this practice is to leave technology behind and be present in the moment. Take in the sights, sounds and smells of the forest and let your body mindfully guide you whilst wandering. Pause for a moment to look around at the sights...

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The benefits of exercising with a partner

The benefits of exercising with a partner

If you're spending your time at home with family members or your partner, why not set up a home exercise area to keep up the momentum? Pencil in a time each day to workout with your accountability buddy and you'll soon see the benefits. Exercising with a partner has countless advantages and can really help you to stay focused, as well as adding a bit of fun to your training. We’ve added a few of our other favourite benefits below.LEARN NEW EXERCISESYou might feel inclined to stick to your usual routine and stay within your comfort zone when training alone,...

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Running reads and matcha teas

Running reads and matcha teas

Weekends are for rainy runs followed by blankets, good reads and matcha tea. When formulating VALA, I always said that I wanted to create a gel that would nourish athletes and provide them with nutrients whilst they train and during their event days. As a big believer in a plant based approach to nutrition, it didn’t make sense to me to follow a balanced, whole food diet on a daily basis then chug back a chemical powdered gel during training and races.That’s why I opted for all natural ingredients and chose to include antioxidant powerhouse matcha tea. Safe to say...

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All natural energy

All natural energy

When we say “made from natural ingredients” we really do mean it! No hidden preservatives, hard-to-pronounce names or additives here... just maple syrup, date paste, lemon juice, lime juice, chia seeds and Halen Mon sea salt (Wales represent!) blended into one smooth gel to keep you fuelled up during training and on event days.Sign up to the VALA newsletter to be the first to know when we launch this spring and to be in with a shot of winning a VALA sample pack ✌🏻

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