How it Feels to be an Olympian with Michelle Griffith Robinson

Here at We are Girls in Sport, we love to meet and chat to inspiring women and girls from around the globe. In this week’s blog, we spoke to Michelle Robinson (nee Griffith). Born in Wembley, London. Michelle is a former athlete, who represented GB for over two decades in the triple jump and is a proud Olympian.

A mother of three (two teenage daughters and a six-year-old son), Michelle met her husband, a former Welsh international rugby player at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002. A leader in her sport, Michelle was the first woman to have jumped over 14 metres in the Commonwealth Games and is still one of only a handful of women in the UK to have achieved this distance.

Michelle started her training down at the athletics track when she was eleven years old. Her mum introduced her to training one Sunday morning as she needed something for Michelle to do whilst she did her exercise class! Michelle’s mum had given her one pound to join the athletics club and to this day, she still quotes that it ‘was the best pound she ever invested!’

Down at the track, Michelle learnt from an early age how to, not only run fast but how sport helps us to build resilience and the courage to try something new. Michelle says “I often talk about the power of sport and the confidence it gives you. I would urge many young girls and boys too, to do something sporty. Sport gives you focus, discipline, increases your self-esteem and your mental well-being. All of which can help us in our daily life.”

How does it feel to be called an Olympic athlete?

I guess it is only since I retired from athletics in 2006, that I pinch myself and say, ‘I am an Olympian’. When I do my motivational speaking, that’s when you really understand the impact of the word by people’s reactions. When I was younger, I was inspired by a German long jumper - Heike Dreschler. I admired her speed, determination and sheer grit.

It must be hard for people to really understand the commitment it takes to compete at an Olympic Games. What was your training regime like?

As you know, the Olympic games is held every four years (apart from 2020 unfortunately). The training that goes into that one performance is unbelievably challenging. It is a build-up of years of training and forming a team around you, who help you to perform on that chosen day. A typical day for me back then would look like this:

- Go and see my physiotherapist or massage therapist

- Try and rest for 30 mins and have a light snack before training

- Train from 6.30pm until 9pm

- Go home, ice my body (which aids recovery for the next session)

- Have my dinner and go to bed.

Photo credit: Michelle Robinson / Olivia Bossert

Some days I would have to train twice, once in the morning and again at night.

How does sport make you feel?

As a person who started their sporting career at age twelve, I would say first-hand that sport lifts my mood. I am blessed to have three children who also all love sport. Daily, I can see how much more alert, happier and positive they are after doing a physical activity. With all the stresses that they will encounter throughout their teens and beyond, I think it is essential to encourage an active lifestyle to maintain a healthy mind and body. I always try to remind people of every age that ‘health is your greatest wealth’.

How much physical activity should we be doing every day?

As a teenager, sport became my sanctuary and so I would highly recommend that girls try and find a sport that they love. You can start by doing at least 30 minutes of activity per day. This can be anything from a brisk walk to and from the station or using a fitness app to help you through a basic circuit.

No matter how old you are, it’s really important to keep yourself moving. Sometimes, when you make yourself accountable to somebody else, this encourages you to see your goal through.

And finally, what life motto do you stand by?

My life motto is ‘a dream is nothing if left on the pillow’. Give things a go!!

Michelle has shared her top tips for keeping active during lockdown over on our social media pages, so please go check it out!

Follow Michelle on Instagram @michellegriffithrobinson or on her website.