No Excuses: Always Active Alex

Who you are and what you do:

My name is Alex. I am the Head of Account Management at Scout Talent Recruitment Software and an enthusiastic participant in the Tour de Office event for the last four years.

What does a basic rundown of your day look like?

On a good day, I’ll get up at 5.30am and go to a boxing class at Brisbane Boxing in West End (followed by a well-earned coffee!) If I don’t manage to get out of bed early, I’ll typically try to fit in an 8km run along the river at lunchtime. After work, I’ll go to BodyFit, my local group fitness gym in Milton. The classes are pretty tough, but I love the social side of it.

Stretching before bed is a good habit I try to stick to, as I always enjoy better sleep afterwards. My other secret weapon is a cup of rooibos tea. It’s caffeine-free and a well-known anti-inflammatory. I have my South African roommate to thank for that one!

How do you stay motivated and continue to do this (nearly) every day?

The best way to stay motivated is to exercise with a friend. Once you’re committed to doing an activity with someone, you’re much less likely to bail on them. So, I always try to invite a friend along with me or ask if they have any workout plans I can join in.

What do you find the most challenging about keeping an active and healthy lifestyle?

Getting the right nutrition is a challenge. I’m always hungry and that means keeping healthy snacks around me in the office. We celebrate everyone’s birthday with a cake at work, so you’ll usually find me going back for a second slice if there’s any leftovers!

When did this routine begin? And why?

It began not long after I moved to Australia four years ago. I lead a much more active lifestyle here than I did in Scotland. It’s no secret that Australia enjoys fantastic weather, but the quality of the shows on TV is awful. This combination means I spend a lot of time outdoors. Any excuse to avoid watching The Bachelor, right?

Do you ever change it up?

I’ll usually try something new every couple of months. Yoga and indoor rock climbing are two activities I’ve enjoyed in the past. These places usually offer trials so you can give it a go without being locked into a membership.

What is your tip for others?

The hardest part of any workout is getting started, but once you get the heart rate up and the endorphins kick in, that’s it… you’re doing it! Keep going!

What is your favourite exercise?

Cycling is the one I find myself returning to most often. When times get tough, there’s no better feeling than taking the bike up Mount Coot-tha for a Sunday spin and enjoying the view, especially at sunset. It’s like pushing the reset button ahead of the working week.