I first got involved in athletics when I was about 9 years old. At the time, it was really just two weeks of activity to keep me and my sister entertained, yet this became my first proper taste of athletics. I remember I just absolutely loved it. I loved the challenges, I loved running, I loved being active and the enjoyment that came out of exercising. From this moment, my passion for athletics grew and grew until I was able to envision it as a career possibility. I then fully committed myself to training, doing everything I could to make the dream a reality.
When I went to the Commonwealth Games in 2006 for my first senior competition, it was just incredible to be in that multi-sport competitive atmosphere. I had a great competition and came away with a bronze medal, which was just the most amazing and indescribable feeling. After struggling with a career-threatening injury in 2008, I was able to come back and win my first world title in Berlin in 2009. My focus then turned to the next Olympic Games – London 2012. I added two world and a European gold in the build-up, but the 2012 Games came around very quickly. I had the most unbelievable two days in London. Winning gold in front of a home crowd in London is one of the highlights of my athletic career.
I became a mum to Reggie in 2014 but juggled being a mummy and training and won another world title in 2015 and a silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games – both massive achievements for me given the short turnaround from being pregnant and having a baby.
Since then, my life has changed even more after retiring from competitive sport! When you’re competing, it becomes your whole life. Sport is at the centre of everything; it’s the goals you want to focus on, it’s how you eat, how you stay in tune with your body and, of course, it’s the sleep that helps you refuel and recover. It’s the whole approach to making sure that you become the best athlete you can possibly be. Sleep is therefore a huge part of why you’re able to train at the level you can. You need to be recovering, getting a good quality amount of sleep to excel in what you’re doing and what you’re trying to achieve.
Now that I have two young children – it can get pretty hectic! I definitely appreciate the sleep that I get now so that I can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to face the day. That’s why I choose Sleepeezee.
Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is the brand ambassador for Sleepeezee.