Meet NZ Olympic Athlete Sophie MacKenzie 'A Clean Lean Rowing Machine'

Meet Sophie MacKenzie. She‘s rowing for New Zealand at the Rio Olympics in the Women's Lightweight Double Sculls. Oh, and she‘s a major Nuzest fan!

Rio 2016 will be Sophie‘s first Olympic Games. Sophie and crew mate Julia Edward are double world champions in the women‘s lightweight double sculls having won at the 2014 and 2015 World Rowing Championships.

Sophie hails from Marlborough and is a member of Wairau Rowing Club. Here‘s the scoop on Sophie:

Q. For those of us who don‘t know you, who is Sophie MacKenzie?

I‘m a full time athlete currently in the women‘s lightweight double sculls competing in the Rio Olympics this year. I run a healthy eating and fitness blog with my hometown friend Megan Craig called ‘Megs and Soph‘. This is where we share all our recipes, recipe ebooks and fitness eguides. I‘m a qualified health coach and personal trainer and am currently studying nutritional science - yes I like to keep myself extremely busy!

Q. What does being a Nuzest ambassador mean to you?

As an athlete it's very important to have clean supplements. Having Nuzest behind me and supporting my career is such a help and Nuzest products enable me to recover the right way. Also, I find whey products often make me feel really bloated which is never fun.

Q. How do you make healthy choices and avoid temptations when it comes to your nutrition?

Making healthy choices becomes second nature after more and more practice. I do like to keep it balanced. If I want a treat I‘ll have one but I‘ll make it more nutrient-dense e.g. dark chocolate. More often than not it usually ends up being a cacao and Clean Lean Protein smoothie to cure my sweet cravings.

Q. What is your favorite indulgence?

Dark chocolate wins hands down.

Q. What is your favorite healthy snack?

Currently crispy apples with nut butter. Yum!

Q. When not out rowing, how do you stay active and fit?

Honestly, I haven‘t had more than 3 weeks off rowing in years so it‘s always my way of staying fit and active. However, in my off time I practice yoga and hike in the mountains especially when I go back to my parents‘ farm in Marlborough.

Q. What is your favorite form of exercise (besides rowing)?

Yoga! I used to suck at stretching even after practicing dancing for 10 years I could never touch my head to my knees but now I can easily. I love the calm and relaxed feeling yoga gives me once I‘m finished. Can I add one more? I love climbing and hiking mountains especially because the view from the top is so stunning.

Q. What are your favorite songs on your workout playlist these days?

I'm always a Beyonce and Taylor Swift fan but currently I have to admit I‘m listening to Justin Bieber - his new album is great.

Q. What do you do for fun?

Bake! I love baking and more importantly eating it hahaha. Also I‘m addicted to the word game Bananagrams ($30 from The Warehouse).

Q. What advice do you have for people wanting to kick-start a healthy lifestyle or to pump up their athletic nutrition?

Jump right into it! Have fun recreating new recipes and laugh at the failed ones! Have fun moving your body and find different ways to move. Find a hidden passion (maybe from childhood) and get involved - bring a friend, team up and do it together. Megs and I were afraid to start a blog by ourselves so we teamed up together - best decision ever! We love it and thrive of each other.

Q. What is your favourite all time Nuzest recipe that you've created?

Argh sooo many.... either Chocolate Smoothie bowls or my Kumara Protein Muffins.

The information provided in this article is intended for educational purposes only and is general advice. It should not, nor is it intended to be, relied on as a substitute for individual medical advice or care. If the contents of this, or any other of the blogs in this series raises any concerns or questions regarding your health, please consult a qualified healthcare practitioner.